15 Ways to Make Reading Part of Your Fall

By: VOICE-TRIBUNE

Fall encourages us to slow down and enjoy the season. The leaves begin to change, and sweaty summer days give way to cooler evenings. It is the perfect season to indulge in the simple pleasure of reading, not as another item on a to-do list, but as a way to relax, reflect and make the most of the season.

Here are 15 simple ways to make reading part of your fall.

1. Create a Cozy Reading Corner

Find your most comfortable happy place, add a soft blanket and make sure you have good lighting. Even a small corner can become your favorite place to unwind.

2. Take Your Reading to the Great Outdoors

Grab your book and head to the porch, patio, or park. Crisp Fall temperatures and colorful leaves can make an ordinary reading session feel special.

3. Make a Warm Drink Part of the Ritual

Coffee, tea, cider, or hot chocolate can turn reading into a comforting fall ritual. Add a dash of bourbon if you're feeling spicy. 

4. Have a Rainy-Day Reading Session

The next time rain keeps you indoors, embrace it. Put on something comfortable, settle in and let the sound of the rain become your background track.

5. Put Your Dang Phone Away

Give yourself 30 minutes (or an hour plus) without notifications, scrolling, or distractions. You're allowed, and a little uninterrupted time can make reading much more enjoyable.

6. Visit Your Local Library

What a true gift our libraries are. You don't need a specific book in mind. Wander the shelves, browse a new section, and enjoy the atmosphere of your local library. 

7. Spend an Afternoon at a Local Bookstore

Make browsing an experience. Take your time, explore unfamiliar sections, the smell of books, and enjoy discovering something unexpected. 

8. Start a Reading Journal

Keep track of what you're reading, jot down thoughts or record your favorite moments. 

9. Try Reading at Sunrise

Start your morning slowly with a cup of coffee and a few pages before the day gets busy.

10. Read After Dark

Dim the lights, get comfortable and give yourself permission to slow down for the evening.

11. Revisit an Old Favorite

Sometimes the perfect fall read is one you already know and love. Returning to a familiar story can be comforting and nostalgic.

12. Join a Book Club

Reading can be a social experience too. A book club gives you an opportunity to share ideas, meet new people, and discover different perspectives.

13. Have a No-Screen Evening

Turn off the television, put away the tablet and step away from social media. Enjoy the silence. 

14. Read Somewhere Unexpected

Try a café, park bench, porch swing, or another place you don't normally read. A change of scenery can make the experience feel fresh and bring about delightfully wonderful synchronicities. 

15. Set a Fall Reading Goal

Keep it realistic and fun. Whether you read one book or several, the goal is simply to create more time for something you enjoy.

This fall, don't worry about how quickly you read or how many books you finish. Make reading about the experience: the quiet morning, the warm drink, the changing leaves and the few uninterrupted moments you give yourself. Sometimes, turning a page is all it takes to slow down and enjoy the season.