Post: #1

I grew up in the cable television generation and I never really read books. Now that I'm older I'm trying to read more, but it's hard for me to make it a habit. I know there are a lot of readers here, have you guys always been readers or is it a hobby that you picked up? If the latter, is there any tricks or tips to help me start reading more?

Post: #2

I'm lucky that my parents read to me early and promoted it as a hobby. I basically lived at the library until I was 15. But if you didn't grow up as a reader, it's never too late to start. It's just like any other habit. Identify an end target that you'd eventually like to hit, such as an hour a day. Then build up to it by starting with 15 minutes a day and then upping it after a few weeks.

Post: #3

I think habits are best implemented in the morning. If reading is a priority one should start it in the morning.

For me it works to read loudly which makes it more entertaining for me and same time it trains my voice. When the first step in the morning is made reading throughout the day comes more natural.

Post: #4

I've become a much more proficient reader as I get older too.

Post: #5

My mom had me and my brothers all reading regularly before our first day of school and encouraged it as a hobby all through childhood. We'd show up at the library and each walk out with a stack of 5 - 10 books to last us a couple weeks.

It is very much a habit you build. Commit to 20-30 minutes daily, marking it off on a calendar or spreadsheet as you complete it everyday. Once you complete 30 days in a row without missing any, start reading 1 hour a day. You can add more later on as you go.

Your comprehension, speed, and retainment will increase over time. So will your enjoyment of it, I'd say.

Beyond All Seas

"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe.
To be your own man is a hard business. If you try it, you'll be lonely often, and sometimes
frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." - Kipling

Post: #6

Another thought: don't worry about reading "smart" books or classics. Yes, they're more edifying, but no good if you want to off yourself by page 10. Read what you want to or enjoy. Just about anything counts (comic books are an obvious exception).

Of course, if classics are what get you going, then more power to you.

Post: #7

Read a subject that you find interesting.

I started reading comic books when I was a kid and as a teenager I started searching for books that would interest me. I would go to library and spend hours searching for something that I would find interesting from black history to politics but that shit kinda used to bore me. Then I started reading self help books and that was it, I got addicted to it and never stopped reading them.

Once you enjoy reading something, you will always go back to it, reading a good book is like learning from a very smart friend that you don't get the opportunity to meet in person.

Post: #8

Always been a reader, but I find it hard to get out of my comfort zone.

The key to reading is reading things you really like. Like can't put down status.

Once you read things you definitely like on a regular basis, then challenge yourself.

And don't feel bad for not finishing a book. Life is short and time is precious.

WIA

Post: #9

Im proud to say that I've never read a book in my life.

I've started a few but never finished.

I get bored after a few chapters.

Post: #10

(11-30-2013 12:11 PM)Giovonny Wrote:  Im proud to say that I've never read a book in my life.

I've started a few but never finished.

I get bored after a few chapters.

dude werent you a lecturer at some point?

Post: #11

You shouldn't think of reading as a habit you want to work on.

If a book is enjoyable enough then you will feel compelled to finish it. To me a good book is ten times more fun than a good film or a good TV show. An hour long documentary can only cover about the same amount of information that 5 pages could cover in a book. And that only takes about 12 minutes to read. Thus saving you 48 minutes of your life.

Anyway - the book that got me 'hooked' on reading was 'Walk In The Woods' by Bill Bryson (a funny travel writer). I never realised a book could be so much fun. It was like eating pizza or chocolate for the first time.

Once you have being entranced by a book - reading becomes a part of you. Like eating or drinking.

One tip is that you may find you enjoy non-fiction books (biographies, business, economics, politics, philosophy, science) more than fiction books. This was the key realisation for me. When I used to read novels - I looked at reading as a chore. But then I realised the problem was that I don't care about fiction. Since then I have gone on to read literally thousands of non-fiction books.

So - you just need to keep searching for the book that will get you hooked on reading. But who knows - maybe some people just never develop the passion for reading that others have.

And don't worry if you are one of them. Since I think reading is overrated. It is hard to recall much from the books you have read. I mean can you recall much from the thousands of emails you have read in your life? The sad truth is that you have to read a book at least twice before it becomes a part of your long term memory (I only do this with philosophy books).

People think I read alot because I am smart (okay not many people think that!). Or want to be smarter. But it isn't true - I read because it is the only activity that I have found which is relaxing AND stimulating at the same time (most activities are one or the other). If I had to stand up to read - my reading would drop by about 99%. Since the relaxation involved in reading is a key part of the pleasure for me. In the same way that watching TV is only fun when sat on a couch - as opposed to standing up.

Post: #12

(11-30-2013 12:21 PM)pheonix500000 Wrote:  

(11-30-2013 12:11 PM)Giovonny Wrote:  Im proud to say that I've never read a book in my life.

I've started a few but never finished.

I get bored after a few chapters.

dude werent you a lecturer at some point?

Yes, thats why I am so proud of this fact.

I became a college professor without ever reading a book!

Everyone talks about how important reading is and I guess it is..

But, I acquired the necessary knowledge without having to read.

I call it my "Information Hack".. I got more results with less work, a greater return on investment.

I have nothing against reading and I'm sure it has helped many people.

It's just something I have never been able to do.

I prefer to talk to people who have read books and also do an internet search of the topic.

I will keep trying. I want to read Hugh Hefners books and Mike Tysons also. But, really, I won't read them, I will just scan them for the details that I want.

"A conversation with 1 wise man is the equivalent of reading 10 books"

Don't get me wrong guys! KEEP READING!!!

I think I have some learning disabilities, seriously!

I have my own ways of figuring stuff out!

I also don't watch movies because I can't sit still for 2 hours.

Books and movies are filled with too much "fluff" for me. I just want the facts as concise and simple as possible.

Post: #13

I've always been a reader. I stayed in the encyclopedias my my bought when I was in elementary school. I would pester my parents for money when we had a book fair. I LOVED to learn new shit.

I remember reading a "Rap Pages" (I'm dating myself) magazine and they were interviewing one of my favorite MCs... KRS-One. The photos showed him with stacks of books. I remember thinking, "That's how I want my book collection to look." I admired the fact that as a Hip Hop MC, he was always trying to teach via his music.

Fast-forward: Today, I have over 3,500 books in my personal library (last I counted).
Only about three of those are fiction. I'm usually reading multiple books at one time.