“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” – Dr. Seuss

Are you a book lover? Do you love to get lost in the pages of a new book? Or, do you struggle to get through a book? Perhaps, you’d rather watch the movie? 

Either way, you probably know what an important skill reading is – even as an adult. And while you might think you’re a fantastic reader – no matter what your level – there’s always room for improvement.

So, how does one become a better reader? Well, by reading, of course! But there are some simple things you can do that can help, too! 

• Choose the Right Book: Maybe when you were younger, you were forced or made to read certain books. But guess what? Now that you’re an adult, you can read whatever you like. Choose books that interest you. Choose topics that interest you. And when you’re ready – choose books outside of your normal choices.
• Don’t Read Books You Don’t Like: Have you ever started a book and found that it didn’t really grab your attention? But did you force yourself to finish it? Don’t do that! There are too many great books out there that you should not waste your time reading something that’s just ho-hum. Most experts recommend reading about 50 pages of a book – and if you don’t like it – don’t read it.
• Keep a List of Books You Want to Read: Has a friend recommended a book to you? Did you see a book that caught your eye on social media? Or, did you see a couple at the library, but you’ve maxed out on what you can check out? Then you need to keep a list of books you want to read. You can keep a list on your phone for easy access – and it’s an excellent resource when you don’t know what you want to read next.
• Set a Goal: Yes! Set some reading goals to keep you motivated. Whether it be a set number of pages per week or a certain number of books per year – having goals can help you be a better reader.
• Set Aside Time to Read: You are busy. But if you set aside some time to read each week or each day – you’ll be many steps ahead. You might read a few pages before bed each night or a couple in the morning before the kids wake up.
• Read More Critically: You may not have done this since high school or college, but when you read critically, you’ll get a lot more from what you’re reading. Not sure what you need to do to read more critically? Here are a few suggestions to help.
• Join a Book Club: Book clubs are a great way to help you become a better reader as usually every member reads the same book, and there is plenty of discussion about what you’ve read. Check your local library for book clubs or look for virtual book clubs online. You could even ask some neighbors if they might want to form a new book club.
• Visit the Library: Your local library can provide plenty of inspiration! You can check out classic novels, new bestsellers, self-help books, and so much more when you visit your library. Also, check to see if your library has downloadable books – which means you can get a book any time of day or night.
• Keep At It: Just keep reading! The more you read – the better reader you’ll be!

Reading is a lifelong skill – and one you should constantly be working to improve – no matter what your level. These tips can easily help you become a fantastic reader and hopefully, you’ll develop a love for this great pastime.