Reading for fun when you read for a living
It feels a bit ridiculous to say this but in case you hadn’t heard, there’s a lot of reading involved in a PhD. From reading everything you can on what other people have done, to reading your own writing about everything you’ve done, it’s a pretty text heavy career path. Don’t get me wrong, this is definitely something that appealed to me but I do remember during my undergraduate degree how many people around me stopped reading for pleasure. Including me. Reading textbooks isn’t always fun and after a day/evening/night spent reading, it can be tricky to want to wind down with more of the same.
That being said, when I stopped reading during my undergraduate degree it made me sad. I missed reading books purely for pleasure and towards the end of the degree I made a point of doing that again. And I haven’t looked back. While I totally understand that it can be hard to do, this I’d like to highlight some of the advantages I’ve found from reading purely for fun. None of these will come as a surprise to anyone. Least of all an avid reader like yourself.
- Practice makes perfect.
Reading makes you a better reader. As in anything, the more you do something the better you are at it. I find this is the same with reading. If I happen to be reading a really great book on the side, I find myself reading faster and better at work. I’m more critical, I don’t lose focus as much, and I can hone in on details that bit better.
2. Reading makes you a better writer.
As Margaret Atwood told me in the masterclass I’m currently devouring, reading makes you a better writer. Which also makes sense. We learn things from other peoples writing; be it the actual content, the structure or even the vocabulary. I have a profound penchant for beautiful words, and when I learn one from a book I can’t help but attempt to include it in my own writing.
3. Books are the best weapon.
I don’t need to say this but books teach us things. Everything and anything. Regardless of whether you fancy non fiction or a great story, books will always expand our minds and teach us things. I find that even what seems like the most random of books has been brought to the forefront of my mind at one point or another. I even managed to use the Wind and the Willows in a PhD related conversation the other day. So there’s that.
4. Screen time.
Currently my PhD involves a lot of time staring at a screen. I’m not worried about too much screen time or anything like that but I will say that it sure is nice to be able to have alternative activities for the evening. If anything just to give my computer a break.
So how to do it? How to bring yourself to read more when you’ve already read all day? I mean, as with anything, I think the only thing to do is to make it a habit. Set aside some time and force yourself to get into the routine of dedicating even 15 minutes to reading whatever you want. Obviously this will work pretty quickly if you’re an avid reader. If you’re not, perhaps it’s just a matter of finding the right book. I’ve written some of my current go to books at the bottom but even if none of these catch your fancy there will inevitably be a book out there for you. So go out there and try a bit of everything. You will find your literary soulmate at one point. And when you do, it’s a whole new world.
Sincerely,
-Sinéad
P.S. Books I currently would recommend:
- E=mc2 by David Bodanis. I never took physics, and chemistry is the only class I’ve ever failed. Nevertheless, I’ve always wanted to understand more about this side of the world and this book is an excellent way to start. The history is fascinating and the science is easily digestible.
- Just My Type by Simon Garfield. Yes. I’m married to a graphic designer so I am a bit more saturated in this world than I would be otherwise. That said, I read this book months before he did and talked about it so much that my colleagues were convinced I was on commission. It’s just a really fascinating book on type faces and the history that surrounds them.
- Death on the Nile. Or really anything by Agatha Christie. I’ve been a bit obsessed since I was a child but if you’re looking for an engaging, quick, easily digestible read that will keep you on your toes and present you with a surprisingly beautiful vocabulary, then she’s the Queen for you.
- Hagseed by Margaret Atwood. A Canadian treasure who writes shockingly evocative novels that instantly grab you by the neck and pull you into the story. Plus this is an adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Tempest so it’s double the fun.
- Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. It’s autumn and time to start reading some autumn/leading into winter literature. Doesn’t everyone have particular books that they read around particular seasons or weather. No?Just me. Well then.
