Reading is an essential part of our lives. We read emails, texts, online articles, online news, reports and from time to time, an odd book. Most of what we read is “pushed’ towards us. This is either because our work requires it, or because of the unwitting preferences that we have established on our digital media. As a result, the ‘system’ decides what we should read.
It does not matter what you read. It could be novels, history, biographies or science or nature. An active reading habit takes us to new places; we receive fresh insights; we understand complexities and we are better informed. We debunk conspiracy theories.
We can make up our minds on issues of the day, informed by facts and analysis. And then there is the sheer satisfaction of having read a book, having absorbed its contents, and having seen the world from the author’s point of view.
But getting to a book can be bewildering. Books exist online and in bookshops. They can be in libraries and second-hand shops and car book sales.
It is better to start at the other end. What do you want to read about? Spend a quiet Saturday afternoon mapping out what will be of interest to you. Do you want to read about topics that will support your career? Or do you want to read adventure novels for the sheer joy of reading?
Over the course of a reading career, you will change approaches many times. But for now, it pays to be focused. Clarify what sort of book you would most like to begin with. Select a broad topic and narrow it down.
Use an online search engine to help you get to the background. Explore styles, genres, and authors – dig around. As you progress, a framework will emerge.
You may be interested in starting to read historical novels or scientific books on climate change. Now to find the authors and the books. Amazon Book or Kobo are examples of where to begin. Not necessarily as a place to buy books, but as a way to see what already exists, and what authors are out there.
Most online bookshops have useful details on a book, the year of publication, information about the author, a summary of the book as well as comments by readers.
Armed with this information you can browse your local second-hand bookshop or your public library. The librarian at your public library will be able to recommend alternate authors, and similar books, and generally be a source of valuable information. At the end of this process, you will have a list of print or digital books, for you to begin your reading adventure.
But securing a book to read is only part of the solution. You must also make the necessary adjustments to make reading a regular and frequent activity in your life. Review your average workweek.
When are you most likely to find time to read? How much TV time do you want to sacrifice? Is the last thing before bed a good time? Or do you want to wake up a bit earlier and put in your reading then? And of course, on some days you may have more time than others, and from time to time something will come up and you won’t get your reading in.
But the important thing is – to stick to your schedule of regular reading.
You may go further and expand your own individualised reading plan. Your reading plan is an outline that helps you to navigate the topic that you want to study. Keeping track of a running list of books or topics you want to read.
Setting a plan has many advantages. At its most basic level, it helps you to set a course and to avoid a situation where you’re constantly trying to find the next thing to read. The course is already plotted, and you can go to the next book on your reading plan.
Reading is a truly rewarding pastime. You absorb new ideas and insights, you gain fresh understanding, and the act of reading itself is deeply enjoyable.
Happy reading!
Here are links to some of the most popular books that readers enjoy.
