How To Rekindle Your Love Of Reading

You probably know by now how beneficial reading is – it releases stress, boosts the happy chemicals in our brains, improves sleep quality, and stimulates our minds. But as we get older, it can feel harder to find the time (and the motivation) to choose curling up with a book over an aimless scroll on our phones.

If you’re someone who laments the days when they always had their nose in a book, and now can’t make their way through a single chapter – we hear you. Here’s how to get back to being a bookworm:

Find the Time

This one is easier said than done, but it’s the only way to get yourself reading. Actively decide on a time that will suit you to read and when you’ll be able to really engage. It doesn’t have to be major – ten minutes a day is a great place to start! Early risers, why not schedule a half hour of reading when you wake up in the morning? For night owls, a chapter before bed is great to unwind. It’s all about finding some space in the day that’s just for you. 

Set The Tone

If reading feels like a chore that you’re desperate to get over and done with, try to incorporate other elements that you enjoy. You could light some candles, play soothing music or take a bath – whatever you need to associate reading with relaxation. If you’re more of a social butterfly, try a local café where you can feel like a main character as you read by the window. It’s all about the experience!

The Best Book

It’s important to choose reading material that appeals to you; otherwise you’ll get disheartened. If there’s one thing to avoid altogether, it’s book snobbery. Throw away any notion that to be a real reader you need to be acquainted with the classics, or have a copy of Ulysses on your coffee table. There’s no right way to read. Whether you devour Dickens or have a penchant for Twilight fan fiction; it doesn’t matter! 

Read Your Way

If the thought of tucking into a book is intimidating (or just seems plain boring), don’t be afraid to try something different! Short stories, poetry collections, screenplays, comics – you never know what might light your fire. Sometimes opting for a light-hearted page-flicker that you might not absolutely adore, but you’ll finish with ease, is a good way to build a little confidence. Audiobooks are another option for dipping your toe into reading or testing out new genres; and yes, listening counts!

Get Inspired

Need some inspiration? Join a bookclub! It takes the pressure off choosing what you’re going to read, you only need to get through one book a month, and you might make some new friends. Alternatively set one up with your own besties and take turns hosting. Wine, cheese, book chats…cultured or wha! 

Prefer to embark on your book journey solo? No problemo. Goodreads is a great website for looking at genres and themes that interest you, with plenty of in-depth reviews to guide you. Youtube, Instagram and TikTok are also chock-a-block with suggestions for every kind of reader. 

If you’re book shopping on a budget – join your local library! It’s free and the selections are brilliant. All Irish public libraries offer e-books too, so you can easily rent and return from the comfort of the couch. Bliss.

This article first appeared in the October 2023 issue of STELLAR magazine. 

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• reading