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Need help learning how to read books again (lemmy.ml)

submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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I used to be an avid reader, but years of high school and depression completely ruined that. I haven't been able to complete a novel since senior year six years ago. It's frustrating to me and I want to know how I can overcome my lack of focus and anxiety. I've heard I'm not alone when it comes to this sort of thing at least.

E: I wasn't expecting so many replies. Thank you, all of you, for the ideas.

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[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 year ago (4 children)

Start with a relatively short page turner. Force yourself to read for 10 minutes at a set time every day. I found that when I was in a bit of reading funk, I had to simply take it a day at a time with small, easily digestible chunks. Once you get the first one out of the way, it starts to feel a lot more natural to work your way through more.

[–] golli 3 points 1 year ago

Start with a relatively short page turner.

Definitely agree with this advice. Much better to start with something that you can see yourself finishing rather quickly, then starting a huge epic. So maybe something lighter, faster paced and possibly funny. Maybe in the range of 100-150 pages?

Another suggestion i'd make is to start with a book from your favorite genre. Doesn't have to be based on past books, but maybe also current tv shows or movies.

As an example for me that would be sci-fi. So in that case something like "All Systems Red" (first book in the murderbot series) could be fun. Or maybe a short story collection like "i, robot" or "Stories of Your Life and Others" that allows to read one story at a time. "World war Z" would also be an interesting mix of the two, since it has an overarching narrative but is structured in seperate story lines.

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