When I decided to read for pure enjoyment and not because it was assigned to me, I felt like I made the first step into becoming a 'reader'. I was excited to become one of those girls who sits and drinks coffee all day while being sucked into this alternate reality found in a great book. I always heard people talk about how this book or that book changed their lives or became an obsession and I wanted that. My first stop was a to a book store, which actually ended up scaring me into re-thinking my decision. There were so many books and the only help I had was going off the best seller list, which in my opinion, are sometimes not books that I would pick. I wanted to find a book that would blow my mind, so I did the only rational thing and turned to my friend Diana, who is an avid reader, and asked which book she was currently reading. Most people would say, why had I not asked which book she would suggest or what was her favorite, and simply it was because if I was reading the same book then it made me feel like I was obligated to read it and be able to talk with her about it. Instead, I suggest looking at it as training wheels for eventually reading on your own. That is why reading with a friend is tip number one.
The more I read along with her and got to discuss the book, the more I found myself reading whenever I had the chance. The book was actually part of a series, which brings me to the second tip, start with a series. Now, there are different types of series and I don't just mean different types of genres. There are series such as Hunger Games or Harry Potter, where each book is a series of events with the same cast and the same main characters in each book. Then, we have the type of series like Sea Breeze by Abbi Glines, where each book has its own happily ever after and features a new couple in each book. Many times characters from the previous books play key roles throughout the series. By picking a set of books from either type of series helps ensure you have plenty to read.
My final tip is to use the internet! Prior to walking into that book store, I wish I had gone onto one of the review sites such as Goodreads or even Amazon. More than ever readers are leaving their opinions and helping other readers find their next book. There are bloggers out there for every type of genre and they find amazing gems you would not, as a new reader, have found on your own. From Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, Blogs and Amazon the book world has grown by leaps and bounds. See what those readers are suggesting and if you have an e-reader you can download a sample of the book prior to buying, which has helped me from purchasing a book I really would not have enjoyed. Plus, bloggers and authors are doing giveaways left and right, so once you find an author or genre you enjoy, you can try to win a book.
Overall reading is back and more popular then ever so if you find yourself saying 'well I am not a reader' then try out these tips. But remember, reading should be a relaxing experience and make you happy, so even if you only have 10 minutes then that is 10 minutes of your day that will be amazing.
Remember...
• Read along with a friend or join a book club
• Look for a book that is a part of a series
• Go to Goodreads or Amazon to find reviews
• Follow book bloggers or the authors via Twitter/Facebook
• Rome was not built in a day & a book does not need to be finished in a day either, so take your time.
-I hope this helps you out are gives some new ideas you can share with friends. How I started reading is a question I am asked often and I wanted to share how I started this incredible journey and love for reading.
xoxo Jackie
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