About Me Books

Do You Love To Read? How Do I Create A Reading Habit???

Jacque Gonzales14702 views

I’ve never been an avid reader, although deep down I wish I was one. I have an insatiable hunger for knowledge, and I have a massive collection of books, yet I can get a bit overwhelmed when reading and then I stop.  I can’t be the only person who has had difficulty creating that habit?!?! Is it too late?

I’ve always been curious “WHY” that feeling happens to me. I’ve had an eye doctor check my eyes – because I felt as though I was reading clumps of words simultaneously and perhaps not absorbing them properly. Nope. My eyes are fine.

My OCD causes me to RE-READ sections several times because I’m convinced I won’t retain the information. It’s exhausting and boring. Then my ADD kicks in and tells me that I should just do something else … anything else … so I can stop being OCD about it! Ugh.

My mom would read a couple books at one time – it always amazed me that she could keep everything straight!

Theresa LOVES to read! She would read on the school bus home everyday – and she takes a book with her everywhere we go! I’m overjoyed that she loves reading!!!

I grew up reading my World Book Encyclopedias!!! I read them one at a time. I took my time. I’ve also loved reading atlases! Give me a map and I’m HAPPY!!! Just to understand what a map geek I am – I have apps on my phone for land topography and the USGS for fun. Of course I have Google Earth, Solar System mapping apps, and every weather app you could imagine.

Oh my gosh – and I LOVE INFOGRAPHICS!!! Absolutely LOVE! It’s the best bits of info all tied together! (Do you know of any cool Infographic sites or social media accounts? Let me know!)

I want to change this slight, scaredy-cat feeling towards books. I want to challenge myself to read in a quiet place and not constantly go back and re-read what I just read!

Do any of you have any suggestions on how I could outline a “PLAN” to get me going? Something fun that will want me to keep going?!? Please let me know in the comment section below!

So where do you fall??? 📚

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I’ve got several books standing by – and I’m ready to give it a try! I’ve got inspirational books, educational books, and some non-fiction books that have piqued my interests.

Maybe I set a reasonable goal for the rest of the month to get myself started. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts and suggestions.

Jacque 💜

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Day 3 – Give Yourself Grace – “Jacque’s Journey”

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Day 1 – Welcome To “Jacque’s Journey”

14 comments

A. Medina June 13, 2018 - 3:46 AM
I think the first step is actively pulling away from the TV and turning the phone off, both cell and home.
Sandra Wolvin June 13, 2018 - 1:23 AM
I do...but I like the magazine Victoria. Really like finding Articles in them. Really like getting ideas on how to decorate our 1908 4-square Victorian too. Absolutely Love Unique Antiques as well. Not related to reading 📖 but I wanted to add it. And if I REALLY FIND A GOOD BOOK 📚 THEN I WILL READ IT!!!!!!!! Good to hear from a friend, always nice 👍 take good care Jacque! Your Friend, Sandy
John McGeorge June 13, 2018 - 12:06 AM
Hi Jacque, Kudos on looking into ways to love reading. Guess I've been a bookworm since as long as I could read, and I'm honored to be in good company with you for reading the World Book as a kid. Don't know that I read it cover to cover, but I'd spend hours jumping from article to article, which will play into a recommendation below. I don't know that there's a right or wrong way to approach reading. Personally, I'm always trying new methods to get more out of it. You may find that you will too. But I try to never make it feel like a chore and try to increase my enjoyment. All that being said, here are some things I've tried along the way. I hope something in here will be useful as a method to adopt, adapt, or spur you to find a path that works for you. --set a goal of reading a book per week/month/or a specific number per year --carry a book wherever you go and utilize spare moments to maximize your reading --pick a topic and read deeply on it; can also help to keep a second book going to give yourself variety; as alluded to above, you can practice circular learning if you worry about not remembering everything from one book, because if you're exploring the topic in depth, each book will overlap to some degree, while offering something new. So say you pick a subject and a book to read on it; and from that book, you remember points A, C, and E. You finish that and read another book on it, and points A, C, and E are reinforced, plus you remember points B, D, and G. As you get more in depth, you're going to reinforce what you remember, add some new points, and be able to look at the subject from several angles --pick an author and read everything they've written, or everything they've written in a particular niche. For instance, years ago I read Agatha Christie, but I found I really only enjoyed books with her one detective, Hercule Poirot. So I read all her books with him in them. --alternate long and short books; and here's one thing I do every New Year's Day--I read The Little Prince, because I love it and because I can read it pretty quickly, so that starts the new year off with an easy but satisfying victory --alternate heavy and light books; I tend to read a lot of history, economics, and religion, which I enjoy, but sometimes I need a "palate cleanser." My go-to is often kid lit, although I also like to read some fiction or something humorous before moving on to the next dense tome --set a goal of reading so many minutes/hours/pages per day --try reading an author or subject you've never tried before --mix and match these or any methods you may like; it doesn't have to be some monolithic system, nor should it be, it should be what maximizes your pleasure in the experience --don't be afraid or ashamed to drop a book if it's not doing it for you; life is too short --however, don't be afraid or ashamed to give a book a second chance; different things speak to us more or less at different times of our lives
Ruth Mullaney June 12, 2018 - 11:13 PM
I sometimes can read a book in a day. I read the Harlequin & Sillouet books. Other books just don't interest me at all. I have read the Bible in less than 5 months. Not everyone likes to read. My youngest son & I are the only ones who read. My oldest son won't even read instructions.
Laura Jager June 12, 2018 - 10:28 PM
I've loved reading for as long as I can remember. In grade school I read just about every book in the library before heading up to junior high. Find something you love to read. For me it's mysteries and if there's a little romance thrown in, all the better! After many years of mysteries, that were terrifyingly intense, I've started reading Cozy Mysteries. They are usually a quick, fun and interesting read. I have several series that I'm into and as soon as I finish one in that series I read the next one in one of the other series. I find if I read too many of the same series in a row I get irritated with some of the characters. I also loved reading to my daughters when they were young. We would find a series of books they liked and then read before they went to bed every night. To this day they love reading too, or listening to audible books. A great way to pass the time on a long commute.
Dan June 12, 2018 - 10:17 PM
I read books/magazines about entrepreneurs, inventors, and innovators...I try to zero in on what exactly compelled them to turn their curiousity and creativity into a full-on career instead of it being a part-time "hobby".
Matthew Drake June 12, 2018 - 10:04 PM
Jacqueie I got reimmersed into Sherlock Holmes of course thanks to 2 video games,based on 10 of his cases. I have a collection of 12 books by Conan Doyle on Holmes..find an author you loved maybe as a teen,even now..and read them again..never give up
Donna Ruggles June 12, 2018 - 9:56 PM
Hi Jacque!!! I would recommend taking it one book at a time. I am like your mom in the fact that I usually have at least two books going at the same time. Also, you could try a book that is shorter in length. Thick books can be overwhelming for anyone!!! I would make time for my son and I to read together. It is a great bonding experience with your little one since she loves to read. Just take small steps and it will all fall in place😊
Cynthia June 12, 2018 - 9:39 PM
I have always been a bookworm. I can read anywhere. It gets my mind off everything and my blood pressure drops. I know what you mean about infographics, etc... I love non-fiction books that offer info in bite sizes. I just got finished with Hidden History by Donald Jeffries. All of the chapters are divided into smaller chapters and you can pick and choose what you are interested in. It is about all the conspiracies you can think of since the 60s until now but is so well written and researched that you can't put it down.
Devonnee Villegas June 12, 2018 - 9:29 PM
Hi Jacque, Pick a subject you like, love or interests you. For me, it's Romance, Biographies, History. Then find an author. I like Danielle Steele, Victoria Holt (discovered her at 13). You will learn to live in no time! Devonnee
Sue Kusmam June 12, 2018 - 9:49 PM
I agree find a subject you like . For me it is mysteries. Started at a young age with Nancy Drew and the rest is history.
Rachel June 12, 2018 - 9:23 PM
Have you tried audible or books on tape? I am a life long avid reader but have heard from lots of folks that weren’t big readers that they love listening to books! I now listen to a book on my commute to work and the time flies by!
Jacque June 12, 2018 - 9:26 PM
What a fabulous idea!!!
Rachel June 12, 2018 - 9:42 PM
I have the app on my phone and it’s so easy! I like listening to funny memoirs and mysteries! I have also listened to some more serious non fiction that I may not have “read” the old fashioned way!
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