Decided to read every day

[OneFrenchEgg]

Thinking about all the unread books in the house and how I just end up on the internet.
I'm going to set a phone reminder everyday and do 9-9.30pm like homework.
Am reading (haha) Alice Carrierie Everything Nothing Someone but haven't picked it up for weeks.

I used to be an avid reader but now can’t concentrate long enough as I have to go back to my phone to check something I forgot.
Internet is useful but has a lot to answer for.
I find reading relaxing and a release from every day stresses and the phone is the opposite but strangely addictive.
Maybe a brick phone is the solution !

That's how I feel. Like a real disconnect from life when I'm reading which I used to love but now makes me feel I'm missing out.

I read every night.

I'm like @Poshcatwithbigears Used to read all the time and the iPhone changed that for the worse. I tried reading on the iPad but would also get distracted when the book got boring. On holiday, I have a strict rule that I leave my phone in the room and only read actual books and then I read loads. Or I get bored and swim a lot instead, so either is a win.

@OneFrenchEgg I started to do similar several months ago. I made myself read 4% of my Kindle book every night. Now I prefer to read my Kindle rather than internet scroll in bed, and often read 10% plus each night. My reading speed and focus has increased significantly.

I'd really recommend the Forest app- it's brilliant- you set it for however long you want to read and it blocks your phone for that time. I've read a lot more ever since I started using it, think it was someone on a thread like this who recommended it.

Oh that sounds good. I think once into it I'll be happy.

I'm trying to do paper rather than kindle although I really like the kindle app on my iPad to be fair. The actual paper white not so much

Great idea. I used to read a lot. Now on my phone constantly.

I think of reading in the same way I think of exercise or healthy eating. It can be a chore, but the benefits are worth it. I’m working way through the classics atm, with Harold Bloom as my guide.

I did the 50 book challenge last year to try and get back into reading. Ended up reading 100!

one rule I have is that I don’t have to finish a book I’m not enjoying and they go to the bottom of the pile! I can’t say I’ve had any inclination to pick any up again. Reason was that I would go to read - look at the book and get that sense of dread and I wanted my reading time to be pleasurable!

Why not try some audio books as well?

It really is a habit that you need to cultivate. I did really well last year and used to get up early to read in the morning (I can[t really read in bed at night). However, this year I started taking my phone out along with my kindle - and obviously an hour passed and I had wasted it on my phone and read nothing!

This is a good idea.

I can't concentrate on them; I end up back on my phone and then missing chunks of them

Pair up with a buddy!

I did this but my friend overtook me - worth a try?

Ooh I did this last year! I was a voracious reader all the way up to my late twenties, and ten years later I couldn’t remember why I stopped something that gave me such joy. I have set myself a goal this year of 100 books. I have one on the go on my phone, a physical book from the library and also an audiobook at all times. It’s brought so much more joy to my life! But I definitely found my concentration span is nothing like it used to be, because of my phone :/

I tried and we kept forgetting etc. I've joined a book group now.
I'm keen just to start it like a regular part of my day.

There's a course at Warwick that points out how literature and poetry aids with MH and helps with grief, heartbreak, trauma and stress -- Literature and Mental Health Reading and Wellbeing.

As someone else said on MN, I do think it's a choice between watching the telly or reading. A lot of us don't have a lot of time so we need to prioritise reading. When I'm too stressed or my concentration isn't the best I play games on my mobile.

That's really wise @Hartley99

Interesting to read about that course.

Well my first go was pretty tortuous tbh. I set a timer and checked it at least four times. Checked my phone once. Read the same page twice.

But I am further forward and shall practice again tomorrow.

Oh, dear.
I hope it becomes something to love and look forward to, rather than a chore.

Maybe the crucial thing is to find a book that you can't wait to get back to. At one point I was reading a very melodramatic Dickens, and I couldn't wait to get home from work to see what would happen next.

At one point I was reading a very melodramatic Dickens, and I couldn't wait to get home from work to see what would happen next.

That's how I used to me; now it feels like online is more of a lure and I get twitchy. So it will be a task which I'm
Hoping evolves back into a passion. I agree about finding books I enjoy, am giving myself permission to ditch any boring numbers

Theres various online book clubs on Facebook etc where books ate discussed, or suggestions given.

Also I use Bookbub for suggestions of what books to read (and offers on kindle).

I have found the readalongs on here very helpful for getting into a reading habit. 📚