Joy Dennis' LibGuide: Enhance Leisure Reading

Enhance Your Leisure Reading with These Useful Strategies

• Read what you like: Everything is not for everybody. Explore and decide what kinds of literature you want to explore. Graphic novels, magazines and comics suit many leisure readers who enjoy alternatives to the common print book format. https://www.techlearning.com/how-to/how-to-get-students-to-read-for-fun
• Open Exposure: try different genres that reflect your interests even if they are unrelated to one another. You may enjoy drama, adventure and mystery. Find titles in each of these genres! It's all about finding what suits you best. 
• Journal: One method I personally use for really intense reads, is journaling. I record my thoughts about what I've read and it makes me feel more connected to, and clear about the material. 
• Escape: Many readers find books to be good sources of escape. They can transport someone to another time and place and provide a welcome diversion if only for a moment. 
• Make Time: follow the DEAR model that is used in so many schools. DEAR (Drop Everything and Read) is about making time to enjoy a book. You may find this helpful in your endeavors to become a leisure reader. https://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/teacher-blog/2014/jun/03/how-to-encourage-students-read-for-pleasure-teacher-top-tips
• Talk about it: sharing your takeaways, favorites or highlights from something you read is a sure way to retain it and savor it.
• Try a Taste: sample a book for a few minutes by reading an excerpt from it or by doing a book walk (skimming through the book after examing its front and back cover and other highlighted features). https://www.edutopia.org/discussion/taste-honey-and-other-ways-encourage-recreational-reading-reluctant-readers
• Join a book club: Book clubs can function in a number of positive ways. Discussion is not the only way to connect with other members. Book Trust recommends designing book jackets, bookmarks or creating film trailers together. https://www.booktrust.org.uk/news-and-features/features/2017/october/teacher-top-tips-how-to-get-every-child-reading-for-pleasure/
• Read with a Buddy: similar to joining a book club, reading the same title as a book pal makes for a richer, shared experience. https://www.follettcommunity.com/s/article/Build-a-Love-of-Reading-in-Distance-Learning
• Hear it out: enjoy the audio version of a book if you are constantly on the move and do not have the luxury of sitting down or curling up to read a good book. 

Here is a helpful, supplemental article on how to maximize enjoyment during leisure reading. Graham, H. (2021, Apr 6). Simple Steps to Beomce a Leisurely Reader: How and Why to Make Room for Reading. Verily Magazine. https://verilymag.com/2021/04/simple-steps-to-becoming-a-leisurely-reader-read-more-books