How to start reading when you don't know where to start | A beginner's guide to reading | 10 ways to make reading a habit

Reading has always been considered a good habit because it provides knowledge and entertainment at the same time. When you pick up a book and start reading, seeing those letters with your eyes and imagining all the scenarios in your head, it's like being transported into a whole new world. 

Some people are huge bookworms and carry a book with them everywhere they go, and then there are other's who have never picked up a book in all of the time they've been on this planet. Well maybe except to swat an insect with one, but that's besides the point.

This article is for people who are of the second category, but would like to explore the world of reading.

So here are a few tips to help you get started:

     1. Enjoy reading. 

Read a book because you want to, not because you should. 

There's always been a sort of compulsion associated with reading. In school we're encouraged to do so.

 Reading is, in general considered an elite hobby. And when you're not that into it, people may have looked down upon you. 

It has often been associated with intelligence and being smart. But reading books isn't always about garnering knowledge. It's also about having fun and enjoying yourself.

So never read books as an obligation. Once you start reading and start enjoying those intricately woven letters, you'll never want to stop.

     2.  Pick a book you find interesting, not the one everyone's reading.

Nobody has a say in what you're reading, but you. Read a book that you find interesting. It's not necessary that you'll like what everyone else likes. Maybe you don't like Harry Potter and can't understand what all the fuss is about, and that's okay. Find what sparks your interest and read away.

There is nothing like a tough book or an easy book. For people who have just started reading, that may seem like the case. Read what interests you. Something that you're passionate about, or a story that compels you to finish it.

Once you find a book you can't put down, you'll know how effortless and fun reading books can be.

     3. Never force a book. Don't like it, don't read it.

Sometimes we're told that in order to make reading a habit, we have to force down chapter after chapter for  it to become enjoyable.  That is  never the case.

Yes, when you start with a new   book, you have to give the writer a few chapters to introduce you to the story. But that does not mean you'll have to force those chapters in like forcing your least favorite food   down your throat. 

If it feels anything like that, you may as well slam the book shut, because  it isn't for you.

Every individual has a different set  of favorite things, and varying interests. Similarly, everyone enjoys a different kind of book. 

From fiction to biographies, there are countless books available out there. No matter what your taste is, you'll never run out of books to read. Explore, and find the one's you love the most!

We'll be publishing an article on different genres in the coming days. So if you want to learn more about books, stay tuned.

     4. Read in an environment you're comfortable in.

People who love reading, read everywhere and anywhere they can. 

When you start reading a book that catches your attention, you become unaware of your surrounding and get completely immersed in it.

But when you're an amateur reader, you may get distracted and lose concentration.

Make sure you don't, by reading in an environment you're comfortable in.

 To get the best reading experience, find a calm, comfortable spot to read.

Personally for me, the best reading spot would be near a widow with a blanket on a cold, rainy night. 

So find a nice, cozy spot, and get reading!

     5. Try different genres. You won't know you like something until you try it.

When you start reading, the choices you have can be overwhelming and you may find it very difficult to find the perfect book for you. 

There are so many talented authors out there, who write in a number of different genres. It can be quite a task deciding which one to start with.

The best advice would be to get an idea of the different genres and decide on the one that appeals to you the most.

Do checkout our upcoming articles. We'll be writing about the different genres, what they focus on and everything you need to know about them.

You can also ask ask your friends who read, to recommend a book. That is a great way to set out into the world of reading.

Though you should try different genres. Trying different one's help you grow as a reader, broadens your horizons and introduce you to some amazing reads.

     6. Remove distractions.

The biggest reason people aren't able to pursue hobbies or try new things is social media. Hours spent scrolling through infinite content makes time fly.

You open a social media app to check updates with the intention of spending a maximum of 10 to 15 minutes on there, but end up wasting a lot more time.

So when you sit down to read, make sure to put your phone far away. This will ensure that new notifications don't lure you into picking up your phone.

Spending an hour or two reading, away from your phone, will help you concentrate better on the interesting plot twist coming up,and give you a much needed break from the world of internet.

     7. Make time specifically to read.

When you're a beginner in reading, you may find it  hard to take out time to read. With the fast paced lives we live today, it's hard to make time for something you're trying to make a habit.

Fixing a particular time to read, helps and gives you a much needed, relaxed break.

Once you make reading a habit, you won't have to deliberately put away a specific hour of your day to read.

Whether it's right before bed, or the commute to and from work, make sure you give reading a small part of your day.

Whenever it is, give your book a chance to tell the stories hidden in it's pages, at least once a day.

     8. Join a book club.

     When starting out something new, whatever it may be, you need motivation.

     You need to be reminded why you started, and you should learn new things about it to keep yourself interested.

     Book clubs are the greatest thing to help you out when you're a new reader.

     They consist of a group of people, all into reading,  sharing books and discussing them together.

     You meet like minded people and have conversations about some of your favorite reads. 

     What better way to spend an evening discussing mind blowing plots with people who appreciate the book as much as you do?

           9. Visit bookstores and libraries.

   

     Bookstores and  libraries feel like heaven to book lovers. The smell of paper combined with the site of a thousand of books fills them with a joyful feeling.

     Visiting these places can be a huge help to you, since they provide you with an environment that encourages reading.

     You can visit local libraries and bookshops. Visiting them also helps you select the perfect book for yourself as you browse through different genres and authors.

     The sight of all those books with colorful covers lining wooden shelves gives you an urge to read each and every one of them and discover the realms of the worlds they hold within.

         10. Always carry a book with you wherever you go.

     

     One of the most important things to remember while trying to make reading a habit, is to carry a book along with you wherever you go. 

     This gives you a chance to read whenever you have time. This always gives you an opportunity to spend less time browsing mindlessly through your phone.

     Whether you're going on a long vacation, or it's the daily travel between work and home, having a book handy is a great thing.

     Once you actually start enjoying yourself while reading, you'll find yourself reading in places you never thought yo would.

     Bus rides or post office queues, reading provides a great alternative to scrolling through social media.  

     

     Incorporating reading as a habit in your life is one of the best decisions you can make. It helps you grow as a person and allows you to experience so many different things all the while sitting in one place. 

     Books help you explore the world and it's wonders, transporting you to other worldly places, without disrupting your everyday routines.

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