Is there a trick to enjoy reading books?

[Evelisse]

I have never been much of a book reader for fun, and it's something I would like to change. I'm not sure if it is something that has to be picked up at a young age or what, but I just find a hard time picking up a book and reading, to learn something or just for entertainment.

I'm not sure if because I really enjoy drawing, painting, well art overall, if my brain is stuck on needing visuals. Now I'm a huge movie fan, and enjoy the occasional comic book from time to time (more so when I was younger).

So to the readers out there, is there a trick to it, or have I just not found the right kinds of books? I mean you'd think based on the movies, shows and comics I like, I'd enjoy fantasy, sci-fi, or mystery. But so far nothing is clicking.
Anyone have this problem or have any advice?

 

[Ace of Knaves]

I'm not a massive reader, but I find that I can become engrossed with a book pretty easily if it's something i'm interested in. I'm not one of them people who can just pick up any old book and get into it, I usually pick books that I know i'd be interested in. So I dunno, have a look at the blurbs of some fantasy or mystery books, if you like the sound of them just give em a go. You never know, you could get really into them.

 

[November Rain]

I do think you have to throw yourself into it and probably read a good 80 pages straight off the bat and submerge yourself into the material


clear some time in your schedule and dive right in.

 

[[A]]

Is there a trick to enjoy reading books?

Yes. The book must be good.

 

[[A]]

Is there a trick to enjoy reading books?

Yes. The book must be good.

 

[CConn]

I think part of it is simply adjusting to reading, and reading a lot.

I used to read constantly, but once I started reading comics (which, obviously, move MUCH faster than a novel), I couldn't finish a book to save my life just because my attention span had adjusted to comics.

That's probably you're problem. You're attention span is so set on 2-hour movie, 30-minute TV show that it just naturally doesn't like a 10+ hour book.

 

[Eggyman]

Yes. The book must be good.

 

[Kieser1]

Try to find similarities between yourself and the main character in the book. Whether it be personal traits or similarities between your lives, or other things. I find that I always enjoy reading books in which I can relate to the character in some way.

Hope that helps.

 

[Sava]

You just havent found the right book, try a small (300 or 400 pages) book first, one in your fav genre.

 

[Captain_BluTac]

I have never been much of a book reader for fun, and it's something I would like to change. I'm not sure if it is something that has to be picked up at a young age or what, but I just find a hard time picking up a book and reading, to learn something or just for entertainment.

I'm not sure if because I really enjoy drawing, painting, well art overall, if my brain is stuck on needing visuals. Now I'm a huge movie fan, and enjoy the occasional comic book from time to time (more so when I was younger).

So to the readers out there, is there a trick to it, or have I just not found the right kinds of books? I mean you'd think based on the movies, shows and comics I like, I'd enjoy fantasy, sci-fi, or mystery. But so far nothing is clicking.
Anyone have this problem or have any advice?

First of all there's the obvious thing of only read things your interested in, the next thing don't try reading on a bus or anywhere like that, I see people doing it, but I think if you're anything like me you would get distracted to easily, and then finally set up your reading area (lounge bedroom wherever you can be comfy and alone) so you don't have your TV/radio/computer turned on then try reading there, maybe have a bit of background music or whatever, in short set up somewhere you can be comfortable and not distracted lol.

 

[The Lizard]

I'm not sure if because I really enjoy drawing, painting, well art overall, if my brain is stuck on needing visuals. Now I'm a huge movie fan, and enjoy the occasional comic book from time to time (more so when I was younger).

Actually, the fact that you enjoy creating art and visual media should help you in your reading instead of holding you back.

Reading a (well-written) book creates wonderful images of the characters and events vividly in your mind. Even better, it's a different visualization for everyone, since we all think differently. To pick a simple example, part of the popularity of the Harry Potter books results from the clear, endearing images of the characters that author JK Rowling creates via her writing style. Despite various flaws in that writing style (and there are more than a few), the characters and environments have became treasured by many readers due to how their images were vividly formed by the descriptive text.

Reading a book is sort of an opportunity to "play director". You're reading the script and interpreting it visually in your own mind's style. Hope that helps.


On a more personal note however --- you might perhaps be ADD. That makes it hard for a lot of people to read books all the way through.

 

[Eggyman]

Actually, the fact that you enjoy creating art and visual media should help you in your reading instead of holding you back.

Reading a (well-written) book creates wonderful images of the characters and events vividly in your mind. Even better, it's a different visualization for everyone, since we all think differently. To pick a simple example, part of the popularity of the Harry Potter books results from the clear, endearing images of the characters that author JK Rowling creates via her writing style. Despite various flaws in that writing style (and there are more than a few), the characters and environments have became treasured by many readers due to how their images were vividly formed by the descriptive text.

Reading a book is sort of an opportunity to "play director". You're reading the script and interpreting it visually in your own mind's style. Hope that helps.


On a more personal note however --- you might perhaps be ADD. That makes it hard for a lot of people to read books all the way through.

Absolutely. There's been times where I've read a good book and months later was sure that I'd seen the film because I could remember visual elements from scenes in my mind.

 

[Colossal Spoons]

I think a lot of the boring books they made us read in school have turned a lot of people(myself included) away from reading. Even today, I have NO idea what the point of reading like 90% of the crap I did in grade/high school was. I'm plenty cultured now, I have a decent vocabulary, and I can mingle and jingle with a ritzy crowd if I have to.

I've gotten back into reading b/c of books like Harry Potter, Left Behind, and lots of autobiographies.

 

[The Lizard]

I've gotten back into reading b/c of books like Harry Potter, Left Behind, and lots of autobiographies.

I don't know why, but I was very surprised at this.

 

[black_dust]

I find the best way to enjoy a book is wait until the film comes out

 

[Franklin Richards]

Put a George Carlin book in the bathroom. They aren't narratives and contain small stories and jokes. That way you can start a reading habit. After a few months on the toilet you might even pick up a regular book.

Good Carlin book is "When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops?".

 

[Bnightwing]

I read comics ,or those books in science fiction of books a million that DC and Marvel makes they are good ones in my option.

 

[Yurka]

When I was younger I despised books and wouldn't touch one if my life depended on it, now, I love to read. I don't think there is a "trick", just a different mind-set that, in my case, came when I entered my "mature" years.

 

[Evelisse]

]I think a lot of the boring books they made us read in school have turned a lot of people[/B](myself included) away from reading. Even today, I have NO idea what the point of reading like 90% of the crap I did in grade/high school was. I'm plenty cultured now, I have a decent vocabulary, and I can mingle and jingle with a ritzy crowd if I have to.

I've gotten back into reading b/c of books like Harry Potter, Left Behind, and lots of autobiographies.

I have to agree with that, there aren't to many times that come to mind during school where I felt better after reading a book forced on us like Moby Dick.

 

[Captain Planet!]

Well, yes there is a trick to it. You have to read it and enjoy it.

 

[jaguarr]

Yes. You need reading comprehension skills, an imagination and an attention-span.

jag

 

[AlteredEgo]

mushrooms

 

[Colossal Spoons]

I don't know why, but I was very surprised at this.

Haha, I was hesitant at first b/c I was terrified of apocalyptic things but I love it. Still need to finish the last one though

I have to agree with that, there aren't to many times that come to mind during school where I felt better after reading a book forced on us like Moby Dick.

The book I enjoyed reading the most...or at all, in high school was Catcher in The Rye.

 

[AndThePickles]

I think a lot of the boring books they made us read in school have turned a lot of people(myself included) away from reading. Even today, I have NO idea what the point of reading like 90% of the crap I did in grade/high school was. I'm plenty cultured now, I have a decent vocabulary, and I can mingle and jingle with a ritzy crowd if I have to.

I've gotten back into reading b/c of books like Harry Potter, Left Behind, and lots of autobiographies.

Schools have to choose a set curriculum, so that's why it's usually old classics and such. The point is to teach students how to read and comprehend, period. It's an important part of developing your thinking and writing skills. As much as I hated some of the books, I fully believe it was essential to my education.

Teehee, I totally got you back into reading I'll never forget your "I'll never read those dumb Harry Potter books" days.

To the original poster: Aside from the advice already given, unfortunately, I do think that people who didn't read much when they were young DO have a problem getting as "into" books. Each generation seems to read less and watch tv more, and the toll it takes on attention spans is simply awful. You may want to start off with reading the book version that one of your favorite movies was based off of so you KNOW you'll like the actual story. Like anything, reading can take some practice/getting used to.

 

[Watson]

To the original poster: I would try picking a book is tied to something you're already interested in. For example if you like Star Wars, there are lots of good extended universe Star Wars novels.