It's the same story (pun intended) every summer vacation. The list of books you want to read increases throughout the school year and always fall short to the leaning tower of textbooks. By time the summer sun rays seep in, you have a list of books that could fill a library.
Each book spine eagerly awaits to be cracked. The pages look forward to being furiously turned. The last page patiently waits because it knows you'll read it over and over again wishing for more.
And if you're anything like me, there's still that one book strangled by dust waiting for you on your bookshelf. You know the one. The book you bought last year (okay, maybe a few years ago) that you were anxious to read but somehow never got the chance to. The book you got half way through and because you didn't want it to end you stopped reading it altogether. Whatever the reason may be, it's time to finally finish it.
Here are five ways to finally finish that book and hopefully plow through the remainder of your summer reading list:
1. Put down the phone and pick up the book.
Whenever there is a free moment throughout the day, it's a force of habit to text, scroll through feeds, listen to music, and browse the Internet. These mindless moments add up throughout the day and before we know it our time has been consumed by our phone. Next time you have a free moment and you find yourself on an electronic device, put it down and pick up that book instead.
2. Take the book with you when you go out.
Obviously, if you're meeting up with friends carrying a copy of The Art of Selfishness might not go over too well. However, if you're planning on grabbing a quick coffee or a bite to eat on your own, heading to work, lounging by the pool or running errands, bring the book along. Wherever you go, chances are you'll find some free time to zip through a chapter. Now that's the art of selfishness.
3. Carve out time during the day to read.
Establishing a routine is always helpful. Whether it's before bed, while eating breakfast, or during your lunch break, designate a specific time to read. You'll begin to look forward to when you can open up your book again. Before you know it, you'll be on the last page.4. The ending is a new beginning.
If this book has been looming on your bookshelf and kept you from reading the others, it's time to break the cycle. Finishing this book will enable you to start and fully enjoy reading new books. Let your summer reading list be motivation to finish the books you start.
5. Enjoy it now because the textbooks are already piling up.
If nothing else, the motivation of mandatory textbooks looming in the corner of library should be enough. Summer vacation is the prime time to read what you want because we all know that once school commences, what we want to read will collect dust until summer comes around again.
So let this summer be the one where you can finally cross that book off of your reading list. Soak in the sun, the story, and enjoy!
