How to Read More.

[Jack_Aubrey]

Lately I've really been feeling guilty about how much I don't read. I love reading and have been a "reader" since my early youth. But with all the great books that have been recommended to me, and my sometimes procrastination based mentality, I just don't read as much as I like to. I know that one solution would be to get off my computer right now and go read, but lets just pretend like I have to be on my computer.

Anyone else feel this way? Solutions/Suggestions?

-Peter

[genoveva]

You're probably doing a lot of reading on the computer!

[Pensive]

There are some online books, you can try them. I am reading Agnes Grey online and it is easy to read it while you can do other things as well.

So you can continue your reading while sitting on the computer.

[Logos]

Happy Belated Birthday by the way :)

I too often get caught up in other things that keep me from reading, and I'll admit that since I spend a lot of time online and on my comp working it eats into my reading time.

Before the `net and before I had to work :lol: I'd spend entire days just reading since I'm not a tvholic. Now I always have a book in my bag to read when I'm say at the Drs. office and have to wait, or anywhere else I'm idling away time from home. Though I find it irritating to read small bits here and there, then having to put the book down, then when I start reading it again I have to do a "recap". The other thing I do is read a few hours before I fall asleep, that seems to be the best time for me to catch up.

Oh and that's just my "fun" reading, above and beyond the massive amounts of reading I do for work.

[Stanislaw]

I try getting my recreational reading in in the evening while lieing in bed waiting to fall asleep...word to the wise though: bewary of tom clancy and robert jordan while reading this way...if you fall asleep while reading them and the book falls in your face...due to the shear volume of pages, you can be in seriouse pain, especially if it lands in yer eye.

Or the washroom, thats always a good place to catch a couple o pages, on the bus, or even during lunch.

[papayahed]

I try getting my recreational reading in in the evening while lieing in bed waiting to fall asleep...word to the wise though: bewary of tom clancy and robert jordan while reading this way...if you fall asleep while reading them and the book falls in your face...due to the shear volume of pages, you can be in seriouse pain, especially if it lands in yer eye.

Or the washroom, thats always a good place to catch a couple o pages, on the bus, or even during lunch.

HAHA I've never had that problem with reading in bed - my problem is that I have wacked out dreams about the characters or book.

[Ryduce]

I also have trouble finding the time to read,especially since I have cable TV for the first time in over a decade.All I ever wanna do now is watch HBO.


I set aside a specific time in which I'll read,usually between 6:30 and 7:00 and 10:00 and 11:00.If you strictly do that for about 2 weeks it becomes like a habit.I also make small goals like today I will read to pg 130 and I make sure I do it.

[emily655321]

I think having a good place to read is really important. I used to always read stretched out on the loveseat at home, and now that I'm not at home I just have my uncomfy-chair that the roof leaked on, and also really poor lighting, so I never read when I'm at home. Fortunately my job allows for a lot of reading time. If I didn't have a good book, I think I'd go insane and start running laps in the basement just to have something to do.

So, yeah, well-lit comfy reading space. Very important.

The thing that has helped me the most is really the Book Club forum. It gives me a lot of motivation to finish it by the end of the month, or well before, so I have time to read something else before the next book is announced.

[Lady19thC]

I think putting your life into some kind of daily routine and setting aside time for reading really helps. Also, have your own routine with reading...do you make a cup of coffee or tea to sip while reading? Do you turn off your tv's, computer and cell phones to help shut out the world? Do you have a favourite place to sit and read without distractions and where you can pile up a few good books and have excellent lighting? And setting goals within your reading. Making reading lists to go through, even if it is not in order. And deciding how much you want to read per day...100 pages, 150 pages, etc., depending on your own personal schedule. All these put into action should ensure some good reading habits! Have fun!

[daddysfiddler]

I always keep a book with me, you never know when you'll have a few spare minutes to read. I also just can't stand to sit and do nothing, so I keep a book with me for that reason too. Mostly though I just have to wait until we have free read in English class, which is a nice time to read because we're there for an hour and 15 min. <><

[ClaesGefvenberg]

Anyone else feel this way? Solutions/Suggestions?
Well... No, I don't feel that way. Not at all. Nor should you. You say that you love reading, so why on earth should you feel guilty about what you don't read? My suggestion is to deep six the guilt and read as much, or indeed as little as you like.

Personally, I always have a book... or rather several books at hand, and given half a chance, I start reading. My problem (if I have one), is to tear myself away from my reading... :lol:

/Claes

[Aurora Ariel]

If one is talking about reading in one's spare time, for their natural love of reading or learning, then it's simple- just remove yourself from all distractions, don't watch TV or listen to heavy music, turn the laptop off, and ignore the phone. I detest idleness and find it difficult to switch off anyway, so naturally I am always occupied in my spare time doing something I genuinely enjoy (which mostly includes practicing piano, writing, or reading) . I could never just sit there and do nothing - on a vacation even, but do what interests you to relax or reflect further; reading for a love of reading shouldn't feel like a chore, if it does then maby you really don't like to read? But to contrast with others, I personally enjoy reading offline more. I find ebooks less favourable than a thick book in my own hands. I've only finished a few whole books on my computer, while I've completed countless books, and at a more rapid pace, sitting elsewhere. For extremely long volumes, I much prefer to read away from the screen. Too much time on the computer usually makes me ill, and I often feel my eyes getting terribly languid if I read an ebook for an excessive period, without a break. So, typically, I don't spend much time reading books that way, but instead much prefer the choice and convenience of taking a material book out wherever I please. I would suggest carrying a paperback out with you all the time, not just around the house, etc. It also helps if your one who is not particularly interested in cooking or cleaning, but keeps things to the bearest minimal. For example, I could never imagine spending one, two or three hours a night cooking an evening meal when I could be doing something else which seems far more productive to me. But then, I eat a lot of raw foods. ;)

[mcrane]

I have a problem in finding books to read. I used to not read at all, and now I am realizing how much I've missed. I am trying to formulate a list of the 40 most important, classical, fiction or non-fiction readings. philosophy, politics, history, religion -everything can be included in this list. Can anyone help???

[emily655321]

You've come to the right place, mcrane. :D There's a "what's your favorite book" thread on here, somewhere. Or, do what I do: go to the library/used book store, go to the "classics" section, and look at the titles 'til one strikes your fancy. I can't even begin to think of books to recommend, there's just so many!

You could also participate in the monthly book club here. Everyone gets to vote on books by the pre-selected monthly author.

[mcrane]

thanks, emily!!

[Koa]

I too often get caught up in other things that keep me from reading, and I'll admit that since I spend a lot of time online and on my comp working it eats into my reading time.

Before the `net and before I had to work :lol: I'd spend entire days just reading since I'm not a tvholic. Now I always have a book in my bag to read when I'm say at the Drs. office and have to wait, or anywhere else I'm idling away time from home. Though I find it irritating to read small bits here and there, then having to put the book down, then when I start reading it again I have to do a "recap". The other thing I do is read a few hours before I fall asleep, that seems to be the best time for me to catch up.


Same here... reading used to be my only hobby until I was like 16, then with more to do with school and later on with internet addiction, it became less and less... I often try to take a book with me on the bus or when I have to wait, but that can be annoying, and sometimes I prefer to listen to music on the bus, it leaves my hands free (very important on overcrowded buses) and I can look around and it relaxes me....