By Daniella Daniel-Kalio
For many people, reading is associated with school, work, or something that must be done in order to be deemed productive. As a result, many people, especially the younger generations, reach for their phones and other devices for quick relief and instant gratification. This leads to doom scrolling and digital fatigue. According to research on screen habits and attention spans from the Pew Research Center, younger audiences are increasingly preferring to consume short-form digital content over books.“A lot of the younger generation don’t like to read because they prefer to see things visually,” says Nora Persaud, a librarian at Sheridan College.
On the other hand, many people want to start reading but don’t know how to start or go about it. Reading for pleasure matters because it can improve focus, creativity, and provide an affordable way to relax. The Reading Agency reports that regular reading supports mental well-being and reduces stress. Here are five steps on how to break the cycle and start reading for fun:
Step 1: Choose what interests you
A common mistake people make is reading books they think they should read or books that make them look smart. If you force yourself to read, it makes the process tedious instead of enjoyable. Choose books instead that align with your interests. “There are lots of genres to choose from, including romance, fantasy, thrillers, and so on,” says Nora Persaud.
Step 2: Set small, realistic goals
Aim for small, attainable reading goals between 15 minutes to 30 minutes each day or one chapter at a time. This helps build a daily reading habit that can slowly be developed into longer reading periods. “Don’t try to read for long periods, especially if you’re just getting started. Go easy on yourself ” says Esther Iyalla, an avid reader and frequent visitor to one of the Brampton public libraries.
Step 3: Make books easily accessible
Before committing to a reading habit, make sure you have a way of getting the books. Use public libraries, free library apps, or borrow books from friends. You can explore free digital borrowing through apps like Libby by OverDrive, which connects readers to local library collections.“The libraries can make reading feel less intimidating because when you pick out a certain book, other books that are similar or are in the same genre get recommended to you by us, the librarians, and the system,” says Nora Persaud. You could also buy books if you can afford them and want to keep them for yourself. Audiobooks also count as reading and are useful for busy schedules.
Step 4: Create a quiet place for reading
The environment where you read matters. It’s hard to focus on a story if there’s a phone buzzing with notifications next to you. Designate a specific spot. It could be the corner of your room, couch or even just your bed, as your reading zone. “I think any place free of distractions is a good reading spot, but I personally prefer to read on my bed, which I think many people do too. I also find that the library is a good place to read as well if you have time during the day,” Esther Iyalla says.
Step 5: Let yourself stop when you’re not enjoying it
One of the most important parts of reading is knowing when to stop. If you notice a book doesn’t interest you after a few chapters, it’s okay to stop reading and get a new one. You don’t need to prove to yourself that you can finish the book no matter what, especially if you don’t like it. Esther says that forcing yourself to keep reading defeats the whole point of reading for fun.
“Reading every day might sound overwhelming and challenging, but as time goes on, you begin to fall in love with it. This is coming from someone who avoided books of any kind and preferred to rot away on their phone,” says Esther Iyalla while reminding us that it takes some time to get used to, but it’s definitely worth it.
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