GET INTO READING HABIT

IF YOU are the kind of person who does not like reading, or avoid getting beyond the first few chapters of a book, you may just be missing out on one of life’s escapist pleasures.

The development of language, and its ability to communicate ideas is probably one of the single most important parts of human development.

The ability to record an idea, or a thought, and then allowing another person to visualise that idea, either with words or pictures, is absolutely amazing, and it is one of the greatest pillars of civilisation.

Being able to access these thoughts, ideas and musings of people who have long gone, and of your contemporaries has to be one of the most amazing and miraculous things about books and reading.

To get into the reading habit, try these illuminating suggestions.

GO FOR INTERESTING

Choose a book that interests you. There will be time enough later to force yourself to read a subject matter that isn’t to your liking. For now, choose books on topics that are relevant to you and that you’ll find fascinating.

For example, sports lover can read books on football, sports car racing, or running. The hobbyist can read a book about collecting, restoring, or making things. The fashion lover can read books about clothes, fashion history, or makeup tips. Choose according to your likes!

COMMIT YOURSELF

Allowing your mind to wander when reading a book is a major distraction. Instead, you should put aside all thoughts of undone chores, things you would rather be doing, or people you haven’t smashed this week.

SETTING ASIDE DISTINCT READING TIME

You can stop when time is up but during that time, devote yourself to a book. If you catch yourself daydreaming while scanning the words, gently remind yourself to come back to the present, and dive back into the book.

PICTURE IT IN YOUR MIND

Use your imagination to form places, people, and actions that you read about. This will help you understand what is going on more easily. Much of this will come naturally as your mind builds the places, people, and situations you are reading from what you already know.

BEWARE OF BOOKS THAT ARE MADE INTO MOVIES

Your imagination will create one thing, while the movies may turn it completely around. It may be disconcerting to some book readers who may love a particular story or character and choose not to see a movie made from it.

MAKE NOTES

Get a notebook. Record your thoughts, reactions, and ideas as you read. It will be an amazing experience at the end of a book, or even months, or years later, to read over your notes and see the things that mattered most to you and how you see the world then.

RELATE TO THE CONTENT

Put yourself “in the book .” What will you do in similar circumstances? Do you want to be like the character? By putting yourself into the shoes of the author, and visualising yourself taking action as suggested in the book, you will gain a great deal more meaning from what your read.

TAKE IT SLOWLY

Today’s culture focuses on end results, but with reading, if you focus on the end, you will get nowhere. You aren’t reading to “finish a book”. It is more about the experience, and the journey itself. Pause and imagine scenes taking place, and let yourself get excited and frustrated with the characters!