HACKER Q&A
📣 helpmeycombo

How to Pickup the Habit of Reading?


I want to read books. Preferrably written in English. I want to improve my vocabulary. At the same time, I want to read interesting/ entertaining/scifi/knowledgeable books.

Please provide me suggestions on how to cultivate hobby of reading and also suggest me few interesting books to read.


  👤 ohadron Accepted Answer ✓
I started this habit by getting a kindle, putting it next to my bed, and promising myself that no matter how tired I am, I need to read at least one page before I go to sleep. Which is easy - it takes 1 minute. But it gets the ball rolling. I've finished 30+ books since I started doing this, and more importantly I'm reading every single day.

In general I recommend reading [Atomic Habits](https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits) to learn how to pick up habits. Maybe that could be your first book.


👤 dmbcheee
I've recently picked up reading for a second time, after being an avid reader when I was younger.

Like any habit, start small and keep at it for a while ! I started by reading more long form articles on any subject I was interested in, or reading Wikipedia articles when I wanted to find some information. I then moved into a few 100 pages ish novels (Roadside Picnic is a great sci-fi read) and short stories (Stephen King is great, things like Running man for example), and then I found one larger book at a time that I wanted to get through, while reading shorter stories and articles every day or so. Focus on being interested in the book and the way it's written more so than what you are getting out of it - you'll get there!

I'd love to give you recommendations if you have any things that interest you!


👤 mattwest
You know the answer already. And you know what you like more than any of us. Pick something that sounds interesting and read it. Find a comfortable place to sit, open the book, and start reading. There are no tricks.

👤 l1am0
I started a podcast where me and a friend discuss a book every 2 weeks. Even if no-one listens you have the little pressure to read a book each two weeks