Rules of reading? There are none!
If you find yourself googling “how to develop a reading habit” - you are in the right place. If you want to encourage aspiring readers, join me in the discussion to help them out.
This piece is very unlike what I usually write about! - travel, crafts, cuisine, culture, slow living and my creative journey.
My publication is called Slow ain’t Guilty - and I want to address something that we, readers, don’t talk about much - Slow Reading.
I am a Slow Reader!
I developed my consistent reading habit - by not being in a race to read a book, every week, every month!
This article is a word of encouragement for the ones who are struggling to build a reading habit - the aspiring readers.
If you have a friend who is trying to build a reading routine, feel free to share this piece with them, if you like it.
Good books can be life-changing! But the struggle to cultivate a reading habit is real!
Reading as a habit is beneficial for multiple reasons and it has been appreciated since time immemorial. Even today, those who make it to the lists of “the greatest” and “the wisest” continue to speak about their love for books.
For most of us - commoners - reading is just pure love! Sometimes, it is an escape to another world and at other times it is about learning things and acquiring information that (readers know) cannot be received through a social media post or even a YouTube video.
This write-up is not to discuss the benefits of reading - as we can easily know of it from a simple Google search.
This write-up is for people who want to develop a consistent reading habit - but are struggling.
You are not alone if you struggle to read.
I have a lot of friends who struggle with reading.
Top 3 common reasons for not reading (as per my friends):
I don’t have the time.
I fall asleep when I start to read.
I tried reading X book and gave up after a few pages. I just don’t like it.
Top 3 common reasons for not reading (as per my understanding):
They think they have to finish the book by a certain time.
They think “feeling sleepy” while reading is a bad thing.
They simply picked the wrong book. (because all books all not meant for everybody)
If you are trying to build a reading habit, I’m hoping that the below pointers will be helpful.
Rules of reading: There are none!
1. There is no deadline to finish a book.
I’m a slow reader myself and it usually takes me months to finish a book. The longest time I have taken was a year-and-a-half to finish one book because I was doing a very hectic job at that time. The fastest I’ve read was in 2008 (when I didn't have a smartphone or Wifi on a 3-day long train journey). Because there was nothing else to do I finished a big fat book in those 3 days.
2. Read just 1 page daily.
Yes, just one - I do that myself too. The aim is to just read one page every day. On days when you have the time, you can continue with multiple pages. I personally do not believe in finishing a chapter a day. A page is enough to stick to the habit.
3. Feeling “sleepy” while reading is not a bad thing!
A lot of avid readers read before going to bed. It is much better than doom scrolling our phones! I’m guilty of the latter too! Unlike movies, a book need not be finished in one go and I don’t think any author aims for their readers to have sleepless nights. There is no rush with books! No reader or writer will judge anyone, seen asleep holding a book!
4. Not all books are meant for you. You can dislike a bestseller! You may not resonate with a much-loved author! And that’s perfectly ok.
I have read many popular, much-loved books and authors in my teenage and early 20s. I felt an urge to be taken seriously by the community of readers - but secretly, there were many books I didn't like much, or they didn't resonate with me, or not fit as per my age, interests or personality.
The slightly bad news is that there is fandom in the world of books too! And fans of a particular author, might not like it if you do not like their favourite! However I promise, there are more people in the reading world who will respect your choice. Although, they might still try to convince you to give the book/author another try - and that’s harmless!
It’s time for recommendations!
I have a list of books that I have often recommended to my newbie-reader friends and have been fairly successful in helping them build a habit.
It’s a matchmaking of their personalities, their interests, the kind of stories they like and the challenges they face while reading.
I will publish the list next week titled: Books to develop a reading habit.
Coming up next:
What to expect from the next newsletter: A recommendation or two for:
Beginners who have hardly ever finished a book and are struggling to make a habit out of it because of lack of time.
People who are willing to learn something that can be helpful, for a better life.
Anyone who loves thrillers and mystery (like me!)
Young adults seeking a coming-of-age story.
A feminist take on mythological tales.
Fiction around historical events.
A tale of women's friendship.
Feel free to pour in your recommendations for new readers. Read mine in the link below:
I am Namrata Gohain, a designer-turned-storyteller, writer and content producer. I document stories on responsible travel, crafts, cuisine, slow living and my creative journey.