## Reddit Threads

* [IWTL How to sit my a$s down and actually have the patience to read a book : IWantToLearn](https://www.reddit.com/r/IWantToLearn/comments/uv9bc4/iwtl_how_to_sit_my_as_down_and_actually_have_the/)
* [How do you get yourself to just sit down and ~read~? : r/ADHD](https://www.reddit.com/r/ADHD/comments/1dioioa/how_do_you_get_yourself_to_just_sit_down_and_read/)
* [I LOVE books, I always have, but I find it so hard to sit still and read.](https://www.reddit.com/r/books/comments/m6vr5s/i_love_books_i_always_have_but_i_find_it_so_hard/)
* [A Revolutionary Reading Position : r/books](https://www.reddit.com/r/books/comments/d5bhsd/a_revolutionary_reading_position/)
* [Tips for being able to read for longer? : r/books](https://www.reddit.com/r/books/comments/1b0ixk6/tips_for_being_able_to_read_for_longer/)
* [Tips for reading? : r/ADHD](https://www.reddit.com/r/ADHD/comments/18owfib/tips_for_reading/)
* [19 years old, can't read anymore. : r/ADHD](https://www.reddit.com/r/ADHD/comments/1c5xfsv/19_years_old_cant_read_anymore/)

## Summary

### Key Challenges in Reading

Common difficulties cited by users include:
* **Short Attention Spans** Many users feel their attention spans have been shortened by social media and constant digital stimulation, making it difficult to engage with a low-distraction activity like reading.
* **Inability to Focus** Readers often find their minds wandering, or they might read several pages without comprehending the content. Some describe this as their eyes scanning the words while their brain is elsewhere.
* **The Mental Block of Starting** For many, the most challenging part of reading is simply getting started.
* **Restlessness** The physical act of sitting still for a prolonged period is a barrier for some individuals.
* **Environment and Distractions** Interruptions and environmental stimuli can easily break concentration, making it hard to return to the book. Paradoxically, complete silence can also be distracting for some.
* **Book Choice** Trying to read dense or uninteresting material can feel like a chore and lead to abandoning the book. Several users specifically mentioned struggling with dense texts like Tolkien's *The Silmarillion*.

### Strategies for Better Reading Habits

Commenters offered a variety of techniques to overcome these challenges:

**Building Focus Gradually:**
* **The Pomodoro Technique** This method involves reading for a set, short period (e.g., 25 minutes) and then taking a break. Users suggest starting with very short intervals, even just one minute, and gradually increasing the time.
* **Set Small, Achievable Goals** Instead of aiming for an hour of reading, start with a goal of one chapter or even just one page. This helps build momentum and a sense of accomplishment.
* **Reading is a Skill** Many users emphasize that the ability to concentrate is like a muscle that needs to be trained and developed over time.

**Creating a Conducive Environment:**
* **Dedicated Reading Space** Designate a specific, comfortable spot for reading to help your brain associate that place with the activity. This could be a comfy chair, a bath, or even a spot on the floor.
* **Minimize Distractions** Put your phone in another room or turn off notifications. Some users go to places without electronic distractions like a park or library.
* **Use Sound to Your Advantage** For some, silence is distracting. They recommend using ambient music, white noise, or specific "focus music" playlists to help concentration.

**Engaging with the Material:**
* **Find Enjoyable Books** Don't force yourself to read books you don't like. Experiment with different genres, including graphic novels, manga, or short stories, to find what captures your interest.
* **Annotation** Writing reactions and notes in the margins can keep you actively engaged with the text.
* **Read Out Loud** This can help with comprehension and focus.
* **Use a Guide** A 3x5 card or a similar straight edge placed under each line can prevent your eyes from jumping around the page.

**Pairing Reading with Other Activities:**
* **Fidget Toys** Using a fidget toy or petting an animal can help manage restlessness while reading.
* **Physical Activity** Some users find it helpful to read while on a treadmill, stationary bike, or exercise ball.
* **Body Doubling** Reading in the presence of others who are also reading can provide a sense of accountability.

### The Role of Audiobooks

Audiobooks are a frequently suggested alternative for those who struggle with traditional reading.

* **Multitasking** Many users listen to audiobooks while doing other activities like driving, cleaning, gardening, or exercising.
* **Following Along** A popular technique is to listen to the audiobook while simultaneously reading the physical or digital text. This combines auditory and visual input, which can significantly improve focus and comprehension.
* **Accessibility** Apps like Libby and OverDrive allow users to borrow audiobooks for free from their local libraries.
* **Challenges with Audiobooks** Despite their popularity, some users find that their minds wander just as easily when listening to an audiobook, or they fall asleep.

### Reading and ADHD

Many of the discussions take place in the context of ADHD, with users sharing how the condition affects their ability to read.

* **Hyperfocus vs. Inattention** Individuals with ADHD can experience both an inability to focus on "boring" tasks and an intense hyperfocus on activities they find engaging.
* **Medication** Some users note that ADHD medication helps them focus on reading.
* **ADHD-Friendly Books** It's noted ironically that many self-help books about ADHD are dense and difficult for their target audience to read. Books with shorter chapters or a more engaging, narrative style are often recommended.

## Recommendations

### Creating the Right Environment
* **Establish a Dedicated Reading Spot**: Designate a specific, comfortable place, like a particular chair or a spot in the bath, for reading to create a routine. This helps your brain associate the location with reading.
* **Minimize Distractions**: Put your phone and other electronic devices in another room or out of arm's reach to avoid temptation. Some suggest going to a place with minimal stimulus, like a park or library, leaving your phone behind.
* **Use Background Noise**: If complete silence is distracting, try playing ambient music, classical music, white noise, or specialized "focus music" playlists from YouTube. Some users create playlists that match the "vibe" of the book they are reading.
* **Go Somewhere Public**: The mild distractions of a coffee shop, park, or library can paradoxically make it easier for some people to focus on their book.
* **Make it a Ritual**: Create a routine around reading, such as lighting a candle, getting a cup of tea, or putting on a fireplace video to get into a "reading headspace".

### Building and Maintaining Focus
* **Start Small**: Don't aim to read for hours at first. Set a small, manageable goal, like reading for 5-10 minutes, one chapter, or even just one page a day. This builds the habit without feeling overwhelming.
* **Use a Timer (Pomodoro Technique)**: Set a timer for a short period (e.g., 15-25 minutes) and commit to reading without interruption until it goes off. Gradually increase the time as your focus improves.
* **Read Before Bed**: Replace scrolling on your phone with reading a physical book before you go to sleep. The blue light from a phone can interfere with sleep, while a book can help you wind down.
* **Read in Short Bursts**: Fit in reading whenever you have a spare moment, such as during your commute, on your lunch break, or while waiting for an appointment.
* **Accept Breaks**: Understand that reading is mentally taxing. It's okay to put the book down for a few minutes to rest your eyes or process what you've read before continuing.

### Engaging with the Content
* **Find a Book You Genuinely Enjoy**: If a book feels like a chore, don't force it. Explore different genres, including "beach reads," graphic novels, manga, or short stories to find what hooks you.
* **Re-read an Old Favorite**: To get back into the habit, start with a book you know you love. This reduces the pressure of keeping track of a new plot and characters.
* **Annotate Your Books**: Actively engage with the text by writing your thoughts, reactions, or questions in the margins. Using highlighters and post-it notes can also help.
* **Take Notes**: Keep a notebook handy to summarize chapters or jot down interesting points. This can improve retention and turn reading into a more active game.
* **Try Skimming**: If a book feels dense, skim through it to find the parts that catch your interest and focus on those. One technique for non-fiction is to read the intro, table of contents, and first and last chapters to get the main ideas.

### Alternative and Paired Methods
* **Listen to the Audiobook**: Audiobooks are a popular way to consume books, especially while multitasking during activities like driving, cleaning, gardening, or exercising.
* **Read and Listen Simultaneously**: A highly recommended technique is to listen to the audiobook while following along in the physical book or ebook. The audio provides pacing and the text aids comprehension.
* **Use an E-Reader**: Devices like Kindles are designed for reading and lack the distractions of a phone or tablet. Features like progress trackers ("minutes left in chapter") and an endless scroll option can help maintain focus.
* **Pair Reading with Movement**: If you have trouble sitting still, try reading while on a stationary bike, treadmill, or rocking chair.
* **Incorporate Food or Fidgets**: Some find that having a snack (like blueberries) or using a fidget toy while reading helps maintain focus and keeps restlessness at bay.

### Mindset and Self-Compassion
* **Don't Feel Guilty for Not Finishing a Book**: If you lose interest in a book, it's okay to stop reading it and move on to something else.
* **Acknowledge Your Progress**: Reading for 20-30 minutes is a significant achievement and better than not reading at all.
* **Be Patient with Yourself**: Rebuilding a reading habit takes time and discipline, similar to physical exercise. Don't get discouraged if progress isn't immediate.
* **Identify as a Reader**: Thinking of yourself as "a reader" rather than someone "trying to read" can be a helpful mental shift to reinforce the habit.