How To Get Back Into Reading If You've Lost Your Groove

When I was a kid I devoured books by the bus load. I'd tuck myself away in my parents' bedroom, the quietest room in the house, and read nonstop for hours. Hours. My father would come in to grab various things, his wallet or keys perhaps, and frequently stopped to ask, "Don't you need a break for a little bit?" He was curious and also, I think, a little astounded.

Depending on the book I was reading, I might briefly resurface from an underwater utopia, pause my hunt for buried treasure, or apparate from Hogwarts (jk I know you can't apparate from Hogwarts). I would reply to my dad,  "No, not really." Then I dived back in.

These endless reading days disappeared around the time I went to college. There was just so much studying to be done, activities to participate in, and friends to make. Reading books took a backseat and my attention span for deep reading also started to diminish. I was getting content with the accessibility of the Internet, the joy of clicking from one interesting discovery to the next without immersing myself fully into anything. 

When I tried reading books again, I could not read for hours like I used to. Thirty minutes was my max before my mind wandered and I needed to stop for food, or the Internet, or texting. But I missed reading desperately so I kept trying. I managed to make time for myself, retrain my brain for reading marathons, and also utilized five tips that might help others get their reading groove back. 

1. Use those extra moments during the day. 

Public transit is ideal for squeezing in some reading time. Read on the way to and from work. Read while dinner is in the oven. Read a little before bed to relax you. It doesn't have to be hours - just a few minutes will at least give you a jumpstart. If you're willing and able, get up a little earlier or stay up a little later to make more time in your day.

2. Complete a reading challenge.


It's easy to find tons of reading challenge lists online. Follow the given deadlines; read a book every week, or every month. Some lists will have specific categories to check off, like historical fiction or a book that became a television show. This is a great way to expand your reading possibilities and introduce you to some great new books.

3. Join a book club. 

Not everyone will have time for this one, but if you do, it's incredibly motivating. No one wants to be the only person who didn't read the book on the reading list. For those unable to do in-person meetings, online reading communities can also share book experiences and live discussions.

4. Institute a household reading time. 

With relationships and family, it can be hard to get time to yourself to read. However, if you get everyone to do some reading at the same time, you're guaranteed some peace and quiet. If your kids or partner needs extra motivation, help them find books or magazines suited to their interests. For kids, you can also make incentives for reading a certain amount of pages. Make reading a priority for your family by making time to enjoy it together. 

5. Try a new way to read. 

For a long time, I avoided e-readers and e-books. I preferred the smell of new and old books, the feel of the weight in my hand, and the sensation of turning each page. I still do. That being said, I came around to e-books for a few different reasons. The main reason is that it is much easier to carry one Kindle at work than one heavy, thick book or even multiple books. It's also easier  and quicker to order and receive a book digitally instead of going to a bookstore, library, or waiting for the package to arrive. It's important to still use these resources, but if you're in a reading rut because of inconvenience, give digital a chance.

With a busy schedule, reading is certainly hard to fit in, but not impossible. Find what works for you, reward yourself for reading regularly, and get that reading groove back. New worlds await.