6 easy steps to learn how to 'read'
Hello, people! after months not posting in this platform, I decided to start writing again. This last few months have been very tiring, I start taking extra class and working on bunch of never-ending school's project. After 2 months of not reading and writing, I found myself as a dumb bitch- which you can see from the review that I wrote is very very chaotic.
I notice that a lot of my friends keep asking me on why I love reading and how to be a reader. So, I will share 6 easy steps to learn how to 'read'
1. Know what you love
First, find a book with a genre that you love and don't ever feel small with the book genre that you choose. You are going to be introduced with the art of writing and the fun of reading. Enjoy with that book of yours because from there you are going to explore another genre of book.
In my case, Agatha Christie made me fall in love with a book. After 5 books of Christie's, I felt bored with murder mystery and expanding my playground to Dan Brown, Robert Harris, Jostein Gaarder, etc. Now, I have varies of author in my bookshelf and all of that came from a 290-page-long-book by Christie's.
So, start finding reasons on what you want from a book, what you expect from a book. Don't mind asking me if you're too confused, just hit me up on email!
2. Be versatile
If you have decided one book to be your buddy for a while, but turns out you hated them, put that down. You can always go back to that book later when you already got the mood. Don't torture yourself with that 400-pages-long-book that you didn't like. Go find another genre and try them on, maybe it's not about finding the first one, it's about finding the right one.
3. Be a baby
'I'm not a reader, I can't stay up reading'
'I'm really bored'
I hear that, I hear that.
The simple first baby step to make yourself drown into reading is that read 1 page a day. That's right, just one page a day for two weeks. This method will build a new habit for you and every habit starts with a small steps. Give yourself a reward if you have did it and from there you are going to add up little by little.
For example, after did one page for two weeks, add up the amount to two pages for two weeks and again and again until you finished that book.
4. Join a club or read together
The fastest way to build a habit is that find a friend who can motivate you to read. There's a lot of online bookclub that available right now and you can join them easily. If you have a friend to read you are going to feel more motivated to finish that book so you can discussed it later on a meet-up. If you are a shy person, don't worry, there's a forum to discussed it together. All you need to do is sign up as a member and add up a profile name, then voilà you are ready to go. You don't need to show your face, so don't worry you'll always be anonymous.
Here's my recommendation, but you can always find more on google, just type them up!
5. Beautiful covers
Sometimes, it's okay to fall in love with a book from its covers, what use of a cover designer if we don't adore those covers. Right now, I'm in love with classics literature. But, before that I always think classics as a dull book without any great climax. At least, not until I found out about penguin little black classics, I start reading that thin book for only one sit. The gorgeous simple cover made me want to buy and even read them. If you want a book covers that stunning and collectable, I'd highly recommend books that published by Penguin.
Picture from : https://apoherm.tumblr.com/post/614312054969499648/ig-herdrafts-despite-being-forced-to-stay-inside
6. Buy paper-based-book not e-books
It seems very simple, but when you are trying to read for the first time, it is the best for you to use a paper-based-book rather than e-book. The paper books gave you a different feeling when you touch them and makes you more focus. Also, the e-book and paper book have a similar price, so why don't you buy the paper books and start working on your #aesthetic bookshelves.
If the price of new book bothers you, you can always buy a second hand book. sometimes there are some books that is still worth it and looks like new!
7. Last, Be present! ( bonus )
The problem with reading is that you have to turn off your phone and not scrolling social media for a certain time. Reading required us to be present. Your anxiety and insecurity might came from social media, and I think it is time for you to take a break from any social media activity and focusing on something, for example book.
You can use the reward method in this case. If you already read for 30 minutes or finished your daily task-in reading. you can check your phone for 15 minutes. The longer you read the longer you can check your phone. I have been using this method for a while, with the help of an app. In this point, I have realised the negative effect of social media and get easily bored with what social media has been giving me.
My only source of entertainment is books!
With books I don't feel those voices of anxiety or insecurity, I hear my own mind. Reading also trains your brain to think critically and reading is the best entertainment that we have these days.
Those are my tips on How to Read, I hope you are going to start pick a book and reading them. Happy Reading!
Connect with me and send me a message : @klaverbladshelf@gmail.com
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