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For the love of books | Our guide to reading more

For the love of books | Our guide to reading more

Did you know? The average person reads approximately twelve books a year.

To celebrate World Book Day, we’re brushing off our dust covers, picking up paperbacks and practicing these top tips to clock in more reading time.

 

1. EXPLORE YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY

There are over 3,500 public libraries in the UK from the famed Bodleian Library, Oxford to your own local library and there’s no better place to reignite a love of literature than a room (or entire building) dedicated to it. Even if you don’t stamp that library card, why not create a book reader’s bucket list and see how many you can visit in a year.

Alternatively, head to your local bookshop to pick up a bestseller and support your favourite author. We always head to Topping’s here in Bath. The independent bookstore has recently moved into the aptly named Friends Meeting House (designed in 1817 by William Wilkins, the architect behind The National Gallery). Flanked by Greek revival inspired pillars and traditional Bath stone, it’s been renovated with wood floors and rolling library ladders. A truly spiritual experience.

2. MAKE YOUR CASE

Any book reader worth their bindings will tell you that you can never have too many books. It’s the endless, unsolvable mathematical problem: no matter how many you get through, the pile to read is always greater than the pile that’s been read. But there’s something to be said in surrounding yourself with books. Recent studies have confirmed that the higher the number of books stored within the home, the more leisure time is spent reading. So it looks like the problem is solved!

3. CREATE A CALMING READING NOOK

A study by Sussex University researchers showed that reading may reduce stress by as much as 68%. Finding time and a little space all to yourself could be just what you need to ease your busy mind. You don’t need a home library (although that certainly is the dream), just carve out a corner for you and your current read. In a bubble bath, in the soothing comfort of your bed or in a cosy armchair with a soft rug to sink your socks into. Choose ambient down lighting and a scented candle, pour a cup of tea or a glass of wine and retreat into your very own sanctuary.

 

4. TAKE IT TO GO

Our tip is to make sure you always have a book (or digital alternative) in your bag. You’ll be surprised how much free time you actually have when you start to notice it. Train to work running late? Enter a thrilling race against time to solve the mystery. The doctor’s waiting room? An intergalactic adventure. Getting in a chapter or even just a paragraph every time you’re left with nothing to do will have you reading more than you realise.

5. SHARE YOUR STORY

Ask friends and family to swap their top titles for yours to read outside the pages of your preferred genre and discover something unexpected. Expanding the types of stories we’re exposed to, listening to different voices and hearing varying points of view helps us to understand and appreciate the world around us.

 

6. START FROM THE BEGINNING

Encourage the kids to read as early as possible. Reading aloud with your children when they’re little reinforces positive associations with books, encouraging them to continue reading as they get older and formulates deeply personal happy memories for you both. It also boosts vocabulary and communication skills, reduces feelings of loneliness and raises self esteem leading to overall better mental health. And characters in literary fiction helps them, and us, learn empathy and understand the feelings and beliefs of others. This leads to healthy social relationships throughout life.

We hope this post has inspired you to read more. Discover our selection of lovely books and stationery to help get you started.

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