Time and again we come across people who would actually love to read a book or two, but just can’t get to it. Whether a beginner or an old scoop reader who wants to restart the engines of reading — it’s always difficult to get started, and that’s what we will be addressing here. You know how they say ‘well begun is half done’, that’s exactly the case when it comes to reading too.
We often have so many pre-curated plans in our minds before starting to read that we often get too fixated on the loop of perfection. A few reasons I have heard before: The book should be beneficial to me, it must not be too difficult, and it should be engaging, what if I start reading and don’t like it? What if I can’t find the time or motivation to finish it? … and so on.
So here today I have some of the steps listed down for you to make this journey a little easier.
- Pick the right #genre
Only you can decide what’s right for you. So when it comes to reading, don’t let the prenotions of reading only “non-fiction” or “Books that benefit” dictate your choices. Read what you love! Be it short stories, mythology, crime and detective stories, mystery, fantasy, or just pure romance. As long as are enjoying it, the wheel will churn. Because remember our goal here is to get started. - Start Small
Once you have decided what kind of books you would love to read, search for smaller books under that category, preferably not more than 150 pages. Smaller books are easier to complete which in turn leaves the reader with a sense of accomplishment. I will be curating a list of a few best books under 100 pages for you all to check for mixed genres. - Observe your reactions
As you progress further, keep a note of what things you like and dislike. (It’s often possible for people to like a particular category when they are younger, but as they grow — the selections tend to vary). Hence, understand what parts of the book you like or dislike. It could be the narration style, language, the characters in the book or even the type of ending. Having a checklist will help you decide whether the next book on the shelf falls under the category of ‘good to read’ or ‘not to read’. - Try variations
Don’t limit yourself to just one type of genre. Try alternative options or a combination of different genres. For me personally, fantasy works great, but that mixed with a little bit of mystery is also something I enjoy. And on contrast, I have started loving to read memoirs too, which leaves me with a sense of gratitude. - Open yourself up to different formats
While our lives get busier we are frankly left with little time to sit down and read a physical copy. That’s where digital versions come into the picture. Audiobooks are a great option for people who tend to work in solitude and have tons of boring work to get through. Get a headphone and get going, keep yourself entertained while you are cleaning, cooking, walking or doing any other work. Other great options are ebooks for people who spend a lot of time scrolling social media on their phones (especially during the commute).
Pro Tip: Many Classics are available in different formats and editions. If an original book is too chunky for your 1st attempt, look out for smaller editions with concise stories. Here is a video link to the top 10 classics to read:
I hope you find these steps helpful, and if you have some habits that got you into reading, do share them down below too. Let’s have a fun time reading and growing!
-Signing off
#books #reading #gettingstarted #procaffeinatewithbooks