In times when the Internet, social networks, and online entertainment have displaced the taste for reading, it is important to consider that reading is a pillar of education in society. Reading is an opportunity to boost skills such as imagination, critical thinking, the development of general culture, vocabulary, correct use of language, spelling, and the processing of logical and verbal thought.
Sometimes, especially at school age, we are asked to read certain books or texts that do not necessarily appeal to us. This can make our first encounter with reading unpleasant or unpleasant. Reading texts or books with topics that interest us can help us to
maintain our concentration on what we read and develop a taste for learning more and more about it.
2.- Do it progressively
If reading is not a habit you have developed well, it can be tiring at first, even for your eyes. For this reason, it is recommended that you gradually increase your reading time. You can start by reading 5 pages a day, every day. The following week, try to read 6, the following week 7, and so on. Remember that the most interesting stories are those where the details enrich the plot.
3. Compare the book with the movie
There are many large-scale productions based on novels these days. Examples include Harry Potter, Forest Gump, the Twilight Saga, Fifty Shades of Grey, Ready Player One, and The Shining, to name a few. One way to enrich the content of these and many other productions is to read the books on which they are based. If you are not a very frequent reader, reading books or films you have already seen can help increase your reading comprehension because you already have prior knowledge of the plot.
4. Don’t force yourself to read
Sometimes, based on recommendations or fame, we select books that are not entirely in our interest. This can make reading an act of commitment. It makes us believe that reading is something that has to be fulfilled and not something to be enjoyed. If a book, after the first 30 pages, doesn’t captivate you, leave it. Maybe at that moment, you are not ready for its content. Leave it and look for it later. For example, when I was in high school I was asked to read The Truce by Mario Benedetti. At that time the subject did not interest me and I read the book reluctantly. Years later, more mature, I read it again and now it is one of the most significant books in my life. If you are reading a book for pleasure and you don’t like it, leave it.
5 . Start with light things
Many times, we disliked reading because our first contact was with books that were difficult to read or with plots thatweree too complex to understand. Reading One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez is not the same as reading The Tomb by José Agustín. Both are excellent books, but the level of processing of these texts is completely different. Sometimes the most contemporary readings or those with themes for young people can have a level that is more accessible to the general public.
6. Talk about what you read
It is important that what we read becomes part of our lives. Whether in the form of a story or in ways of visualizing the world, reading will always enrich our conversation with others. Go ahead and share your knowledge or adventures in a book. This will make you a more sociable and conversational person, and you will also encourage others to read regularly.
7 . Make reading a habit
Finally, try to make reading a habit. Analyze your daily activities and try to make time for reading. It doesn’t have to be hours or that you have to finish a book in 3 days. Just dedicating a few minutes on a regular and consistent basis is enough.