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I’m always worried that I’m not reading enough or not reading the right things. Creating a set of laws about how and what I read that has no relationship to my immediate impulses or desires helps me feel like I’m making progress through everything I want to absorb. For the past four years it‘s looked like this:
I’m always reading three books: one novel, one non-fiction book that’s mostly about information I want to learn about, and one collection of short stories or essays.
I read 50 pages of the novel. Then 50 pages of non-fiction. Then 50 pages of novel. Then 50 pages of the collection. Even if I’m really engrossed, I switch after 50 pages.
Maybe this sounds psychotic but it works for me and makes sure a more challenging read doesn’t bog me down.
I also have a system about when I read a book I just bought and when I read a book I’ve had for a long time and when I read a book that’s old and when I read a book that was written right now…. yikes
Anything to keep the anxiety at bay
Jan 16, 2024
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when I was getting back into reading more regularly, I started with novellas and short stories because it felt less overwhelming. even now, if I get out of the groove of reading, I find something short that will motivate me and get me back into reading my main book
another thing Ive done is invested in an e-reader because an issue I had was keeping focus because of a screen time issue and I was able to satisfy that part of my brain itching for my phone but making it more productive lol. not sure if that's something you're experiencing but it was my biggest issue I had to work around at first
the last thing that helps me is setting up the right vibe to read. in the last few months, Ive been reading a lot of Russian literature so I put on my playlist of older russian and soviet music, maybe light a candle, whatever Im feeling, and just let myself get into it. obviously not a necessity but I always like some quiet music in the background while I read
also seeing this ask made me remember I need to read before bed tonight so thanks for that lmao
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not an avid reader (~3-4 books / year, trying to get that number up) but the things that have really invigorated my reading when it feels like a chore to get started:
- reading books that aren’t challenging to start off. all about love and the will to change by bell hooks were the first books i was able to successfully finish in like, years bc her writing style is very colloquial despite the subject matter being very dense. similarly, finding a fun fantasy book (or other genre fiction) to get back in the practice of turning pages and “wanting to find out what comes next” is gonna be paramount to being able to do that for books that are gonna require a little more give from you down the line (haven’t read a physical book in over six months so personally going to start legends and lattes soon to try and trick my brain into not thinking books are time-consuming and scary)
- audiobooks; for me at least reading requires too much visual processing + “sitting still” time that i can’t multi-task and read, so i have to schedule when i’m gonna try and do it (unlike tv where you can have it on in the background as you do dishes or working from home or something and can look up periodically) - taking a chunk of podcast + music time and replacing it with audiobooks has been a game changer bc i now read at the gym, at the office, and in transit <30 min long bc i have to track what station i’m at or see where i’m going
Mar 28, 2024
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As someone who just got back into reading in the last couple of years, I totally understand the frustration of having free time, a shelf full of good books and yet somehow you’re never finishing them or even picking those sweeties up! Here are some tips that helped me be a better reader:
1. Get a Goodreads account and add your friends! While the app itself is pretty clunky, i still love it for getting back into reading because it lets you set goals for yourself, find new reads and more importantly see what your friends are reading (This last one helps me stay accountable, I don’t want my book nerd friends to catch me slacking). I also love being able to write reviews of the books I’ve read.
2. Instead of watching tv or scrolling before bed, read for at least 15 minutes every night. I’ve found this goal to be helpful because it’s attainable, plus reading before bed helps me unplug and sleep better.
3. Start small with shorter or simpler books before building your way back up to longer ones. This was crucial for me coming off of a heavy scrolling/tik tok era when my attention span was especially shot.
5d ago
Top Recs from @rubyzuckerman
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When I was 22 my gay guy gallery owner boss made me drive around Los Ángeles for hours looking for this candle to light at an opening. He had me buy four of them with my own card and didn’t pay me back for weeks which was unreal.
All annoyances aside - this really is the best smelling candle of all time. The scent is so subtle - wood, resin, honey, tobacco. I only buy it once a year because it’s so expensive, but I truly luxuriate in its scent for the 60 hours it burns.
Candles are one of the things I feel like it’s worth paying the big bucks for - you‘re inhaling it! It’s infusing your living space!
Feb 1, 2024
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I don’t know how Josh found this exactly but it’s one hour of Christian new wave and full of some of the most haunting songs ever. Introduced me to one of my favorite albums rn (“Emotional Tourist” by Steve Scott) along with tons of other singular tunes. It makes me feel like driving around in the dark. I heard it for the first time four years ago and I still listen to it all the time.
Jan 17, 2024
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i love having one big one and one small one. i can make myself cry by imagining them somehow being separated. ..
Jan 24, 2024