How to Build a Reading Habit

“I don’t believe in the kind of magic in my books. But I do believe something very magical can happen when you read a good book.” – J.K. Rowling

Reading is something that can be magical and yes it indeed is magical. Developing a reading habit should be stated as a priority in one’s life. It is beneficial in several ways, it improves your memory, boosts your knowledge, changes your perspective in a positive way, develops your vocabulary, inspires you to be productive, builds greater concentration and focus, etc.

Reading not only helps you improve your vocabulary and speech but might enlighten you as well. You explore and learn new things. Reading introduces and teaches you the greatest things in life. Reading is both pleasure and happiness. It’s like a treasure you acquire.

A lot of individuals face difficulty in adopting the habit of reading. Some fail due to a lack of time. Some cannot focus. Some cannot find something interesting to read etc. These are some drawbacks that one faces. So we came up with effective and creative tips to set you free from these temporary drawbacks.

1. Create your own (to be read) or a reading list

Creating a to-be-read is mandatory before proceeding to read. Know your choices and interests in the genres that you would like to read. Prepare a list of books that you want to read to learn or know about any topic or field. Do well research on the internet about the specific book that you desire or need to read. Then go through the synopsis thoroughly and of course, do not skip the book reviews. Book reviews are one of the vital things that readers should go through. It helps you to recognize and explore your interests in what kind of books you would prefer to read even better.

You can create or prepare your to-be-read in a mini diary, save it on your cell phone or in your computer or even write it down in the back of your notebook.

2. Make it a habit

Set a time to read every day and make it a habit. Transfer your reading habit into a goal. Schedule your time, no matter at what time you prefer to read. It can be early in the morning, during your lunch breaks at school or work, before going to bed at night, even in the evening, and while traveling as well.

Give it a start by reading a book for at least 15 minutes a day. Once you find yourself comfortable with reading, it will turn into an everyday routine. And you won’t want to get rid of this excellent habit. So, try to adopt this habit from now onwards.

3. Get rid of distractions

Remember to get rid of distractions while reading. While you are reading make sure to reduce the use of cell phones or television. Try to resist the urge of using the internet, and switch your phone to silent or airplane mode. Distractions can create trouble and it sets a drawback in your reading habit. Restrain these distractions and enjoy your reading hours.

4. Always carry yourself with a book

Never forget to carry a book or two while you step out of your house. Always carry a paperback or an ebook reader( kindle) or an ebook on your smartphone. I strongly suggest you carry paperbacks while traveling because it reduces the weight. You have to be a little careful while carrying a physical book.

5. Turn it into a hobby

Make reading one of your creative hobbies. Maintain a reading journal where you keep a bunch of records of your favorite books, of your favorite quotes, writers, and so on. You can even annotate your books with sticky taps to remind you of the important things that you don’t want to miss about the book. Write down your thoughts and experiences about the books you’ve read. To make it look more aesthetic you can use different stationery. You may decorate it with colored pens, and stickers and even can stick polaroid images in it to make it look more gorgeous.

6. Visit a bookstore

Visit any kind of bookstore once a month. You can visit the stores where you can purchase a bunch of used books for half of the price of the new ones. Drop off your old books to get extra discounts on your purchase of both new or used books. Try to gift yourself with exciting books.

7. Find a cozy place

Always try to get comfortable when you prepare yourself to read. Find a quiet place in your house. Make sure that the place should be preferably quiet and has no distractions. Place yourself on a cozy couch with a book, sit in a comfortable chair or lie down in your bed. You can even choose the park as a reading spot. It will revive your energy and love for your reading.

8. Switch your Instagram with bookstagram

Yes, you heard it correctly, it’s bookstagram. You must be wondering what exactly a bookstgram is? So let me explain to you, well bookstagram is none other than one of the book or bookish communities on Instagram or in short a niche for book lovers where you can interact with bookish folks all around the world. It’s an online community where the bookish people share images of books, post book reviews, organize book giveaways, and seminars, and discuss and share their stories on reading. You will find authors, booksellers, libraries, and bookworms on this platform.

If you are planning or even plan to maintain a bookstagram handle then make sure you dedicate the account to only books and nothing else. Bookstagram will not only keep you active with books but will provide you with bookish friends, and help you grow with your content as well.

9. Visit a library

A trip to the library can be both exciting and cheap. Yes, you heard me correct saying cheap. It won’t even cost you a single penny to sit comfortably down in a quiet environment to read. It’s always fun and one of the good habits to visit a library once in a month or if not once in a month then at least 5-6 in a year or even more if you wish. You can visit alone or even with a friend, who enjoys reading too.

10. Read multiple genres

Try reading different genres. It can be tremendously exciting and fun to read different kinds of books. You can explore and experience a lot of new things. You can choose to read fiction at one time and non-fiction at another.

If you are a beginner and have no idea or clue about how to choose a genre then let help me pick the best fiction and non-fiction books for you.

FICTIONAL BOOKS :

1. Harry potter’s book series.
2. Ruskin Bond’s books.
3. Books by author Khaled Hosseini.
4. The fault in our stars by John Green.
5. The perks of being a wallflower by Stephen Chbosky.

NON-FICTIONAL BOOKS:

1. Ikigai by Hector Garcia.
2. Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kawasaki.
3. The diary of a young girl by Anne Frank.
4. Man searching for meaning by Viktor Frankl.
5. Attitude is everything by Jeff Keller.

The best place where you can buy used books is the BookLal app, do check it out once it’s available on Playstore. You can even sell your book here. This way you can read more books for less price. The Playstore link for the BookLal app is here.

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