Reading books is an act of discovery. A silent conversation between you and the author. They are deeper than the stories, lessons, and messages they hold. They are mirrors reflecting the depths of our minds, the complexities of human emotions, and the core of humanity. That’s why it’s always a good idea to get lost inside the pages once in a while. But if you struggle to finish one, we have gathered some effective tips on how to be a better reader.
It’s not always about reading faster or consuming more books. It is about cultivating a mindset that turns every page into an opportunity for growth, for a good book can transform how you view yourself and the world around you. If you are a beginner or if you haven’t touched a book in a long time, read along and find out some of the top ways to improve reading skills and all qualities of a good reader.
11 Simple Yet Effective Tips To Be A Better Reader
As a writer, I try to read as many books as I can because reading influences your writing. Research confirms that the more you read, the better you get at stringing beautiful sentences together. And as an avid reader, it pains me to say that indeed reading is a dying habit. Hence, the need to write this article.
Our collective attention span has been reduced to just 50 seconds (the length of a reel or a TikTok), which is one of the main reasons why people find reading a strenuous task. Even research has confirmed that because of social media, both ebooks and paperback books have become harder to read.
But it doesn’t have to be that way anymore. With our tips on how to be a better reader, you will fall in love with the art of reading and storytelling:
1. Read regularly
If you want to inculcate good reading skills, you need to read regularly, even if it’s just for a few minutes, a few lines, or a couple of pages. When you read regularly, your mind becomes more adept at absorbing and retaining information. As a beginner, or someone who has lost touch with books, or if you have ADHD, the goal here isn’t to finish a book in one sitting. It’s to be consistent.
By making reading part of your daily routine, you will begin to see not only improvements in your reading abilities but also in how you think, learn, and connect with the world around you. In simple words, it makes you smarter. Also, research confirms that reading often can make you sharp.
2. Create a pleasant environment
To enhance your reading skills, create a pleasant environment, a place that’s free from distractions. If you sit in front of the TV and read, you’ll never be able to accomplish your goals of becoming a better reader. Find a cozy corner, a well-lit space in your house, or you can even go to a library to get better at reading. You can also light a scented candle and smell its aroma while reading.
Furthermore, research has found that there are many mental health benefits of reading, such as:
- Helping your brain relax and decompress.
- Making you more empathetic and understanding
- Reducing symptoms of depression
Reading is an easy way to relax and unwind. When you read, you forget about what’s troubling you for a moment and that’s what matters. Regular reading can become a simple yet powerful way to reduce stress and maintain a sense of well-being in your life. That being the case, become well read by finding a quiet clutter-free place to read more effectively.
3. Read at your own pace
Let’s say your friend says they can finish a book in four days and they throw you in a conundrum. Why am I not able to become a great reader? Am I lacking something? No, do not go down that rabbit hole. Instead, ask a better question like, “How can I teach myself to read better?”.
Everyone has a different rhythm when it comes to reading and embracing your personal pace helps you to fully absorb and appreciate the story. You just have to push yourself to read more at your own pace. It’s always about quality over quantity.
4. DNF if the book isn’t interesting
DNF (Did Not Finish) is a very common word among bibliophiles. When you DNF a book, you stop reading it midway because it is not interesting enough. Do not force yourself to read more because it can cause a lot of boredom and frustration.
Therefore, if a book isn’t holding your interest, you don’t have to be patient with it. It is perfectly okay to put it down and move on to something else, especially if you want to read faster and better. This is what makes a better reader as this mindset helps take the pressure off the need to finish every book you start, which is a common but unnecessary reading obligation.
5. Find a genre that captivates you
How to improve your reading skills? Go through all the genres at least once and find one that excites you the most. This is one of the top ways to improve reading skills. See if your heart thumps and bumps when you read thrillers. If it does, pick up an electrifying thriller book.
On the contrary, if you are a beginner, then short books like A Man Called Ove, Giovanni’s Room, or Stuck With You are a few great options. They have easy sentences and very interesting plots.
For those who like to have a good cry and love reading heartwarming journeys of fictional characters, go for some of the sad books like Flowers for Algernon or A Thousand Splendid Suns. And if space and galaxies fascinate you, opt for a mind-bending sci-fi book. In the world of reading, the options are endless. Find “the one” that gets your heart racing.
6. Join a book club
Some of the habits of better readers include becoming a social reader. They join book clubs, both online and offline as it is a fantastic way to enhance your reading experience and become a better reader. You get to learn about new books, make new friends, and meet people who are as passionate about literature as you are.
Here are some of the famous book clubs you can join online:
- Reese’s Book Club by Reese Witherspoon: The famous actress has changed many writers’ lives overnight by picking their books. She mainly focuses on crime and thrillers written by diverse women. Most of the books she selects get made into movies or TV series.
- Belletrist by Emma Roberts: Belletrist slightly leans toward younger reading community as it focuses on debut writers
- Library Science by Kaia Gerber: Gerber effortlessly navigates through a vast array of literary genres including plays, novels, timeless classics, short stories, and poetry. She is one among the few youngsters today who are actively trying to make a significant impact with their book clubs.
Also, when you join a book club, you are met with a deadline. You have to finish a book in one month/week. That depends on the type of club you join. Ergo, with deadlines for completing chapters or the entire book, you will likely feel more motivated to read regularly.
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7. Use your cellphone for the good and download eBooks
eBooks are a great way to make the most of the technology at your fingertips. With just a few clicks and taps, you can access a wide range of books that can turn your phone into a portable library. You can download as many books as you can from legal websites.
Most of these ebooks websites offer free books or discounted rates which makes it more affordable for the masses. Sometimes hardcover cover books and paperbacks have tiny fonts which can cause eye strain.
eBook apps often allow you to adjust text size, font style, background color, and even lighting which makes it easier to read in different environments. Whether you are reading in bright daylight or a dimly lit room, you can customize your preferences accordingly.
8. Try audiobooks
If you are someone with dyslexia or if you can’t stare at words for a long time, then try listening to audiobooks. They offer an excellent way to enrich your reading experience and take advantage of modern technology. From essays to philosophy lectures and fiction books, you can listen to any audiobook you want while commuting, exercising, cooking, and cleaning.
The best way to become a better reader is to let yourself feel the emotions of the characters. Many audiobooks are narrated by professional voice actors or even the authors themselves which adds life to the story. The tone, accents, and pacing of a skilled narrator can add depth and emotion to the material. This can make the story feel more immersive and engaging.
9. How to improve your reading skills? Take a book with you everywhere
Try becoming a better reader by taking a book with you wherever you go. Life is full of small pockets of time. Are you waiting in line to place your coffee order? Take out your book and read. Taking the train to go to your office? Whip out your phone and try strengthening vocabulary by reading an article from The New Yorker.
Whether you are aiming to read a certain number of books per year or to dive deeper into a specific genre, this habit ensures that you are consistently working toward those goals, no matter how busy life gets.
10. Use SQ3R method
SQ3R is a reading comprehension method that’s great for beginners and those preparing for SATs or other important exams as it consists of activities to improve reading skills in students. The SQ3R has five steps:
- Survey: Try to scan the text and get an overview of its structure and main ideas. Look at the headings, subheadings, illustrations, bolded or italicized text, and any summaries or key points at the beginning or end of chapters.
- Question: Before you start reading the chapter, take a look at the title and turn it into a question. For example, if the title is, “The Assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand.” You can turn this into a question as, “Who killed the Austrian Archduke?”. This ignites curiosity in you and you will be motivated to read further.
- Read: Read the texts, understand the details, and re-read if you aren’t able to comprehend it in one go.
- Recite: After reading a paragraph or page, stop and summarize in your own words. Try to recall the answers to the questions you posed earlier, and check if you understand the material thoroughly
- Review: After finishing the entire text or a section, review the material by going over your notes, summaries, or highlighted sections.
These are some of the best ways to hone and sharpen your reading skills because this method improves your focus level.
11. Celebrate milestones
A perfect way to stay motivated in this journey is by celebrating your milestones. It’s great for students, kids, and adults who are learning how to read better. Recognize the big and small achievements and celebrate them. Perhaps you read diligently a single chapter of Anna Karenina or blazed through the entire Harry Potter series, either way, it is a moment worth celebrating.
Share it on your Goodreads profile or upload a story on your Bookstagram. And if you aren’t a social media person, call your friend and tell them you completed a book or a challenging chapter. When you take the time to celebrate, you acknowledge the effort you have put into reading. Also, each milestone gives you an opportunity to set more goals.
Conclusion
By learning these tips on how to be a better reader, you won’t just transform your reading habits. You are going to enrich your life in the most unexpected ways. You are embarking on a journey that’s going to make you more empathetic and understanding. Therefore, the power to grow lies within every book you pick up, and with these strategies, you are well on your way to a richer, more fulfilling reading experience.
