Mojza Blog
How to Start a Reading Habit
by Alia Naeem | 05 March 2023
Do you want to get into reading but just can’t seem to get yourself really into it, no matter how hard you try? No need to worry; we’re here to help you with that!
Make a TBR List
Some of you may be wondering what a TBR list is. TBR stands for To be read. As the name suggests, it’s a list where you place all the books you plan to read in the future. You can add books that were recommended, popular books, or any book you think you might be interested in. Whether that be fiction, non-fiction, self-help books, or any other genre you find or believe you might be interested in, write it down!
You can make a TBR by writing down a few books. What you might find helpful while making it will be adding the genre of the books you’ll be reading, such as sci-fi, fantasy, non-fiction, mystery, etc. This will ensure that you know what sort of book you’re reading. If you’re planning on reading a series, mentioning the number of books it has and naming them will be to your advantage
By making a list in the beginning, you’ll always have a variety of books at your disposal, and you wouldn’t always have to search for new books each time you finish one.
Start Off Small
Some people usually quit reading as soon as they start it because they get overwhelmed by the sheer size of some series. Book series like Shatter Me (11 books) and Harry Potter (7 books) are popular and fun to read, but for beginners, starting off with a stand-alone might be better, which are single books. From there, you can progress and start reading longer books.
Fast Paced Books
Many people stop reading before they properly stop reading is, they find books “boring”. What you need is a perfect book that will tide you over at the first page, something you won’t be able to put down. You’re less likely to be bored and you will keep turning pages to see what happens next. You’re also less likely to get distracted as they are much more engaging, and you can finish one in one sitting if you’re really dedicated while time flies by.
Here are some fast-paced books that you won’t be able to put down!
- The Martian, by Andy Weird
- Inheritance Games, by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
- Red Rising, by Pierce Brown
- The Chaos Walking, by Patrick Ness
Find the Perfect Genre
Books are usually split between two main genres: fiction and non-fiction. Fiction means literature created by the imagination. In simple terms, fictional books are stories; they are not true but enjoyable if you ever need an escape from reality. On the other hand, non-fiction books’ role is to provide information and knowledge, regardless of what it may be. This may be a motivational, physiological, academic, historical, self-help, or autobiographical book, and so much more.
Back to the topic of fictional books ( fiction supremacy 🙂 ), which many will believe have a simple goal: to entertain. Many people prefer stories for the sole purpose of enjoying reading them with no other means. Others will argue that non-fictional books can both be enjoyable and knowledgeable. In the end, the decision is solely up to you and your preference.
Most readers have a specific topic or genre of books they tend to read. Now you need to find yours. Here are a few of the most popular genres and some recommendations for them.
Fantasy (fiction)
It introduces you to a new world each time, and new creatures, worlds, and powers are explored. Although fantasy is an entirely new world, each book/series can have other genres, such as thriller, romance, mystery, etc.
- Ash Princess (3 books)
- The Giver (4 books)
- Twin Crowns (1 book for now)
Self-help (non-fiction)
These are the perfect motivational books that will teach you not to let your weaknesses hold you back and help increase your self-belief.
- The Power Of Failure ( 1 book )
- Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind And Defy The Odds ( 1 book )
Mystery (fiction)
What are better mind-boggling books than the ones packed with mystery? The ones that keep you up at night, with you trying to make sense of everything happening? You just can’t deny the thrills they give you!
- The Inheritance Games ( 3 books )
- When You Reach Me ( 1 book )
- Two Can Keep A Secret ( 1 book )
Ask for Popular Books
Do you know anybody that is just obsessed with reading? Ever wondered why, or more importantly, which books had them so addicted? Ask someone what books they found enticing. If they found it so interesting, it is likely you will too, once you read it!
You can simply search on Google for popular books with millions of reads! If millions of people found it addicting, there’s a big chance you will too! Have you ever heard of Harry Potter or Hunger Games and wondered why they’re so popular? What better way to judge than read them yourself to see what all the hype is about? You might just find out why so many people love them.
Audiobooks
Do you find reading hundreds upon hundreds of books tiring and time-consuming? Reading and reading and reading can sound incredibly exhausting to some people. We’re living in the 21st century, for crying out loud! Who needs any more reading when we have technology?
What exactly is an audiobook? Well, this is the definition:
An audiobook is a recording of a book or other work being read out loud
You just read that correctly; you can read without having to read! You can enjoy a story with no effort ( yes, this is how far technology has gotten ). Imagine it; you can do so many different activities, such as going on a walk, while getting to find out what other people find so entrancing about books.
E-books and Kindles
Some people choose not to buy hard copies of books for a few reasons. Maybe because they don’t want to go all the way to a bookstore or a library, or maybe they don’t have room for them. And it’s almost impossible for a library and/or bookstore to have all the books you want, and that’s where e-books come in.
E-books are easy and convenient to find, read, and store. They are electronic files that you can store on your device, which also means that you can take your books anywhere! Plus, you don’t even have to buy the books; you can easily download them from the internet and send them to your device. This means that you can read books without spending tons of money or having them take up space in your home. It’s a win-win!
So what are you waiting for? Make your TBR, find the perfect genre, choose the best books, grab a pair of headphones, and start on your reading journey!
Acknowledgements
Author: Alia Naeem
Editor(s): Miraal Omer, Nabeel Kazi
Proofreader(s): Miraal Omer, Nabeel Kazi
Mojza
About Mojza
Mojza is a student-led organisation aiming to provide quality resources for Cambridge students.
Other than such weekly blogs, Mojza offers resources for your O levels, IGCSE, and A levels journey. We have notes from reputable teachers, our own original notes and a library of other helpful websites and resources!
Check out our home page!
Published: 5 March 2023
Last Updated: 4 July 2023
Written by Alia Naeem