10 Tips for the {Wannabe Reader}

10 Tips to become a Reader

I have always enjoyed reading. I enjoy entering into a world different than my own and escaping from reality for at least 100 pages. But, then Junior High School happened and reading became a requirement. I'm sure that I'm not the only person that feels that reading as a requirement sort of ruined reading for me. I'm defiant by nature in a lot of ways. So, if someone says "you have to read this book to pass this test." I'm going to say, "No, actually, I don't." Apparently I pride myself in proving other people wrong. Which, I don't think is a good trait...
Anyway.
Now that I'm an adult, I have a desire to read and rekindle that hobby that I enjoyed so much when I was younger. I definitely struggled reading for leisure when I was completing my undergraduate degree, but I started to find the tricks to hep me read more and find that desire to read again during graduate school.
This year, so far, I have read 5 books (6 if you count one that I finished from last year) and I read 15 books last year, so, decided that I should try and share some tips for all of you wannabe readers out there.
Tip #1 Find your Ideal type of Book.
I realize that this sounds obvious, but finding the types of books that you really enjoy is the most important step of becoming a reader. The hardest part about this is that it may take you a while to figure it out.

But, here are some tips within this tip.
-#1 What's your current all time favorite book? You can do one of two things with this one book. You can google books that people also googled with your favorite book. For example, my favorite book is To Kill A Mockingbird. It suggests The Great Gatsby, Pride and Prejudice, and Fahrenheit 451. I have read and love ALL of these books. Secondly, you can google books that the author of your book would recommend. This doesn't work very well for my all time favorite book. But, my second favorite book of all time is Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. In my research I found that some of his inspiration for his books came from the John Carter series. Which is definitely now on my to read list.
-#2 Ask a friend! The advantage of having friends is that we can trust their opinions on things, right? There are few people that know us better than our friends and they can suggest a book that they love or that they think you can love.
-#3 Judge a book by it's cover. I know that this isn't what most people would say, but you need to start somewhere. If something intrigues you, pick it up!
-#4 Start with Young Adult books. There is definitely an advantage of reading a YA book. They are easy reads, usually a little care free, and are super entertaining. Does a YA hit the top of my favorites list? Not usually, but they are a good way to explore the different genres of books to help you narrow down the adult novels.
-#5 BookTube. You heard me write. There is a whole section of YouTube where people talk about books. It's actually more entertaining than most beauty YouTubers. My current favorite BookTubers are: Hailey in Bookland, jessethereader, Midnight Reads, and Peruse Project.

Tip #2 eBook vs Physical Book
I have found that there are pros and cons to both Physical Books and eBooks. I definitely prefer physical books, but I am also a bit of a hoarder when it comes to physical copies of books and movies. There is something about the focus that is required in a physical copy of a book. I also really like that my progress is super visual.

Whereas, having a Nook or a Kindle has it's perks as well. There are apps that can be put on almost every cell phone, so you always have the option of reading no matter where you are and you don't have to lug around a heavy book. Also, most eBook readers now have a lit background so you can even read them in the dark. However, sometimes these screens hurt my eyes. Books are usually cheaper on eReaders so you can get more books for the same amount of money.
Look at your different options of books! Try both.

Tip #3 Goodreads

Goodreads is a great way for you to see your progress in a book. You can have your own bookshelf of books that you are currently reading and update what page you are on when you finish reading everyday. You can see the percentage that you have read and lets you rate the book and write your own review of what you thought about it! Goodreads is also a great way to look for new books. There are thousands of different "lists" on goodreads that I could spend hours looking at! Goodreads is also a type of social media, so you can add your friends and see what they are reading. 

Tip #4 BookBub
This is a new find for me, and honestly, I don't use it that much, because I don't like eBooks as well as hard books. 

But, BookBub is an email subscription that emails you eBooks that are less than $3 every day. Some of them are even free. I have found several eBooks that I am really excited to read!

Tip #5 OverDrive

I used to be very anti-audio-book. I used to think it didn't really count as reading if I actually listened to the book. Also, most audio books are REALLY expensive! Then, I started riding public transit to school during grad school and I wished that there was something I could listen to, because I easily get car sick when I try to read. This is when I discovered OverDrive. OverDrive is an app that help you borrow eBooks or Audio-books through the library. In order to use it, you have to have a library card, but it is legit the best thing when it comes to audio-books! Sometimes you have to wait a while for an audio-book, but there are thousands of audio books that you can listen to while you do anything! Sometimes I feel like I don't get as much out of a book if I don't physically read it, but I love listening to them while I get ready in the morning and on my way to and from work. This has been my main secret for amount of books read increasing substantially. It is a way that I can read even when I don't feel like it. This is a hidden gem that I recommend to EVERYONE that loves to read!

Tip #6 Libraries
Thinking about the Library reminds me of the episode of Arthur where DW gets her library card. :)

I know that libraries remind most people of school, I know that they do for me! But, they are an inexpensive way to read the books that you like. I know that the Davis County Library even got rid of late fees. (Which is amazing!) Most of the librarians are also a great resource for book recommendations.  It's a win win!

Tip #7 Reading Lights
I find that I have the most time to read books at night, right before bed. However, I don't like to have my big light on and my bedside light isn't bright enough for me to be able to read. So, I would recommend finding a reading light.

They sell them most anywhere, book stores, target, even WalMart. I am a lot  more likely to read at night if I can be comfortable in bed and have enough light to actually read.

Tip #8 Book to Movie Adaptations 
When I was in my major reading slump, I saw that a movie that I wanted to see was originally a book. If I remember right, it was Coin Heist. The nice thing about reading book to movie adaptations is that it gives you a tentative deadline.

 Obviously you don't need to finish the book before the movie comes out, or even before it leaves the theater, but it gives you ideas of what to read and a little bit of excitement to actually finish the book. I love comparing the book to the movie. I don't know what it is, it makes me feel smart to say "That's not how it happened." You can google what books are being made into movies for the year, or you can even just google books that have been made into movies and read ones that came out years ago!

Tip #9 Reading Challenges
My sister, a friend, and myself, started doing "reading challenges" in 2016 and they have helped encourage my reading. There are several different reading challenges on the internet, but they are 20+ books and we didn't want to overwhelm ourselves on our first try, so we narrowed down the options to 12 books from 12 different categories. The nice thing about reading challenges is that you aren't tied to 12 specific books like in a book club. They are categories for you to choose a book.

For example, on this years challenge we have A Book that is 600 pages or longer. So, the book that my sister chooses is most likely going to be completely different than the book I chose. I find this method fun, open, challenging, and exciting. Which are all things that I need in order to really want to pick up a book and read.

Tip #10 Reading Slumps Happen
This tip, is probably the most important tip of all. Reading slumps are going to happen. It's true. You can love reading and still go over a year without reading a book. Don't beat yourself up about it! The bad thing about a reading slump is that it usually causes me to hate the books that I try to read, which isn't fair to the book! (Ha! I'm such a dork. Like books have feelings) If you find yourself in a reading slump my best suggestion to you is to ask your friends a book that they couldn't put down and try to read it.  Usually this method helps me want to read books more consistently again and I don't feel like I'm forcing myself to read.

So, there you have it. 10 tips for the wannabe reader! Try some of these techniques out. You may hate them! But at least you can say that you tried. My mom always says that despite her best efforts, all of her kids have turned out to love reading. HAHA! But, I will say, that some of these techniques have even worked on the anti reader that is known as my mother!

Until Next Time...
Peace & Blessings!