Full of hope, pen on paper. “I want to read more this year”, they all wrote for their new year’s resolutions.

“But how??” They all wondered. “I have never finished reading a single book in my lifetime.”

“Don’t worry,” I whispered. “I got you.”

I am a certified nerd and a reader. So it’s clear that I’m more than qualified to solve your problem. Reading is hard I’m not gonna lie but it’s equally fulfilling and fun when done right. By “right” I mean right for you.

This is how to start reading 101.

Before jumping right in I want to give a shout out. Shout out to Tsepo!! Thank you so much for inspiring me to write this post. I appreciate you so much.

1. Drink ice coffee :

It has been scientifically proven that people who drink ice coffee read twice as many books as people who don’t. This is because drinking ice coffee activates the part of your brain that is curious and wants to absorb knowledge. It also simultaneously shuts down the part of your brain that thrives off stimulation. Which means you crave to absorb knowledge in a non stimulating way, hence you pick up a book.

A coffee a day keeps the knowledge acquired.

2. Read short stories :

I am a huge fan of starting small when creating a new habit. You know putting your toes first rather than just diving right in.

Short stories are perfect for people who are just starting to read. They are short and sweet and straight to the point. They are quick to read which is perfect because you cannot expect to go from one thousand episodes of Netflix shows to reading a one thousand pages novel.

You can start by just reading one short story per day, then two, then three. When you feel ready and confident, you can read novellas, which are tiny novels. Then you can expand to novels.

3. Surround yourself with people who love to read :

And if you hang out with four guys who read you’ll be the fifth.

If you have people around you who are constantly reading and discussing books that will make you want to read books so that you can discuss books with them.

If you have friends who like to read, spend more time with them. Their motivation and eagerness to read will rub off on you and you’ll be inspired to read more.

4. Join a book club :

This year the only type of clubbing that you should be into is book clubbing.

Book clubs are not only a great way to make friends, drink wine and talk about fictional characters like they are real. You are guaranteed to read more because there are a bunch of people to keep you accountable.

P.S an online community dedicated to reading books and talking about them counts as a book club.

5. Watch BookTubers :

If you cannot join a physical book club in your area then the next best thing is joining an online book club. If you cannot do that then the next best thing is following book YouTubers and watching them.

BookTubers are amazing. Thanks to someone on YouTube raving about the books that they have read made me read fiction again. Watching someone talk about the books that they have enjoyed makes you want to read more.

Do a quick search on YouTube and you’ll find a person who has dedicated their time to reading and talking about books on YouTube.

This post has a sister that will appear on your phones on Tuesday. It is extremely important that you have a chat with that sister. I highly advise that you read my next post. It will help you a lot.

Goodbye for now. I will see you next time.

Before I go, I love reviewing books on this blog but I want that to be something more. I want you to also be involved in this. For all of us to read more books in 2022. I would love it if we all collectively chose books to read and discuss.

So please comment down below what the book for February might be. A self help book that we can read and talk about.

Stay amazing and curious my diamonds.

And yes the ice coffee tip is fake. Ice coffee is great but it will not make you read more. To read more you actually have to read more.