11 Strategies to Reignite Your Passion for Reading:

11 Strategies to Reignite Your Passion for Reading:

Get your imagination swirling again, because nothing quite beats the thrill of getting lost in a darn good book. Who doesn't love escaping into a bewitching world, being hooked by a clever whodunit, or having their heart shattered by a heart-wrenching ending? But if it's been an era or two since you devoured a book, you might be questioning where that passion went and whether you can ever reclaim it.

First things first: no shame in losing your love for the written word amidst the friendships with our dear smartphones and the countless streaming services vying for our attention. "Even librarians suffer lulls in their reading," Veronica Koven-Matasy, reader services supervisor at Boston Public Library, tells our site.

Fear not, though! Reading for pleasure is a habit you can resuscitate with some practice, according to Courtney Hattan, PhD, assistant professor in the science of reading at the University of North Carolina School of Education. Experts are as committed as ever to making it as enjoyable and effortless as possible. Here are their top tips on reviving your ardor for reading.

1. Snag books that'll make you yearn to read them.

Our experts all agreed: the top tip is to "pick a book that excites you," as Rebecca Joines Schinsky, chief of staff at Book Riot and co-host of *The Book Riot Podcast, tells our site.

Sounds like common sense, but plenty of us have pink-eyed notions about the sort of books we "should" be reading. Maybe instead of diving into a steamy thriller, you're slogging through a kitschy indie novel that'll make you seem interesting on the train or an artsy nonfiction book to spur conversations at fancy dinner parties. "The expectation or obligation can go head-to-head with the pleasure reading offers," Schinsky explains.

But let's get real: nobody worth a flip is judging your reading selections. Bridge over troubled waters to Steinbeck or dive head-first into faerie smut; so long as the read warms your heart personally, it'll be simpler to rekindle that fire. "It'll lead you to the next book that tickles your fancy," Koven-Matasy advises. "That's the key to forging a habit."

2. Step into a new realm (or an old friend).

In case you're unclear on what type of literature drawing your fancy, Koven-Matasy suggests exploring a new genre. Perhaps you've hidden powers for crime capers or fantastical realism.

You can even look to your taste in movies and TV for cues. "If you dig romance flicks, try a romance novel. If you're into action movies, go for a thriller," Koven-Matasy suggests. Alternatively, ponder your adventures and interests: before a recent trip to Chile, for instance, Dr. Hattan dove into novels by Chilean authors. Conversely, her Formula 1-obsessed husband is into racing novels centered on fictional drivers.

Strategies abound: venture back to a genre you adored as a kid or teenager to hopefully rediscover some childhood enchantment. Or hunt for a modern take on a bygone favorite. "We're enjoying a golden age of retellings," Koven-Matasy stresses.

3. Kick things off with breezy reads.

"I truly urge you to stress, try a modest book initially," says Koven-Matasy. If you haven't flexed your reading muscles in a spell, you may not want to plunge straight into War and Peace. Thin novellas, easy beach reads, and graphic novels demand less effort, and "you'll still get the satisfaction and release of the book wrapping up," she explains.

4. Or books with short chapters.

If your concentration span feels positively ludicrous these days, books divided into smaller sections are the ticket. Think fast-paced novels, short story collections, and essay collections. They're simpler to dip in and out of than weighty volumes, Schinsky notes, forging a sense of momentum.

Short chapters also make it easier to carve in snippets of reading here and there. "If you've got 10 minutes in the waiting room at the doc's office, you can read one of the short chapters instead of creeping the socials," she points out.

Additionally, brief collections are perfect for sampling diverse territory and discovering a fresh writer you love. "It's like a tasting flight for books, where you're trying out what each has to offer before settling on one," Schinsky suggests. She recommends boarding the Macmillan train each year with their Best American series, which compile everything from food scribing to mysteries and suspense.

5. Give yourself permission to DNF.

Nothing's more unappetizing than forcing yourself to finish a book you can't get into. But true bibliophiles forfeit books often enough that there's lingo for it in the reading community: DNF, for Did Not Finish. "Grant yourself permission to, well, DNF without regret," Schinsky suggests. "There's no reason to subject yourself to a book you're not enjoying."

Naturally, some books require a tad more time to capture your interest. If you're keen, impose a time limit on yourself, like 50 pages or 10%.

6. Leverage others.

We tend to think of reading as a solitary pursuit, but it's remarkably social. Connecting with people about the books we're reading helps us derive more value from them and provides a yank of motivation.

Classic book clubs are a Blast! But if that seems too much of a commitment, other methods exist: BookTok, talking out loud to a partner, or becoming reading buddies with a chum. You can each move at your own pace and trade messages as you go. "It's nice to be able to fire off a text and say, 'Oh, that thing that happens in chapter ten. Have you made it there yet?'" Schinsky says.

7. Create (or hunt for) specialized vibes for reading time.

"When you're making an effort to revive the habit, you want the experience to be as delightful as possible," Schinsky explains. So make reading a memorable experience and romanticize the heck out of it: create a cozy reading nest, brew a cuppa tea, light a candle, draw a bubble bath, pour a glass of wine, or schedule a reading date to the coffeehouse or art museum. "It starts to feel like something to look forward to," Schinsky says.

8. Cycle from physical books to e-books (or vice versa).

Consider which medium supports you best at present, Koven-Matasy suggests. If you're constantly on the go and despise lugging a tome, digital reading may be your savior. On the contrary, many people find physical books better for maintaining focus. "We link screens with so many distractions," Koven-Matasy noted. "Like, 'let me check my emails briefly, let me scroll through my notifications.'" Some find dedicated e-readers a good compromise, Koven-Matasy posits.

9. Stash your phone away.

Talking screens: If you find it difficult to resist the allure of your phone's endless scroll, Schinsky advises stashing it away when you open a book-in a drawer or another room-and in Do Not Disturb mode if possible. It's much easier to get submerged in another world when the infinite scroll isn't competing for your attention. (Check out more ideas for disconnecting from your phone.)

10. Consider audiobooks.

Some assert that perceiving a narrative through your headphones doesn't "count" as much as skimming through the written words. But let's settle the debate once and for all: "If you needed a librarian to confirm that listening to an audiobook counts as reading: yes, it is reading," Koven-Matasy confirms. "It's just as valid," Schinsky adds. Not only do audiobooks make literary works accessible to folks with specific disabilities, but research indicates that listening to them involves similar brain regions and cognitive processes as reading.

HealthFitness6 Habits Your Gut Is Begging You to Break, According to GI DocsBy Erica SloanLife5 Little Ways to Be a More Positive Person-Without Faking or Forcing ItBy Jenna RyuShoppingOlympians Say the Best Home Rowers Are Worth the Investment**By Sara Coughlin

No need to major in semantics: if listening to books helps you digest them, go for it. And hey, perhaps it's the voice acting you like: "If you're a person who tends to see a movie of a novel in your head when you read, you might really appreciate listening to an audiobook with a full-cast performance," Schinsky adds.

11. Leverage your local public library.

A library card grants you access to zillions of books, e-books, and audiobooks, whether you go IRL or capitalize on a free app like Libby, Hoopla, and CloudLibrary. In addition to being budget-friendly, borrowing books instead of springing for $25 each makes ditching books less guilt-inducing. "I find that really mentally freeing," Koven-Matasy says.

Poking around your library in the flesh also grants access to librarians, who are basically book wizards trained to sift through the monstrous quantity of options and match you with the ideal read. "It's helpful having an authoritative person recommend three books for you," Koven-Matasy says. For instance, if you like a certain narrative style or elaborate world-building in a book, a librarian could recommend five additional picks. Because once you reignite the reading fire, it might be hard to extinguish it.

• More On:
• The 13 Best Self-Help Books for a Dose of Inspiration
• 16 Audiobooks to Help You Stop Doomscrolling
• The Top 12 Reading Accessories That Bookworms Will Adore

1. A passionate reader might find rekindling their love for books easier by reading genres they enjoy, such as romance, thrillers, or fantasy, as suggested by Veronica Koven-Matasy.
2. If unsure about what type of literature to read, consider exploring new genres or genre crossovers that align with movie or TV preferences, as Veronica Koven-Matasy advises.
3. Starting with lighter, shorter reads can help rebuild reading stamina, according to Veronica Koven-Matasy.
4. Books divided into smaller sections, like fast-paced novels, short story collections, and essay collections, can help readers manage their concentration and find the momentum to continue reading, as suggested by Courtney Hattan, PhD.
5. It is important to allow oneself to DNF (Did Not Finish) a book if it is not engaging, as suggested by Rebecca Joines Schinsky.
6. Reading can be social, so sharing books with others through book clubs, BookTok, or reading partners can increase enjoyment and motivation, as suggested by Rebecca Joines Schinsky.
7. Creating a comfortable and appealing reading environment, such as a cozy reading nook or setting a mood with music or scents, can enhance the reading experience and make it more enjoyable, as suggested by Rebecca Joines Schinsky.
8. Some people may prefer physical books, while others may prefer e-books or audiobooks, so it's essential to find the medium that works best for the individual, as suggested by Veronica Koven-Matasy.
9. Stashing away electronic devices like phones during reading time can help minimize distractions and enhance focus, as suggested by Rebecca Joines Schinsky.
10. Listening to audiobooks counts as reading and can be a great option for those who struggle with focus or enjoy experiencing a book through different mediums, as confirmed by Veronica Koven-Matasy and Rebecca Joines Schinsky.
11. Local public libraries offer a wealth of books, e-books, and audiobooks for borrowing, providing access to expert recommendations, budget-friendly options, and a sense of community, as suggested by Veronica Koven-Matasy.

Read also: