I admit it. I’ve given up on a book or two. I’ve never gotten past the first fifty pages of Anna Karenina, despite my love of all things Russian. I picked up Infinite Jest several times before committing to those 1,000-plus pages of nonrequired reading.
The doubt that held me back: Can I give such a book the time and attention it deserves? What I forgot: Reading can be fun!
And now, with the new year upon us, and the deep chill of January at last setting in, it seems the perfect time to stay indoors and devote time and space to reading for pleasure–whether sitting down with a hefty novel or a slender book of poetry. Here are four simple ideas for refreshing your relationship with reading in 2012:
- Make it part of your daily routine to read one hour before bed. Turn off your computer, clear away distractions, and savor the alone time. Even that small pocket of time can help you let go of the worries of the day, exercising your imagination and sense of possibility.
- Read quickly. Did you know that reading at a fast pace can actually elevate your mood? Especially if you’re reading a book like Anna Karenina with pages of description of wheat fields, give yourself license to speed-read (or even skim) through those sections.
- Mix it up. Do you normally stick with one genre or type of book? Rotate between different kinds of books to keep your brain engaged. Add a young adult novel to your reading list, or a book that takes place in a part of the world you don’t know much about.
- Go to an author event and hear them read and speak about their own work. Check out Coffee House Press events or visit Rain Taxi’s literary calendar to find out what’s happening in the literary Twin Cities, and which events are Punch eligible.
Happy reading!
—Lindsey Giaquinto
