I haven’t touched a book for pleasure reading in a long time! Life got in the way is a valid excuse, isn’t it?
We were never insisted on reading for pleasure during the school days (which were 16 years ago!).
Even English subjects involved compulsory reading such as Charles Dickens but we always knew the “The almighty Examiner’s mindset” to be able to predict which element of the story will be examined to get it out of the way.
Now, I am left with a poor habit of being unable to read a book for pleasure. I don’t seem to have a way to make reading pleasurable. It’s always a chore and never seemed otherwise.
I have enjoyed couple of books in the past after having purchased a Kindle and the novelty wore off very quickly. I envy people who can read, immerse into a story and forget reality.
For example, I cannot relate to this quote,
“Like all compulsive habits, reading addiction stems from the need to escape and control. I need a book in my face like others need a fag in their fingers: it acts as a barrier between me and the world, and heightens, comforts or calms my emotions depending on my need.”
Read article three times and to be honest I have absolutely no idea what she is on about. Doesn't make any sense at all - how can you abuse a book or say it is an addiction? That makes it sound as if you have some kind of problem.
And the writer is very very condescending - what people choose to read and how they do is a personal choice surely. I must admit to being very steamed up by the end, unless she was writing a wind up!
I learned to read in the 1950s (anyone remember Janet and John) and have never stopped since. I must have read and reread thousands of books by now all sorts from Mills and Boon to Shakespeare. Some books are to spend time with and others are for a quick read when you want a distraction.
Loads of ways to read books - kindles are good because you can adjust print etc and not too much text on a page so easier to concentrate. Or on your table, phone etc. I always have two or three on the go to suit my mood - at the moment I am reading those lovely stories of James Heriot the Yorkshire Vet.
Audio books are brilliant - I belong to Audible and choose books that look good and have a good narrator. Switch on put your headphones on and get lost in another world. And BBC sounds has some good stuff too.
As for that remark about children - couldn't get to grips with that at all. Before I had to retire early I spent several years as a specialist teacher working with primary school children who could barely read (nor sadly I suspect could many of their parents) Reading is essential just for everyday life and to learn from.
See what you can find in your local library when it opens up - I visited mine regularly (and hopefully again one day) and chose a few authors I liked the look of and if I didn't like them took them back. They also have Easy Reader books which are short reads but by some really good authors and easy to get through. It's all a question of trial and error and hopefully you will find a genre you like. I love crime books and so read or listen to my favourites over and over again.
Yes I remember Janet and John. My mum taught me to read before I went to school then spent the rest of her life moaning at me for always having my head stuck in a book, but reading really helped me through the death of my husband 25 years ago and through my brain tumour removal two years ago when I had to spend five months in hospital.
I have always loved reading, cannot remember when I did not. I read books that would be considered bad for you (mother would have called them trash) and books that would be considered good for you. When young they were an escapism from mother or school, but did learn a lot of things. Still read, has helped me through bad illnesses and the latest lockdown, cannot imagine not being able to loose myself in a book.
What I've found nchunc is that you have to practice to be able to read again. I've lost the art several times over my lifetime and the way to recapture it is to find a book you are passionate about rather than just picking up and reading because it's close by. So take your time to find the one that's perfect for you and it will hold your attention much more easily. There are many distractions now including TV and media that are 'easy' for us because they do it all for us, but there are so many books out there which are fabulous and will take you away to another time and another place, so do please persevere!😊🙏
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