I use Goodreads. Enjoy looking back at my bookshelf featuring the covers of the books.

Yes. With Goodreads. I don't recommend it if you aren't already invested. I like having a list of books I've read that I can refer back to.

Maybe instead of reading with a goal in mind ie. “I want to be smart, I want to look smart, I want to learn X……” just read for the enjoyment of reading. Get lost in the words and imagery that the book provides. Feel the characters. Don’t think that reading X genre is silly; reading is reading and you learn a lot from reading anything - proper grammar, how to formulate words/phrases in every day life, how to write better, speak better etc.

I’m 47 and will read anything that is a good story. I tend to gravitate towards certain genres but am open to read anything that is well written with a good story/plot/interesting characters.

Don’t know man, those last few sentences are even pretty amazing as well. I held my breath those last few paragraphs

I'll try that, thanks

Just making sure, do you actually like reading?

Like, have you ever truly loved a book to the point that you want to kiss the cover when you're done? You enjoyed every second of reading it? You're smiling and thinking THAT WAS EPIC!

If you don't enjoy reading, it's ok! It's a hobby like anything else.

If you do enjoy it but struggle and just want to do it more, put your alarm every day for 20 minutes and read for those 20 minutes, no distractions.

You'll see that reading becomes a daily habit that way, and you may even want keep reading after the 20 mins are up!

Bring your book with you when you leave the house too.

In terms of not finishing books often - maybe go for smaller books under 200 pages for a while?

Change up the genre too - a fast-paced horror book feels VERY different than a literary fiction story.

If you read them in the voice of the comedian David Mitchell the books are, indeed, funnier. There is no truth to the rumour that they are one and the same person, or that the comedian David Mitchell is in fact a glove puppet moved and voiced by the ventriloquist-author David Mitchell.

I love listening to very slow instrumental doom/stoner metal. Bongripper's Terminal album especially while I'm reading the most dark and epic graphic novels or manga. 10 minute songs of just low and slow sludge guitars and huge drums.

Highly recommend. Pick up Watchmen and pipe that shit into your ears and it'll really suck you in and immerse you into those Rorschach monologues.

You don’t have to leave it for a long time, maybe just 5-10 mins to collect your thoughts. And on the point of not forcing yourself it will start to feel like a chore after a while and not something you’ll enjoy doing. But whatever works for you is the best of course

The Leaping Frog - Hartford, CT it’s my Holy Grail.

Oh…i take back my compliment LMFAOO thank you

I know you're trying to help but what you just described just feel illegal to me. Not forcing myself? I'll end up doing nothing productive if I don't force myself. And that leaving a book mid chapter that is just 💣💣 terror

Ralph chapter in James Agee’s A Death In The Family.

and you're not wrong, I do like being seen as a reader, I mean who wouldn't. Reading is sexy asfff. But I do want to read too, not just to be seen as a reader but to make better use of my time and actually learn stuff that I can use in my life

Also, don’t force yourself to read when you don’t feel like it. That will just put you of reading in the long run. Take a break when you feel like it, even in the middle of a chapter.

So just, give up on reading?

Any good ereaders you have in mind to recommend?

If it were possible, I would. I need phone for everything. Not talking about TikTok and stuff, I need it to text my friends and call home and shit

Thanks, will definitely check that out

I wish I could do this, but find it too distracting.

I like novella's when I get in the space where I can't seem to finish a book (and it happens surprisingly a lot). Novella's have always helped me get out of that funk when nothing else will do.

As far as your guilt that fantasy novels are a waste of time... They aren't. Besides what cautioner86 says, they also teach you empathy.

Another thing is maybe try an ereader and borrow books from your library? You don't have to buy one either, there are many ereading apps available for free on your phone. My ereader is loaded with all sorts of books in many different genres, so when that mystery isn't working for me, and I'm suddenly in a gothic romance mood, I can switch it up.

T.Kingfisher has always helped me get out of a rut on reading. She does fantasy along with horror. My personal favorite is What Moves the Dead.

Get rid of your phone.

Dune soundtrack is a banger for reading Dune Book

As someone who has run large book stores and small, it's all about the people - those behind the counter and those searching the shelves. Nowhere else in retail can you experience that kind of interaction between customers and employees.

Seriously, you don't work in a used bookstore unless you love books. You don't go to a used bookstore unless you love books. Therefore, you're in a place you love surrounded by people who love the things you do. That's a positive place to be.

It’s the same for me. I usually, when I do not like a book simply stop it for a while and then I re-try it a bit later, maybe some changes make the book interesting for me. Then there some wrong buys that I can’t continue reading, it’s happen more often when you try some new genres