Throughout my career I read constantly. I read professional and industry journals and publications. I read books about leadership, business, and education. I reviewed websites and online articles. You get the picture. My guess is you also read information necessary to keep you informed and successful. Once I retired, I believed I would read all those books in my wall of bookshelves that I never had time to sit with.
My excitement for reading waned as I faced the reality of retirement. After a few months, however, I realized that I missed not only reading but people to “unpack” what I had just read. So, I attempted to start of book club. After a few false starts, I ended up with some fellow readers. Some really just wanted the comradery; others wanted an intellectual outlet. Over time, I settled into a group who decided to meet for coffee and discussion.
Often, I am asked: “how does your book club select the books to read?” This is one of my favorite features of the book club I am in. Every six months, we bring potential titles to a discussion. Rather than limiting ourselves to a particular genre, anything is an option. We discuss the books based on their authors, reviews, and lists on which they appear. As such, we have read historical fiction, memoirs, non-fiction, and even a “beach read” here and there. We have enjoyed Pulitzer Prize and other winning titles and self-published tomes. Many of the books I would otherwise not have read if not for sharing the love of reading and discussion with others.
Reading can open your eyes and heart to ideas and worlds you have never visited. Unfortunately, the percent of people who read for pleasure during an average day has dropped 12% since 2004. That figures reflects not only books but also audiobooks, e-books, and magazines. Those interviewed find they spend time scrolling social media or watching television. If you find yourself among those who would like to read more but struggle to get started, here are a few tips.
Start with the Right Book. Don’t start with War and Peace or some other doorstop. Rather select something that may bring your joy. Look for a variety of places to find titles that may be of interest. I subscribe to several book list recommendations or follow the link when someone points me to another list. You can get recommendations from friends, your local librarian, and online communities (there are a lot!). One free list I receive regularly is “Readworthy by BookBub.”
Set a reading routine. Schedule a certain time of day that you believe you would enjoy “taking a break.” Plan to read a set number of pages, a chapter, or a specified amount of time. Start small. Determine a particular place that you will also read. This special location signals that it is time to read. Leave the phone in another room or put it on silent for your reading period.
Experiment with formats. E-books or audio books offer an alternative to traditional paper books. Many libraries offer electronic versions at no charge. Audio books allow you to listen to a book while doing household chores or taking a walk (although for safety purposes I would avoid having earbuds in while walking.)
Set a reading goal. If you are a goal-oriented person, attempting to reach a certain number of books may be just the motivation you need! However, you may want to use social media or a reading tracker to encourage you to keep at it. This year one of my reading goals is to read the entire Bible in a year. I found a tracker (The Bible Recap) that suggests what to read each day and includes a short video reviewing what I read. Additionally, I set a goal to read 24 books.
Give yourself permission to skip a read. This one is the hardest for me! But reading should not feel like a burden. If you find you are not enjoying a book, you are not obligated to finish it. A male friend of mine once told me he thought women seemed to feel they owe the author to finish a book. Maybe he is right. I’m working on that!
All-in-all, reading offers me a chance to expand my creative thinking, introduces me to perspectives I may not have considered, and allows me to slow down and relax for a few minutes. Maybe it will do the same for you. Grab a cup of tea, a lightweight throw, and a book. You may find you are a reader after all.
Silver Sage Sisters 