Chapter 1: The Reading Challenge

If you find yourself among the majority who rarely pick up a book, you're not alone. For many, the mere thought of reading can be intimidating. The size of a book, its number of pages, and the time needed to fully grasp its content often lead to the conclusion that there are better ways to spend that time. Reading might appear tedious, like another chore or task.

Here's my straightforward advice: Dive into that book!

Breaking Down Reading:

If you're part of that majority, you might believe you’re not a reader at all. But guess what? You’re engaging in reading right now, as you consume this article.

Consider this: Medium articles, social media updates, Twitter threads, Reddit discussions. These bite-sized pieces of content are likely part of your daily routine. They are the primary sources of information we interact with, often overshadowing the vast wealth of knowledge available beyond our immediate circles.

If your only sources of information are those around you, it’s time for a change.

The internet is a treasure trove of information, with countless topics covering life’s various struggles, emotions, and experiences. Whatever you aspire to do or become, a simple Google search can lead you to videos, articles, books, and educational resources that will guide you on your journey.

There are countless individuals who have tread similar paths before us. In this age of personal recording devices, we have the unique opportunity to document our lives and learn from those who came before us. If you can read this article, you can certainly read a book. There’s a universe of knowledge waiting for you in stories, novels, eBooks, and audiobooks.

Exhibit B: Consider the collection of books you’ve set aside for "someday."

You might have attempted reading before, only to feel it wasn’t for you or that you lacked the time. Let’s dispel that myth: You have time; it’s just about how you use it.

If you own a smartphone, it likely tracks your daily app usage, including how often you check social media. I encourage you to review your ScreenTime app and evaluate where your valuable time is going.

For comparison, here’s my daily app usage on my iPhone:

And my iPad usage:

While social media can be fun, my most utilized apps revolve around learning, writing, and productivity. I spend my free time enhancing my knowledge through platforms like LinkedIn Learning, Medium, Notion, and Audible.

Remember, your mind deserves to engage with real content—from fiction and self-help to history, mystery, business, and more. Whatever your interests, there’s a book that deserves your attention.

The biggest misconception we hold is that we must finish every book we start. If a book doesn’t inspire, motivate, or entertain you, set it aside and find one that does.

How to Read More Books: Practical Solutions

For those who struggle with reading, I’ve discovered three game-changing strategies: Audiobooks, eReaders, and Summarization Apps. Let’s delve into each.

1. Audiobooks (Audible):

Audible was my gateway into the world of books. As a slow reader, I often found it challenging to comprehend longer texts. Since 2019, I’ve enjoyed over 263 hours of audiobooks across 77 different titles.

Here are some tips to incorporate audiobooks into your routine:

• Listen during your commute instead of the radio.
• Run errands while listening to your book.
• Start your mornings with a short audiobook session for daily inspiration.
• Wind down at night with a book, using the sleep timer feature.

Interested in trying Audible? Here’s a free 30-day trial offer:

Try Audible for 30 Days Here

2. eReaders (Kindle):

A Kindle was a cherished Christmas gift that transformed my reading habits. I’ve read three books since receiving it, more than I’ve read in a long time. The Kindle allows for seamless page turning and immersive reading experiences, especially with its dark mode feature for nighttime reading.

Kindle Unlimited has also opened up a world of possibilities with a plethora of books in various genres. I highly recommend integrating this device into your nightly routine.

Check Out Kindles Here

3. Summarization Apps (Headway):

Headway is an app that provides concise summaries of popular books. While it has a premium price, I’ve already gone through over 50 titles, with many more on my reading list. The app offers both written and audio summaries, allowing for a dual experience.

I highly recommend this app.

Head here to learn more.

20 Compelling Reasons to Start Reading:

If you’re still hesitant, here are 20 reasons to embrace reading:

1. Stimulates your brain.
2. Enhances focus on tasks.
3. Boosts your capacity for deep work.
4. Strengthens memory through storytelling.
5. Provides entertainment and escapism.
6. Fosters emotional investment in narratives.
7. Challenges your beliefs and perspectives.
8. Offers a safe way to engage with new ideas.
9. Increases empathy.
10. Improves moral reasoning.
11. Enhances communication skills.
12. Expands vocabulary.
13. Reduces stress and promotes relaxation.
14. Supports mental health.
15. Helps in combating cognitive decline.
16. Encourages better sleep.
17. Strengthens relationships.
18. Contributes to success in life.
19. Develops analytical skills.
20. Bolsters problem-solving abilities.

Conclusion:

With the right tools and motivation, you’re now equipped to embrace the joy of reading. It uplifts your mood, sharpens your intellect, and offers countless health benefits. Reading can transport you to different realms or reveal profound insights—just turn the first page.

Bonus: Recommended Reading Lists:

Audible Recommendations:

• Everything is Figureoutable — Marie Forleo
• Culture Wins — William Vanderbloemen
• Girl, Stop Apologizing — Rachel Hollis
• Liminal Thinking — Dave Gray
• Designing Your Work Life — Bill Burnett & Dave Evans
• Becoming — Michelle Obama
• I Can’t Make This Up: Life Lessons — Kevin Hart

Headway Suggestions:

• The First Time Manager — Loren B. Beaker, Jim McCormick & Gary Topchik
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People — Stephen Covey
• The 5 AM Club — Robin Sharma
• Loonshots — Safi Bahcall
• The 80/20 Principle — Richard Koch
• Atomic Habits — James Clear
• The Power of Habit — Charles Duhigg
• The Power of Now — Eckhart Tolle
• How to Stop Worrying & Start Living — Dale Carnegie

Kindle Picks:

• People Strategy — Jack Altman
• The 90 Day Life — Dr. Jen Farber
• Constance — Matthew FitzSimmon
• Good As Dead — Susan Walter

This article was crafted by Laura Jean, a small author on Medium. Please consider following me to support my work in the Medium Writer Program! Thank you for reading my article.

The first video titled "Becoming a Bookworm" offers insightful tips and strategies for embracing reading and transforming into an avid reader.

The second video, "Easy Tips to Turn Yourself into a Bookworm | How I Read 100 Books in a Year," provides practical advice on cultivating a reading habit and achieving your reading goals.