My friend, Alistair Chalmers, himself an avid reader, recently asked for thoughts and tips to encourage younger/newer readers to read well. So, here are a few thoughts from me.
- Start by reading things by people who write well. One of the biggest challenges to good reading is that people find themselves struggling through stuff that just isn’t that readable and it puts them off.
- You will notice that I said “things”, not necessarily books. We should be long past the days when there is a kind of intellectual/cultural snobbery around reading. I love books and I love having them to collect, hold, to fill my bookcases. However, the most important thing is the content and there are lots of ways to get hold of good content. So, if you find it easier to read online stuff like blogs or pick up magazines with interesting articles, then do that and don’t let others look down on you. In fact, if you find it helps to engage through audio books or podcasts then do that too. Of course, I have a vested interest in this as a blog writer but you’ve already made it here. So in the footnotes, I’ve linked to some brilliant, thoughtful and informative blogs. Some of them will get you thinking deeper than a lot of books around too![1]
- Start small, grow into it. Rather than picking up a large, heavy weight, lengthy read, grow your appetite. Read shorter books with shorter chapters. Better to finish a book wanting more than to be left wondering if it will ever end.
- Don’t be afraid to give up on a book. Sometimes we feel under an obligation to complete something, when it really isn’t worth it.
- Find out what others are reading. Listen to the views of people you respect. Look out for reviews of books. Ignore endorsements though. Think too about who is recommending the book. Is it recommended by pastors, by other Christians like you or by notable names, especially academics. Of course, that’s fair enough if it’s an academic book. If a book comes heavily plugged by the great and good as life changing, then nine times out of ten it isn’t worth bothering with.
- Build up your theological cultural knowledge. It’s now widely recognised that literacy is linked to foundational or cultural knowledge. It enables quicker word recognition. So, build up your knowledge. Of course, the best way to do that is to first read and re-read the one book that matters.
- Read with others. A lot of people are joining book clubs these days. Why not try something similar in your church. Agree on a book to read together then meet up to talk about it.
So, there’s some starter tips for seven. What would you add?
[1] Building Jerusalem – Among these dark Satanic mills Alistair Chalmers – Chalmers’ Blog (achalmersblog.com) Psephizo – scholarship. serving. ministry. Homepage | Think Theology
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