You’re Convinced That Books Are Magical, but Where Do You Start?

Books have a way of transporting us to different worlds, introducing us to new ideas, and challenging our thoughts. They have a magical quality that can change our lives, but sometimes it can be overwhelming to know where to start. How do you turn an interest in books into a lifestyle that supports your avid reading? Or if you’re new to this whole reading-for-pleasure thing, how do you know which books are wins and which are wimpy?

As a book lover for 29 years, I’ve learned a few tips for those looking to dive into the world of reading.

1. Start with topics or genres you love.

The first step to finding the perfect book is to start with what interests you. There is no official reading list, so don’t worry about what your friends are reading. What do you love talking about? What do you love learning about? What do you love doing? Start jotting down a few topics that excite you and then go on a book hunt.

2. Hunt down the books that you like.

In the past, we had to rely on card catalogs at the local library to find books, but today we have the internet. Lucky for us, there are numerous websites to help us find books we’ll love. Some of my favorites are WhatShouldIReadNext.com, GoodReads, and BookBrowse.com. These sites allow you to input an author or book you’ve enjoyed, and they generate a list of similar books that you might like.

3. Use booklists for even more reading options.

Booklists are another great resource to help you find your next read. Popular websites like NPR, Amazon and The New York Times constantly publish reading lists that you can use to explore different genres and topics. You can also find reading challenges online, where you set a goal to read a specific number of books or books in certain categories.

4. Skim, baby, skim.

Before starting a book, read through the introduction, scan the paragraph headings, flip through the pages, reading a few lines here and there, read the back cover and blurbs. If you find it interesting, start reading. But if it doesn’t sound interesting, don’t force it! There are plenty of books out there and it’s important to start reading books that we love.

5. Use the 50-page rule.

If you do start reading a book, but it’s not capturing your interest, don’t feel bad about putting it down. Use the 50-page rule to help you decide if the book is worth continuing. If you’re not into it by page 50, it’s okay to move on to the next book.

6. Start a reading notebook.

It can be helpful to track the books you’ve read and those you want to read. Consider starting a reading notebook, whether it’s on Pinterest, GoodReads or just a list on your phone, to keep track of what you’ve read and what you want to read in the future. Write down the title, author, and rating for each book, as well as a few words about what you liked or didn’t like.

7. Find the time to read.

The key to reading is finding the time to do it. Start using those in-between times to read—while waiting at the doctor’s office, during lunch breaks, or while relaxing before bed. Make sure to have your current read with you at all times, so you’re always ready to read. If you find yourself unable to put a good book down, be sure to get some caffeine in the morning, like coffee or tea, to help get you through the day.

Reading is a magical experience that can enhance your life in so many ways. By using these tips to find books that truly interest you, you’ll be able to turn reading into a lifestyle that you love.