Emeritus Prof Christopher May

For everyone who has struggled to get back to (into) reading (again)... here are six tips:

Keep your phone at a distance

Read physical books (& take notes)

(re)train your brain for reading

Find your best place for reading

Don't treat reading as a chore

Sometimes audiobooks or TV are a fair substitute for reading...

To this list I'd add: don't worry about abandoning books you're not enjoying!

Read should be a joy!

@bookstodon #Books
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2024/oct/11/put-phone-down-habit-reading-books-english-oxford

How to put your phone down and get back into habit of reading books

After an English academic at Oxford complained about students’ attention spans, we get experts’ tips on enjoying the written word

The Guardian
Oct 12, 2024 at 7:59amWeb
Show threadImbrium PhotoOct 12, 2024
@ChrisMayLA6 @bookstodon While it's not for everyone, I found graphic novels (eg. Sandman) and manga a useful route back into the reading habit ...
Show threadIuriOct 12, 2024
@imbrium_photography @ChrisMayLA6 same here
Show threadChris [list of emoji]Oct 12, 2024

@imbrium_photography @ChrisMayLA6 @bookstodon

I've had good luck rereading books I'd previously really liked and then maybe branching out to the author's unread work.

Show threadKim Possible Oct 12, 2024
@suetanvil @imbrium_photography @ChrisMayLA6 @bookstodon another very good piece of advice. There's so much by even our most favorite authors which we have not yet read.
Show threadMikeOct 12, 2024
@kimlockhartga @suetanvil @imbrium_photography @ChrisMayLA6 @bookstodon I've been thinking about reading John Gardner again, starting with October Light, it was the 70's last time.
Show threadKim Possible Oct 12, 2024
@imbrium_photography @ChrisMayLA6 @bookstodon can confirm.
Show thread🟥 Eveline Sulman 🇳🇱🇪🇺🇺🇦Oct 12, 2024
@ChrisMayLA6 @bookstodon find the best spot and find the best time: for me, it is the train to and from work.
Show threadC. R. Collins 🌳 🐸Oct 12, 2024

@ChrisMayLA6

I read books on my phone 😀

Show threadJenOct 12, 2024

@crcollins @ChrisMayLA6 I used to read on my phone.

I always hoped that someone would say something snide about me being on my phone, so I could shame them by saying I was busy reading A Picture of Dorian Grey or whatever. They never did.

These days it's audiobooks because covid messed with my ability to focus.

Show threadcraignicolOct 12, 2024
@ChrisMayLA6 @bookstodon absolutely agree on the last one. Have a dedicated "abandoned" pile on your shelf or ereader or audiobook service, so if you're tempted again you know what you thought last time. There's too many books to waste your time on ones you don't connect with now.
Show threadNic DafisOct 13, 2024
@ChrisMayLA6 @bookstodon my favourite thing atm is choosing an author I’ve read a bit of, and finding or setting up a reading challenge on @thestorygraph of all their work, so I can (re-)read everything in order. Currently doing this with #ASByatt, #EdnaOBrien, #JackKerouac and #DavidFosterWallace.
Show threadEmeritus Prof Christopher MayOct 13, 2024

@nic @bookstodon @thestorygraph

Yes, often do the same, if not in quite such a formalised manner

Show threadluna (tangleofthorns)Oct 13, 2024
@ChrisMayLA6 @bookstodon another vote for e-books, specifically, via libraries/Overdrive/Libby. i couldn’t manage the number of physical books and return trips i would need; now i can browse and check out books at any hour, no matter where i am.
Show threadPhil BurnsOct 13, 2024

@lunalein @ChrisMayLA6 @bookstodon

agreed! E-books are very convenient, you can take a whole library full with you anywhere, get new ones easily, you aren't cutting down trees to make them, and personally I find it easier to read on my backlit ebook reader than I do a physical book.

It doesn't have to be an either or debate though, I don't mind how people read their books (or listen to them) as long as they are happy.