How to Be a Reader
Published on April 29, 2025
By Catherine L.
“I should read more.” This is one of the most common responses I get when I tell someone I work at the library.
There seems to be a sense of obligation, or maybe anticipated judgment. But we don’t really do “should” at the library when it comes to reading—by all means, read what you like and however much you please.
If you do genuinely want to read more, though, you're in good company. A recent national poll backs up my anecdotal evidence.
I’m a literary-minded person by nature, but I wasn’t always an active reader. When I first started at the library, I hadn’t finished a book in a few months. There were even two lost books I'd been charged for on my account.
As will happen when you’re in a job surrounded by books, my to-be-read pile grew month by month to monstrous proportions. Eventually it dawned on me: if I want to have read all these books, I’m going to need to read them.
I stand before you today a regular reader, proud to have actually finished almost all the books in my home collection, and a very active book checker-outer (and returner!) at the library.
This is my battle-borne wisdom for you fellow strivers out there.
- Make it a habit. "Habit" is the most important word in all my advice. Reading before bed is my relaxing ritual, but you can also try reading in bed first thing in the morning, or any other time in the day you may have regular downtime. If you're not accustomed to reading a whole lot, it may take some effort to get into the story. When you exercise your muscles of imagination and focus, they get stronger.
- Find something that really piques your interest. You’ll want to pick it up when you have a free moment. Reading isn't supposed to be boring! Aren't you doing this to entertain yourself?! Try NoveList to get amazingly granular in your preferences. You might even stumble upon an enticing subgenre you didn't know existed.
- Tailor the book and format to the situation. The book I read on 15-minute breaks at work is more likely to be a memoir, graphic novel, or Judy Blume book I've been meaning to read since middle school. I save the thicc bois for a languorous weekend afternoon.
- Don’t put pressure on yourself to be a fast reader. I’m certainly not. Better to truly follow, understand, and appreciate what you’re reading than to get through it at a pace you think is appropriate.
- Try audiobooks! Listening to an audiobook is reading. It uses the same part of the brain as reading with your eyes.1 Whether you’re visually impaired, have a learning disability, or want to read while driving but don’t want to endanger everyone on the road, audiobooks are an excellent option.
The benefits of reading are well-documented and myriad: it reduces stress, keeps your mind sharp, and deepens empathy.2 In case you needed any further motivation.
Remember, reading is for you, not for fulfilling an imaginary moral imperative or impressing others. (Impressing others is just a nice side effect.) Do it your way!
1. Audiobooks or Reading? To Our Brains, It Doesn't Matter - Discover Magazine↩
2. Health Benefits of Reading - Piedmont Healthcare↩