How to think less and read more

I know how it goes, you wait for vacations and semester breaks to finish books which are imprisoned in your shelves. Book reading comes first in your to-do list, but then you end up wasting time in more readily available options like watching videos on YouTube, stalking celebrities over Instagram and checking out the newest arrivals on Netflix. Same goes for me, I can get paid for procrastination, I am so good at it but book reading is way more enriching than binging on social media.

Books can provide you perspectives, can improve your language, introduce you to ideas and philosophies of the great thinkers, strengthen concentration etc. the list goes on and on. A paperback (or hardcover) can touch aspects of your life in ways you couldn't have dreamt of, so I will provide you 8 no bullshit tips to approach books in the right way

Believe in action

We waste a lot of time, thinking, so just grab a book along with your favorite snack and sit at the table to read. At first, it's never ending, your focus will suffer badly, all sorts of voices will follow you, your gadgets will destroy your 5-minute reading routine but the first step towards a mile will set you up.

Pick your poison

Your first step can determine a lot in your journey, so act wisely by choosing topics or subjects you like the most. For example I like thrillers, so I picked up Agatha Christie and after that I started reading other authors like Lee child and Harlan coben

Count pages

People underestimate the power of routine, and I don't want you to do that. Decide the number of pages you want to cover in a day, of course start with less (5 or 10 pages) and then gradually increase the count. Try sticking to your routine in order to bring firmness in your habits.

Explore

Look around, there are user-friendly options available. If books you want, aren't accessible at your place then you can read them on Kindle or if you don't have much time, then you can go for audiobooks. Frankly I prefer physically present books but I don't feel shy exploring other options.

Take memberships

Memberships can come in handy if you are planning to become a reader. They can offer various options  and genres to go for, you will feel more  motivated to read, they provide fostering environment to the readers, in short you will be more productive with books if you will take the membership of the nearest library from your place.

Reminders

Try to read consistently otherwise you will lose track. Have an accountability partner to keep your habit in check, always carry a book whether you are going for college, school or vacation and create easy and achievable targets.

Practice

If you want to get better at something, you need to adopt the golden rule of universe i.e. Practice. Read and read more until it becomes a part of your subconscious. Read few pages daily and leave the rest to books, they will take you on journeys you will never forget.

Reviews

Don't just start reading any random book present in your shelf but do minimal amount of research by reading reviews of the books online and selecting the genre from which you want to begin with. 

A writer takes years and years writing a book which can provide value to the readers and you can appreciate their efforts by following this simple eight-step process. You will not transform overnight if you will follow these steps, but will surely get results if this regimen adds up to your daily schedule.