For Those Looking to Get Into Reading: A Few Recommendations

1) Give a book 20%. No spark? Move on.

There are so many books out there; if the one you are reading does not grab your attention in the first 20% of the book (max), then move on to another book. It's okay to not finish a book! 

2) Use your library card. It's pure gold.
Your library card is not just for walking into a building anymore. You can use it through apps like Libby and Hoopla to access books, audiobooks, and even magazines — all for free.

3) Figure out how you love to "READ"  

Not everyone reads the same way. I cannot sit down and read a book cover to cover — my ADD kicks in hard. I feel like I am wasting time, and my brain gets way too distracted. I figured out I actually need to be doing something else — and that's when audiobooks came to the rescue.

Now I listen while I exercise, do calligraphy, garden, work in the shop, drive, walk the dog, clean the house — you name it. It lets me "read" while being active.
Some people hate audiobooks. Others need that physical feel of a book in their hands. My wife flies through books on her Kindle. The beauty is — whatever your style, the library supports it.

4) Save your money: Libby and Hoopla > Audible.

Audible costs money every month. Libby and Hoopla? Free with your library card. If you have cards from multiple libraries, you can add them all and massively increase your selection. (Heads up: sometimes a library will not have the book you want — which is why having multiple cards is a huge plus.)

5) Get yourself an out-of-state library card. Total game-changer.

One of my biggest hacks: I live in Lake County, IL, but I also have a Broward County, FL library card. It costs me $40/year — and in return, I get access to a huge selection of audiobooks and e-books. Twice the number of holds, way faster access to popular books, and way cheaper than two months of Audible. Best $40 I spend all year.

6) Play with audiobook speed until it fits you.

When I first started, I listened at 1.5x speed — felt like normal conversation to me. 1x felt painfully slow.
Now? I usually listen at 2.3–3x speed. My wife hates it — she thinks it sounds manic. I love it — it feels energizing and I can fly through great stories.
Pro tip: For non-fiction books where you really need to think and digest ideas, I slow it back down. Otherwise? Fast lane, baby.

7) Narrators matter more than you think. Sometimes narrators make and break books. If you can't stand the narrators, move on. Similarly, if you love a narrator, check out the other work they have done. 

8)Track your reading life. 

I like to use Good Reads (an app) to document what I have read and help me keep track of what I've already listened to, and encourages me to make and helps me keep track of my reading goals. Plus I can get recommendations from friends and other readers/authors as well as see how good the book may be. (Rarely do I let low scores dissuade me from reading, sometimes it's just good to be aware of.)

9) Join a book club! 

Huge benefits here:

• It is just plain nice being around people who love books.

• It holds you accountable to finish something — even if it is not clicking right away.

• (And my favorite) You find out about new books you would never have picked up otherwise. Good recommendations = new adventures.

10) Go visit a real, honest-to-goodness bookstore.

1st they are amazing spaces full of possibility. 2nd the people who work their LOVE books and are easily part bibliophile wizards. (Sometimes I go in and mess with them and say "I heard I should read this book. It has, like a dark cover. Stars I think. But it's not about stars."  Then time them and see how long it takes them to figure it out for you!) 3rd, They can give you epic recommendations; just let them know what books, authors and genres you like and they will do the rest. 

11) (extra credit) Explore new and different genres. It's fun and engaging. I know that I LOVE books with dragons, romcoms, and Tom Clancy and Harlan Coben, and anything about immortality (*second clue, do you know what the book is from 10 yet?).  I love anything by Kristina Hanna, Charles Martin, Nora Roberts, Kate Quinn, Abbey Jimenez, and Percival Everett. I also know there are a lot more out there to read, discover, and get lost in! 

About Todd Katz
Todd Katz is a retired teacher, 2016 Golden Apple Fellow, founder of Wanderlight Pathways, an empowering leadership program for teens and their teachers, and a passionate calligrapher.
He is also a serious audiobook junkie — having read 176 books last year and 90 (and counting) this year as of 4/25/25 — averaging 5.6 books a week.
(And, if you were still wondering, the book from tip #10 was The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by Victoria E. Schwab.)

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