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Now that the pandemic is winding down and lockdowns have ended, people are gradually falling back out of the habit of reading. (( Beam, Adam. “Final State Emergencies Winding Down 3 Years Into Pandemic.” Associated Press. 28 February 2023. Accessed 10 May 2023. )) It is safe to say reading books has endless benefits, such as reducing stress, helping with sleep, and improving mental health. (( “7 Proven Reasons Why Reading Is Good For You.” Center for Adult Education. Accessed 2 May 2023. ))
In 2021, twenty-three percent of Americans said they haven’t read a book in a whole year. (( Gelles-Watnick, Risa and Perrin, Andrew. “Who doesn’t read books in America?” Pew Research Center. 21 September 2021. Accessed 2 May 2023. )) With all these benefits constantly being enumerated and an ever-growing to-be-read list, reading can feel more like an obligation than a stress-relieving, escapist experience. Even though National Reading Month was back in March, it is not too late to pick up a book! (( Bloy, Jonathan. “It’s National Reading Month!” Edgewood College Library News. 6 March 2023. Accessed 10 May 2023. ))
Although there are many shows to watch and movies to binge, reading can provide the same level of escapism and solace; as a reader, you are always an active participant instead of a passive observer. You can decide what characters look and sound like. As George R.R. Martin once said:
“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies — the man who never reads lives only one.”
(( A quote from A Dance with Dragons. (2023). Goodreads. ))
So, in light of that, here are five top tips to get back into the habit and some book suggestions that will be hard to put down!
Re-read Your Favorite Book!
Sometimes, people are embarrassed to admit that their favorite books are cheesy romances or old children’s books — yet, this is nothing to be embarrassed about, as reading can still be beneficial even if you are not reading classic literature. Revisiting a favorite book that you have read before is one of the best strategies to make reading become a habit. Knowing the story creates a sense of comfort and familiarity, which takes away some of the pressure.
Some people think that as adults, the only acceptable books to read are old classics or critically acclaimed post-modern novels. (( LaBlanc, Isabella. “The Epidemic of Literary Snobbery.” The Medium. 13 January 2020. Accessed 10 May 2023. )) However, these books usually require more effort and could take longer to finish, due to length and outdated language. Rereading an old favorite makes it feel like less of a chore; it can remind you of how you felt the first time you read the book and you might even take away something new. (( “5 Tips To Get Back Into Reading.” Read and Wright. 22 August 2022. Accessed 2 May 2023. ))
Allison Escoto, head librarian and education director at the “Center for Fiction in Brooklyn,” says
“There’s no shame in rereading the books that made you fall in love in the first place. If the science is right, then recreating that sustained attention is really what you’re after, at least as much as the stories themselves. Regaining the practice is a little like hiking or playing an instrument or picking up painting: It takes some work to get in the groove, but once you do, the results are beautiful and immensely satisfying.”
(( Wilkinson, Alissa. “How To Fall Back In Love With Reading.” Vox. 21 July 2022. Accessed 2 May 2023. ))
You Can Make Reading Social!
Making reading a social activity is a great way to build a community, hold yourself accountable to reading goals, and make the overall experience more enjoyable. Whether this be through a book club or an online community like BookTok or YouTube, making reading social makes the experience more enjoyable.
It is also a great way to get recommendations for what to read next and people to borrow books from. This helps continue the habit of reading. To find a book club, check your local library or bookstore, or start with family, friends, or coworkers. (( Victoria. “How To Fall In Love With Reading Books Again.” Bibliolifestyle. Accessed 2 May 2023. ))
You Can Also Read An Adaptation!
Books that have been adapted into movies or television shows are great for getting back into reading. You can treat yourself to watching the movie as a reward for finishing the book. This can also tie in with tip two as a way to make reading social; you can watch the movie or show with a group after finishing the book. To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before (2014) by Jenny Han and the Bridgerton (2000) series by Julia Quinn inspired three Netflix films and a show, respectively. These are fun to watch as a group, especially after finishing the books.
Reading books that have been adapted to film or television is also a way to get into classics. Watching Pride and Prejudice (2005; Joe Wright) or Romeo + Juliet (1996; Baz Lutherman) before starting the books can help with comprehending the outdated language and historical context in classic literature.
You Can Set Aside Time For Reading!
If you want to get back into reading, make it a habit; set aside a set amount of time each day to dedicate to reading!
It can be as little as ten minutes a day but try to do it at the same time each day in order to create the habit. It can be during lunch or right before bed, but keeping it on a consistent schedule will make it easier to sit down and read. Listening to audiobooks can be a great way to get into reading if you are busy; you can listen while driving, exercising, or doing chores.
You Can Read A: YA Novel/Mystery/Romance
Even if these are not the genres you tend to gravitate towards, these books are designed to be page-turners and hook you almost instantly, as “momentum is key to getting out of a rut, and it can be hard to find momentum in a slow-build experience like a Dickens novel.” (( “The Fastest Way To Get Back Into Reading Books (When You’ve Lost The Habit).” Tea and Ink Society. 2 August 2017. Accessed 2 May 2023. ))
Furthermore, many YA novels, mysteries, and romances have been adapted into films, so you can combine tips two and three and watch the movies as a reward for finishing the books. It can be fun to compare differences between the books and the movies or to have themed dress-up nights with friends while watching the movies.
Recommended: ‘Young Adult’ (YA) Novels (( The 100 Best YA Books of All Time. Time. 2021. ))
While Young Adult Novels are intended for, well, young adults, they are still fun to read at any age. These books tend to be coming-of-age stories and deal with issues surrounding friendships, identity, loss, and sexuality.
As a young adult, these books can provide a reflection of one’s self or give insight into another person’s life. Older people reading these books can still gain insight into the life of a young person today, or be transported back to when they were younger.
Some recommended YA novels include:
- The Hate U Give (2017) by Angie Thomas;
- The Giver (1993) by Lois Lowry;
- Paper Towns (2008) by John Green;
- The Perks of Being a Wallflower (1999) by Stephen Chbosky.
Recommended: ‘Mystery’ Novels (( Moreno, R. 27 Best Mystery Books You Won’t Be Able to Put Down. Reader’s Digest; Reader’s Digest. 2021, November 23. ))
Mystery novels typically follow a crime or other incident from the moment it happens until it is solved.
Types of mystery novels include detective stories, cozy mysteries (which usually involve a nonviolent crime and an amateur detective), true crime, or caper stories (mysteries told from the point of view of the criminal).
Some recommended mystery novels include:
- The Girl on the Train (2015) by Paula Hawkins;
- Gone Girl (2012) by Gillian Flynn;
- Agatha Christie (the author + any of the novel’s work).
Recommended: ‘Romance’ Novels (( The Best Romance Novels of All Time. She Reads Romance Books. 2021, December 5. ))
Romance novels are pretty self-explanatory: they portray romantic love and relationships.
There are many different types of romance novels and tropes; they can be steamy or sweet, happy or heartbreaking, and represent love in different ages, cultures, and sexuality.
Some top romance novels include:
- People We Meet On Vacation (2021) by Emily Henry;
- The Notebook (1996) by Nicholas Sparks;
- The Kiss Quotient (2018) by Helen Hoang;
- Call Me By Your Name (2007) by André Aciman.
“The Future Of Reading:” Cover-To-Cover
Overall, while it can be challenging to get back into reading, it is by no means impossible or too late to start. Reading is one of the best things you can do for yourself. It provides an escape from life’s stresses and breaks up the monotony of everyday life.
While it may seem daunting at first, setting up healthy habits, reading old books, and making reading social will make reading seem like less of an obligation or yet another task to add to the to-do list, but instead a fun activity and a lifelong hobby.
