Reading Rituals

As I slowly work towards something that resembles the endgame of my dissertation, I have begun to steadily cultivate a framework that is dedicated to this lifelong hobby of mine. With my proclivity to create routines and rituals, it only made sense that I make one for such a significant hobby.

Curating a reading list
This is the first step to getting into the ritual of reading. I try to keep my reading list as diverse and interesting as possible and mix up genres, authors, and formats. You can check out my latest reading list here. I usually browse through the internet and online reading communities to find new books and see if any interest me. A lot of book recommendations come through Good Reads, Libby, StoryGraph Reddit, friends, and other people writing about books on the internet.

Downloading/buying books
While I prefer holding a physical book in my hands and smelling the pages and seeing how much I have progressed, as a student on a budget, it is infinitely more rational to download books off of the internet preferably from websites like Libgen, Ocean of PDF, Z Library, and Archive(dot)org. I usually have 2 formats for each book. One is an EPUB format and the other is a Kindle format. These digital formats allow me to customize the font size and style to my comfort. I use my Kindle when I am on the go, and I use my iPad when I am home or when the book has coloured illustrations or plates. If I really like a book, then I will shell out the money for a physical copy.

Get a library card
This sounds like a negligible suggestion but if you’re a student like me, then you’d get access from your university to online platforms and scanned books that you can borrow electronically. If not, invest in a public library card—they are usually free—because not all books are available online in all translations and not all books have to be bought. Besides, libraries offer scans and printouts at excellent rates and offer spaces for quiet reading, and who doesn’t want to save money and be surrounded by books?

Downloading apps dedicated to reading
Having apps that are dedicated to books and reading is very helpful especially if you want to read other people’s book reviews, get book recommendations, keep a tab on the books that you have read so far, and dissect your reading preferences into various segments. A friend introduced me to Libby which is a great app to have especially when you have a library card because it lets you electronically borrow books and they even come with free audio books. So save your money! The other app that I was introduced to very recently by the same friend is StoryGraph which is like an upgraded version of Good Reads when it was not bought by Amazon. StoryGraph dissects your reading tastes, informs you of your pace, and keeps track of the number. of books that you have read, and also offers various book reading challenges that you can tailor to your needs and desires. I find these apps very motivating.

Designated reading time
I like to set aside a specific time in my daily schedule for reading which is about two hours on average. Of course, my time on the bus too becomes reading time. Sometimes I have a book that is dedicated to my time on the bus. There’s a different kind of joy that I get when I finish an entire book on the bus or in the metro.

A dedicated reading space
While I can read a book anywhere, I do have a designated futon on which I sit or lie on my stomach and read my book in the filtered sunlight by the balcony glass walls. Good lighting and a space with no distractions help me devote myself to the pleasures of leisure reading.

Note-taking tools
If I am reading on my iPad or Kindle Paperwhite, the EPUB and Kindle formats allow me to highlight passages and add notes or annotations. But very recently, as of yesterday, I have finally decided to use a Mildliner to highlight passages from a physical book that I am reading. I use my old Hobonichi journals to note down my impressions because jotting down on the margins can be a little messy and impractical.

Silence or background music
Depending on my mood, I prefer reading in complete silence, and on other occasions, I will play some soft, ambient music. Experiment to find what works best for you.

Beverage
Numerous cups of tea pair very well while I read. Having a cup of tea, coffee, or your preferred drink can make your reading experience quite enjoyable.

Reflection time
The whole purpose of note-taking is to be able to effectively pen my impressions of the book. Sometimes, if I am reading popular science books such as books on astrophysics, it is important for me to go over certain concepts and redraw figures with my own notes to grasp theories better. If I am reading something that is highly philosophical, I will need to write down how I understand or relate to those concepts. Oftentimes, these notes become shining beacons of intellectual excursions and enrich my understanding of the world and myself or they become inspiration for some form of creative writing.

Remember that reading rituals and routines are personal, and what works for me may not work for you. The key is to create a reading environment that you look forward to and that encourages you to read regularly and enjoy the experience. Adjust and refine your rituals as needed to make reading a delightful way to unwind yourself.