Five Tips for Making the Most of Your Reading Life

Get comfy and crack open a good book – August 9, 2021 is National Book Lovers Day! Whether you’re reading for fun, reading to learn or both, here are some tips to make the most out of your reading life:

• Carry a book with you wherever you go. It’s easy to read more when you already have a book with you! Next time you’re on a lunch break at your internship, are waiting for your friends to arrive or have a few minutes between classes, try pulling out a book to pass the time. A few pages here and there really add up.
• Set dedicated reading time. Carve out time in your day to focus just on reading. Turn off the latest binge-worthy show, log off social media or put your phone in another room – whatever you need to do to minimize distractions. Whether you read for 10 minutes or an hour, making it part of your daily routine will help build reading as a habit.
• Find your niche. Haven’t found a book you’re interested in? Try reading from another genre or ask a friend for recommendations. You can even experiment with a different format – if you’re finding it hard to focus on a print book, try an e-book or audio book instead. Don’t give up on reading just yet – there’s a book for every reader out there, and a reader for every book.
• Read outside your comfort zone. Even once you’ve found the right kind of books for you, it’s good to step outside your comfort zone every now and then. Reading books with characters and authors who have different identities and experiences from you is an excellent way to learn about the world and broaden your perspective. You might just find a new favorite in the process.
• Read with friends. Ever finish a book and just want to talk about it? Join a book club or start one with friends so you’ll always have someone to discuss it with. Pick a book that you all commit to reading, and when everyone’s finished, get together to talk about your reactions. Not sure where to start? Ask everyone what they liked, what they learned or what they would do if they were the main character. Reading with friends is a great way to think critically about books while having a lot of fun in the process.

Looking for your next summer read? Ask one of our librarians for a personalized recommendation. Dean College is a member of the Minuteman Library Network, giving you access to thousands of books throughout Massachusetts. If it’s not currently on our shelves, request the book to be sent right to our library here at Dean.