I’m struggling getting back into “serious” reading and feel like my physical posture and environment is hindering me.

I used to read a lot (have inhaled many a Brandon Sanderson books on release) but I can’t get into reading “hard” books. I read mainly in bed (with my kobo) but finding it tricky and I am turning into a hunchback. Audiobooks while cycling)/gym is great, but bit distracting for “hard” books.

How do ye do it?

  • Do you have a fav chair (will accept pictures if you could share!) or environment (like a reading nook)?
  • When and how do you make time to “digest” books?
  • Do you take notes and if so, how?
  • bonus question: what was a recent hard book that you enjoyed (and made you reframe stuff) and would recommend?

Thank you!

  • Thymos@discuss.tchncs.de
    2·
    3 hours ago
    • I usually sit on the couch sideways with two pillows in my back. I have a reading light now that I face towards the book. That made a big difference since I no longer have to stretch my neck to see the page.
      Back in university I had to read two books a week, that was tough. To stay concentrated I would sit at a desk or table with bright lights on.
    • I mostly read at night now, after my boyfriend has gone to sleep. He’s sweet and all, but can be very loud and distracting, so reading is practically impossible if he’s around. It sucks, but hey.
    • I rarely take notes, but if I do it’s in my note app on my phone. Which is kinda annoying, and might be why I don’t take many notes…
    • I don’t have a recommendation, but what I noticed myself about reading difficult material is that I sometimes lack some prerequisite knowledge. The book itself usually doesn’t make this explicit of course, but it can help to read a summary of the book first or a Wikipedia page about the topic before going in.