Tips for getting back into reading.

[chosenone]

Seems a strange one to ask here, but I used to be a bookworm. Since the Lockdown I’ve only really read on holiday. When and where do you read? … I’ve always enjoyed reading in bed but DH goes up before me so I can’t have a bright enough lamp on. I’ve tried to find an odd hour after work or at the weekend but get distracted by my phone and ironically Mumsnet 😅 traditionally I liked thrillers/whodunnits. Recently I’ve enjoyed Ellanor Olliphant and The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry.

I love my iPad for reading at night. I also use it as a white noise machine.

Get a kindle. They have a backlight, so you can read in bed without disturbing snoring dh next to you. Also, you can buy a lot of books cheaply (99p) including decent books.

If you don’t like a book, don’t feel guilty at not finishing it. Life is too short to plough through a book you’re not enjoying.

Bookbub - a good site to get ideas and sends you recommendations depending on your preferences.

Other books you may like-
Away with the Penguins
Mrs Benson Beetle
The Lido
Three Hours - Rosemary Lupton
Clare Macintosh books
John Marr books

Great suggestions. I had a kindle years ago actually, forgot all about it. Thanks for the suggestions 👍

I imagine you'd enjoy the Richard Osman Thursday Murder Club books.
Also
The Rosie Project
and
Lessons in Chemistry

My biggest tip is to read instead of going on Mumsnet!! 🤣

@Riverlee - completely agree about walking away from a book that you're not enjoying. Find a book you love and you'll be hooked!
I read on a very basic Kindle with no internet for all the reasons you list.
Will list some titles I think are very readable and post later.

When I was getting back into reading I downloaded the Goodreads app. Actually loved tracking my books!

I've just started seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo which I've found very easy to get into. I only read on kindle, I just find it easier.

Use your library..its free and will let you use apps like libby and borrowbox for ebooks and audio.

Three hours as mentioned above by rosamund lupton is brilliant! It's a real unputdownable!

I use goodreads as well to set myself a reading challenge for the year. I started with just a small challenge of 12 books in 2018. This year my challenge was 52!

I started re-reading my favourites from the past to get back into the habit ... it lowered the barrier to reading and then I could try new stuff. Maybe a book light could help?

Here are some books I have enjoyed recently - maybe there's something to tempt you.

I somehow fell out of reading much - started a bit now as I've had to do some train journeys but that's a rather drastic solution!

Just downloaded the goodreads app. Setting a challenge of 12 this year 👍🙏

Definitely a kindle for reading in bed.

Now that I don’t have to share my bed with anyone else, I actually like listening to a timed chunk of audiobook before bed.

Definitely yes to just abandoning books you aren’t liking. And getting cheap kindle books - unless you’re pretty certain you’ll actually like a book. I’m amazed at how many times I try a book everyone is raving about online only to be utterly perplexed by the popularity - which is fine if it was a couple of pounds. Less so if it cost £10.

I often read on my iPad but when I have a print book to read, I have a Lencent amber book light. It clips to a book or bedhead and emits a soft amber light that is enough to read by but not enough to keep DH up. I got it off Amazon.

I love my kindle but I also recommend going to your local library and browsing. See what grabs you! I only got back into reading when I made a decision to read during the day.

I used to read in bed but it just doesn't work for me now. I fall asleep after a page and then cannot remember what I have read! Take a book with you everywhere and read on your lunch break, on the bus, in a queue...wherever you normally get your phone out. 😄

Also here for tips. I used to be a bookworm, was a regular on the 50 books thread, read about 50-60 books a year.
In June 2022 I stopped due to a catastrophic life changing event. I am recovering well, working, have counselling for PTSD etc but have lost my love of reading. In the early days I just didn't have the mental capacity to retain anything. Then I just lost the habit. I listen on audible a bit.
But 2024 I'd really like to try.

Great thread! I also used to read all the time but I’ve lost my way. I have a Kindle but I struggle to scroll back to remind myself of what’s happened. Is there an easy way of going back on a Kindle?

@YnysMonCrone I am sorry to hear that. I didn't read for a long time due to depression. I hope 2024 willbe better for you.

@Manyandyoucanwalkover Do you mean just a few pages? You just lightly toch the left side of the screen to go back. (Not sure if all models are the same).

I read my kindle on my iPad or an actual book with a clip on light, in the evenings on the sofa with DH if he is watching something I don't want to, or football.. If I need to noise block the TV I listen to music via headphones.

I also read my kindle on my phone on train journeys, when getting nails done etc...

I was a massive reader as a child / young adult but then stopped and this year I got a kindle and started reading ‘cosy mystery’s’ . I tend to only read in bed so the kindle is ideal . I’ve read about 10 books since I started at the end of August . I gave upon the first Richard Coles as it was dire . At the moment I am reading the Iris Woodmore series by Michelle Salter .

I think we need an accountability thread.
A 30 minute a day reading challenge would be good too.

My local library has a selection of quick read books.....these are probably less "daunting " if anyone is trying to get back into reading as they are so short

Yes I know how to go back a few pages. Is there any way of going back further, without losing your place?

30 minutes a day is a great challenge for us 👍