Check out a wide variety of genres, such as celebrity biographies, romance, non-fiction, graphic novels, or fictional works. Ask friends and family members for suggestions of material they enjoyed reading. Chances are that you may like it, too. You’ll likely enjoy a couple of different genres of reading. For example, you might like to read romance novels one day and a graphic novel the next. Don’t pigeonhole yourself into one type of reading: allow yourself to explore the wide world of reading!
Additionally, employees in bookstores usually love books and are happy to offer recommendations. For example, if you usually don’t like reading but really enjoyed The Hunger Games, a bookstore employee could recommend other books like it that you might also enjoy.
It’s also not a competition. Liking one type of book doesn’t mean that you’re “better” than someone else. Someone bragging about loving James Joyce’s Ulysses isn’t inherently a superior person. And in fact, quite a few people lie about having read “classic” books – 65% of people admit to saying they’ve read an “important” book when they have not. [3] X Research source Read things that you find interesting and enjoyable, and don’t let anyone make you feel bad about what you like. Popular writers like John Grisham and James Patterson may not be Charles Dickens, but their works give plenty of people enjoyment.
If you don’t like reading books, try smaller publications such as magazines or newspapers. Making the reading manageable can motivate you. If you travel a lot, try using an e-reader or tablet. This can help you to pass time without having to tote heavy books or magazines on your trip. [5] X Research source
Seeing a story unfold and talking about it can be a powerful motivation for many people to read as well as making it more enjoyable. [7] X Research source Combine your reading with other enjoyable activities such as eating a meal or having a glass of wine. Be aware that with a book club you won’t necessarily always like the book choices. You can always opt to not read the book or grin and bear with it until something you like comes along.
It might take a few tries to find a genre of audiobooks that you like. You can always stop an audiobook if you don’t like it and try something new. Public libraries often offer a selection of audiobooks that are free to check out. You can also join a subscription service, such as Audible, that allows you a free audiobook every month for a small fee. Studies have shown that listening to books offers basically the same intellectual benefits as reading a book. [8] X Research source In fact, there are some people who learn better from hearing than through visual stimulation.
Break down your reading choice by pages, chapters, or sections. If you feel like you need to make your text more manageable, break it down into digestible parts. For example, you could say, “I’m going to read 5 pages. " See if you can do that and continue on if you like. Otherwise, leave the reading for another time.
Place different reading material randomly around your home or office. This may encourage you to pick up something to read when you’re bored or instead of watching TV or doing other activities. [10] X Research source You can also take reading material with you on vacation, to a pool or amusement park, or on your morning commute. Having it there may entertain you when you’re bored or need a distraction.
Studies have shown that a positive and relaxing context can motivate people to read. [12] X Research source For example, you might want to keep some reading material next to your bed. You can reach for it before you go to sleep if you like. Make sure to keep a couple of different types of material available— such as a magazine and a book—so you can read something that parallels your mood. [13] X Research source
Most major works of literature have study aids. These have annotated comments that can explain difficult sections of the book. Talk to your instructor or boss if you’re having a difficult time. She may be able to suggest effective ways to read the book.
Allot to each section of the reading a specified amount of time so that you don’t get mired on one part of it. [15] X Research source For example, you’ll probably want to spend more time on the introduction and conclusion than the body of a text. Make sure to schedule breaks for yourself to refresh your brain and recharge yourself. [16] X Research source
You can read for 20-30 minutes a day to help you get through the text in a more effective manner.
Before you start, skim the entire text to get a basic idea of what it is about. This can help you from getting lost or confused by the work. [19] X Research source Pace yourself: allow yourself no more than an allotted time for each section. This may help motivate you to get through the text. [20] X Research source
The most important sections of any text are the introduction and the conclusion. Make sure to read these thoroughly and then skim through the remainder of the text for important details. The first and last sentences of paragraphs usually offer previews of the paragraph’s argument. Sidebars, text boxes, and summaries in textbooks often condense the most important information. Always read these.
Taking notes is a delicate balancing act between getting too little and too much information. You don’t want to write down everything you read, just the most relevant information. For example, if you are in finance you may want to focus on important figures instead of facts. Conversely, if you are reading a historical text, you’ll need to know the significance of events instead of details. Take notes by hand. Studies have shown that people learn more by writing notes instead of typing them in to a computer or recording them on a device. [23] X Research source
Reading groups with colleagues or classmates can be very helpful in effectively tackling reading assignments. Every person has different strengths with learning and material you may not understand someone else likely will.
