The Secret To Liking Reading

 A poll that lasted for 40 years concluded this about reading:

In 1983, 56 percent of Americans read in their leisure time.

In 2003, 37 percent of Americans read in their leisure time.

In 2023, 8 percent of Americans read in their leisure time.

 Do you like reading?

This post provides a plan for those who don't. 

This plan is developed from my own deep thoughts and plentiful research. I have asked many people who loved reading and why they like it. People ranging from a graduate in journaling, a professional author, and many teens who just fell in love with reading. I ask everyone who truly desires to be a reader to follow this plan from start to finish and give this concept of liking reading a serious and driven determination.

If you want my thoughts on why we struggle with reading, you can find that here.

If you want my thoughts on a failure in readers, you can find that here.

 The Plan:

 Before we talk about the plan itself, I will first give the foundation of it.

A. Your early childhood has a lot to do with your love for reading later on.

In the many people I talked to, a very common theme is the parents reading to the individual as a young child. They also mentioned that they were heavily surrounded with lots of books. Those polled said that their parents actually made them read and forced them to develop that habit. A major role in the liking of reading is determined by your early age. Reflect upon the time you were 3–8 years old and ask yourself how much your parents pushed and surrounded you with books.  How major of a role and importance did reading and books have in your home. These questions set the basis for your liking of reading early on.

B. Screens have shown to detract one's liking of reading.

There are some studies that have shown the influence of the TV in your brain. A lot of television intake slows the cognitive part of your brain because the show does the thinking for you. You could rephrase this idea as TV making your brain lazy. Your brain no longer wants to think hard and be creative. So when you try to read a book, it becomes increasingly harder. 

C. The Interest/Value Rule.

People who don't like reading can still find a rare occasion where they do like to read. They do this because of either value or interest in the book.

Some read because they find interest in the book they are reading. I am reading a book right now about football players. You know what makes me flip the page and keep reading? My interest for the topic. Interest books usually fall into the fiction category. Others read because they find value in that book. That is why I might read a book about Bible doctrine. Because I think that book adds value to my life in some way. One might also read the Bible because they know it produces value in their heart and mind. We like reading a book either through interest or value.

A big reason people despise reading is because when they read, they read out of duty or requirement. Instead read for value and interest.

Now let's take a look at the plan!

1. Take 2 weeks to this plan.

Enough said. The plan requires two weeks to fully develop.

2. Do not watch any movies or play any video games during that 2 weeks. 

I know this sounds outrageous but give it a chance. It will only help your brain. If you think you can't handle that, then it would probably be best you not attempt the plan at all because you lack a real desire to like reading. And besides, its only 2 weeks. 

3. Find 2 books.

Look for a spiritual book and a fictional book. Why? Because you are trying to fill that void of reading for value (AKA the spiritual book) and interest. (AKA the fictional book) 

4. Make the 2 books ones you will like reading about.

As for the fictional book, ask around and find a genre within fiction that you are pretty sure you will enjoy. Pick a book that truly intrigues you to read it. Next find a spiritual book about a topic that you think will add some needed value in your life. You pick. If you're not sure on what to pick, you could talk to you pastor.

5. Pick the time for reading.

Many people have busy schedules of things we need to accomplish. So in your schedule, make space for 30 minutes of reading a day. Make the time at night. Literally everyone I asked said they best enjoy reading at night before bed. In the same way, set this 30 minute slot for the evening.

6. Pick the place for reading.

Find an area in your bedroom that you can read before sleeping. What has worked best for me is a super comfy office chair at my desk. The place should not be your bed. Your bed is your place to sleep, not to read. If you don't like reading, you are only making it worse by reading in bed at the end of a long day. Try to have everything else accomplished for that day so your mind can fully dedicate itself to that cause.

7. Pick the method of reading.

In your 30 minutes of reading, grab your book that you read for value first. For the next 15 minutes, read that book of value first. The last 15 minutes is reading the book for interest. You do this for 2 reasons.

a. Not reading the same book for 30 minutes,

b. Studies have shown you get better sleep quality if you end the night reading something you enjoy.

8. Pick the tools of reading.

Whenever I read at night, I have a glass of hot tea and a highlighter. I use the highlighter when I am reading for value so I can remember better. I drink my cup of hot tea when I read the book for interest. Find a beverage and your favorite highlighter before reading. I also occasionally have some soft piano in the background to help me focus.

9. Pick the practice of reading.

After 2 weeks, you lastly need to find a way to put the information you read about to good use. Think to yourself and find a way. Secondly tell a friend or family member what you read. Tell them something interesting you found while reading last night. The more you talk, write, and think about what you read, the more you will enjoy reading.

Ok, now we know the rules of this plan. Now we put it to use. If you will give this plan a shot, I am very confident that by the end of the 2 weeks, this will happen.

A. You will find your train of thought to be more clear and your mind to be refreshed.

B. A certain calmness that comes when we turn off the screen.

C. More productive thoughts and ideas.

D. Some great information from everything you read over those 2 weeks.

E. A joy that comes when we take time to fully relax at night.

F. Better sleep quality.

G. Faster cognitive ability.

All this could be achieved if we give ourself over to the practice of reading.

Reading is important. But liking reading makes something important in our lives enjoyable.