Emily Telesco, Features Editor
When was the last time you read an entire book? And no, I don’t mean the time you powered through “The Great Gatsby” for your AP Lang class or “Huckleberry Finn” in American Studies. I mean when you willingly went to the library or the bookstore, found a book you were genuinely excited about, and read it for just for the sake of reading.
If you’re like the majority of teens, you probably haven’t read a book in a while. Even as I write this, I know I’ve been slacking off too. It’s easy to fall out of the habit given how busy we all are and how much the online and social media culture has taken over our lives. But, what many people overlook is just how important reading actually is. Reading isn’t just an academic skill – it offers an abundance of benefits to people of all ages; it can improve literacy and language skills, enhance mental/emotional wellbeing, and allow you to escape the real world for a little bit.
So, enough with the excuses: “I can’t find a good book to read,” “I don’t have time.” You can do it. While we can’t all be Rory Gilmore reading a book a day, setting realistic reading habits – whether it’s one book a week or a book every 2 months – can still have a big impact. Here are five tips that have helped me (and might help you) read more.
- Get a library card
This might sound obvious, but a library card is one of the most underrated resources out there. The easiest (and cheapest) way to get books is by going to the library, and having a library card gives you access to hundreds – or sometimes thousands – of books, audiobooks, and ebooks. To get a card, just go to their website homepage and apply to get a card. After that, they will email you when it’s ready and you can go to the front desk to pick it up. It’s also really easy to use – just scan the card barcode under the self-checkout machine, put your books on the pad to scan them, and you’re good to go.
- Set a goal
Sometimes, we just need a little push. Setting a goal is a great way to get motivated. Personally, I like using Goodreads’ Reading Challenge to do this. I enter a certain number of books I want to read by the end of the year (like 25.) and each time I log a book, it shows me if I’m on track or if I’m behind. Of course, you don’t have to use Goodreads. Writing down the number of books you want to read in the Notes app or a journal and tracking your reads is just as effective! The point is to set a target and check in with yourself every so often to stay motivated.
- Research books and create a TBR
One of the biggest reasons I get into a reading slump is because I don’t have any good books to read. If you struggle with this too, I recommend going online and looking into specific genres and authors that you like, and looking at books from there. In addition to Google, the Barnes and Noble or Goodreads websites are great places filter through titles and reader recommendations. When you find several books that interest you, add them to a To Be Read (TBR) list. It’s really easy to just take a look at this list and pick a book instead of having to spend 45 minutes trying to find the perfect book. And don’t forget to keep adding to it!
- Try new forms of reading
Although I prefer physical, handheld copies of books, some people like reading from ebooks on Kindle or even listening to audiobooks. Some major benefits of using a device like a Kindle is that it’s easily portable and has a variety of books in it – so you can read a lot without having to get a bunch of physical books. Some even have built-in dictionaries, so you can quickly look up unfamiliar words as you read. Audiobooks are also great for when you’re on-the-go, and you can listen while doing chores or going on a walk.
- Use social media
Yes, social media can actually help you read more. I get a lot of reading inspiration just from scrolling on TikTok or Instagram reels. On what is called “#BookTok”, there’s a huge community of creators who post personalized book recommendations based on something as broad as genres to something as niche as emotions or seasons. For example: “Books I’d sell my soul to read for the first time again” or “Books to add to your spring TBR.” So, no matter what you like or what mood you’re in, I’m sure you’ll find at least a few books on there that interest you.
Reading doesn’t have to be some intellectual activity or something you only do for school. It can be a relaxing, exciting, emotional, and overall fulfilling experience. And it’s truly one of those habits that pays off the longer you stick with it.
