How to Read Books You Don't Enjoy

In honour of last week being ‘wider reading week’, this article shares tips on finding the motivation to read books that you may not be interested in.

1. Break it down into small manageable chunks

Giving yourself small goals to achieve helps boost motivation. This can be done by sectioning the book into a few chapters or page numbers. Setting up small goals for yourself is very helpful because it can get overwhelming to start reading a book as a whole when you don’t find it interesting.

This method provides you with a sense of accomplishment each time you complete a section. Thus, increasing your willingness to continue completing the sections you made yourself until you finally finish the book.

One way you could keep track of the sections you made yourself is by marking them with a pencil so once you’re done you can erase the markings. Another way could be using a bookmark to mark your next goal after completing each section.

Do remember that you can always change your goals and increase them as you continue to read!

2. Reward yourself when you complete the book

Rewarding yourself causes your brain to generate positive emotions, causing you to realize that your efforts are rewarded. By doing this repeatedly, your brain will begin to associate pleasure with completing the activity or target and will gravitate toward it in the future. These rewards could include getting yourself your favourite treat and watching a movie or TV series. Doing something you enjoy helps keep you motivated as you read. This tricks the brain into giving you an extra boost of motivation to continue reading the books you may find boring.

3. Understand the importance of reading

Understanding the importance of reading can help develop a sincere interest in reading. Remember that gaining an interest in reading does not come overnight and it takes time to develop.

You can find the importance of reading in the video recording for the Week 32 assembly. Bea, a current Oxford University student and former student in the Inspired school in Madrid, explained how wider reading builds learning power and supports academic development. Mr. Loughe also went over what resources are available. Do make sure to check it out if you haven’t already!

4. Reduce distractions

In order to focus on the book you are reading and understand it, you must be able to create a reading environment that is free from any distractions. Doing this helps increase your concentration. A noisy environment causes you to focus on everything but reading. This increases your procrastination and results in you not finishing the book.

Being in a noisy environment could also cause you to keep re-reading the same passage, resulting in a lack of motivation to continue and achieve your goal for the day.

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Reading is an essential skill that’s developed at a very young age, it helps us find and convey information and it serves as a basic building block for learning. It is important to constantly read even when you do not feel like it because it provides you with numerous benefits.

Even though reading may not interest you, hopefully, these tips help you start reading books, regardless of whether they were assigned to you or not.

Sources:

Sharma, Subodh. “How to Read a Boring Book? 14 Interesting Tips for You!” GladReaders, 16 Dec. 2018, gladreaders.com/how-to-read-a-boring-book/. Accessed 18 June 2023.

“Celebrate Your Accomplishments the Right Way | Tony Robbins.” Tonyrobbins.com, 20 Apr. 2015, www.tonyrobbins.com/productivity-performance/reward-yourself/#:~:text=Why%3F,towards%20it%20in%20the%20future. Accessed 18 June 2023.

‌“King’s InterHigh KS5 Newsletter.” Office.com, 2023, sway.office.com/WofG5JI6D9nC70SC?ref=Link. Accessed 18 June 2023.

‌“The Importance of Reading Skills & Why Is Reading Important?” WorksheetCloud | Download CAPS School Worksheets South Africa, 19 Feb. 2021, www.worksheetcloud.com/blog/why-is-reading-important/#:~:text=Reading%20is%20fundamental%20in%20helping,understanding%20the%20world%20around%20us. Accessed 18 June 2023.

Schlauch, Kim. “10 Reasons Why Reading Is a Skill Every Child Should Develop.” Libertychristianschoolmd.com, 2014, www.libertychristianschoolmd.com/blog/10-reasons-why-reading-is-a-skill-every-child-should-develop#:~:text=Reading%20is%20Essential%20and%20serves,also%20an%20important%20life%20skill. Accessed 18 June 2023.

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