As any bookworm can tell you, there are hundreds—no, thousands of books on that “to-read” list. But there never seems to be enough time during the semester to actually read. Most of us are stuck with textbooks, or the dreaded “scholarly” articles. And then there are the books on the syllabus that are just symbolism car wrecks. There never seems to be any room to do the reading that we actually want to do! And by the time the end of the semester comes, no one has the motivation to even open a book. Well, despair not. Here are some useful tips to help you whittle away at that massive “to read list!”
1. Don't read.
There’s nothing like the end of the semester. Finals, and papers, and projects, and presentations, and existential crises, and then nothing. It all just stops. Give yourself a break from the bustle of school, and just vegetate. Books can take a lot out of you. It’s better if you have enough energy to actually devote yourself to a piece. So, go to sleep, be unhealthy, binge-watch The Office! Relax.
2. Be selfish.
There’s no point in reading a book just because other people say that you should. Read what you like to read. Here’s a shocker, some “classic” books actually suck. Despite what professors tell you, there is merit to be found in books that are just fun. It’s absolutely fine to read kitschy stuff. Sure, the Fifty Shades series is no Les Miserables. But if you enjoy reading it, if you get something out of it, then by all means, read it. And who knows? Maybe, in a hundred years, scholars will look to E.L. James as a pioneer of the fanfiction era.
3. Break it down.
One thing that I’ve always found to be really helpful, is planning on reading a certain amount every day. If you’re going to tackle a book, the size of Stephen King’s It, or a work as complex as Lord of the Rings, it’s good to have a battleplan. I always break up my books into chunks of around forty pages. And if that doesn’t work, maybe plan on reading a single chapter each day. Use your judgement. Sometimes a book can seem like a burden. Make it easier on yourself by establishing a quota that works for you.
4. Make yourself comfortable.
This is always the hardest part for me. In my opinion, the best place to read is often, the least expected. Sometimes, I’m most comfortable reading on the floor, or on a train, or sitting in a metal folding chair. Personally, I think that reading in bed, is like playing with fire. I will fall asleep mid-sentence. Be sure to be comfy, but not too comfy.
5. Allow yourself to feel whatever you feel.
Here’s a confession. I hate The Great Gatsby. There’s no convincing me otherwise, either. I’ve been told to re-read it, because I’ll “like it more the second time around.” Well, I didn’t like it the first time, the second time, or even the third time I read it. For a while, I wondered if there was something wrong with my taste in books, being that Gatsby winds up at number one on almost every “Best Books Ever” list. But, now, I’ve re-thought this. It’s not a problem that I hate this book, because there are people who hate my favorite books. Differing opinions are what make good conversation about literature possible. If you’re critical of a book in some way, you’re probably justified in disliking it.
6. Don't beat yourself up.
Sometimes it just doesn’t work out. Don’t feel bad about dropping a book halfway through. Of course, you’ll want to give it a chance before you jump ship, but if you do wind up putting a book aside, don’t feel bad. The great thing about a book is that you can always close it. You can always come back to it, too. Often, if you’re not getting into a book that you chose to read, it means that you’re not in the right frame of mind to fully connect with it. So, pick it back up when you are!
7. Try new things.
Once you’ve finished that book, pick up another one! But maybe this time you’ll try to read a totally different style. Do some exploring with genres. You never know when you’ll be surprised by a book. I’m a fiction nut, but Jeanette Walls’ The Glass Castle is one of my all-time favorite books. Reading is like traveling. Just because you’re a city person, doesn’t mean you won’t love seeing the Grand Canyon.
8. Have a good time!
Reading should always, always be fun. If it’s not, you’re doing it wrong.
Happy reading!
