I know. The semester has been hard. You had to read like twenty books about things you could not care less about, and it has kinda killed your reading vibe for a while. I understand. As a grad student in English, I have been required to read a lot. Whether it be a novel, a short story collection, or a complex essay on the nature of teaching, I have to tear apart the reading to find themes and through lines. It becomes an act something other than reading. It ruins my ability to enjoy reading, because it begins to feel like a chore. It feels like a chore and an obligation to constantly close read for what a book is really trying to say. I’ve had so many people come up to me and voice similar opinions. How does someone even begin to read for fun again?

First, you gotta separate yourself from the need to analyze. Remind yourself there is no essay on the horizon; you’re not gonna be quizzed on any of this. Instead of thinking about the sociopolitical ramifications of the main characters’ actions in the story, put yourself in a more calming head space. Think about whether you like these characters, whether or not you would be friends with them, or imagine a conversation you would have with them. Instead of analyzing the plot structure and how each note works to build to a climax, let the words crash over you. Put yourself in the world and let your defenses down. You have to forsake a lot of what you know in order to go back to reading for fun.

Of course, you have to pick the right book to start your journey back into casual reading. If you pick up a David Foster Wallace tome, you’re in for a bad time. The right book goes such a long way. You could go relive an old book that you enjoy, or perhaps whatever’s free with Amazon Prime right now. Young Adult books are also a great way to unwind, because of their easy vernacular and fun scenarios and characters. I myself tend to read a lot of paperback science fiction for fun as well, because they stick to plots that are fun and by-the-numbers. There’s not a lot of serious thinking involved. But, even the act of picking out a book by yourself can feel freeing. Saying to yourself “this is my time to do things I want to” is such a good way to separate yourself from the hassle of schoolwork.

One of the best ways to get back into reading for fun is to forsake the physical book. Start casually reading e-books on your phone or listening to audiobooks on your way home from work or school. These little in-between times are great to devote to a story. Just hearing the words makes audiobooks an entirely separate experience from reading, and definitely could help with taking that school stress out of reading.

So get out there and read! There’s a world to explore in every book on every shelf at your local bookstore, and none of them are gonna get you quizzed. You can fall in love with a hundred different stories over the break, if you find the time. Pick the right book, find the right place, and ignite that reading fire in you again.