Any tips to get back into reading?

[Teleporno]

I was doing really well earlier this year and had 11 fictional books read by March. I'm still reading non fiction but finding fiction really hard. I keep abandoning books half way through. I don't know whther to pick up an abandoned one or start a new one. I have so many books. Any advice?

Why are you abandoning them - if they are not interesting or grabbing you, just ditch them for a better one. Life is too short.

If it is something else, try to get to the bottom of the problem - are you being disturbed, tired, pre-occupied with something and can't concentrate ?

If you don't enjoy fiction I would stick to non-fiction books. However, if you really want to read them, have you tried short stories or different genres?

I'm the same, read loads up until about April, but really struggling to finish one now.

Maybe we're just winter readers!

I think it's a concentration issue.

I do love good fiction. I just find it so much effort to get into the story sometimes.

I think I’ve found it hard to find the type of books I really like - literary but also popular (I.e. well written but not boring). I’ve found using Goodreads and TikTok 😳quite useful for finding books I actually like. I also try to change up genre, so if I’ve read something long, literary (e.g. Demon Copperhead), I’ll follow it up with something lighter (like a fairly standard three star thriller I can get through quickly).

On a different topic, I haven’t read any non-fiction this year, any recommendations?

Maybe they are just not very good!

I find so many new novels are so over hyped, with breathless reviews saying they are real page turners, when really they are not. I have been abandoning more books over the last few years than I ever used to, and it's not because I lack concentration.

I go for a really easy read when I want to get back into it, I like Richard Osman's Thursday Murder club ones,they are , light, funny and require minimal brain power.

If you don’t like a book, don’t feel guilty at not finishing it. I’ve stopped books which other people rave about

Maybe join Bookbub. You select what type of books you like, and it sends you suggestions (good for the kindle as often on offer!).

What sort of fiction books do you like?

Audible books are great and you can listen while you drive/clean/chill

I bought a kindle paperwhite and use the dark mode to read in the dark at bedtime, I usually read for about 10-15 minutes now, sometimes a lot longer but at first I was only reading about 4 or 5 pages each evening. Its a game changer, especially if you like reading in bed but share a room with a partner which makes having the light on to read a traditional book tricky!

Non fiction....space by Tim Peake is really interesting.

What about audio books? When I'm in a slump I switch to audio books and listen while I'm driving or cleaning.

Buy a kindle! Got me out of my reading rut. I love picking it up and reading a few lines while I make a brew first thing in the morning, or while my daughter is eating her tea. It feels a lot less daunting than picking up a book. I do love physical books but I don't have the space to store any more and have tonnes that are unread cos I struggle to get stuck in. Kindle means I can read in the dark when I'm going to sleep or if I wake up super early.
And there's nothing like spending £170 on something for motivation 😋😋

I agree with @Singleandproud - sometimes also I go back and read a couple of old favourites. Seems to whet the appetite for tackling something new.

Would also recommend buying a Kindle. I had got out of the reading habit and needed something to give me a nudge so I got a Paperwhite. I now read 2-3 books a month and having the Kindle makes it easier to read in bed as I don't need the light on which would disturb my partner.

I’ve been reading on the kindle app on my phone. I started with very light holiday type reads - thrillers mostly as I enjoy them. Now I’m back in the reading game - I’ve read juicer stuff.

I looked for a couple of books I read as a kid - boarding school novels. Familiar enough to give a warm fuzz but also fresh enough to enjoy as it had been so long since I read them.

I've got a similar problem, I'm making good inroads with quality short stories... There are some really good Japanese authors for this, but it is important it is really well written. And also as pp said, also children's literature can be a good way to get in and get your reading mojo back

Historical fiction, crime, fantasy usually

Thanks I have one. I have about 150 unread books on it!