8 Easy Ways to Get Back into Reading

I've loved reading since I was six, when my bright yellow hardcover copy of Key to the Treasure* was one of my most precious possessions.  Even before that, when Mama read a fairy tale, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, or Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, I was smitten by the magic world of books.

For many years, I was a constant reader.  I would dive into books, often devouring one or two each week.  I visited the library every ten days or so, and a bookstore about once a month.

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Something changed.

Then COVID closed libraries and bookstores, and even when things opened again, my county chose to remodel the library, so it remained closed for over a year.

However, the real knife to the heart of my reading habit was probably my smart phone.  For a long time, I resisted, but eventually scrolling and clicking trained me to get information in tiny, unrelated pieces.

I'm not the only one who hasn't been reading as much in the past few years.  Technology and digital distractions have made many of us too impatient to read an entire book.  I begin, but before I sink deeply into the story, I'm distracted by my thoughts or something else.  I go through periods of a month or more when I don't read any books – just articles, blog posts, news stories – snippets.  It's disconcerting to feel that I'm losing a lifelong habit that brought me so much entertainment, enlightenment, and satisfaction.

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Are you in the same situation?  Does your phone keep winning the bedtime battle?  When you read, does your mind drift elsewhere?  Does your stack of half-finished novels seem more like a pile of chores than a source of pleasure?

Maybe a lack of discipline isn't the problem.  Perhaps the way we approach reading no longer fits the rhythm of our lives.  Berating ourselves won't help.  We need to be reminded of our love for stories.

I've come up with several ways to read more, and it's working!  I've read nine books so far this year, which is less than previously but more than I've read for a while.

Little ways to read more

1.  Start small.

Don't pressure yourself.  Just read one page.  One chapter.  Five minutes.  See if starting small pulls you in and leads to the "just one more chapter" or "just a few more minutes" mindset.

2.  Do it first.

I read first thing in the morning with my coffee.  Instead of scrolling or doing a crossword puzzle, I'm spending 15-20 minutes with a book.

3.  Change the scenery.

Take your book to the diner, park, or front porch.  Sometimes a new setting clears your mind and helps you get lost in a story.

4.  Make it a date.

Jon and I have been going on "reading dates."  We both want to read more, so at least once a week we take our books to the coffee shop.

5.  Arrive early.

Carry your book everywhere and challenge yourself to show up 10 minutes early to everything.  Use the waiting time to read.

6.  Take it to bed.

I'm not fond of reading in bed, as I find it hard to get comfortable.  (Jon enjoys it, however.)  But I've been reading about 15-20 minutes before I get into bed.  In fact, reading before bed improves sleep because it lets you disengage from daily tasks.  By focusing on and imagining the story, we stop planning, projecting, and worrying about the future.  Releasing those concerns leads to longer, deeper sleep.

7.  Make a list.

I keep a list of book recommendations gleaned from friends and browsing.  These personalized options help me decide what to read next.

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8.  Keep it fun.

If you want to read more, read what you enjoy.  You don't have to tackle "literary" or "ambitious" books unless you want to.  This isn't homework!  It's not about obligation, it's about joy.  If you're reading a book that's boring you, you have my permission (should you need it) to drop it and try something else.

10 books to break the slump

A reading slump isn't really about lack of interest.  It's a mismatch of time and energy.  Sometimes you need a fast-paced story that feels like a movie.  Other times you need something that can be enjoyed in one sitting.  And sometimes you want a slow, long, lyrical book that lingers long after you've closed it.  There's no right or wrong – it's the match that matters.

One or more of these books may inspire you to get back to reading.

1.  The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

Has everyone already read this book?  It has over 400,000 ratings on Amazon, mostly raving about how good it is.  Beautifully written, immersive, emotional, The Nightingale is an epic historical novel set in WWII France.  And, unusually for a novel about war, sacrifice, and resilience, the central characters are women.

2.  No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister

Told in a series of interconnected short stories, this wonderful novel can be enjoyed in bite-sized pieces.  The first story is about a young author and events that lead to the creation of her debut novel, Theo.  Subsequent stories tell of nine different people who read Theo, and how it impacts their lives.  I think you'll love how their experiences are interwoven.  I especially enjoyed the tales of the actor, the widower, the homeless teenager, the diver, and the bookseller, but all will draw you in.

3.  The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

It's a strange title, but a charming novel.  Set in the aftermath of World War II, the story is told in letters between a writer, Juliet, and the members of a book club formed for mutual help and encouragement during the German occupation of the island of Guernsey.  One reviewer described it as the book equivalent of that wonderful Mr. Rogers quote for when bad things are happening:  "Look for the helpers.  You will always find people who are helping."  If you have Netflix, you'll also enjoy the film which stars Lily James.

4.  Three Days in June by Anne Tyler

Anne Tyler always get to the heart of her very human characters.  Set over three days surrounding a daughter's wedding, this novel introduces Gail Baines – a socially awkward mother dealing with unexpected job loss, family tension, and the sudden reappearance of her ex-husband.  A long-buried secret threatens to derail the festivities.  Intimate, heartwarming, and wise, if you enjoy this novel, try Tyler's Pulitzer-winning Breathing Lessons.

5.  The Princess Bride by William Goldman

Is it funny?  Yes.  Quotable?  Infinitely.  But underneath all the swashbuckling and snappy dialogue is a surprisingly sincere story about enduring love.  It's a classic for good reason.

6.  Long Bright River by Liz Moore

This crime novel hooks you before the end of the first chapter, so it's perfect if you've been struggling to stick with reading.  Kacey lives on the streets, trapped by addiction.  Her sister, Mickey, works the same streets on her police beat.  They're estranged, but Mickey never stops worrying about Kacey.  The story alternates from present-day mysteries to the story of the sisters' past.  More than just a page-turning thriller, Long Bright River is also tender and humane.  It might even make you forget that your phone exists.

7.  Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris by Paul Gallico

This short 1958 classic tells the story of Mrs. Harris, a London cleaning lady enthralled by the most beautiful thing she has ever seen – a Dior dress.  With the dream of one day owning something so exquisite, Mrs. Harris changes her life.  She's a 60-year-old woman with the charm and spirit of a younger person, and her spunk, determination, and kindness will win your heart.

8.  Persuasion by Jane Austen

Pride and Prejudice is fantastic, but if you've ever had to endure disappointment, felt a hopeless longing, or wished for the chance to fix a mistake, this is the novel for you.  It is Austen's most restrained novel, but with its emotional maturity and a love that deepens over time, it's also her most romantic.

9.  The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley

This Hugo Award finalist is a wonderful mashup of science fiction, spy thriller, historical adventure, and slow-burning romance.  In near future Britain, a civil servant is offered the salary of her dreams to join a recently-established government ministry that is gathering "expats" from across history to learn whether time travel is feasible, both for the human body and for the fabric of space-time.  She will function as a "bridge," helping a 19th century Arctic explorer adjust to modern life.

If this sounds implausible, trust me when I say that Bradley makes it realistic.  The characters are well-constructed and (mostly) likeable, the plot is twisty and surprising, and while the novel can be enjoyed as a light read, it invites a discussion of deeper themes.  I don't think you'll have any trouble finishing this book!  (Warning: lots of smoking and some sex.)

10.  The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman (or consider the gorgeous illustrated edition)

Even if you're not a fan of fantasy literature, I think you'll love this short work by master wordsmith Gaiman.  It's a tale about a lonely, bookish 7-year-old whose life takes a terrifying turn into a dark reality.  It's not a children's book, but it captures the innocence and trust of a child grappling with deeper truths he doesn't understand.  It's like a Grimm fairy tale with the gloves off.  

You might read The Ocean at the End of the Lane in one sitting, but it will linger in your mind for a long time.  If you like it, try Gaiman's not-just-for-children The Graveyard Book and Coraline.

Adults follow paths.  Children explore.  Adults are content to walk the same way hundreds of times, or thousands; perhaps it never occurs to adults to step off the paths, to creep beneath rhododendrons, to find the spaces between fences.

Neil Gaiman

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