- carry a book everywhere
- read one book at a time
- finish reading at least 75%
- don't skip ahead
- speed reading is OK
- read what you want to not what you think you should
- books and ebooks are all equal
- take a (short) break in between books
- think over what you've read
- talk about it
- well loved books look well loved
- great books deserve to be reread
- silence please
I agree wholeheartedly with everything on this list!
ReplyDeletexx Mimmi, Muted Mornings
I love this post. So simple yet so true and effective. Thank you for this, I absolutely love losing myself in a book.
ReplyDeleteEilidh xx
http://herprettystateofmind.blogspot.co.uk
Argh, I need to read more I just can't find the time. :( I suppose I should make time. I have so many unread books.
ReplyDeleteYes, yes, yes! :)
ReplyDeleteI especially like this one ''Well loved books look well loved''. For me, books should look like someone reads it, not as you just bought it in a bookstore.
I rarely ever reread books, but you know it's a great piece of literature if I'm willing to pick it up again!
ReplyDeleteMel // izzipenelope
I slowly getting back to reading after months of hiatus and its so so good for the soul! :-)
ReplyDeleteTheConscienceFund
Allow yourself to get lost in the world of that book... http://madelienerose.com/
ReplyDeleteYup, #1 is a must for me. I've never left the house without taking a book with me. I also really relate to your last point; in order to read and become fully immersed in a book, I need complete silence (or classical music playing softly in the background).
ReplyDeleteHaha I should really start doing some of these as I'm falling back on my reading. I think I'll start with the first rule, always carry a book in my handbag :)
ReplyDeletewww.imaniqbal.blogspot.com
I love rule #1
ReplyDeletewww.sarahjaihelee.com
I always have a book with me! But I am in the middle of a few books at once...different genres. I sometimes skip ahead or (gasp) read the ending so that any stress from wondering who/what/why is eliminated. And if a book is "ehh" and not grabbing my attention (or annoying me)..I'll give it a chapter or two and then stop reading the book without feeling any guilt! Guess I'm a rule breaker! :)
ReplyDeleteWe all have our own rules! :)) If I don't like a book I am reading, I read 75% and then stop reading.. or I will speed reading (or skim read) until the end.
ReplyDeleteMost important too!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely! All those 10 minutes waiting add up and you can get through books so much faster.
ReplyDeleteI like to be able to hear "bustle" going on outside my window (although it's only the birds, we live in a super quiet area!) but I can't have music or people talking.
ReplyDelete:))
ReplyDeleteI stopped reading as much as I used to (due to work) and now I'm back to reading at least two books a week, which feels really good. I miss it when I don't have time to read.
ReplyDeleteI rarely reread them.. but I will always (eventually) return to excellent books :))
ReplyDeleteI find it hard to get brand new books battered and used.. but I much prefer my second hand books, they have so much more character!
ReplyDeleteIt can be hard! But honestly, take a book everywhere and read in those moments where you're waiting or if you have a spare 10 minutes. I set aside an hour or two (at least!) to read every day and making a conscious effort to do that really helps.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
ReplyDeleteGood to hear! :))
ReplyDeleteHearing birds singing in the background is SO relaxing!
ReplyDeleteI feel like posting this list on my bedroom door and highlighting, underlining and pointing to the last rule! I cannot bear to have someone in my ear when I'm reading, it makes taking everything in that much harder, great post Sophie!
ReplyDeletePhoebe xx
Love this. If I ever succeed in collating enough books for a library room I'm going to calligraph this list and frame it (if that's ok!) The only one I'm not sure about is the 75% rule - life's too short to waste energy on reading books you don't enjoy - but each to their own :) x
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more!
ReplyDelete1 book at a time is a good rule. I get to confused otherwise haha
ReplyDeleteBeauty
Challenged
Completely agree with you Sophie! Regularly reading has such a good affect on my mood and my well being in general! I am just a lot more happier and content.. its almost therapeutic! I started reading Freedom by Jonathan Franzen only today lets see how it goes.
ReplyDeleteOne book at a time. What a great rule! I've been following it for all my life except during school when I had to read books for class. Anyway, I'm dreading to have started A Song of Ice and Fire. The thought of dropping it is so appealing. I much prefer books with a certain message as opposed to long and drawn out fiction! Which is probably why my favorite book of all time is Faust by Goethe.
ReplyDeleteElina | missblueeyes.com
Until this year I had only ever read one book at at time. Last month I tried reading two at the same time and failed completely! It was so weird and alien to me and it goes as far as saying that I got to page 15 in the second book and then had to return to the other and finish that one first. I'll never do that again!
ReplyDeleteAmy
Oh, fantastic!
ReplyDeleteThat's amazing, thanks Tamsin!
ReplyDeleteI think I just give myself that 75% rule because I figure, sometimes you've got to push yourself but often (if the book is really bad) I quit before 75%
Thanks, Yuka!
ReplyDeleteI simply cannot concentrate properly on either book and I always end up showing preferential treatment to one more than the other!
ReplyDeleteSometimes I might read fiction alongside non-fiction, if I'm not in a rush to finish either.. but I rarely do it because I just end up reading one over the other.
ReplyDeleteI just can't work it properly, I always prefer one over the other. I think it's best just to get through one at a time.
ReplyDelete