How To Be ‘A Reader’

Lee Sooyeon

We all know that reading is highly beneficial. However, having a good reading habit is not that easy as it sounds. Somewhere after “lose weight”, “stop procrastinating”, and “fall in love”, “read more” is one of the top goals that many people set for themselves. And for sure, a good book can be hugely satisfying, can teach you about things beyond your daily horizons, and can create characters so vivid you feel as if you really know them. If you want to be “a reader” – for sure – you are halfway done. So here are some tips.

First of all, set times. You should have a few set times during every day when you’ll read for at least 5-10 minutes. These are times that you will read no matter what — triggers that happen each day. For example, make it a habit to read during breakfast and lunch (and even dinner if you eat alone). And if you also read every time you’re sitting on the can, and when you go to bed, you now have four times a day when you read for 10 minutes each — or 40 minutes a day. That’s a great start, and by itself would be an excellent daily reading habit. But there’s more you can do.

             Second, always carry a book. Wherever you go, take a book with you. When I leave the house, I always make sure to have my drivers’ license, my keys and my book, at a minimum. The book stays with me in the car, and I take it into the office and to appointments and pretty much everywhere I go, unless I know I definitely won’t be reading. If there is a time when you have to wait, whip out your book and read. Great way to pass the time.

             Lastly, make a list. Keep a list of all the great books you want to read. You can keep this in your journal, in a pocket notebook, on your personal home page, on your personal wiki, wherever. Be sure to add to it whenever you hear about a good book, online or in person. Keep a running list and cross out the ones you read.