Becoming an Intentional Reader
Today’s post is in collaboration with the lovely Helen from On Air with Helen, and we’re both talking about how our reading habits have changed because of this thing called life. Check out her blog to find out what she has to say.
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A while ago, someone asked what made me start reading, and it’s been at the back of my mind since then. As far as I know, I’ve always been a reader. There was no aha! moment when I discovered books and embraced the bookworm I was meant to be. And because of this, much of my reading has been “unconscious” or unintentional.
What I mean is, for a large part of my life, I read whatever was available to me. When I was a toddler, I read a lot of Ladybird books. After that, Enid Blyton’s short story collections were what filled my shelf, and so on. Basically, whatever book I read between conception and age ten were provided to me by my parents. And on the occasion that I borrowed books from friends, their parents approved those books.
This changed when I went to boarding school and suddenly had a whole library of books at my disposal. But it wasn’t so different because all the books were vetted and approved by the librarian before they were shelved, although I’m guessing the vetting process wasn’t too strict, since at age ten, I had access to many “grownup” books. So, for most of my reading life until I finished secondary school at sixteen, what I read was, in some way, chosen for me by someone else.
This is not to say that there’s anything wrong with a parent approving what their child reads. In fact, it’s recommended (within reason, of course). But I remember when I moved away for uni and was faced with freedom that was a bit daunting. I was now out of Nigeria, so I had access to books on a whim. That meant that instead of my mum or the school narrowing down my reading choices for me, I had to do it myself. I had to start choosing what I read.
For a short while, I managed to avoid that responsibility because I had started book blogging, and my lack of self-control with accepting ARCs left me with a mountain of books I hadn’t put much thought into selecting, and no time to read at my own leisure. But when I quit the blog, I couldn’t avoid it any longer. As I became more intentional with my reading choices, I noticed some trends:
- I started thinking long and hard before settling on a book. Because now, it’s my choice and I need to make sure I don’t regret it.
- I started DNFing without hesitation. Remember that I’m in uni. Free time is hard to come by these days, so I’d rather not spend it reading a book that’s not doing it for me.
- I started analysing what I read. I do this both as a writer and as someone who’s now old enough to notice some harmful trends in mainstream literature that I wouldn’t have noticed as a child.
- I started seeking out more diverse reads. Because we’re still at that point where I have to actively do this in order to be able to read about characters that I can identify with.
- I started reading books I wasn’t allowed to read as a child. Because I’m older and wiser and can
read whatever I wantthink for myself. Also because like many other people, being told “no” fuels the rebellious side of me.
What does intentional reading mean to you?
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Haley
I used to struggle with reading until I turned about ten, then I had this amazing teacher and it all clicked and I’ve been a bookworm since, but, I think it helped a lot that my mom was also so supportive of it too, I just got really lucky with the support and now I’m trying to pass it on to my child, but, I won’t force her either. Now though I definitely read every day for my blog lol
Ibukun
Supportive moms and teachers are the best! I always say I’d want any kids I have to be readers, but you’re right. It’s better if they’re not forced into it.
Jennifer
I started doing this about 6-7 years ago, where I just started to consume more and more books and break out of my comfort zone. It took joining a book challenge for me to realize how much is out there that I might not have even looked at if it wasn’t for the challenges. Now I do one every year to keep the momentum going, and I make time every day to read at least 100 pages. Just a part of my life that I love!
Ibukun
100 pages daily is a smart goal! Book challenges help a lot with expanding one’s bookish horizons. I’ve never taken part in one, but I’m on the lookout for one that speaks to me.
em (moonlight & moths)
I enjoyed reading this post and I could relate in a few ways. Once I started college, I became a lot more intentional about the books I read and the messages they contained. I also was not allowed to read certain books as a kid because my mom felt that the characters were too rebellious, so I understand how nice it is to read whatever you want. My biggest challenge is actually figuring out when to DNF a book because I like to know how things end.
Ibukun
Thanks for reading! LOL @ rebellious characters. If only parents knew.
Sometimes, when I’m DNFing a book, I end up skipping to the last chapter just to satisfy my curiousity.
Kristina
I had quite the similar experience !
Except I’d have my godmother’s library (mostly tintin and finding waldo..), aswell as my public and school libraries. My parents never really cared of what I read, they’d pick it for me only when they’d read for me, for instance, but wouldn’t “check over” the books I would’ve had selected to rent to see if they’re okay – it would be out of curiosity. I can’t think of one time my mom would’ve told me no to read something because it wasn’t appropriate (dad always said he didn’t care buying me books as it’s never a waste, it end there.)
There was this one book I read in high school, I remember it because I wanted to continue that darn serie but never found them again xD
I was maybe 14-16, 17 at the latest as it’s the age I graduated high school at. I remember it was a couple of friends, boy and a girl, and something happened that the boy stayed at the house for the night and they had sex … thus the girl ended up being pregnant and it was the whole “im too young/don’t want my dad to find out/what do I do” scenario.
Ibukun
My parents weren’t too strict with what I read, but there were some “advanced” topics that they wouldn’t let me read because they felt I wasn’t “ready” 🤷🏾♀️
I have so many books I’ve read a long time ago, but can’t remember the titles, so I understand the struggle.
Helen Abioye
Good read. Thank you for doing this with me. Cheers to more amazing posts