I have been an avid reader for as long as I can remember.
Since childhood, books have been my constant companions. I’ve cherished the thrill of solving mysteries with Nancy Drew or getting lost in the romance of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy or laughing out loud with Jeeves and Bertie. Reading was more than a hobby; it was a sanctuary where I could escape into exciting worlds, learn, explore, and find inspiration.
As the years passed, my love affair with books deepened into a more intense and passionate connection. I read a lot. I read everything—thrillers, romance, humor, memoirs/biographies, self-help, YA, sci-fi, horror, historical fiction, to name a few.
I read everywhere… a few pages here, a few pages there—on a bus, on a train, in a waiting area, in a queue, in bed, while eating alone, and sometimes even in the loo. There were days (I wish I had more such days!) when I read from morn to night and left the bed just for bare necessities.
I read all the time and loved it.
I participated in numerous book reading challenges over the years and truly loved how they made me read and explore out of my comfort zone.
But that was a long time ago.
Things have changed.
In the whirlwind of the pandemic, my reading habit took a backseat. Initially, the chaos of adjusting to work from home, learning new skills, and managing household chores (ok, the last part not so much, as my boys did most of that) left little room for my beloved books.
I thought, “Once things settle, I’ll have plenty of time to read.” Yet, that moment never arrived. Reading was always on my mind, but I never got the time. It was especially frustrating because books are, well, my thing.
Despite friends reassuring me that it was just a phase, I found myself trapped. I bought books and added titles to my Goodreads list, hoping to reignite the flame.
But the non-reading phase persisted.
Now, after months of attempting to revive my reading habit, I find myself battling against distractions like my phone, post-work fatigue, and a weakened attention span.
Even with a book open in front of me, my focus fades after a chapter or two.
But I’m determined to change that. I’m revisiting the strategies I laid out in 2020 to read more:
1. Read what I love
Thrillers and humor are my go-to genres, and I’ll embrace them wholeheartedly.
2. Follow the cat rule
Like a cat carrying her kittens, I’ll carry my Kindle or book wherever I go.
3. Prioritize reading
I’ll make reading a non-negotiable part of my daily routine.
4. Reading sprints
When motivation wanes, I’ll set a timer for 15 minutes, read, take a short break, and repeat. These sprints should help me regain my reading focus.
Yes, it’s time to rekindle the joy I once found in books and make reading an integral part of my life again.
In the past, I was truly lost in the pages, immersed in worlds of mystery, romance, laughter… Today, as I navigate the distractions and challenges, I am determined to rediscover that sense of being ‘lost in pages.’ With each word, I am forging a path back to the joy I once knew, and in the future, I envision a story where every chapter is an adventure, and the journey is once again defined by being utterly and blissfully lost in the pages.
This post is part of the Bookish League blog hop hosted by Bohemian Bibliophile
I love the book sprint strategy. It’s one of the best ways to come back to reading. I began with comics and graphic novels. They were so relaxing that it was just easy to slip back into reader mode.
Reading sprints is something I do too. I check how much time is left in a chapter or tell myself I will reach 50 pages before I stop for the night (if I’m on 30). All these strategies help me to stay focussed.
I’d lost touch with reading before the pandemic too, so I feel your pain.
I found a few things from your list (s) that worked for me too.
1. Read what you love
2. Follow the cat rule
3. Make a public announcement
Other than these, what I did was
1. Set daily reading targets
2. Commit to reading a book by accepting review requests
Great to know that you’re back at what you love doing i.e. reading. Saying this as someone who has been in your shoes 😉 keep it up and don’t let the books down 🙂
I generally choose books after reading reviews or opinions. Yet if I find a book uninteresting, I stop reading it. I may return to it later and find it amazingly good. My Name is Red is one such book.
Your list reminded me of this habit of mine.
Oh, you’re one of the most voracious readers I know. ‘Read what I love’: this is what I follow now, so very limited review copies these days. 🙂
I went through a similar phase after having a baby, but this year I was determined and managed to complete my reading goal. The last point is what helped me the most. 10 pages every day. I would put that in my daily or weekly goal list. 🙂
I hope you get your reading streak back. I look forward to your book recommendations.
Reading is love for me and I read at my own pace which can be not being a daily reader too. I do have my kindle with me for sure when I travel but max 1 paperback when I travel as if I m in travelling mode I should concentrate more on travel than reading. But when I will read I need not distraction or disturbance for the hours I read. As I said reading Is love for me so I prefer handle it with care and affection and not as an every day or mandatory affair for me a it spoils the real charm of being in love. That is all me an my love for books.
Welcome back Shilpa to reading as well as blogging. I love how you connected both those things :-). I like your strategies. No matter how much you read or how regular you are there are always times when you fall off the wagon and need to make a conscious effort to get back. Good luck, hoping to see more of you.
You’re doing well by bringing the strategies back again to revive the reading habit, Shilpa! I recently started with reading 2 chapters daily of the current book that I’m reading—it’s in my tracker and I try my best to maintain it. But, it’s tough, I know. So I hear you. Juggling a lot of chores and work can sound easy to some but it’s a lot actually. They say it takes 66 days to create a habit, so maybe, reading everyday for 66 days will get you into a habitual cycle of reading which will make things easier.
I was forced to be bedridden for weeks when I suffered a leg injury and that was the time I stocked up on so many books, unfortunately, I haven’t read all of them, But I am trying to get back to them because they are good books and I stand to gain by reading them up. The Kindle surely helps me too because it is easier to read and carry in different situations. But sprints won’t work for me. If a book does not make me stay awake then it is probably not fascinating enough, but this did happen to me when reading certain classics, the pace is very slow even though the writing is to die for – like: “A Little Life”, Crime and Punishment. In this age of OTT where I fast-forward things, sitting up to read every word or page needs commitment and prioritizing, but I am not rushing myself. Better to read two books a year if they are good ones.
My growing up years were like yours in the department of reading. But I have been on and off the wagon. One thing that really helps me is audible. I now listen to books when I do household chores or while walking. I’m also determine to read more in 2024. Here’s the best to us!
I am facing the same issues with my reading, Shilpa. I am now trying my best to keep pace with audio books as hard copies are getting more and more challenging to keep up with these days. Your book sprint strategy sounds interesting and doable. I think I’ll try it too. Hope you get back into the groove soon!
Rereading some old favorites is one of my tricks to get back in the reading habit. Usually, that old favorite is a Harry Potter book. 🙂
Keeping a 15 minute or even 5 minute timer helps to get in the flow.
I am certain you will be back to breathing in and out words soon, Shilpa. 🙂
Your heartfelt reflection on the journey with books beautifully captures the ebbs and flows of a reader’s life. It’s relatable how life’s chaos, especially during the pandemic, can temporarily disrupt our reading habits. The strategies you’re revisiting to rekindle the joy in reading are thoughtful and practical. Here’s to rediscovering that sense of being ‘lost in pages’ and embracing the blissful adventure each chapter brings. Happy reading, and may the love for books flourish anew!
Hey Shilpa, so good to visit your blog after so long! Have you changed its look? Looks pretty!
I too had lost the habit of reading last year. But around August, I registered for Kindle Unlimited and then started reading again. Of course, looking for a good book on KU is like looking for a needle in a haystack, but I have been lucky to have read some really interesting thrillers there. And now, when I do find a good book on KU, I actually am stuck to my Kindle and look for ways to avoid my chores so that I can read!
I love the idea of a book sprint! It can be difficult to get back to a reading habit when you’re constantly distracted, but it is possible! Wishing you a wonderful year of reading in 2024!
As a reader who sometimes loses her reading mojo, I totally get what you are saying. Here’s wishing you a happy reading 2024. Your list seems totally doable and I can personally vouch for the reading sprints. Having to balance reading with writing, having reading sprints helps me in keeping a tab on how long I am reading ( else I am liable to just read and not do anything else the whole day)
Haha, I love the cat rule! And yes, I’ve always found reading sprints to be very helpful. I hope you can get back to reading, I know it’s hard to do that after a long break. Good luck!
Never heard of the cat rule before, but it is something I do. Such a pleasure reading your posts after a while, Shilpa.
I’ve more or less given up on reading challenges but this year, I’ve decided to do a simple, focused one.
Wishing the three of you all things wonderful in 2024 and I hope you get a lot of reading done. ♥
I agree as we grow up with hustle bustle of life we get a little time in our hands to read. We prioritize everything but forget to prioritize reading time.
I also follow the cat rule and carry my kindle everywhere
Reading always takes a backseat for me during the Holiday season. Life takes priority. My golden rule to avoid reader’s block is not to force myself to read a book that is not working for me. Hope you rediscover the joy of reading.
Finding a regular reading time is challenging when I am riddled with other work. I hoped for uninterrupted reading time when I retired early, but the struggle to squeeze it in has become customary. I also carry my Kindle when I go out to find use for a small break I get.
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