Rains and winds and falling leaves. Darker evenings and cozy teas. Autumn days are the best for reading. Taking the time to read a book is the epitome of slow living.
It’s true there is not enough time in one life to read all the books that seem interesting. If I focus on that, I get caught up in just ‘reading more’ and not enjoying the books I read. There’s no prize at the end for who reads the most. It’s not about crossing an item off the list. What matters is what I get out of the books I read. I created this list to remind me to keep reading, and to enjoy it, too.
5 Ways to Read More
- Stake a claim on a reading corner somewhere in your home. I have two. One is on the balcony in a comfortable but ‘good-posture’ chair. Here is where I read the Bible and anything I am studying. The other is one end of the couch downstairs. This is where I read fiction.
- Make it inviting. Cozy up with throws. Have a place for your drink. A few tools are handy – like pen, bookmarks, paper for notes. A footstool to put your feet up. A pillow to prop your book on your lap.
- Read more than one book at a time. Then there’s something for whatever mood you are in. I like reading one fiction and one nonfiction. Or more.
- Have a portable book nook. On your phone or in your bag, have a book with you and read while you wait, wherever you are. Those minutes add up.
- Read books about books, books about the hobby of reading, books where the characters love to read books. This is an easy way to find more titles you might enjoy at the same time as reading a good book.
4 Ways to Enjoy the Book You’re Reading
- Take your time. Or read fast. Sometimes it’s feels important to know what happened. Sometimes I need to better understand what the author is saying and then I read slower.
- Read what interests you right now. That might not be the book everyone is talking about. Then again, it might be.
- Track the books you read in a notebook. Write a line or two about the book to jog your memory. This habit has made the most difference for me enjoying books.
- Talk about it with someone else. This is where a book club is helpful. Or a bookish friend.
7 Benefits of Reading
Whether you read a lot or a little, reading is good for you! It’s good for your child. It’s good for your mom and grandma too. It’s good for your friends and your sister. Pass along those good books to other people who might enjoy them. Here’s how reading will bless you.
Free entertainment. Or as free as you want it to be. And this entertainment also is proven to be relaxing. Who hasn’t drifted off to sleep reading?
Increases knowledge. Anyone who reads is bound increase their vocabulary, gain some understanding about other times and other peoples, gain longer attention span and increase comprehension. All this is great for your brain.
Improved writing and conversation skills. Just by the power of association with good writing, your own writing and speaking skills will sharpen.
Motivation. With the right book, you may be motivated to declutter, or cook healthy or exercise or learn sign language. The possibilities!
Memory practice. Reading fiction forces you to remember names and happenings, to make connections and decipher references.
Increased empathy. Hearing other’s stories helps us to understand what they went through and how we can sympathize or help in different situations. And this makes us understand the human condition better.
Peace. Mom’s reading. Shhh…
Final Thoughts
By encouraging yourself, and those you live with, to read, you unplug from technology, have some free self-care, and improve the shining hour. You will create a little haven of peace with a connection to great minds of the present or past. You will be a good example to others. As the aroma of tea wafts up and the pages quietly turn, you will have one more thing to be grateful for. Let the rain beat on the pane and the winds blow!
-Liz
P. S. Free download! Click below for some fall reading inspiration. If you use these prompts to choose your fall books, let us know in the comments what you plan to read.
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3 responses to “5 Ways to Read (and Enjoy) More Books”
It’s hard to believe that you would even need write a post like this but then it’s also hard to believe that not everyone are avid readers like us. I probably already do most if not all of the suggestions in your article. I probably have at least three books going at all times. An e-book that I can steal a few minutes of time on my coffee breaks at work. An audio-book to listen to on my lengthy car excursions and of course a “real” book that I can enjoy at home. I bought myself a comfy, large beanbag where I can settle down with my cats and books and a cup of coffee. In any given day I can find myself in World War Two, helping escaped slaves to Canada, solving a mystery, learning a new language, plus multitudes of other intellectual pleasures just through the medium of literature.
I love it, audreyfern! It looks like you know how to get into the flow of reading. But just today I read in a book (the irony!) that the typical American reads (or partially reads) only four books a year. At first I wondered where those people were – I hadn’t met them! Then I remembered my husband doesn’t read! (more irony). Some of us have to read a lot more to make up for those who don’t. Then we can talk about what we read and we all get the benefits. Read on.
Only 4 books a year! Yikes! For me it’s more like 150!