How to Get Into Reading as a Hobby

There aren’t enough words to describe what it feels like to read a book. Books can transform you into another world, words can be poetic and hard-hitting and facts can make us learn more about the world around us. It’s fascinating to pick up a book and live vicariously through its characters, to relate to its themes and see the struggles the author is highlighting, in other words, books are the closest thing to magic. Yet, some of us have difficulty picking up reading as a hobby, whether it’s not finding the right book or the right time. As the Cairo International Book Fair is held annually, people take this as an opportunity to explore and read. With such an occasion risen, we took it upon ourselves to help you get into reading as a hobby. And so, here are some helpful tips that will help you spark an interest in reading.

 

Create a Reading-friendly Environment

For anything to be beloved and sought after, it must have a friendly vibe and atmosphere. This includes reading too, you must make yourself comfortable and well-adjusted. Read in a tidy and organized place, and have lights that aren’t too dim so you don’t feel sleepy or dizzy. 

 

Pick a Genre That Interests You

While recommendations are a great way to start reading, everyone’s taste is different than yours. Pick up a book that sparks interest. It doesn’t have to be a bestseller or famous work, even if it’s a short story, the goal of reading is to enjoy yourself, so don’t read as if you’re reading for exams, you’re reading for your amusement. 

 

Join Book Clubs and Reading Groups

Some take pleasure in reading alone, and that doesn’t have to be always the case. What’s great about joining a book club is sharing options for what to read next, sharing your opinion exploring the subtext of the author’s intent, and having an interesting conversation where you see how people interact with the book. 

 

Set Achievable Goals

You don’t have to read large amounts of books to keep up with the people around you. Ignore that Goodreads notification that haunts you and makes you feel like you’re not doing enough reading. Don’t compare yourself to other’s people reading pace. Make your own reading goals and stick to them.

 

 

Listen to Audiobooks

With the rise of technology and many streaming platforms, there have been lots of apps that are dedicated to audiobooks. To ease up the process of reading and get into the book’s vibe, audiobooks are amazing because you can hear the actors and performers emphasize what the character is going through. 

 

Attend Literary Events 

Literary events like the Cairo International Book Fair are unique because you can meet people with similar interests as you but with different backgrounds and also, you can meet authors and listen to them explaining their motivations for writing stories, which will make your reading experience a bit easier and help you understand the characters better.