Reading Question...?

Question

This is probably the stupidest question on here, but whatever...

Every book report/assignment I've EVER had to do, I've lied my way through...but this next school year, looking at the reading requirements, I don't think I'll be able to pull it off this year. I absolutely hate reading, and I can never find a book that will keep my interest for more than twenty minutes or so. If I want to pass English this year...I'm going to have to get into reading.

SO...all you bookworms out there...
How do you just "get lost in a book"?
What makes reading enjoyable/How is it enjoyable?
How do you get anything out of what you read? (When I read...I'm not sure why, but I'm not able to retain ANYTHING from the book, and I always find myself lost...part of the reason I hate reading)

PLEASE help me! Thanks!

Answer 1

You might find yourself having to keep reading journals as you read so you remember the important parts. I often have kids do that. How you make books enjoyable is figuring out how they relate to your life and which characters you most identify with. It is refreshing to see someone admitting that they have lied their way through school, but that they realize that won't work anymore. Start slow. Make notes and try very hard to put yourself into the story. The fact you realize this need should make it easier for you. You already realize you have to try harder. Pax -C

Answer 2

Try reading a book that a movie has been made about, or vice-versa. See the movie first, then you can spot differences between the book and movie, which might help pique your interest in the book. Some good books turned into movies include the Harry Potter series, several Tom Clancy novels (Red October, Patriot Games). There have also been some good novelizations of the marvel comic book movies written by Peter David.

Answer 3

Find a book that has characters that relate to you. That you can vividly imagine. Also, if you find a book to read and can't retain the knowledge, take notes for every chapter or so, and then base your report off of the notes. Make sure that if you want to enjoy a book, that you are alone also, it helps so that you're not disturbed, and can get lost in the book. God Bless, and good reading! :)

Answer 4

I always pick a book that seem interesting right off the bat. If you know that the book may be boring, try to find aspects of it that you like so you can try to keep focused. When I get lost in a book it's like watching a movie in my head. I can actually visualize the characters. Try doing that. Try to visualize everything like a movie. I also like books where the main character is a woman because I can relate to females more easily than males.

Answer 5

I've set up several highschool reading groups targeted at kids like you who hate to read. First of all, it shows that you are a dedicated student if you are trying to learn to love reading. I do subscribe to the notion that you just haven't found the right book and until you do there are a couple of things you can do to help yourself.

Many people are more visual, and when they see the endless pages of a book it overwhelms them. Try reading magazines or illustrated books. Comic books are good to read and Manga.
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For assigned reading, initially try to get the book on audio. Most classics or required reading titles are on audio now and you can check it out at the library. Listen to it and read along with the book. This helps tremendously!

It may be that reading does not flow for you right now because you are still dealing with the mechanics of reading. Once you begin to remember more words the process of reading becomes faster. Reading is like anything else, it requires practice to get good at it.

Answer 6

The part of reading which draws me into a book is identifying with the characters. Try picking a character in you reading and putting yourself in their place. What would you do? How would you feel?

At the same time is is interesting to think of what motivated the author to create the characters he/she crafted. What does the author think motivates his characters.

These are ways to make a story your own. Literature is art and is in the eye of the beholder. No one else will ever interpret and understand a book in the same way you do.

Answer 7

Try just getting through the first few chapters. They are usually the most boring, and then a lot of books start to get better. Try spotting any themes/motifs/literary devices. Kind of like a puzzle.
I usually really enjoy reading, but if a book is just too painful, you could get sparknotes or cliffnotes. Just be careful not to get caught. I did, and it didn't go so well.

Answer 8

Well, it depends:

What type of books to you like? Well, let me reword that because you don't like books... so, what types of movies do you like? Do you like serious people or are you annoyed by the weak types?
If you like action movies then maybe you should look into a Stephen King book..Sorry that I'm not much of a help
Message me if you still need help,
Katie