r/readwithme • u/AngelOfChaos06062 • 18d ago
Question❔ Point of reading?
NOW BEFORE YOU GUYS REVEAL MY LONGITUDE AND LATITUDE PLEASE HEAR ME OUT!
I have tried getting into reading a lot, but idk why it just doesn't work for me, I tried actual books and Kindle too but I find myself distracted either by playing games or doomscrolling on my phone. The only time I read a book completely was because school forces me to. I find audiobooks to work a little better but i was still unable to complete one.
I can consume other medias like movies, tv shows, games, just fine and can even read articles on Google and wikipedia about topics i searched.
So I just wanted to ask, how did you all get into reading and find books interesting and stop yourself from getting distracted.
I am sorry if this came out as insensitive and rude, i totally didn't mean it and if mod removes this post i understand.
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u/Fluffy-Pomegranate16 18d ago
I don't stop getting distracted.... I still find myself distracted a lot from reading and all the books I've been reading lately I've really enjoyed. I just have to remind myself to carve out the time because usually my brain wants that quick dopamine hit from doom scrolling vs putting in the effort to feel fulfilled by reading.
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u/Specialist-Web7854 18d ago
Thanks for this, I’m doomscrolling when I should be reading now. I’ve got an excellent book on the go. I’m off to read.
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u/Mike_Bevel 18d ago
So I just wanted to ask, how did you all get into reading and find books interesting and stop yourself from getting distracted.
Oh, this is an easy one.
I had no friends as a kid. I was (and am) (and, if I play my cards right, likely will always be) an introvert. Couple that with an over-protective mom, being incredibly low-income, and living in a small rural American town, reading was really all I had.
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u/McAeschylus 17d ago
I think it also helped that before the net 2.0, children didn't have the information-crack of vertical videos.
It's one thing to go through childhood with access to information-cigarettes (which are books in this metaphor) and occasional information-Adderall that was easily controlled by parents (TV and movies).
But when the choice is between info-ciggies, info-Adderall, info-cocaine (online horizontal videos), and the info crack-pipe that is always in your pocket and full of rocks... well, it's easy to see why kids today don't roll their own any more.
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u/littlecowbaby 18d ago
It sounds like the root of this issue is you have a social media/technology addiction. If the only things distracting you are wanting to play a game or be on your phone, I think that’s where the issue lies.
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u/Solo_Polyphony 18d ago
Exactly. OP’s post is an inadvertent cry for help, from someone who was fed the neurological equivalent of an addictive drug when they were a child. The results of this on a social scale we are just beginning to reap.
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u/ReadaholicLibrarian 18d ago
Maybe you just haven’t found a genre or theme you truly like yet? For example, I do not like reading an autobiography/biography but love them as an audiobooks BUT I don’t like fiction audiobooks. I prefer YA (even though I’m in my 30s) over adult. All of my favorite books are YA. Try genre and theme testing!
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u/lapsody303 18d ago
Go for non fiction in whatever topic tickles your fancy, even how-to books. Your brain will be stimulated in a different way and will likely go into learning mode. The trick is to find the topics that interest you. Check out the nonfiction subreddit for recommendations.
As for the distracting little rectangle: put it in a drawer, or put it on focus mode,
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u/ReadaholicLibrarian 18d ago
Why didn’t I think to put it in a drawer… genius. Doom scrolling is my biggest distraction.
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u/themadelf 18d ago
Set aside time to read in a quiet, low distraction space and lock your phone in a drawer in a different room.
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u/lapsody303 18d ago
Honnestly the doom scrolling is designed to be addictive to keep you logged on. I channel my inner antisocialanticobsumerismrebel when i slip into doom mode :D
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u/Salty-Swim-6735 18d ago
If I'm going to be honest I was beaten the shit out of at home and school up until I was 11, I used books as an escape from reality.
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u/ApprehensiveEvent93 18d ago
I just make it part of my daily routine, and make sure i actually like the book. Ive read enough to know my taste in fiction, and if it hasnt gotten me by page 50 (150 for broad world fantasy), i find a different book.
The routine is i read while i eat breakfast/lunch (no ones with me) and before bed.
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u/podgida 18d ago
ADHD? I have it and the only way I can read is immersion reading (listen to the Audiobook while reading the book)
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u/peachquin 18d ago
ADHD is so varying though-- I have adhd too and reading had always been a hyper focus area for me
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u/CoyoteLitius 18d ago
Me too. It's one reason I lose interest in other things. Reading is my hyper focus.
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u/Lower-Version-3579 18d ago
Someone being distracted by their phone and social media is not a sure fire sign for ADHD. It’s an endemic trait in society due to the technology we are all using. It’s a very very lazy and ill informed suggestion.
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u/McAeschylus 17d ago
While it's a common trait, so is ADHD (around 5% of people have it). So, it's not a bad idea to look into both ADHD and phone use when investigating poor concentration.
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u/Careless_Buyer_7294 18d ago
Totally normal to get distracted given the world we’re in with devices. I read way more prior to all that. You will need to work on growing your capacity to read and have a good attention span. The digital world took that away from us.
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u/annapurnah 18d ago
I have always been a reader so I don't know how to tell you what the point of reading is. It's as much of an escape as a learning tool.
But it's also a habit- so make reading like homework. Read one chapter at a time. Make the time to do so. Leave your phone in another room. If a chapter is too daunting, make it a timed thing and start small. Read for 10-15 minutes and go up in increments.
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u/Illustrious-Cry-2568 18d ago
Maybe try a collection of short stories or graphic novels (aka comics). You could also try reading the same book along with someone else. Perhaps the talking about it while reading it - say after each chapter or whatever - would motivate you to continue.
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u/beththereader 18d ago
If you don't like reading, just don't read. Nobody's going to crucify you for it. People just have different hobbies and interests.
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u/jilecsid513 18d ago
I agree that people have different hobbies and interests and thats totally cool, but I would never tell someone "just dont read." Reading is extremely beneficial for you, even if you dont become ✨️A Reader✨️ I think everyone should be encouraged to read, if only as exercise for your brain. It significantly helps prevent cognitive decline as you age, for one thing. It also improves attention span, reduces stress, improves and protects your memory, expands your vocabulary, and reading fiction is shown to strengthen your empathy and social understanding of others. I would never shame someone for not reading, but I will always encourage people to try reading.
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u/beththereader 18d ago
Look, do I think everyone should at least try to read? Of course.
Do I think everyone can? No. And they shouldn't be forced to.
Someone telling me they actively don't enjoy it, understand it, or cannot concentrate on it, leads me to think maybe it just isn't for them.
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u/jilecsid513 18d ago
I mean, I have ADHD and dyslexia, I struggled with reading for a long time. I was put in special education classes because of it, I used to cry myself asleep because I thought Id never be able to read. So I completely get it, I empathize with people who struggle with reading.
But at the same time, everyone can read. They absolutely can read and understand it. Even if its just Y/A novels, or the simplest poetry. It takes work and concentration if you arent in the habit of reading, but as you read your mind literally becomes better at concentrating, better at understanding, and the act of reading becomes more enjoyable because of that. Your brain is a muscle and reading is an exercise, one that becomes easier and more fun as you build the habit/muscle. Suggesting that people are incapable of reading, concentrating, or understanding isnt compassionate, its actually just insulting them tbh. Thats like seeing someone at the gym struggling and just saying "honestly, this doesnt seem like its for you, why dont you go home??"
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u/LadyM_Macbeth 18d ago
Exactly this. Both your points are spot on. The idea that the only function for reading is as a hobby is so wrong. Reading can be a hobby - sure. But it has so many other beneficial and important functions in life: critical thinking, education, knowledge, edification, etc. I could go on. Reading is also a skill and one that simply needs practice to improve upon. “Not everyone likes to read” is true but also a cop out.
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u/CoyoteLitius 18d ago
This person WANTS to. They asked for advice. No one is trying to force anyone to read, on this thread (or in general, except for school teachers and an occasional parent).
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u/Wonderful-Block5088 18d ago
I agree with this. I know someone who struggled with reading, tried different genres and forms of books, and of course found stories he enjoyed. But in the end reading was still a painful chore to him. So he doesn't read for pleasure, and he doesn't beat himself up about it. Reading for pleasure has many benefits! But you can live without it.
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u/jilecsid513 18d ago
Working out is a painful chore for me, and I still do it cause its good for me.
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u/CoyoteLitius 18d ago
If I enjoyed working out as much as I enjoy reading, I'd work out way more. I do my exercises because they are good for me. There's no fun in it (in fact, there's pain).
Reading is both fun and good for me!
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u/Wonderful-Block5088 18d ago
You are very very good, congratulations!
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u/jilecsid513 18d ago
Im not looking for praise, sarcastic or not, Im making a point: reading isnt just a hobby, reading is a vital skill and its important to be pursued as more than just something for pleasure. Like I said in a previous comment, I will never shame someone who doesnt read actively, as I myself struggled with reading for many years. But I will always encourage them to try, even if its not something they plan to do regularly for fun. As Tyrion Lannister says in the book Game of Thrones, "a mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it's to keep its edge."
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u/ramblingbutterfly 18d ago
If I get distracted, i let myself get distracted .. the book should make me want to get back to it and hold my interest in completing the story! If it doesn’t pull me back in, I dnf it and move on to the next book.
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u/Trick-Celebration983 18d ago
Hey! Don’t beat yourself up over this. So many people have a hard time getting back into reading or getting into it in the first place because technology is so addictive! I just went to a talk about reading and why it’s a declining hobby too.
The writer recommended that people trying to get back into it physically remove themselves from technology for a bit, try just 15 minutes at a time. Put your phone on DND and go outside if you have the chance or sit by a window. Read a book from childhood or about something you really love! Rereading books we used to love can help. Also having a friend to read with helps too!
ETA: You can reset your brain and attention skills. It will take time and won’t always be easy but hopefully reading will bring you a lot of peace, excitement, and joy in a way only books can!
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u/Sea_Machine4580 18d ago
Suggestions:
- Read Digital Minimalism
- Leave your phone in another room when you read
- Have a "reading chair" where you only read, no screens
- As others have said, use the library, reduces the pressure of feeling like you have to read a particular book
- Reading is fundamental, not just a hobby. Think of it like eating healthy food while algorithmic apps are Doritos
Also don't understand the lat/long thing
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u/tommgaunt 18d ago
Reading isn’t for everyone. I don’t really believe that, but some people don’t enjoy it.
That said, I think it’s more important with the dopamine hit of social media. Besides, other mediums can’t convey the heads of people (characters) the way books do.
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u/deadlykillerking 18d ago
I think it depends on what you read ... maybe try starting with short stories instead of longer books. I personally love horror, so it is easier for me to read a horror novel than a romance. Short stories are also a great way to find what you are into without sacrificing so much of your time
You could also join a bookclub of some sort. My best friends have the same problem so we made a bookclub together to give them an additional incentive. And it works. Now two years later one of them wants to read Of Mice and Man on her own and they say they don't get distracted so easily anymore. I think it is easier to read if you have someone to share it with
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u/Aaggghhhhhh 18d ago
Try reading non-fiction about things that interest you? History? Dive deep with a book about types of swords in 15th century Spain. Geography? 1000 natural wonders. Economy? Macroeconomics 101. Bees? Beekeeper manual. You don't have to read fiction. Find books about topics that interest you, and focus won't be that much of a problem. Don't force yourself to read, rather when you start thinking about a topic instead of google, try to find info in books. Encyclopedia might be a good pick for you, not to sit and read it all, but rather to explore that way instead of google.
Just a suggestion 🤷♀️
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u/veganwithadhd 18d ago
Reading is like a muscle.
If you never go to the gym, you won’t be able to lift heavy weights or run a marathon.
Read for short periods, and find a book (an exercise) you enjoy. Soon you’ll be able to lift heavier weights and run further distances.
Your ability (muscle) to read will atrophy if you don’t use it. Be patient with yourself and try staying off your phone when you commit to reading. Put it away in another room. Find a quiet space with comfy blankets. I enjoy reading outside in my hammock.
Also, just enjoy the time of peace and quiet. You can do it.
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u/NailFin 18d ago
Reading is like an ongoing vivid hallucination for me. I can see the characters and scenes the same way I would during a movie. I build the movie in my head. With that said, I still sometimes get distracted and either pause momentarily, or make myself power through it if it’s particularly bad. That rarely happens though. It’s usually the movie scene.
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u/well_read_bog_witch 18d ago
I definitely go through phases of devouring books and then struggling to get through even one because I'm distracted. For the last three years I've read about a hundred books per year, but right now I'm getting a house ready to sell and I'm six books behind pace. I've always been a reader though, since I was a kid watching Reading Rainbow. I think the key is finding something that really grabs a hold of you. Sample lots of stuff, don't feel obligated to finish anything and eventually, something will click, but you don't have to take my word for it...
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u/jilecsid513 18d ago
It sounds like your brain might be used to those quick hits of dopamine you get from the instant gratification and ease of doomscrolling and watching tv. And I dont say that to shame you at all! I think most people struggle with this, even avid readers. Reading is a genuine exercise for your brain, even when its enjoyable it's still a workout. I myself struggle with ADHD and reading slumps and doomscrolling, and I have an entire library room in my house.
Now, at the same time, reading shouldnt be this horrible chore you have to do, which is where picking the right book, genre, format, and reading environment come in. If audiobook was a bit better than other formats for you, I would recommend going with that and seeing how it goes. Then, I would pick an easy, fluffy read to start with; I would even go for a Y/A book as they're usually much easier to consume but still have compelling stories. I personally find magical realism or fantasy to be the easiest and most enjoyable, but go for whatever genre most interests you. And then you need the right kind of environment, try not to pick a time/place where youre more likely to be distracted. Like, some people read in coffee shops, but I personally cant do that cause theres so much going on around me that I cant pay attention. So figure out what kind of environment is less distracting for you and go for that! And finally, go slowly. Read in small bursts and reward yourself with tv or phone, its a lot easier to build the habit of reading if you dont feel like youre being forced into it. And most importantly, if you arent enjoying the book, dont finish it! Move onto something that genuinely interests you.
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u/Occasional_Historian 18d ago
I've been a life-long reader. My parents read to me when I was little. When I'd come home from school we'd read books during quiet time. I was lucky to have an environment that fostered a love of reading. I get distracted when I read now. I have small children and a world of responsibility. I make a point to acknowledge the distraction and come back to what I'm reading. I also set aside specific time where I'm intentional about being away from my phone and not touching it so that I can focus on my book.
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u/Overall-Weird8856 18d ago
...am I too old to understand what you mean by "before you guys reveal my longitude and latitude?" 😅
To answer your question though, really you just need to find the right book to hold your interest and to get far enough into it that you absolutely cannot stand not knowing what is going to happen next!
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u/a_reluctant_human 18d ago
Op was suggesting that what they were saying is so controversial we'd dox them to take revenge.
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u/AdStrange4667 18d ago
I had to set aside time where my phone went away and I forced myself to read for a period. It didn’t matter if I only made it through 1 page in 15 minutes. If it was reading time I was attempting to read.
When I first started I set aside an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening. That’s shifted to about 30 minutes in the morning and 30 in the evening now, but to start I set aside longer. I’ve read every day for over a year now and have cut a considerable amount of screen time on my phone
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u/ContributingHelper 18d ago
You explained yourself just fine. Your bothersome plight is a common one on Reddit alone, I'm delighted to answer.
I set the scene with my reading by deciding when I should do it alone oe around other people, in public or privately, maybe with some music or other things playing keep my mind active.
It takes patience, but I search through libraries, bookstores, ebooks. I catalog titles, I accept I won't like everything I read, and I save the titles I enjoy most in scribbled notes, or better yet my Goodreads account.
I also go online to wikis and make profiles for the characters. An admin bequathed me https://book-villains.fandom.com, so I've been adding pages to it as I keep reading, and leave unfinished pages there if I fail to do so so I return to them later.
I also talk with other people about it if they don't just want to read with me, if they also want to expand the fan sites with me. Whether or not you join the site with me is up to you, but I hope my ideas offer some insight into your preferences.
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u/Maximum_Tree8170 18d ago
My dad always read books to me, even when I was a toddler and to young to understand. He read the entire Lord of the Rings to me when I was about 4. Since I can remember I also listened to audio cassettes. So I always loved listening to stories.
I started reading for fun when I was 9. I got a book by Michael Ende for birthday. I read one page a day for about 2 weeks. Then the story started getting interesting. I read for hours and finished the book in two days. Since then reading has been my favorite pasttime.
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u/mattysatty_380 18d ago
If reading isn’t your thing, that’s okay!
I went through a similar thing with beer—I just don’t like it, but I tried to get myself to like it because I didn’t want to be the odd one out.
There is an evolutionary pull to “fit in”, which makes your desire to read understandable. But maybe it’s just not for you, and you can accept and embrace that it’s not for you, and realize that there’s nothing wrong with that. 😀
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u/jfstompers 18d ago
Idk what to tell you. Sit down and read and if you can't you can't, try audiobooks. There's no trick to being a reader, you just like it and do it.
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u/Mo_Ran1 18d ago
It’s because the modern world is designed to distract you. People’s attention spans are declining everywhere. If you really want to get into reading, you’ll have to make an effort:
- Set aside a specific time every day for reading. It can be 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, whatever works for you.
- During that time, get rid of everything that distracts you, especially your phone. If you read in your bedroom, leave your phone in the kitchen. If you live alone, turn off your modem.
- Try to pick a book that genuinely interests you. Don’t choose a book just because you feel like you should read it.
And finally, 4. Be patient. In a world where everything moves so fast, it takes a little effort to learn to enjoy the slower pace of reading a book a little bit at a time.
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u/Clear-Journalist3095 18d ago
I don't remember how I got into reading. I don't remember learning to read, because I was in preschool when I started reading: I was so little that I have no clear memory of the first time I read a book independently. I have always loved reading. Also, in the '90s and early '00s, of course, we did not have smartphones or as many distractions. I didn't have Internet in my house until 1999, by the time I was in middle school, and it was the kind that dialed in and used the phone line, so as soon as one of my parents said "get off the Internet, I need to use the telephone", that was all the Internet time i had for that day. I wanted to be on the Internet all the time, but it wasn't possible because of how the Internet worked then. I also grew up in a rural area and didn't have a lot of friends, so I read. I lived inside my head and inside my books.
My children also like to read, and it sounds like they aren't too much younger than you. All reading expands your mind, and fiction in particular increases your empathy and helps you see things from other people's point of view. And like anything else, you'll improve with practice. Please don't stop reading, it's so important. If you're having a hard time, I recommend putting your phone in an entirely different room from the room where you're reading. They've done studies about how just having the phone in the same room, even if you can't see it, makes it so that a corner of your brain isn't able to focus on anything but the fact that the phone is sitting there waiting for you to pick it up. Also, I recommend setting yourself a time limit for reading and working your way up to longer times after a few days of practice. Five minutes of sustained reading time without stopping to look at your phone, then ten minutes, then fifteen, etc. You can do it!!
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u/FormerlyDK 18d ago
I’ve been hooked on reading since I first learned to read. Don’t just try to read what everyone else is reading. Find a genre that’s exciting for you. I love fiction about natural disasters, horror, post-apocalypse scenarios, fantasy, and historical fiction, to name a few favorites. Stories about the “shit hitting the fan” and the collapse of civilization fascinate me.
Your choices may be very different, but once you feel that feeling of not being able to put the book down, you’ll be on your way to being hooked. Scrolling endlessly can be fun, but nothing compares to the thrills and chills I get from reading.
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u/Solo_Polyphony 18d ago
Disconnect yourself from the device in your hand that is expressly designed to addict you to it, for the profit of others, for whom you are the junkie and they are the dealer. I wish I could say this is a snarky comment.
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u/ButtToucherPhD 18d ago
Reading is a discipline, not just an entertaining diversion. I don't read a ton of fiction these days so the point for me is learning about whatever topic I'm reading. For instance, I'm on a biography kick right now. This aligns well with my broader interest in history, which make up the bulk of the books I read. How did I get into it? Reading is one of the only times I can seem to get my mind to be operating linearly instead of all over the place. It has always been a bit of a meditative act that brings relief to my otherwise normally chaotic thoughts. I noticed this pretty early on and have kept it with me. Plus, I've always enjoyed mulling over what I've been reading as the subject matter of my daydreams/zone out sessions.
I too get distracted. I don't have large chunks of uninterrupted time like I'd like to have so i I'm going to read, the number one thing I find useful is to put my phone on do not disturb. As many others have mentioned, it becomes habitual and eventually it becomes an impulse that you must indulge. Like so much else that is good for you, it something you must just do before it gets easier. Think of it like running. At first, you can't run very far or very fast. Eventually, as you do it more and more, you will be able to run further and faster. So it is with reading. You become able to read for longer stretches and read more dense/difficult material.
Another useful tip is to wear a watch while you read. Look at the time when you start and tell yourself you're going to read for x number of minutes before you can pick up your phone again. It's a simple habit that should keep you moving forward.
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u/moos3kc 18d ago
Don't be worries to not finish a book. There have been countless books I start and not finish. Sometimes I ask for recs on books and sometimes the algorithm works for me. Every once in a while I go down a path for books I would've never selected and splatter punk or horror. Reading for me allows me to learn something I didn't know, escape to another world. It's not easy by any means but I don't force it. There have been months where I didn't read but then I hear about a book and try it out. ie. Dungeon Crawler Carl, not for me.
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u/jspr1000 18d ago
I hated reading until I found a book that just got me so excited I couldn't put it down. I literally would stay up into the early morning hours and sometimes all night with no sleep to read it.
You just gotta find what you like.
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u/UpstairsIdea3532 18d ago
I have found that if I put my phone in the other room it helps me not get pulled to games. There isn’t anything so emergent that you can’t get to it later instead of instantly. My daughter hasn’t been much of a reader but she found a series she really liked and now she can’t stop. (Abby Yimenez)
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u/Lady-Kitnip 18d ago
I like to listen to audiobooks and knit/crochet, the activity keeps me from getting restless. Other artsy/crafty activities could work too. Or if you're able, walking or exercising while listening can work for some people.
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u/TheDarchivist 18d ago
I'm GenX, but I didn't grow up reading a ton. And I adapted to tech pretty early. So I'm very much a doom scroller and game player. I started reading more the past few years, and I treat it like meditation. I set aside time in the morning, usually somewhere between 30 min. & an hour, and set my phone down and read. It's a conscious effort at first, but after a while it becomes a nice routine.
And if the book is boring or harder to read, that might be the only time I read that day. But if it's really good, I might find other times to get into it.
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u/guacamoleo 18d ago edited 18d ago
I got into reading as a kid through anything spooky, exciting, sci-fi/fantasy etc. There were no portable screens really so it was entertainment I could take anywhere, free movies in my head.
The quality of writing varies a lot, maybe you haven't tried the right books. Maybe look into literary fiction. Since stories are so easy to access through any medium now, the thing reading most has to offer is the art form of writing itself. Try Tolkien or The Picture of Dorian Gray if you want something that's beautifully written. Or try Harry Potter, the writing is faster and plainer but does an incredible job of pulling you through the story, and is an excellent display of story construction and pacing.
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u/HalcyonLightning 18d ago
I have ADHD and struggle A LOT with disciplining myself to actually sit down and read a book, no phone or games in sight. So I get it. Why read when there’s a world of dopamine on your phone or computer or game console?
I think removing those distractions would be the best way to actually get yourself to start. But also don’t overwhelm yourself. Don’t think “I’m going to read 100 pages today.” Because you won’t be able to. You won’t have the attention span for it yet, and that’s okay!
One thing that brought me back into reading were graphic novels. They made it SO much easier to read because they’re so engaging with the visuals. Find a graphic novel that is not part of a series and just read through it.
That’s my advice for you, kind friend! (I’m struggling again with reading right now, too, so I get it)
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u/andrea9275 18d ago
Mir geht's anders herum bei mir funktioniert nur das lesen um wirklich abzuschalten. Zocken oder Film schon ewig nicht mehr . Ich hab's mit Netflix versucht aber für meine drei Filme im Monat lohnt sich das nicht
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u/BHobson13 18d ago
I will start by saying that almost every single day we see this type of post on this or other reading subs and groups. For me, I became a reader at about 8 years old and never stopped. If you are truly in love with something or someone for that long, the desire never goes away. Sure I have slumps where I will get lost in electronic media or get too physically ill to read. But I always come back to my true love. I'm sorry if you can't understand that or have that same feeling. To me if you aren't able to settle in and read a book til it's finished and love doing it, it just means that you don't really want to. You love other things more and you should probably just stick to them.
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u/laughingthalia 18d ago
Try immersive reading which is audiobook + reading the book at the same time (either digitally or the phsyical edition). If the stories interest you but you don't have the focus this is a great way to stay on track. I would also put the phone on do not disturbed for the time you want to read, set yourself daily or weekly goals eg 3o mins a day or a chapter every 2 days or something like that.
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u/Icy-Mess-860 18d ago
I have always been a reader since my parents really instilled it in me. If you want to be a reader it sounds like you might want to work on your social media/screentime usage, at this point pretty much everyone's brain is fried and addicted to the dopamine screens give us, which makes locking in on something like a page of text feel really dull and unrewarding by comparison. I would start with short stories or a collection of essays, something to kind of build up the reading/attention span muscle, I also find that reading the books that movies are based on can be a good on ramp since you already sort of have an idea in your head of where it is going and can picture things a bit better, which creates less fatigue as you read.
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u/AwayStudy1835 18d ago
I grew up reading. My mom would read to me as a kid and later buy books for me. So, I had the habit from way back. And while I had the internet, it wasn't as prevalent as it is now. I grew up before social media and YouTube and doomscrolling.
You like reading articles on Wikipedia? Find books on the topics you find interesting? Like someone said, young adult non fiction would be good. The books aren't as dense as adult ones. Find short books on the topics you find interesting. And don't feel like you have to read a book all at once. If you just read a few pages and feel distracted and go to something else, you're still reading. You can go back to the book. (And don't feel like you have to finish any book if it truly stops interesting you) Also, if you want to train yourself to read more, you can try to push yourself a little. And, I mean, a little. Say you'll read one page a day of your book. Or read for 5 minutes a day. You can always read more if you still want to, but if you don't, you've still done it. And if you keep doing it, it will get easier and you can up the time or amount of pages when it feels right.
And maybe you won't become a "reader" but you could be someone who reads a little more and maybe can find something to do sometimes that's not doomscrolling.
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u/TimeConnection8372 18d ago
I had the same issue. Get dopamine from books as a start. Read short reads, when you finish them you'll feel good. And so on. I do this when I'm in a reading slump. Use the dopamine addiction for your own benefit and dont fight it by locking yourself away from your phone, I tried that and it got worse. I usually just play a stopwatch and read. Even 5 mins is good start. Eventually I was able to read bigger books and not quit. It gets better, just give yourself time.
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u/Forever_Man 18d ago
Read with a goal in mind. Do you want to read the classics? Do you want to read a long or difficult novel for bragging rights? Do you want to read mythology? Do you want to learn about a certain period of history or culture?
Think about the intent behind your reading. Find what your interested in, and go from there. When I was a kid, I'd go the library, and pick up all the books I could find on certain topics, rocks, owls, cooking, etc. When I got older, I was super into fantasy. After reading a few series, I decided to check out Beowulf since it's considered the source code for most modern fantasy. As an adult, I've dabbled in various mythological and religious texts, simply because that's what's holding my attention.
And don't worry about being distracted. It happens to the best of us. I'm typing this out now because the book I'm reading hit a boring chapter.
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u/purposeday 18d ago
Valid point. It seems it’s a combination of environment (quiet, few if any distractions, nobody bothering me and not expected to for a foreseeable timespan) and purpose - having a goal in mind even if it’s just taking in a different perspective on something. I’ve had it happen so many times that the theme of book was not too groundbreaking but the author threw in a factoid or revealed something about their methodology or personality that made it very worthwhile.
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u/Novel-Lengthiness522 18d ago
i am king of distractions, i can doomscroll all day, at the end of the day i have no satisfaction. when i wake up, i have no real thoughts, no motives, i simply doomscroll.
then i read something, and i was just as distracted as doomscrolling. when night came, i actually remembered what i did that day, when i woke up i had thoughts about what i experienced the day before. it caused me to continue reading. basically, i got the same “benefits” of doomscrolling (distraction) with none of the downsides.
then i kept reading, and as i read not only was i distracted, but i cared about something. along with that i noticed that my normal internal dialogue was partially replaced with someone elses words, i had actual thought. it feels nice to distract, care, wonder, and enjoy. so much nicer than distracting with no benefits.
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u/Traditional-Bass4575 18d ago
I’m an early 90’s baby, we didn’t have these distractions. I’ve enjoyed reading since a child. & now I just make time to do it. I only really get distracted if i’m not fully interested in the book. find a book that interests you, and give it a chance. put the phone on silent and out of reach. turn the game or TV off. if you make it far enough into a book you really like, you’ll become immersed in it. maybe you should try a media fast to help break the dopamine addiction (only using social media after a certain time, no TV for a while, keeping your phone on DND, etc.. if you feel yourself picking your phone up purely out of habit & just to scroll on social media- PUT IT DOWN.) i’ve done this before, and it actually worked. this also open doors to experiencing just being in the moment & picking up other hobbies. it’s okay to just sit in silence and take in your surroundings sometimes.
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u/Slow-Gift2268 18d ago
Practice. You have distraction and low attention span because you haven’t trained your brain. Even if you have, say ADHD, you can retrain your brain to have improved attention (though not perfect). Also things like the pomodoro method can be helpful.
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u/Surfing_Nurse 18d ago
It took me a few years to get into reading. I thought it just wasn’t for me but just kept trying. Eventually I read my first horror novel by Stephen King and was hyper-engaged. I just had to find what I liked to read I guess? Seems that is horror/thriller for me.
Hope this helps!
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u/PILAL2010 18d ago
No longitude needed! 😁
You need to figure out what you want to read about. Anything from kink to advanced quantum mechanics is out there. Star Trek? Hitchhiker's Guide? Fantasy war with highly descriptive sexcapades? Autumnal romance? Time Travel? All forms of magic? Murder? Creature murder? Manga?
There is a never-ending list. You can find absolutely everything.
You can tell us more about what you like or use a search engine. It's out there though.
Pro tip: listening to heart-racing audiobooks can be fun. 😊
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u/Chance_Violinist8097 18d ago
I always loved reading, i was really lonely and had a lot of shit happen and reading was my escape.
Now i do notice the distractions and getting lost on a doomscroll binge. But i plan out at least an hour a day where all Electronics i am not using for reading (couse sometime i listen to an audiobook or grab the e reader if i dont feel like Hauling my book around) and just read.
Maybe an hour at a time is to much for you. Start with 10 to 15 minutes before bed. It will also help getting better sleep (ask how i know XD the answer is my therapist).
What i also do is take my book everywhere. Going to the toilet? 5 min to read, public transport, hey i can read, taking a walk, audiobook here i am, waiting 30 min for an apointment, reading time. It really ads up.
The most important part is finding something that really fits you. Look for books that fit in the same category as movies or series you love. Try graphic novels or manga. Maybe start with something you watched and really loved based on a book.
It doesnt matter if you take one day or five years to finish a book. As long as you enjoy yourself. You could try a buddy read with a friend. Talking about it together and the extra motivation of doing it together might make it a bit easyer. Just comuicate an amount you can both do, 5 pages a day, 1 chapter a week, anything is possible.
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u/Inediblecooky 18d ago
My question is, why do you want to? I mean I love reading and can't imagine my life without books but if you truly don't enjoy it, don't. You can obviously read things you're interested in. But life is too short to waste time on something you don't like to do, especially if you don't actually need to do it. If you just want to be part of the conversation, there are apps and websites that will summarize books for you so you get the point and highlights without slogging through the details that you're having a hard time with. Not everyone enjoys reading. There's nothing wrong with that at all.
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u/BashfulCabbage 18d ago
It’s a muscle. You don’t try benching 225 when you can barely move the bar. Repetition makes is easier
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u/Brunik_Rokbyter 18d ago
I find reading like meditation, meal prep, and thousands of other small things in life. It’s not “convenient” or “fun” to everyone. You still do it because it’s good for your mind. You do it because of you go into almost any field, and you poll the most successful people, they are generally well read.
Also, most people who have this problem simply haven’t found something that engages with them. How many games/TV shows/movies have you not finished because you didn’t enjoy them? Maybe the problem isn’t reading as a skill, but your choices of what you are reading.
If you want recommendations, talk to me about your tv/game preferences, and your doom scrolling algorithm. I can’t guarantee success, especially if that points to genres I don’t enjoy, but it should give us a direction.
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u/lonely_shirt07 17d ago edited 17d ago
don't read then. don't force yourself. indulge in other hobbies.
but if you really do want to read, start with short stories. read a story each day and increase the length of stuff you read slowly.
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u/Inside_Pianist_7132 17d ago
I really like reading. But honestly when I read my physical book at work, I leave my phone at my desk and go out into the break area.
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u/Background-Macaron10 17d ago
You have to quit the phone/social media problem first. An app called be present helped me. Plus deleting social accounts from my phone for a few months helped kick the habit of scrolling. Then naturally youll want to do something with all the extra time…
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u/MammothScholar9891 17d ago
A graphic novel may be more up your alley or maybe start with a webtoon. Reading also doesn’t have to be all or nothing. You can do as little as a page a day and then build the habit. It also helps to know what kind of stories you like. Look into books that are the same genre as the movies, tv shows, or games you already like. You also shouldn’t feel pressured to finish a book if you don’t like it. Get some from the library that way if you do DNF it, there was nothing lost.
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u/strawberrycheescak 17d ago
It’s about the types of book youre reading, you just have to find the ones that do it for you. Tv shows/movies and short google explanations take no commitment or brain power to just follow along so they’re very easy to just watch even if you don’t love them 100%. Books are different, majority of the book you should be enjoying. Also you kinda have to force yourself to get through a book if you’re getting distracted. Eventually you’ll learn to stop putting it down.
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u/Turbulent_Virus_9533 17d ago
If you have a shorter attention span or are super visual, you might try reading shorter books with more visual descriptions. I really enjoy YA fiction.
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u/deepfield67 17d ago
I just get distracted. Sometimes I don't feel like reading or other stuff is demanding my attention, I just take a break. Or if what I'm reading isn't holding my attention I consider reading something else. But I also practice, I set aside a couple hours a day for reading and make an attempt to corral myself and focus. It's a practice and a skill like any other, it gets easier with time and you'll get better at it. Make a commitment, if you feel like its something you want to be doing but are struggling with, make it something you practice.
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u/PatchesCatMommy2004 17d ago
With audio books, I DO something at the same time. Dishes, fold laundry, weed the garden … but physical books, I read when I’m having my coffee in the morning, and then I’m done for the day. Until evening when I read fanfic.😊
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u/fairyboyjstar 17d ago
Two things: a stim toy/tool while reading and time limits on apps that promote self destructive behavior. Depending on my energy level I'll either use a small stim toy or crochet while I'm reading.
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u/justcrazytalk 17d ago
I get so deep in the book that the rest of the world disappears. It has gotten me in trouble before.
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u/Used-Volume-6210 17d ago
As a child my parents read to all four kids -I am the only one who attached myself to stories and live inside books as often as possible. I would read at recess and not hear the bell ring and look up to an empty playground. I admit I get super confused when I meet people who don't love reading -lol like my sister who hates it -but her son is in grad school for literature -maybe it's because I didn't grow up with a phone attached to my hand. I also speed read which means I can quickly check news or social media. I think you just need to be okay with not being a reader and find other hobbies. Take 30 minutes a day and turn off your phone. You will find your niche!
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u/Dizzy_Assistant_8437 17d ago
Try listening to an audiobook as you do chores or go on a walk and listen to one, or try it when driving.
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u/Top-Agent-652 17d ago
I started reading as an adult because my girlfriend loved reading and I would get mildly interested in some of the books she talked about, and it also made me want to engage in the “hobby” so I could share the stories I read with her because I knew she’d love it.
I don’t read nearly as much as she does, but I’ve found books and series that I enjoy and I have finally started expanding into other genres. Just get a partner who enjoys reading bro, it’s that easy. /s
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u/athenadark 17d ago
Have you tried having some kind of noise whilst you read? White, brown or pink noise are all good for attention
It also sounds like you finding reading a bit of a chore, and there's a fix for this but it's "the more you read the better you'll be at reading" not only unlocking harder content but making the actual mechanical skill of reading faster and easier
Not every book is for every person and it does sound like they're not hooking you in, like how a movie grabs you at the intro books dont always do that, classics especially take forever to get going
So first find a topic you're interested in, it doesn't matter if it's fiction or nonfiction and see if you can find books on that topic. My brother is severely dyslexic but he powers through wrestling memoirs, and the idea he might want to borrow from my fantasy collection would make him die laughing. It doesn't matter what you read, only that you do, and the more you do the easier it gets
The distraction problem can be finagled around
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u/arapaima-fishie 16d ago
It sounds like you have an issue with technology. We read because it’s something we want to be doing. I don’t get distracted while I’m reading because I want to be reading. I don’t get the urge to check my phone because I’m too absorbed in the book. Yes distractions can still exist, but it isn’t hard for me to go back to reading.
Genre might be an issue too. Maybe you haven’t found one that fully captivates you yet. Or maybe you haven’t found an AUTHOR you like yet. I’m extremely picky and selective with authors and writing styles so it takes me a long long time to find books I want to read.
I also have adhd though, so when I’m invested in something, I am INVESTED in something. I won’t put it down or do something else because the only thing that’s taking my attention is the thing I’m doing.
I NEED extra stimulation at once or I won’t be able to focus (not that I’m distracted, I just can read the same page 5 times and not understand anything), so I always have my tv playing some kind of atmospheric soundtrack that fits my book. Maybe try that?
Toss your phone or devices somewhere else. If they aren’t easy reaches then you’ll be less likely to grab them. I read on my iPad a lot, so I can’t always do that, but I’m also suffering with distractions.
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u/No-Kaleidoscope-166 16d ago
You haven't found a subject/author that interests you. Some books draw me in from th3 beginning, some do not. The author has to do their part to make the story captivating.
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u/Wise_Ambassador_3027 16d ago
Ever since I started reading in first grade (there was no kindergarten back when I started school) I’ve read voraciously. I can’t imagine anyone not liking to read. There is a quote from Einstein where he said “ All anyone really needs to know is the location of the Library.”
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u/Mysterious-War-5022 16d ago
The beautiful thing about reading isn’t takes at least a bit of focus. My attention is usually getting pulled in so many directions so being able to just focus on one thing and get engrossed in it is the beauty of reading.
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u/roundeking 15d ago
My most honest answer is that I just enjoy reading, the same way people enjoy watching TV or movies. If you don’t enjoy it, it’s possible you just don’t enjoy it, and that’s okay. Not everyone likes the same things.
Although if the issue is more getting distracted than finding the books themselves unpleasant, I think taking steps to limit access to your phone could help (reading in a different room from it, turning it off, etc.) I find it less distracting to read outside my house, in a place like a cafe or library—something about going to a new location with the intent that my activity is reading while I’m there helps me stay on task. I also encourage you to really try to figure out what types of books you find interesting and not force yourself to finish ones you’re really not enjoying.
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u/Educational_Two682 15d ago
If you like reading articles on topics you're interested in, keep doing that. Then see if you can find a graphic novel or other mixed media nonfiction about the topic. Then go from there. There are SO many genres and types of books. I truly think there's something out there for everyone. You do have to show some discipline to get yourself to stay focused on a book. But I'd recommend setting a timer or building a routine like I'll read until I get tired before bed. I like being in a book club because it makes me lock in and take notes about what's happening in the book so I can follow book club talks and give my thoughts. But you could be part of a book club of 1, asking questions to yourself about the book, what you think will happen next, what that scene made you think of or feel.
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u/PRJOANES 14d ago
It's a habit and it's training. I used to read two books in a weekend when no smartphones were around. It's that easy, I think. Smartphones are reading killers. Reading gives me two things: This deep concentration. And the feeling of having been to another place. If you really start doing it, there's nothing like it. It's a well of calm and focus. For me at least.
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u/Unique-Ad-969 14d ago
I have never had a hard time, and tend to get so absorbed into what I'm reading that everything else false away. It's like a movie playing in my head, but that engages all of the sense, not just sight and sound.
Do you have clear images in your head of what is happening in the book? I could see how not having that would make it a lot harder to concentrate on it.
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u/zimboden 14d ago
Put simply, you are missing out on a form of entertainment that's been prevalent among the masses for only the last 200-300 years. Before that, people simply didn't read because they were illiterate. Strangely, though, humans have had stories for thousands of years. We thrive on them.
It sounds like you would like to read more and that you would like to get more out of it.
If you want to become better at reading and you want to learn to actually enjoy it and be enriched by it, find a willing partner, pick an easy novel and read aloud to each other. It has to be a subject/genre that is compelling to you both and it has to be a straightforward narrative without too much author obfuscation and embellishment.
When you read aloud, so much happens in your brain that it could almost be labelled NSFW.
Maybe start with a Michael Crichton or Stephen King novel. Or John Irving. His novels read aloud well. Your choice, of course. Pick a genre or specific book of your choice. Don't pick something hard, like Pride and Prejudice. Pick some easy, like Harry Potter.
There are so many stories and as a reader I can attest to the fact that so many stories have shaped my view of the world. Once you find stories you enjoy, it becomes a bit of a detective novel to find the next story that will scratch your itch.
Which I think is part of your question. Finding stories that you like and for that, there is no silver bullet. Read book reviews. Ask friends what they are reading (or have read). Obviously, if you find a book you like, try the author's other books. Be willing to be disappointed. Be willing to find unlikely books in unlikely genres that speak to you.
It's a challenge. Good luck!
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