Whether you enjoy reading or not, at some point in our lives we find ourselves in need of a good book for comfort in a lonely time or as a means of escape during a time of need. Finding and enjoying a good book can be tough, but there are four tips to follow to ensure you find a good book to read. 

1. Selecting a genre. 

Anyone who’s gone into a bookstore like Barnes and Nobles knows the vast selection of book genres there are out there. Popular ones include fiction, non-fiction, mystery, action and romance. It can be overwhelming at times, but the key to picking the genre of book you read depends on the type of person you are and things that you find interesting. I like comparing book genres to movie genres because they’re both outlets of entertainment. If you like action movies, chances are you will also enjoy an action book, or if you like mystery movies try picking a mystery book. I think it leads to a more engaging twist when you read an entire book and don’t see the twist coming.  

1. Stick to what you know. 

Sticking to what you know is just as simple as it sounds and refers to the idea of just reading a book from an author you know or have heard good things about, or someone who is relevant to the genre you’re interested in. For example, if you want to pick up a horror/thriller-based book, someone like Stephen King is a good place to start. Celebrities write books as well, so if you like the celebrity and the genre they’ve written inabout, then you will probably enjoy the books they write or have a part in writing. I can recount many times when a celebrity I like has co-written or fully written a book and I enjoyed what was produced, so I encourage everyone to do the same if it fits their interest.
 

1. Start a book club amongst friends or peers. 

Reading alone may not be for everyone, so starting a book club amongst friends, peers or a family member adds a sense of purpose to reading in the way that you have someone to discuss the book you’re reading with. If you read a mystery novel with an insane twist ending, chances are you would want to talk to someone about the book, and if you’re in a book club you can do just that. It also leads to fun and interesting discussions about the books’ characters and theories about the book These discussions wouldn’t be possible if you were to read a book alone, but it is merely a suggestion as reading a book solo is just as fun as reading a book with others. 

1. Set time aside to read.  

This may sound obvious, but I’m sure we can all recall buying a book and “committing” to reading it, and it just ends up as a paper weight or at the bottom of a drawer. I suggest setting time aside to read a book, like after studying for an exam give yourself 20 minutes to read a book to have a bit of a break from all the intense schoolwork. We could all use a good distraction from school, work and social lives and diving into a good book is the way to go. A common thing people do is read before bed. It allows our minds to just relax and enjoy the readings of our favorite authors. 

Books are gateways into worlds full of interesting characters and stories. I hope this article inspires you to pick up a good book and enjoy the read.