How do I learn to love reading?

Question

I usually cannot read for more than 15 min, after that nothing makes sense and I have to force myself to continue. I'm not really interested in anything so it's hard to find a book, any ideas, websites on finding books?

Answer 1

I used to have the same problem I would get bored and couldn't stay focused on what I was trying to read. I just finally found some books that I was interested in and when I'm reading something I'm interested in I just can't put the book down. If it is something I'm not interested in though I still can't keep focused on it. Try going to bigger bookstores that have a bigger selection of books like Barnes & Noble. You may find something that you are interested in.

Answer 2

Maybe start smaller and start with things you like. See if you can find books or magazines that have short stories or articles related to your hobbies and interests.

I say start smaller so you can actually finish the stories or articles in those first fifteen minutes. I will give you a greater sense of accomplishment and begin to put a more positive spin on reading. As things progress, you can work your way up to longer stories and articles, multiple articles or even small books.

On the flip side, you might also try a little writing. Just take out a note book and write about anything. Re-write you notes for a class, jot down ideas about an upcoming meeting, make your Christmas list. Write down the definitions of words your not familiar with from your reading. Anything to exercise the area of your mind that deals with the written word.

Your "nothing makes sense" statement causes me a little concern. Is there something about the words that don't makes sense? Is it a concentration issue? Do you just get bored with it? Do you just need glasses? Think about what's causing you problems at that stopping point and see if you can get a handle on it. If it seems like a problem you can't get a handle on, look into having a few tests done. It may be an easy fix or you might get a better idea of how to work around the problem.

Answer 3

What I usually tell people who are in the same predicament as you are is to pick a book from either the library or a bookstore. Bookstores are good for seeing what the book is about. Then go to the libray, find the book and start reading. I suggest either a sci-fi book or a fantasy book to start. Although a good mystery may hold your attention better. Do what you are doing now. Read for about 15 minutes, at the end of that time(use a timer) stop reading. Do something else for about an hour or so. You will probably not be too interested until you get about halfway through the book. Do not read for more than 15 minutes, then mark your page and stop. By the time you get to where everything starts to snowball you will be thinking about the book more and more. Then read for a half an hour(use timer) and stop, if you can. I also suggest reading books that start fast and build up to superb climaxes. If you want a book like that read Matthew Reilly's book ICE STATION it takes off from page two and continues throughout the entire book. So does the follow-up book AREA 7. My favorite Matthew Reilly book is TEMPLE if just grabs you about a third of the way through and you don't want to put it down until you finish. Incidently Mr. Reilly is in the process of writing a sequel by his own words. Go to his website and check him out. All of his books are great reads. The same can be said for James Rollins or the team of Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. happy reading and I hope you start to enjoy the pleasures you get from reading too.

Answer 4

If you are not interested in anything, you will never love to read. Reading is all about enjoying the things that interest you.

You cannot possibly be alive and not interested in anything. You would be the first person in history to have no interests. There must be something that you like or that you do not like. Even the most miserable people in the world are at least interested in misery.

You can find books about anything you can imagine. Keep looking for the topics that interest you and you will find a book that you can enjoy for more than 15 minutes.

Take care,
Troy

Answer 5

I absolutely hated reading for the longest time. Then I found the right book - and now, its one of my favorite things to do. Start with easy to read books, ones that won't have you caught up in too many story lines. S.E. Hinton is a great author for that. (That was then, this is now - Rumble fish) The nice things about those books, is that alot of the characters remain the same, its just about different points in their lives. If you like love stories, "The Notebook" - one of the best I have ever read. If you have an interest in scary stuff - Steven king is awesome. I can't ready him, my imagination is too good! lol Mary Higgins Clark is also very good. The key is, the right book. When you can't put it down, you will know that you are hooked. With almost every book I read, the first 15 to 20 minutes, its a push to get thru. But the author is laying all the ground work, setting up everything for you, give it another few minutes, and they will have pulled you in. Good luck, happy reading.

Answer 6

I learned to love reading by experimenting with different books and finding out for myself what topic area really captures my interest. But here are some tips, for instance when reading the newspaper daily, look at articles that really interest you and make sure at the end of reading that article you understand what it is you just read. Read labels and packaging on stuff, signs on the road, billboards, just about anything thats readable. By doing this I gradually developed my passion for reading. Even the boring books is of interest to me these days. Also when reading don't try to take everything in, just take in how much you can manage. Its ok to go back and try to read the book again, sometimes things seem clearer that way. Also don't try reading if you're tired or lying down, usually puts one to sleep, find a nice spot for reading, somewhere that you feel comfortable, relaxed and is quiet. Hope this helps.

Answer 7

I admire your desire to learn to read more. That is very good. It may be that your mind wanders because you can not keep your interest in what you are reading. Why not begin by reading long magazine articles about things you really enjoy. There are magazines for almost every interest. Find a couple of yours and make it a habit to read those articles. Then move to a book on these same interests. You can find them on line easily. There are books on almost every subject as well so that won't be hard. Basically, imagine you are exploring a country that you are deeply curious about. The country is the subject you have chosen because it naturally arouses your own curiosity. In time, reading about it will be a pleasure, not a chore. Good luck and keep reading!

Answer 8

Cool question!
I think reading is dull unless you share with someone. Talk to friends, relatives find out what they are reading. Or read one book at the same time. Once when I had to live for something like 3 months away from a girl I really liked, we read one and the same book (Arc de Triomphe E. Remark). And then discussed it in e-mail and over the phone. That was really cool. So share experiences with books, that can make reading much more fun.

Answer 9

First of all, even with a short attention span, look for "stories" you already have interest in, with regard to topic.

To "enjoy" reading one must get involved in the subject, or genre, and be involved throughout, to reach areas of the text the author intended you to,,, until an ending

Answer 10

If you are 'really not interested in anything' then I guess reading is not your forte...neither is anything else that I can think of.
Perhaps you should do some soul searching at least to find out whether nothing in this ww tickles your fancy.