From Reading Slump to Book Obsessed: Your Literary Glow-Up Guide
- Mia Meltzer
- May 15
- 2 min read
By: Lucy Ugar
I’ve always been a book lover, but when I hit college, it turned into a total obsession! At first, I was devouring books left and right, but then I noticed my reading pace slowed down. I had to start building some good habits to keep up with my reading goals. Before college, I really couldn’t wrap my head around how people could read over 50 books a year. Now, after meeting my goal of reading 100 books in 2024, I feel like I’m in a pretty good spot to share some tips on how to get back into reading, especially for girls in their 20s.
Find your genre
This may seem obvious, but not everyone enjoys the same type of books! When you’re starting out, try to grab some books from different genre sections in the bookstore. It might take a couple of tries to discover what genre you actually enjoy reading, so don’t give up. Personally, the genre that got me addicted to reading again was fantasy, but it will be different for everyone.
Increase your attention span
Once you’ve found a book to read, work on increasing your attention span. In the era of TikTok and Reels, our brains have become programmed to receive quick hits of dopamine, which made it hard for me to sit down and read without looking at a screen when I was first getting back into reading. The way I overcame this was by setting a quantitative goal for my reading session. I would either track page numbers or time. For instance, I wouldn't look at my phone until I read 100 pages, or I would set a timer for an hour and read until it went off. Building this habit has trained me to sit and read for long periods without needing to check my phone.
Set a time to read each day
Going along with increasing attention span, I also try to set aside time to read every day. It can be challenging to find opportunities to sit down and read while managing a busy schedule, but committing to a routine has helped me maintain my hobby. I love to snuggle up with my Kindle before going to sleep, which has also helped me reduce screen time before bed.
Connect and get recs from friends!
My final tip is that reading is much more enjoyable with friends. Make a Goodreads account and connect with your fellow book besties. That way, you can see what your friends are reading and turn reading into a social activity. Another fun way to bond with friends over books is by going to the bookstore together! This is one of my favorite activities because it is fun and helps you receive great recommendations.
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