I went from having read very few books over the past decade to 30 in a single year. Halfway through 2025, I’ve almost reached that same figure.
Books have become such a ferocious hobby that I’ve found myself earnestly thinking, “Golly, I am so glad to be alive and that I have the rest of my life to read.”
It’s a 360 from my previous attitude. How did I get here?
Canon event
I was far from a book worm as a child, but there was a phase. That feeling of wanting to eat up every book in a series is hard to describe, and I never thought I’d feel it again in adulthood.
The canon event for me was reading Percy Jackson. This is not unique for my generation; PJO continues to be one of the most beloved young adult series of all time.
One of our elementary teachers had the series stocked in his classroom, and once I caught wind of it, I was sneaking down the hall. I would peek in the door frame, catch his attention, and sheepishly ask to borrow one after the other. He kindly obliged.
Something unique about reading at this age was imagination. My friend Andi and I would role play at lunch, sword fighting and using powers from our preferred godly parents.
These books centre around Greek Mythology, so I gained a pretty comprehensive knowledge of the gods and their peripheral creatures.
Academia and anxiety
The combination of 1) losing a parent right before high school 2) being clinically anxious and 3) starting a much more rigorous academic workload may have tipped me away from reading novels.
The passion was gone, especially with assigned reading. I vividly remember a negative experience I had with the first novel I read in high school. We were tasked to pick any book from the library for a report. My therapist would have a field day with my choice, “Dear George Clooney: Please Marry My Mom”.
Smartphones were new at the time, so I was spending plenty of time playing Temple Run on my iPod touch to keep the scaries away. I was also passionate about photography and moviemaking in my teens.
Hearing voices
Our family got an Audible account while I was in high school, now amassing a library of almost 200 books. I’d count this era as a slight rekindling of my reading habits. But, it often felt like I had to trudge through books, whereas now I practically freefall.
I didn’t think much of that fire dying. I assumed it was part of my demeanour – someone who prefers to be on her phone while watching a movie and needs a sit-stand desk to focus at work.
My undergraduate Geography degree involved heavy academic reading. I still hold such a grudge towards Foucault that when I saw his name engraved on the side of the Eiffel Tower, I scoffed.
I am going back to school part-time this Fall, but there’s nothing that can halt my reading. If I never open Prime Video again, I’ll still be content.
Magic on the London Underground
There’s something beautiful about the Tube which propelled me out of my reading rut once and for all.
No, not the delightful black soot in the air! It’s because the Tube is deep enough that there’s no cell service. This is a city where people still read the newspaper.
When the Percy Jackson TV adaptation came out in December 2023, I decided to pick up my original book copies for my commute.
Reading my favourite Y/A series for the first time since childhood was enthralling. It kept me awake, and I learned I can’t hide my facial expressions in public.
By the time I ordered the sequel book set, I was a goner. When I was done, I sold them to a 10-year-old via Facebook Marketplace.
As I prepared to move back home to Canada, I had yet to delve into adult fiction. This is where my sister comes in.
Hop on, Wing Leader
Meredith got a head start into the reading habit by a couple years. And I fully admit to making fun of one particular genre: romantasy.
Living with my parents and temporarily unemployed, I either spent my free time watching Hockey (another new hobby) or catching up on the most popular romantasy novels.
Romantasy takes the escapism of my favourite childhood novels and adds relatable adult humour, conflicts, and romance. It’s addictive.
Now, in between 700 page epic world-building series, I sprinkle in romance, sci-fi, non-fiction, and biographies.
How to get out of a rut
1 Start simple
Let go of whatever insecurities your hipster boyfriend gave you about reading. You don’t need to be reading 1984 on your bus to work to feel valid. He probably didn’t even finish it anyways.
If you’re in rut, pick something easy to start, whether it’s a childhood favourite or a small-town romance about professional bull riders (bless you, Elsie Silver!).
2 Break it up, mix it up
It’s ok to read in small bits and switch formats throughout the week. Sometimes my ADHD has me going between my e-reader and my audiobook multiple times in a day.
I am someone who can listen to music while I read, in fact I prefer it over silence. Try out different genres, songs with lyrics, without, white noise, no noise. Your brain might click with something.
3 Shameless plug for public services
Sign up for a library card. Besides physical books, you can take out audiobooks and e-books.
The library has allowed me to read much more than my wallet allows. Even so, I rarely make it out of Chapters without spending $25…
4 Sisterhood
I was intimidated by “BookTok” at first, but your algorithm will quickly tailor itself. It’s a lively community where I’ve found many good reads.
You already have reader friends, I guarantee. I’ve already gotten closer to existing friends because of our shared hobby. It’s a community, it’s a cult, it’s all of it.
One key lesson: do not look up fanart until you finish the book. It’s a spoiler minefield.
If you like lists and logging like me, get an account on a site like Goodreads or StoryGraph.
To be continued…
This hobby will surely evolve, but I feel so grateful to have books – and readers – in my life.
If my tips still don’t help, then try applying the principles to something else you liked as a child. An old love may rear its head!
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marina miller 