3 Easy and Practical Ways to Fall in Love with Reading

By Daniel Okereke

In a world where endless social media feeds compete for our attention, you might wonder: why make time for reading? While platforms like Instagram and Twitter offer quick entertainment, reading offers something uniquely powerful – it shapes how we think, feel, and create. Reading isn't just about absorbing information; it's about developing a fundamental skill that enhances every aspect of our lives. Here's what makes reading special: when you engage with text, your brain doesn't just process words – it creates entire worlds. Unlike watching videos where everything is presented to you, reading invites your mind to be the director, casting agent, and cinematographer of your own mental movie. 

Each description, dialogue, and scene comes alive through your unique imagination. This active engagement is what makes reading such a powerful tool for developing creativity and critical thinking. Ready to begin your reading journey? Let's explore three practical strategies that work for any type of reading, whether you're picking up a novel or diving into non-fiction.

1 - Start with the Right Match

Finding the right book is like finding a good friend – it should click with where you are right now. While many suggest starting with fiction (and it's often a great choice), the real key is finding material that naturally interests you. Your perfect first book might be hiding in an unexpected place. If you find yourself spending hours watching cooking videos, a chef's memoir might be your gateway to reading. Perhaps you lose track of time watching documentaries about space – in that case, a popular science book about astronomy could be your ideal starting point. The goal is to find books that make you forget you're "reading" because you're so absorbed in the content. 

Discovering your perfect match doesn't have to be complicated. Next time you're near a library or bookstore, wander around and pick up anything that catches your eye. Read the first chapter before committing to the whole book – it's like having a conversation with a potential new friend. Talk to people who love reading and ask them about the books that first got them hooked. Most importantly, don't limit yourself to what you think you "should" read. Whether it's fiction or non-fiction, graphic novels or traditional books, the best choice is whatever keeps you turning pages.

2 - Build Your Mental Library

When you encounter unfamiliar concepts or objects in your reading, don't just skip over them – this is your chance to expand your mental library. Think of each new word or concept as a piece of furniture in the house of your knowledge. The more pieces you collect, the richer your understanding becomes. While looking up definitions helps, combining them with visual references creates stronger mental connections. Take the example of a "Moroccan fez hat." Starting with the definition tells you it's "a round red hat with a flat top and tassel, worn traditionally in some Muslim countries." But when you pair this with visual references, suddenly the words come alive. You're not just memorizing a description; you're creating a vivid mental image you can recall whenever you encounter the term again.

A Moroccan fez hat

This approach transforms reading from a passive activity into an engaging exploration. Each unfamiliar term becomes an opportunity to enrich your understanding. When you read about architectural features in a historical novel, looking up both descriptions and images helps you visualize the scene more clearly. When a science book mentions a specific type of cloud formation, seeing pictures helps you recognize it in the real world. These connections make your reading experience more immersive and memorable.

3 - Create Your Reading Rhythm

Think of reading like learning to dance – it's all about finding your rhythm. Starting small but staying consistent is better than ambitious goals you can't maintain. Begin with an amount that feels almost too easy, maybe just a few pages or fifteen minutes each day. The key is choosing a goal you can stick to even when life gets hectic.

Creating your reading rhythm is about making reading a natural part of your daily life. Some readers find their perfect moment right after breakfast, when their mind is fresh and ready to explore new ideas. Others prefer to wind down with a book before bed, letting stories replace the day's stress with imagination. Keep your current book somewhere visible and easily accessible – maybe on your nightstand or next to your favorite chair. Consider keeping track of your reading journey in whatever way feels natural to you, whether it's making quick notes about your thoughts or simply marking the date you finish each book. 

As time goes on, you might find yourself naturally wanting to read more. That's perfectly fine – let your reading time grow organically. The important thing is to stay flexible. When life gets busy, you might need to adjust your routine, but never give up entirely. Even five minutes of reading keeps your connection to books alive. 

The more you read, the more you'll notice something fascinating: reading becomes less about meeting goals and more about satisfying your curiosity. You'll start seeing connections between different books and ideas. One book might lead you to another, creating a chain of discovery you never expected. Most importantly, you'll find that reading isn't just another activity to check off your list – it's a conversation with the world's most interesting minds, past and present.

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Remember, everyone's journey with reading is different. These strategies are just starting points, and you should feel free to adapt them to your own life and preferences. The only "wrong" way to read is not reading at all. So pick up that book you've been curious about, and take the first step into a world of endless possibilities. Your next great reading adventure is waiting to begin.