Lock down can be extremely boring at times and finding the motivation to get up and do something can be quite challenging. I know that, for me, reading has been quite difficult as it requires a long attention span. However, I have come up with a foolproof guide to staying focused while reading. So, if you're struggling with staying focused while reading books for your next book review, this is the post for you.
Rule #1: Pick a Good Book
Yes, this rule may sound extremely obvious, but I can assure you that everyone has picked a book that they thought that they would like and ended up hating it. Often times I find that this happens when your sole criteria for picking a book is either a) the title b) the cover or c) the genre. Usually, when you pick a book based off of only one of these features, you don't really have any idea of what it's about. So, if you actually want to find a book that you like you must: Look at the genre, look at the title, read the summary on the back, and (if possible) read the reviews on the back of the book. Taking the time to properly pick what you're reading will lessen the chances of you getting bored by what you're reading.
Rule #2: Find a Good Spot
Since you're at home, it is a necessity to find a good spot to read. While reading, you don't want to be disturbed by anything (phone, tv, parents, siblings, etc.) so you NEED to find a a quiet and comfortable spot where you can focus on (only) reading. Any disturbances from the outside world while reading will tempt you to drop what you're reading and go tend to that. Getting distracted makes it terribly difficult to get back on track with where you are in a book so make sure it NEVER happens.
Rule #3: Get Comfortable
Chances are that when you start to become interested in the book you're reading, its going to be very difficult to drop it, so hopefully you are in a comfortable spot that sets a good mood for reading. Maybe you're outside, or on a beanbag, or on the couch, just make sure that you find it comfortable and that it's not a place you will fall asleep in. You can also go to a place that is dimly or highly lit based on your preference or play some sort of calm and relaxing music that will help you focus. When reading, you should be in a place that makes it very difficult to leave. This special addition will have you thinking "why on earth would I want to leave such a nice little reading nook, i'm just going to stay here and read forever!'
Hopefully these three major rules to reading during quarantine help you with your reading endeavors and show you that reading is fun and relaxing. Although there are many other things to do during lock down like baking or watching movies, remember that you could learn so much from a good book while having the same amount of fun!
-Andrea T.L.
I like your tips, you've motivated me to consider creating a reading nook in my room so I don't keep coming up with excuses to avoid reading. That's another point that's especially important for me, there's always a million other things I could and probably some other things I should do, so I'm just like well I have to do a chore or something so I can't read, but then I just don't do the chore. I've really got to figure out a way to overcome that.
ReplyDeleteNice post. Especially now, when I have so much time, I need to learn to stop procrastinating on reading. I also agree that a lot of people (including me) start reading a book because of the title or cover and if the book is bad, it dissuades them picking up another that they might like more. These were good tips!
ReplyDeleteThis is a fantastic blog post! These are strange times we are going through right now, and being in quarantine can get really boring at times. Reading is a great way to be productive and entertain yourself. Often times you need more than just a good book to make the experience the best it can be. Your suggestions are perfect when trying to relax and make the most out of the situation.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I haven't been reading much during quarantine, even though I really want to. Finding a good book might be hard though, as libraries and book stores are shut down. I do have some books I haven't read at home, and with your tips, I will be able to start reading more often.
ReplyDeleteLovely (trying to come up with different synonyms for good than other people) post! Rule #1 is an especially important one that often goes overlooked, leading to people not having a good time reading and lacking motivation to pick up another book. I'm glad you provided us with this 3-step guide to reading, as it can be applied to any time, not just quarantine. May loads of bolognas rain on you (but not in your reading nook)!
ReplyDeleteNice work! Thank you for reminding me that reading is another great way of keeping me from slowly rotting away during quarantine. I have been looking for books lately, and because of my failures to choose a book that I actually enjoy so far I've found myself giving up. With your tips, I can attempt to find books using different methods and approaches. I also need to get myself a peaceful reading nook, as I have a feeling that my chaotic siblings play a role in my bad experience when reading these days. Can't wait to read more from you!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! When I'm reading, I often end up getting distracted, disliking my book, or stopping because I'm not in a comfortable reading spot. Thanks for giving these three rules of thumb for keeping focused while reading. I like how instead of giving a broad, unspecific list, you go into detail on a few helpful tips. Nice job!
ReplyDeleteI've seen a lot of these kind of posts recently. (I'm assuming everyone's run out of books to read and so therefore have nothing else to write about.) It's quite surprising how many times family members can manage to interrupt you while you're reading. While it is quite obvious, I completely agree with you when you say it's very important to find a good book. If it's not a good book, I just don't have any motivation to read it. Nice review! (or blog post i guesS?)
ReplyDeleteNice post! I found your advice helpful, especially since I sometimes have a hard time finding a spot without any distractions. It's also a little hard to find a good book when I've read pretty much all the books we have, so I've had to read ebooks. The issue with ebooks is that it's easy to get distracted since you're reading on a device, so I usually prefer physical books, but I don't really have an option now.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips, I think these will be helpful in my future reading endeavors, whether for school or leisure. I like that you mentioned putting all distractions away because it can be hard to get going on a book when there are always notifications, noises, chores, etc. I agree it's important to look at more than just the title, cover, and genre when choosing a book. I also love getting comfortable and just reading for hours. I am looking forward to putting your tips into action soon
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