When we're kids, it seems that reading time comes naturally to us, whether at home or school. We always had time to sit down with a book (whether we wanted to or not). It's these books that we often look back on with fond memories.  However, as adults, as life becomes increasingly busier, we find that it's often difficult to put aside time to sit down and engage in a good story. This was the case for a friend of mine who came to me with such a problem. He wanted to get back into reading, but he wasn't sure how, especially since he has such a busy schedule. His question really got me thinking about my reading habits which helped me when I found myself not reading as much as I used to. So, I'd like to share with you some tips that helped me get back into reading that could help you too: 

Join a book club 

Let's get the easy one out of the way first. A good and obvious way to get back into reading is to join a book club. Not only can reading along with others encourage you to read more, but you'll have like-minded people to discuss your book and explore its themes and characters. Some book clubs are monthly, so you don't have to rush to read your book; instead, you can take the time to plan out your reading time to fit around your regular schedule. 

Find a reading buddy

This is an excellent option if you can't or don't want to join a book club, but still want the support that comes with it. A reading buddy could also help encourage you to read by talking with you on the phone while you both enjoy the book, or take part in reading sprints together. Your reading buddy could be anyone. It could be a friend, partner, or a family member. 

Think about reading sprints

For many of us, it's not that we can't find a book to read, but we can't find the time to read it. A Reading Sprint is a great way to find time to read. It is a set amount of time put aside for you to sit down and read each day. It could be half an hour or an hour a day. It could be deciding to read one, two, or three chapters a day. It is setting a reading goal that can help you get used to having an allocated reading time once again, just like you did in school. 

Don't forget about Audiobooks. 

Audiobook.com, Audible, and Scribd are three audiobook services that are very popular right now. Not to mention the various audiobook channels on Youtube. If you believe you don't have time to read throughout the day, audiobooks are a great way to consume a book without having to stop and sit down to read. It's probably the best option for you if you have a busy life. The audiobook services I've listed are subscription services, but there are free services available to you. 

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These are just four methods I used when I wanted to get back into reading, but you can always find a method that is right for you. There are many resources online for readers, from discord groups to BookTube and Book Bloggers to a whole Instagram, Facebook, and Tiktok Book Community, so if you're ever looking for a way to get back into reading, you can always find something. My friend did. He and I are now reading buddies and take part in a monthly read-along where we pick a random book neither of us has ever read before and talk about it over discord. It was a method that he found was right for him, hopefully you'll find the right method for you.