Reading. Too many people say they hate reading because it’s boring or there is no point. Most cite the books they went over (probably never read) in school. They think everything is going to be like Romeo and Juliet or something. They don’t seem to realize that you study classics in school and that there are troves of modern books that they’d enjoy. I like to find out their favorite movies and get them an audio book in the same genre. It’s easier to get them to listen to one than to read one. I now have a handful of people who come to me asking what they should listen to or read next.

Seriously, this. I can’t stand to read “the classics” but I love reading things that interest me. Would be nice of schools recognized that and encouraged reading just for the sake of it rather than forcing kids to trudge through endless stanzas of “ye art incorrect and thou must protest this injustice. Oh Horatio!”. Let kids do book reports on Harry Potter (or whatever’s cool these days). At least they’re reading.

Provided it’s got a decent narrator, audiobooks are like literal bedtime stories, and a lot of players have “sleep mode” that will either set a timer or stop it after the current chapter. Seems like an easy way to get people into them, IMO.

I have two of Stephen Fry’s autobiographies on audiobook and would basically let his smooth voice lull me to sleep. 😆

Provided it’s got a decent narrator, audiobooks are like literal bedtime stories

One of my favourite books I’ve literally only read on audiobook. I don’t love ebooks, and this book is out of print with second-hand copies going for $200+ online, so audiobook is basically the only option. It’s not the same experience as reading with your eyes, but it’s still a great way to get the story.