How To Not Get Tired When Reading: Use this simple technique to help reignite your love for reading.
Ever picked up a book, ready to dive in, but you got distracted or lost interest?
Yep, I’ve been there.
That can be so annoying, especially when you’ve got a stack of books staring at you, practically calling your name every time you walk by.
But here’s the thing: you don’t have to force your way through or give up on reading altogether. There are actually some simple ways to keep your reading momentum going without feeling drained, or giving up on books altogether.
Here are three easy tricks I’ve found that might just help you fall back in love with reading without burning out.
How To Not Get Tired When Reading
Why You Sometimes Hit a Wall with Your Reading Habits and What You Can Do About It.
Let’s first acknowledge why we sometimes hit a wall with our reading habits.
There are several reasons why we may stop reading altogether:
- Some books are denser and thicker. Which means they may require more cognitive effort to understand.
- While other books might be a bit dry, or less engaging than we hoped.
Giving these two hurdles alone can often make reading feel like a chore, rather than the joyful, exciting activity that it is supposed to be. And when we encounter these challenges, our motivation can take a hit, dragging us into a reading slump.
But thankfully there’s a way out.
“Some books leave us free,” says Emerson, “and some books make us free.”
A Super Effective Way to Not Abandon Books Altogether.
To keep books from collecting dust, try a technique called mixed practice, or interleaving.
Instead of reading one book at a time, you mix things up—switching between 3 to 5 books on related topics. This method helps you learn more deeply while keeping things fresh and interesting.
Sounds good? Let’s dive into how it works!
…
How to Use Interleaving for Deeper Learning
Here’s the idea: Instead of sticking to just one book at a time, you rotate between multiple books based on your mood, interest, or focus level.
Think of it like a book buffet—you take a bite from one, then move on to another, keeping things fresh and exciting.
But please keep in mind that this isn’t about mindless multitasking.
The trick isn’t to juggle them all at once, but to stay engaged so that when you return to a book, you’re excited to dive back in, so that each time you return to a book, you bring new curiosity and perspective.
When done right, this method can help you absorb information better, make surprising connections between ideas, and most importantly, keep your love for reading alive.
“A great book,” says the American novelist and essayist, William Styron, “should leave you with many experiences, and slightly exhausted at the end. You live several lives while reading.”
The Benefits of Interleaving Books
Mixing up your reading isn’t just fun, it actually comes with some awesome benefits! For example:
1. Keeps You Motivated
Ever hit a wall with a tough book? Like, you start reading the book, then lose interest after a few chapters? yep, same here. Though, Instead of forcing yourself through a dry chapter, switch to something more engaging.
This way, you keep your momentum going without feeling stuck.
2. Broadens Your Learning
Reading different books simultaneously can actually expose you to a variety of ideas and perspectives in a shorter period. Think about it, It is a great way that helps you connect the dots between different topics, in the process making your learning experience richer and more dynamic.
3. Improves Retention
Surprisingly, switching between subjects can boost your memory.
Your brain has to work harder to make these connections, which in turn, strengthens understanding and cognitive recall.
4. Makes Reading More Enjoyable
This method makes reading more enjoyable because you’re not forcing yourself to finish a book that you’re not vibing with.
Instead, you can focus on the ones that excite you, those that keep your reading experience fresh and fun.
How to Not Get Tired When Reading or Abandoning Books Altogether
“Books and doors are the same thing. You open them, and you go through into another world.” – Jeanette Winterson
How To Not Get Tired When Reading
If you want to keep up your reading momentum without giving up on books entirely, try my strategy:
- Pick 3 to 5 Books – No more, no less. This keeps things manageable while giving you variety.
- Mix It Up – Choose books from different genres, subjects, or writing styles. A combination of fiction, non-fiction, biographies, poetry, or classics can keep your reading experience fresh and exciting.
- Try Different Formats – I personally lean towards non-fiction books, and like to mix up how I consume content. Sometimes, I’ll read a physical book while listening to the audiobook version, or I’ll switch between digital and print versions.
The key here is flexibility.
You don’t have to stick to one format or force yourself through a book that feels like torture. Follow your curiosity, switch things up when needed, and most importantly, enjoy the process. If reading starts feeling like a chore, you might be doing it wrong.
Make Reading Enjoyable, Not a Chore
If a book isn’t grabbing your interest after multiple attempts, it’s completely normal to redirect your energy to other books.
No rule says you must struggle through a book that feels like a chore.
Life’s too short for boring books!!
Reading should be an enjoyable experience, not a painful task.
And please don’t limit yourself to just one format. Mix it up a little.
Mixing physical books with eBooks, audiobooks, or even visual courses adds flexibility to your reading routine.
You can listen to an audiobook during your commute, read a paperback before bed, or dive into an eBook when you have a spare moment.
Different formats fit different parts of your day, making it easier to keep your reading habit alive.
So pay attention to how you feel. If you’re a bit exhausted, then maybe a light novel might be the perfect escape.
Closing Thoughts
Interleaving books keeps your reading habit exciting, allowing you to dive into a mix of ideas, and helps prevent burnout.
As Susan Sontag puts it, “Read a lot. Expect something big, something exciting, or deepening from a book. No book is worth reading that isn’t worth re-reading.”
And Kary Oberbrunner, bestselling author of Unhackable adds, “A person who says, ‘I don’t need to read’ or ‘I don’t want to read’ is basically saying, ‘I don’t need to think.’ They’re closing themselves off from new ideas, from things that could challenge or change them. They’re saying, ‘I’m good as I am.'”
So, why not give it a try? Pick a few books, mix them up, and make your reading experience a fun journey full of curiosity and new discoveries.
…
Thanks for reading! Catch you in the next one. God bless. 🙏