Background:
I'm in my 40s and I've always sort of beaten myself up over not being an avid reader. I go through phases where I read a bunch, sometimes I'll finish a book in a months time, sometimes start a book and forget it, sometimes it seems like I go literally years without really getting into any book at all. But I still accumulate them.
Because of how important reading is and now I "fail" to prioritize it, I've always found myself in a poor relationship with reading. I feel this artificial pressure to read things that are only important and will somehow make me more useful. I feel this artificial pressure to start one book and read it to the end. I feel this artificial pressure to become a changed person by fully investing every bit of info from every book.
I've been learning that these pressures are untenable.
I've also noticed that I partake in all kinds of things without the same expectations: tv shows, games, podcasts, media and news outlets, social media, etc.
Right now I have 6 books that I am actively reading, and I am trying to remember that it's for enjoyment and not some high level goal. Someone told me if I read 10 pages a day I would finish about 10 books a year. I found this so encouraging.
Taking the pressure off of reading has really helped me get more productive at reading, and I think it will help me convert my habit into a truly fruitful one.
So now I ask you:
- What are your reading habits like?
- What do you like to read?
- What kind of stage of life are you in, and how does that affect it?
- Have you made any changes, positive or negative, to your reading habits?
- What else?
I got back into reading about 8 years ago. I used to read a lot as a kid/teenager. At some point I realized how much time I was spending scrolling through things on the internet and decided to try and read books with that time instead.
At first I set a goal to read one book a month. I got a library card so it was free. I found the loan timeframe actually helped, since it had a due date. Audiobooks have been great too, since I can listen while doing things around the house. I made my goal the first year. Then each year after that, I try to match or surpass the previous. I’m currently at 38 books this year!
I like to read fiction but mix some nonfiction in there too. I mostly gravitate towards fantasy.
As for life stage, similar age, with a partner, and no kids, so I have quite a bit of leisure time.
For reading habits, I have tried to allow myself to put books down and not force myself to finish if I’m not enjoying it. I used to try and power through, but would end up dreading reading. So now, doesn’t matter how far into the book - if it’s no longer interesting, I’m done and move on to the next.