A few weeks ago, this reading question came in on Instagram:
“Kind of an odd question – any tips for picking up and starting a book? I love to read but have a hard time starting even with a book I’m eagerly anticipating. I fill my time with other things until I’m into a book.”
This is a VERY common problem for readers, no matter their age or how much they read.
The truth is that starting a new book is a lot of hard work for your brain – you have to figure out the plot line, the characters, the setting – and it’s perfectly normal to want to avoid that work.
Of course, every reader knows that there’s a lot of payoff on the other end of that work!
Here are some tips for how to start a book and get over that initial hump!
8 Tips for how to start a book
- Set a time or page limit. Feeling like you have to read for an hour or 100 pages can make it feel like homework (and what’s the point of being an adult out of school if you feel like you have a pile of homework??). Instead, set a short time or page number to pump out and then you’ve at least gotten started, which is truly the hardest part! Many readers on Instagram told me they set a timer for 10 or 20 minutes or commit to just 10 pages. One woman said, “Just read for two minutes before another activity!”
- Set aside a good chunk of time. On the flip side, it may not work for you to just read a few page or a few minutes. One reader said she needs “at least 30-60 minutes when starting the book.” You’ll know best which method might work for you when starting a new book (and it may vary from book to book!).
- Set a specific time to read. This is a popular trick for many readers (I use it myself!). Having a scheduled time to read makes it easier to pick up that new book because you know you have the time set aside to do it. Some readers love bedtime reading, others like it immediately after their kids go to school, or while they eat breakfast or in the pickup line at school or extracurriculars. One reader said, “Chain it with something else. For instance, before I take a shower, I’ll read for 5 minutes.”
- Start with an audiobook version. This was a VERY popular suggestion for how to start a book. It’s easier to pop in your earbuds while you do dishes or fold laundry or drive. Once you’re sucked into the book, you can switch to a hard copy!
- Minimize distractions. This is a HUGE help for me when I’m trying to start a book. In those early pages where I’m working hard to get into a book, it’s so tempting to pick up my phone and just quiiiiickly check Instagram or my email or send a text. I’ll put my phone in a different room or power it off altogether!
- Read multiple books at a time. I’m a huge fan of this, but I often hear from people that they are nervous about this strategy because they worry they won’t be able to keep the books separate. Brains are amazingly good at keeping things straight, so if your current system isn’t working, give it a try. One reader said, “I usually have couple books going at once, so when I finish one then I’m already 20% into the new one!” while another said, “Force yourself to start a new book before you finish the last good one.”
- Read a synopsis of the book first. Some readers love to start a book blind, but if you’re having trouble getting into new books, it can often help to read a synopsis so you know better what to expect and can more easily dive into the story without having to figure out everything along the way.
- Pair reading with something else fun. Some readers love to have a favorite reading snack or drink or read in the tub or outside when the weather is nice. Whatever feels fun and relaxing, try pairing it with your new book to see if it makes it easier to start a book.
Any other favorite tricks for starting a book? I’d love for you to share in the comments – it makes these posts way more useful!
if you liked this post about tips for how to start a book, you might also like these other posts:
- 9 Ways to Get Out of a Reading Slump
- 39 Books To Try If You’re Getting Back Into Reading
- The Best Books I Read in 2023
Christine says
This is such a good topic! Sometimes skimming (not reading too closely to avoid spoilers!) reviews gets me more excited about reading the book.
And I think the biggest help is knowing I can stop reading it if it just doesn’t work for me.