Bookworms are cool

Here’s the thing. I don’t set aside large chunks of time every day to read. While running a half marathon is a massive time commitment (and a sign of an impending midlife crisis), reading a bit of a book each day is not. Still, as anyone who set ‘getting back into reading’ as their resolution in January will tell you, it can be hard to do. What are some ways we can remove the barriers to reading?

Finding a different time in the day

Traditionally, we think of reading as a before-bed activity. But when it comes to setting any new habit, the end of the day isn’t the best place to start. Incidental reading can work well. I carry a book in my bag, so I already have it when I’m caught waiting for things. If the first thing you reach for in the morning is a phone, try replacing that with a book. You could also read while you eat breakfast or lunch, or even while cooking (warning – I’ve burned many dinners this way!). If I arrive early to pick my kids up from school, I get a great parking space and I can fit a chapter or two in before the bell rings.

How to find what to read next

One problem is not knowing what to read. We think of social media as being the enemy of book-reading, but there are many groups online that champion new books and provide honest book recommendations. Your local booksellers and librarians can also provide a wealth of suggestions tailored to your tastes.

Don’t be a book snob. Dessert-reading builds momentum. This is where you should start after a reading drought. And don’t feel bad if this book hasn’t won any literary awards. A book isn’t ‘unworthy’ just because it’s accessible.

When books stagnate

The opposite problem is when you have so many books on your bedside table you feel overwhelmed. Essentially, there is a pile of books that is stopping you from reading. Plus, there is no space for new books in your bookshelf. You’re not going to like me for what I say next: you are allowed to take books out of your ‘to be read’ pile. You are even allowed to throw books away.

Don’t hate me. Sure, you can give them away too if you can find a willing recipient, but you are not required to hold on to every book you’ve ever owned. You live in a home, not an archive. It is definitely okay to let books go if it means you can make room for more. Don’t stop reading because of storage issues!

Your collection of books needs to be a freshly flowing stream, and not a stagnant pond. And remember: a shelf full of unread books is not a looming to-do list. A shelf full of unread books is a beautiful thing. It’s like a wine cellar, full of opportunities to enjoy at the right time.

Formats

There is nothing quite like the feeling of a crisp paperback in your hands. But there is more than one way to read a book. Sometimes a change of format is what you need to get out of a reading funk.

Audiobook: Audiobooks are a great way to get more reading in. I love to read audiobooks when driving, exercising or doing boring housework. I’ve noticed that my house is tidier when I’m reading a good audiobook, because I keep finding more cleaning jobs to do so I can keep listening!

E-readers: I have one of these, but I often forget about it. I love using my e-reader to access hard-to-find books, or to read those massive doorstops of books that would be heavy to carry around.

Reading a book on your phone: I have a bad habit of picking up my phone to scroll. Lately, I keep an ebook on my phone so that my screen time can be spent reading an actual book.

Large print: It’s easy to think that large print books are for ‘other people’. But I speak to so many people who tell me they have stopped reading books because it hurts their eyes to read, or because they struggle to focus on the text. Why not give large print a try? Your library is well-stocked!

Encouraging children to read

If we want to encourage children to read books for pleasure, they need to see us doing it too. I have discovered a new fun outing with my nine-year-old twins. We go to a favourite independent bookshop with a well-stocked children’s section. The girls take their time exploring the shop and choosing a book each. I buy their books along with a hot chocolate from the bookshop cafe. Then we spend the rest of the time enjoying drinks, reading books and exploring the cosy corners of the shop.

When I took the girls to a bookshop on Saturday, the whole outing cost me around $50. At the time, buying books for the girls had felt extravagant, but it’s hard these days to find an outing for two children that costs less than $60 and I would rather my money go to an independent bookstore than a barn full of trampolines!

Reading is social

We often think of reading as a solitary, even antisocial activity, but I believe reading is a social act, and there are ways to make it more social. Book clubs are a great way to keep in touch with friends and share your reading. Did you know there is more than one kind of book club?

Traditional: You know the sort I mean. A book is chosen for the month and everybody reads and discusses it. They might follow different themes, like books by First Nations’ authors, or books of a specific genre.

Chatterbooks: There is no set book for this type of club. Everybody comes to talk about whatever books they have been reading.

Silent: Here, book club members read together silently in each other’s company. There may be a social component after the set reading time.

Book event groupies: Libraries and book stores often host author events. Many people visit these events with friends and treat it as a chance to catch up. I love seeing such groups at my own author events, especially if this was the way they became friends in the first place! Even if you don’t belong to a book club, I still maintain that reading is social – if nothing else, it makes you a better conversationalist!

A worthy habit

‘You read books? How do you find the time?’ I find time to read a book the same way I find time to clean my teeth. It doesn’t take long; it’s rewarding and it’s good for me.

It’s cold outside. Put the kettle on, curl up under a blanket and get reading!