7 Ways to Rekindle Your Love for Reading

This blog post is in response to one of my lovely readers who left a comment under one of my posts. It read, “I really hate reading…truth be told. Would love if you write a post on how to enhance our reading skills.”
Wish granted.
Finding the time to pick up a book in this busy life can elude the best of us – even for myself the book blogger! With the rise of more convenient ways to take in information such as videos and podcasts, it’s easy to see why the world is foregoing reading. The gag is, there is so much material being published. All day, every day! There’s no end to the number of books out there.
Most of us know we should read more, but we don’t. So how can you encourage yourself to do something when you don’t really want to do it? If you are in a bit of a reading rut, you may want to follow some of these tips:

1. It doesn’t have to be a book – my advice here is to read what you like. Don’t think it always has to be a novel or an autobiography. It could be a poem a day from a poetry book, a journal or a newspaper. But if you are yearning for a good story to immerse yourself in, then that is great!

Great features, stories of real women, good freebies and nice shopping inspo (although I cannot afford many of the items 😭😭) What’s your fave free magazine or newspaper and why? #buildingwomenwithwords #yellowtakeover . . . . . . . . . . . . . #blogger #blackgirlswhoread #bookstagram #youngprofessionals #tipsforbusinesses #tipsforbloggers #instablog #communicationsblogger #communications #bookblogger #femaleentrepreneurs #ghanablogger #blackgirlswhoblog #BlackBritish #bb_bloggers #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #blackandbookish #blackwomenwriters #copywriting #londoncopywriter #ukblog #freelancer #freelancerlife

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It doesn’t have to be a book!

2. Schedule time – If you’ve been procrastinating with your reading, the chances are you will continue to find a million reasons why you can’t pick up that book unless you are intentional about it. Setting aside as little as ten minutes daily is a great way to build that reading muscle.
3. Do it in silence – Reading is like exercising a muscle or practicing a sport. If you haven’t done it in a while, chances are you will be rough around the edges, so minimal distractions is advisable.
4. Set the scene – When you do set the time, ensure that you find a comfortable space in which you can relax. If you have a spare room, turn it into a mini library. But if like me you live in a small apartment, read on your favorite sofa, or in your room. Over the summer I read in my garden, but now that the cold is making a slow but sure comeback, I am finding my way back onto my settee. 

Do you have a reading nook? Mine is on my sofa or in bed. Whichever I feel is most comfortable. But one day I SHALL have a bougie space like this which will be out of bounds to the family and if I do happen to invite you in you will have to take off your shoes, and no shouting please 🙄 #wednesdaywisdom #tipsforbloggers #forbooklovers #wordsaregolden #bookreviews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #bloggerslife #blogger #bloggersofcolour #bb_bloggers #bookblogger #blackandbookish #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #blackandbookish #blackwomenwriters #copywriting #copywriter #londoncopywriter #communicationsblogger #communications #youngprofessionals #writing #womenwhowrite #blackgirlswhoblog #instablog #writersofig

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5. Don’t do it alone – Sometimes, we shy away from reading because we find it boring, or are not quite good at taking in what we are reading. Setting challenges with friends, meeting up to discuss books you’ve read, or joining a book club is a wonderful way to make reading fun and bring your books to life.  Alternatively, there are websites you can visit and apps you can download like Goodreads and Litsy.
6. Read with a snack – Make reading a part of your self-care routine by doing it with your favourite snack or drink. It will make the time you spend with a book a little less rigid, and a lot more comforting.
7. Read at your pace – It’s all well and good aiming to read 30 books in a year but my guess is that the added pressure will make a task of it, then you’ll eventually fall off again. My advice is to take your time. It’s not a race.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this read! Please let me know if you’ve found any of my tips helpful, and please share below if you have any of your own!

You might also be interested in:
How to Write a Pretty Damn Good Book Review
Three Amazing Books I read but Never Reviewed
Madeline’s Must Read List for 2018

13 Comments

    • Madeline Wilson-Ojo
      September 17, 2018 / 7:24 am

      Thanks for reading. You are most welcome Missy May.

  1. Travel with a Pen
    September 15, 2018 / 7:13 pm

    Having a book club with my boyfriend has actually improved my reading. We take turns to pick books, read at our own pace (but we have a realistic deadline based on our schedules) and discuss them together when we're done.

    • Madeline Wilson-Ojo
      September 17, 2018 / 7:25 am

      That's amazing. A book club with the other half is a great idea. I might implement that in my home.

  2. JustNatonya
    September 21, 2018 / 9:54 pm

    Madeline I needed these tips. I've been trying to read more because it's healthy and truly makes you smarter. So far I've been reading print and digital magazines. This post was timely for me. I need to also take my time, for some reason I always feel rushed to finish the material but why? Who am I rushing for? lol!Natonya | https://www.justnatonya.wordpress.com

    • Madeline Wilson-Ojo
      September 22, 2018 / 9:27 pm

      Hi Natonya. I'm so pleased these tips have helped. Keep reading the magazines if that's what you like! And yes…no rush. The more you read the quicker you'll naturally become anyway . Good luck dear!

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