Reading has been one of my top hobbies since I learned how to read, so I’ve spent a lot of time over the years talking about reading as a hobby. One of the most common things I hear when talking about books is that they’re boring. This was puzzling to me, as I’m a lifelong bookworm who’s perpetually reading a book and has a “to-read” list several hundred books long. So, I set out to find the reasons behind why reading feels like a chore, and offer some tips for retraining your brain to love reading.
why reading bores some people
Many people get bored when they read not because the books themselves are boring, but because of other factors like the brain’s dopamine reward system, bad memories associated with being forced to read in school, and distractions.
You are reading: I want to read books but i get bored
1. the dopamine reward of reading takes time
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter or a chemical that carries information in our brain. plays an important role in whether or not we believe a task is worth the effort it takes to complete it. dopamine is released when the brain anticipates a reward and again when that reward is received. creates a self-reinforcing cycle of motivation and reward.
The problem is that reading is a time-consuming task, so the gap between the initial dopamine release to motivate and the final dopamine release to reward is large. this means more time is needed for the loop to build up.
Other popular hobbies, like playing video games or watching TV, often have much shorter gaps between motivation and reward, which means their cycles perpetuate faster and we get more dopamine from them much faster. this makes us feel that these hobbies are worthwhile, while reading may not seem worthwhile.
2. overstimulation makes it difficult to focus
We live in a world that is saturated with things trying to grab and hold our attention. the constant stream of notifications and content from social media and other sources means that even in the best of times, we’re often too preoccupied with other thoughts to focus on understanding the words on a page.
In addition, we are predisposed to pay attention to what most occupies our senses. the flashing lights, sounds, and mental stimulation of games and movies further engage our senses, and as these experiences become more immersive, reading continues to pale in comparison.
3. bad memories of school influence our future attitude towards books
often the only time people read books is when they are forced to read them in school. however, a lack of autonomy can make an activity feel boring. this means that even if a student might have found the assigned book interesting, the fact that they had no choice in reading it could make them feel bored.
This feeling of boredom while reading is an experience that stays with someone, and the more you force them to read, the more they reinforce the idea that reading is boring. that’s why most people stop reading after finishing school and have a choice.
4. lack of time leads to stressful reading
Because reading a print novel requires the use of your eyes and hands, it’s usually necessary to set aside some time to give your full attention to the book. however, if the mind is preoccupied with a tight and busy schedule, it can be difficult to focus on a narrative while the stress of other things looms in the background. this lack of focus can make the novel seem unappealing and cause disinterest in reading, even though the book is not the root of the problem.
5. struggling with vocabulary can cause frustration
A book may seem boring, uninteresting, and unattractive to someone who has difficulty with the novel’s vocabulary. Frustration and confusion while reading can also lead to bad memories associated with reading, which, as discussed above, predisposes our brains not to enjoy reading long-term. Fortunately, as I mentioned in this article, the more you read, the more your vocabulary naturally grows!
6. reading can be too relaxing
Reading is often recommended as a way to relax before bed. This is because the focus required to read a book is very relaxing and can make some people feel drowsy if they are already a bit tired. this is a common feature of many relaxing activities such as yoga and massages, in which I have fallen asleep when not well rested. sleepiness is not a sign that reading is boring, just that your body is relaxed and can fall asleep as it wishes.
7. written words just don’t engage your brain
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Some people simply have difficulty interacting with written words, perhaps due to an inability to hear the voices of the characters and the narrator in their heads. this makes books feel much less engaging than, say, television or movies, where this isn’t a problem.
These people may benefit from reading aloud, but there are other solutions to explore as well. Just because the written word is challenging doesn’t mean someone can’t read or interact with books!
8. lack of imagination
As I mentioned in the last point, some people have a hard time hearing the characters and visualizing the story in their heads. Although it can be due to the struggle with written words, it can also be due to an underdeveloped imagination.
Having parents read to a child can have a huge impact on that child’s future ability to imagine the future. however, all hope is not lost, as your imagination can grow as you read, especially if you use some of the strategies I explore in the next section!
9. they are reading the wrong things
People are often swayed by ideas about what they “should” read when choosing their books, so they end up choosing hard-to-analyze classics or popular non-fiction on topics they don’t really care about. this will almost certainly cause a bad experience, especially for someone who has just started reading for fun.
tips to learn to love reading
Although the factors that contribute to boredom seem difficult to overcome, it is possible to learn to love reading. It takes effort, but once you get the cycle going, it becomes easier to enjoy the act of reading and stimulate your imagination.
Here are some ways you can start the process and create new memories of enjoyable reading:
1. choose the right book
This one seems obvious, but it’s probably the most important factor in determining whether or not someone will enjoy the reading experience. Choosing a book that interests you is the key to making sure that you really want to put in the effort to read the book.
choose something that is related to a topic that interests you, if you want to read non-fiction. biographies of musicians or athletes you already like can be a great starting point for many people. if you want to read fiction, choose something that has a plot that really sounds interesting to you, even if it’s a novel for children or young adults. the important thing is to create a good memory of an enjoyable reading experience.
2. stop reading what bores you
Putting down books that start to bore you and make you feel like a chore is important to building good reading experiences. many avid readers have unfinished book lists, and that’s okay. Reminding yourself that you don’t have to finish every book you start helps reinforce the idea that reading now is something you’re doing voluntarily.
3. keep a reading diary
Reading journals are essentially personal reminders of the books you’ve read. They can be as simple as a notebook where you keep a list of the books you have completed or they can contain reading goals, challenges and more.
The idea behind keeping a reading journal is to commemorate those fond reading memories, reinforce motivation to keep reading, and hold yourself accountable for any goals you set. If this sounds like a fun and engaging way to engage in reading, check out my six ideas to get you started with your new reading journal,
4. join a book club
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Just like journaling, a book club is a way to keep yourself accountable. Book clubs also provide a structure and schedule for reading that some people may find helpful. Additionally, the social aspect of book clubs can be a great motivator for more outgoing and outgoing people.
Many in-person book clubs exist at independent bookstores around the world, and online book clubs are easy to find on the goodreads social book cataloging website. If you can’t find one that piques your interest, try starting one with like-minded friends. For example, if you and your friends love movies, you could create a book club where you read the books the movies are based on and then watch them as a group.
5. try e-readers or audiobooks
The convenience of e-readers may be just what you need to keep up with your reading goals. They’re lightweight and portable, so having them with you and taking them out when you have free time makes sense and allows you to read while waiting for the train or at the doctor’s office. You can even download apps to your phone and read books directly on your mobile device, without the need for an additional tablet.
For some people, concentrating and interacting with written words can be difficult, or they often don’t have time during the day when their eyes are free. if that’s you, try the audiobooks! you can listen to books while commuting, walking or getting ready for bed. Audiobook services like Audible and Libro.fm (which supports independent booksellers) let you download books to your phone so you can listen to them anywhere. Audiobooks are a great alternative for people who don’t interact well with words and are useful as a tool to develop the skills needed to enjoy print books in the future.
6. choose a book that was made into a movie or show
Books that became popular enough to merit a movie or TV series are likely to be at least mildly interesting. Plus, you can afford the reward of watching the movie or show after finishing the books it was based on. For books and TV shows like “Harry Potter” or “Twilight,” I recommend reading book one, watching movie one, and continuing that pattern.
Alternatively, you can watch the movie or TV show first and use what you already know about the story to help you as you read. People who aren’t used to reading books may have a hard time remembering story beats they’ve read before, so knowing the basic structure of the movie’s plot can help!
7. use graphic novels as a gateway
Some pedantic readers may not consider reading comics and graphic novels “real reading,” but I disagree. reading graphic novels is definitely a valid form of reading for me, and they can be used as a great springboard to reading text-only novels.
many children’s librarians support comics as a way to help struggling and reluctant readers in childhood, and I think the same idea can be applied to adults as well. if “walls of text” in novels seem too unattractive, try graphic novels!
8. encourage completing books
When I was a kid, one of the main reasons I read so many books and learned to enjoy them was that my school gave us free pizza coupons to meet our reading goals. giving me an incentive to finish my reading goal helped start the dopamine reward cycle that still helps me enjoy books to this day.
Now, as an adult, no one is going to give you free pizza for reading books, but nothing stops you from giving yourself your own reward. pizza or takeout, a new pair of shoes, or whatever motivates you to finish your goal!
9. try to read at different times of the day
As I mentioned earlier, the relaxed state that reading can put you in isn’t necessarily a sign that what you’re reading is boring, and it can actually be beneficial if you use it to your advantage. If reading makes you sleepy, try to make reading part of your bedtime routine instead of trying to read at other times of the day. this will help you come to appreciate the calm and sleepy state that reading leaves you in!
I hope you now have a better understanding of why reading can seem so difficult, and that you’re equipped with some strategies to retrain your brain. for more tips on becoming a bookworm, check out my ultimate guide to read more.
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