Overcoming the Reading Barrier: Tips for Non-Readers to Begin Enjoying Books
- January 16, 2025
- Publishing
Reading has become such a cool thing to do. Bookstagrammers, TikTokers, your friends at the cocktail party, everyone seems to be reading a lot of books, and doing it effortlessly. Leaves you wondering, how do they do it?
Even if you have been a voracious reader for the most part of your life, you might be finding it challenging to read as much. And if you are someone for whom the visual medium, aka, TV, series have always been more attractive, you begin to despair of ever reading and finishing the books everyone seems to be loving.
Worry not, we are here with some tips that would make it easier for you to become the reader you have always wanted to be.
![reading](https://www.theblogchatter.com/BeStorified/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Blog-post-1-1024x576.jpg)
Short and Sweet
Short books, novellas, even short stories can be more engaging and give you a sense of reading being both doable and enjoyable. If you tend to feel bored by long, descriptive paras, tighter plotlines and fast paced books are your best bet.
Some recommendations: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.
Your Absolute Favorites
If you are apprehensive about not liking what you pick, make sure you go for books from your favorite genre, be it thriller, romance or sci-fi. Since these genres would align with your current curiosity or interests, you would be more likely to keep reading.
Some recommendations: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (Dystopian), The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (Fantasy)
The Picture Books
Was reading a thing you did a long time back? You might long for those days when you had your nose in comic books. You can recreate that feeling with illustrated books, or for editions of much-loved books that are now available in illustrated and annotated versions. Graphic novels too are soothing and engaging reads, with more visual satisfaction and lesser text.
Some recommendations: Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, Maus by Art Spiegelman
Listening is the new Reading
Audiobooks are the new favourite way to get to know books. If you feel you cannot sit still for long stretches of time to read, or feel that the chores are more important than reading, give these audiobooks a try. There are many platforms and genres to choose from and the narrator’s voice may become your reason for choosing a book.
Some platform recommendations: Audible, Storytel
What’s Trending
A lot of popular series and movies are adaptations of books. If you liked watching those, the additional familiarity of the plot and characters will entice you to read and compare the movie with the book.
Some recommendations: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens, The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins.
Book Communities
Reading need not be something that you do on your own. Join a bookclub – either online or offline, or be part of a community that discusses books, themes and the enjoyment of reading to keep going. Real faces and authentic conversations can become the driving force for your reading habit.
Some recommendations: Goodreads, Blogchatter
While you dive into your next read, remember to set up a simple reading habit. You could decide to read everyday for 15 minutes or read for at least 5 days every week. Additionally, tracking your reading can be very satisfying and keep you motivated. You can use the good old list in your diary or an app like Goodreads.
So pick your next read, give it a chance and see which worlds it takes you to.
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