Tips to engage in a regular reading habit
In my youth, I was an avid reader. By the age of 12, I used to read about 60 books annually, not just any books, but substantial ones, each no less than 200 pages, such as Percy Jackson, The Hunger Games and Harry Potter. However, as I grew up, this amazing habit faded away, and by my early twenties, finishing even a single book became a struggle.
This year, I set a goal for myself to read 24 books — two per month — and it has been working quite well for me. Here’s my strategy:
- Each month, I choose two books: one technical, related to my job in data science, and another for pleasure, like romances or literature.
- At the start of the month, I plan which books to read and calculate the daily page count needed to complete them within 30 days.
- At the beginning of each week, I outline my reading schedule, specifying the pages I need to read daily. I prefer weekly planning over monthly because it’s less tedious and fosters a stronger connection to my reading habit.
- Typically, I read the technical book in the morning, before work, as it helps me tune into my job The leisure book I read at night, which helps me to fall asleep.
If you know someone — a friend or a significant other — who enjoys reading or wants to start, consider forming a book club. This can be a motivational boon. You and your club members might meet biweekly to discuss not just the books, but also the strategies you’re employing to make reading an enjoyable part of your life.
Every month, I plan to share the two books I’ve read and my efforts to sustain this revived habit. In March, I read “Fermat’s Last Theorem” for my technical book and “The Color Purple” for my leisure read, and I highly recommend both. (Read abou them below)
Fermat’s Last Theorem (by Simon Singh) is a book about the famous unfinished Fermat Theorem, that he wrote in 1637 in the corner of a page but didn’t get the chance to prove before his death. It took humanity centuries of search until someone was able to find a proof in 1995. The book covers all the mathematical and calculative advancements made since the beginning of ages that led to this amazing discovery. It’s very interesting and the author writes in a accessible manner.
The Color Purple (by Alice Walker) is about the life of Celie, a poor black woman, during the 20th century. It tells the story of about 20 years of her life, starting from when she was 14 years old. The story may be classified as sad and involves abuse and violence, but the way the characters are developed and the book’s format — predominantly letters written by Celie herself — make the book profoundly beautiful and reflective.