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I discovered the joys of reading at a young age. My parents liked to buy me new books at National Bookstore every time we go out. Now that I’m continuing to shelter in place, I’ve had more time in my hands for reading. Well, it’s one way I keep cabin fever at bay too.

Reading is one of those pastimes that we all have access to. Even if you don’t have money, you can easily go to a library, pick from a huge selection of books and take it home to read. It’s essentially free entertainment, but it’s not just about having a good time. Books are a fantastic way to stimulate your brain and it can truly open up your imagination. It’s a fantastic way to pique your creative interests and it introduces you to a whole new world every time you open a new cover.

Unfortunately, as fun as it can be to indulge yourself with a good book, it’s a hobby some people find hard to get into these days. Most people choose to do something active to pass the time such as playing video games or sports. For some, they prefer something that requires very little efforts such as watching a movie or show. I’m definitely guilty of that! Got a shelf full of unread books!

Reading a book is somewhat in between the two. Not exactly an active task but it does require you to pay attention! How else can you imagine what you’re reading? This is why it’s a great way to exercise the brain and encourage your creativity.

I know I’m not the only one who’s somewhat lost the joys of reading and wants to rekindle that! I’ve seen it on book lovers groups I’m a part of.  They too are wondering how they can get their reading mojo back!

Want to rediscover the joys of reading? Here are some ways that might encourage you to pick up that book you’ve been ignoring for some time now.

Reading is a surprisingly good way to improve your social skills

Books can often be based on real-world situations and circumstances. This gives them a sense of realism and it can have a surprisingly positive impact on our conversational skills. Reading tends to increase our vocabulary. It helps us understand how to use certain words. I for one learned the meaning of elope from reading Archie Comics!

By learning how to use these words in a variety of different situations, you’ll find it easier to get your point across to people. You’ll have a much easier time explaining different concepts. You’ll also find that you have a word for everything. Goodbye simple and disjointed phrases!

Even if you’re reading a book about magic, witches and demons, you’ll still pick up some useful words that you’ve never heard before. The characters’ conversations can also help inspire you to approach conversations differently. Don’t worry – you’re not going to start speaking in olden English! It’ll just help you learn more about how to structure conversations and it’ll improve your vocabulary so you have new words to explain things in a more cohesive manner.

Reading doesn’t need to involve books

Reading without books sounds rather strange, but it’s the modern age and we always seem to have a convenient replacement for everything. In the case of books, we have eReaders that can store thousands of books in a small and convenient form factor. If you don’t want to spend the money on an eReader, you can actually download apps on your smartphone or tablet device that are designed for reading books. Books can be bought as digital versions from storefronts such as Amazon and their apps can even let you listen to audio versions of specific books. This lets you read from the pages when you want to and then switch to audio when you’re commuting or unable to look at the pages.

There are plenty of ways to enjoy books now and it doesn’t always have to be with a heavy tome in your hand. This makes it extremely convenient for busy people who are always on the go or don’t want to risk damaging a book in their bag.

tips to rediscover the joys of reading a book

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Removing the barriers to help encourage you to read more

There are often barriers that prevent people from getting in the mood to read. Having no time to read is a common excuse. It’s understandable but you have to think of reading a book as a pastime or hobby. We make time for our hobbies, don’t we? Instead of watching TV or playing video games next time, why not read a book for entertainment instead? It’s daunting at the start. After all, you’re going to have to rely on your own creativity and imagination. Once you take the first step though, it’s very easy to lose yourself in a good story.
Is reading in itself a barrier for you? There’s no shame in reading simpler books meant for a younger audience. Who says that the books we read need to be defined by our age? Some books might use incredibly difficult words that you’ve not even heard of before. The way some stories are set out can also be confusing. Why not read a book you’ve already heard of? Popular examples include the Harry Potter series or Game of Throne books which have both been successfully adapted into a film franchise or tv series. When you read something you’re already familiar with, it’s much easier to get into. This can be a way you discover the joys of reading.
Lastly, some people find there are physical problems that prevent them from reading. Some people might have trouble reading small text on a book. If this is your dilemma as well, you can check to see if there are large-print versions of the book you’re reading or check if it’s available on an electronic device with a backlight. Or get a good pair of  reading glasses! In order to get in the mood to read, you have to be comfortable.
Speaking of comfy reading, I’ve been mulling over a purchase of a reading chair. A comfy reading chair with warm light can make it easier to read the pages of a book. I’ve been reading on my bed, lying down but that makes me sleepy most of the time!

Some final words

Reading is a joy that everyone has experienced at some point in their life. As you put off reading, you’ll find that it becomes more difficult to get into due to time constraints or because it seems daunting to read so many pages. However, once you find a good book and get stuck in, you’ll find it hard to pull yourself away. It’s no different to a gripping TV series or an immersive video game. Hopefully, with the tips above, you’ll be able to pick up a new book and rediscover the joys of reading again.