Back when I was a child I didn’t have cable or a lot of tv to watch. It was a boxed tv with an antenna (I’m that old). Days were spent reading, listening to old albums, riding a bike, or at the corner store getting mystic (or Canadian dry which they have brought back), now laters as I call them, sunflower seeds, and a pickle. In order to dream or learn about things I had my head ina book. During the summer right before I entered the 9th grade my local library held a contest to see who could read the most books. I read over 200 books that summer. The lady at the library didn’t believe me so she would randomly pick books and ask me questions about them and I was able to give her a summary of each one (she tried me). Now fast forward to this new world I have forgotten how to read in the world of endless scrolling. Here is how I plan on bringing my love for reading back.
I wanted to be an author when I was in middle school but I was convinced by a teacher that there was no real money into that. So changed courses…and got a degree that I don’t use. I write now on this blog and I am working on my first book but I can’t help but remember how a book made me feel. I was lost in it so much that I was locked in the l library twice because they forgot to check and I forgot that time was lost with a good book. If you want to teach someone something put it in a book…most people don’t read books and that is frankly how I learned about life, love, and history. A book taught me to dream, to inspire and to learn about others in this world. I am not a huge fan of any particular genre I want to read the story from beginning to end and feel like I belong in the story with the writer.
Deep reading is an art that is lost. Are we even capable of it anymore?
When I read something long my mind wonders. I think about other things and then I have lost focus. No longer am I reading to understand the answer I am reading just for the answer and that’s it. That’s why so many people love social media and don’t want to read to find the answer they don’t want to see how someone comes up with the answer they just want the answer and then move on to the next thing. Reading habits have shifted and we are constantly skimming things. We have to pick and choose what we digest and we have to do it quickly.
Technology isn’t the problem because it gives us the tools to read on the go (Hello Kindle) and Libby (the library app). So what is the problem? We want info fast also we don’t have time. I know I don’t have time to read like I used to. With me in a car for most of the day and then working my side hustle I don’t have time to pick up my Kindle and read. I don’t even watch TV much either but I want to get back to reading. Here is how I plan on starting…..
Start with setting some time aside to read a day even if it’s one chapter a day.
Read what you love. You don’t have to read the latest book. Read what speaks to you so that you look forward to picking that book up the next night and the next night.
Follow podcasts that talk about books. Lashawn has a great one!
Listen to audio books (this takes away from reading but you can do both if you have a busy schedule. Listen some then read some)
Join a book club. I find that sometimes reading with others makes it better.
Make it a hobby. It’s one that I love and I want to get back to it.
Take social media off of your phone and carry your kindle with you. I tend to read while my daughter is at dance it’s sometimes the only time I have to read.
However, you go about getting back to reading just make sure you do it with patience and give yourself grace. Just pick up the book and read one page at a time.
The Comments
AnnaMaeOrMaeNot
Whew! Boy do I remember going to the corner store and buying a pickle lol! Seems like I always had one! You’re spot on about reading and I do think it’s intentional that we’re being conditioned to have a short attention span! I just picked back up on reading at the end of last year. I’m kinda on a roll now and I’m striving t read at least 1 book a month! I do love social media, but I definitely love books more!!