/lit/ - Literature

[Anonymous No.9381478]

> how 2 start reading again?

Browsing this board, I know that the vast majority of you would put me to shame, but I used to be a regular reader. I had The Tempest and a book on sign language on loan from the library when I was injured in a motor-vehicle collision - as a pedestrian. I've been through physical and emotional therapy, but now I want mental therapy in the form of knowledge through literature. According to the physicians and specialists, I'm "fine." I'm not one for "woe is me", but it's hard to read with the depression and concentration problems - I recently finished The Tempest and it took me 2 months, I know it's pathetic. What would help me read more often/for longer periods? I know, practice practice practice, but what else? I've heard about alpha waves or white noise for concentration as an example, but I'm asking for suggestions on habits I can develop so I don't feel as retarded browsing this board.

Thanks, litizens.

[Anonymous No.9381615]

Don't force it. Do some research and find a book you can really enjoy. Read it as slow as you like, it's not some fucking race. If a book doesn't have it, drop it. At least for now. Try to read in comfy environment with mindset which corresponds with the book.
Oh and fuck all those 'patrician' mongs and their 'opinions'.
Your enjoyment and feelings are all that matters.

[Anonymous No.9381616]

> again
oh look it's this thread, AGAIN

i didn't even read your post but here is my prognosis: you never really read to begin with.

[Anonymous No.9381939]

>>9381478
>Re-reading books helps

[Anonymous No.9381960]

>>9381478
Short stories, I suggest Anton Chekhov, perhaps with a glass of tea and a spoonful of jam for authenticity.

[Anonymous No.9381969]

>>9381478
I became an avid reader like three months ago and I can't stop. I stopped watching tv and I don't spend much time on 4chan anymore.
Here's how I did it.
>Remember the average person reads like zero books a year. If you read 5 pages a day, you are 5 pages above the average person

>Don't force yourself to read. Commit to read 5 pages a day. I swear after three days you'll feel like reading more and after a month or so you should be reading 50-100 pages a day for pleasure

>Read various books at the same time. When I grab a difficult book or one that makes me sleepy I grab another and switch. This should refresh your head. Keep them thematically different. I read economics and fiction.

>It isn't a race. Reading slowly won't make you sleepy that fast. Try to acknowledge what books are for you to read fast and which aren't.

>Buy the physical copies. When you get the books from your own money you'll feel the need to read them to avoid the feel of wasting your money.

>Start with books highly discussed here so you feel motivated to discuss.

[Anonymous No.9382132]

Thanks for your words, guys.

One thing I'd like to avoid is the psuedo-intellectual meme that seems to be prevalent on here, where guys like Chomsky are shit on 'cause of their effect on discourse especially in youth. How do I not get caught up and come off as a "milquetoast liberal"?

>>9381616
Even you, anon

[Anonymous No.9382145]

>>9382132
I find it helps me to have a specific spot where I read. I like to read between classes in a cafe in the middle of my campus, so when I get there I know that's all I'm gonna do. It's a relaxing routine and works for other things too (only using your desk for homework, only using your bed for sleep).

[Anonymous No.9383282]

I just started actually reading pretty recently and found out how amazing reading at my local library is. I started with the Gulag Archpelago and progress was very slow till I started visiting the library. Being in a place where the whole point is to read, and everyone around was only reading, allowed me to read for 5 hours or more and maintain focus through all of it. This is also from the point of view of someone with depression, who could not bring themselves to start a book at all, let alone sink into one for hours at a time.