when reading becomes a chore, i do these.

tips on how to finish a book (especially when you're in a slump and a crazy annotator)

as a reader myself, there are times when i do not feel like carrying a book with me. there are moments when reading does not fill the void i feel during slow days. and although i would consider annotating as one of the things i enjoy the most, there are still certain events where i do not have thoughts at all.

and even when i have these odd moments, these do not dismiss the fact that i enjoy reading.

so when it reaches the point where reading becomes a chore, the first thing i do is nothing. i do not force myself to read. i do not pressure myself to finish a book, let alone feel pressured by the number of books others have already finished. but when i start to feel the burning desire of my heart to engage myself in stories again, i do these:

reading only a certain number of pages a day

• breaking it down by chapter/page/volume (ie. 100 pages a day)

• calculating how many days i want to read the book, then dividing the pages (the key here is to know our own pace)

avoiding getting too fixated on a particular page

• knowing that it is okay not to write on every. single. page because not every page has profound or thought-provoking subjects to write about

• if i feel like i have something to write about but cannot seem to find the most fitting words for it, i get back to it later.

making a reading playlist of relaxing songs

• i also spend time curating playlists with songs that i feel comfortable listening to (the ones that do not disturb my focus)

and on that note, you can click here to visit my spotify playlists :)

reading outdoors

• coffee shops, by the sea, libraries, gardens, and places with beautiful sceneries

• i like to plan book dates with my friends as well so we can read together and share insights about what we are currently reading. it's absolutely one of the most beautiful things life has to offer!

not fearing DNFs (did not finish)

• not forcing myself to finish a book that does not bring me entertainment

as much as possible, i try to choose a book from genres that i enjoy to avoid this. but if i want to explore other genres and find myself not enjoying it, i also write on the margins how much i loathe it. i roast the characters, curse at the dialogues, and complain as much as i can.

annotating during rereads

• i usually annotate books as soon as i read them for the first time, but there are intimidating books that i annotate during rereads to be more comfortable (because i already know what to expect)

• it also gives me time to formulate my thoughts and opinions on it.

creating a good reading atmosphere

• lighting candles, pouring some wine, or making good coffee

• making sure to clear out my reading area to feel more at ease (don't you think it is such a miserable reading experience to be surrounded with mess?)

for those who have been asking me how i get out of a reading slump, these are some of the things i do. the key here is to constantly remind myself that it does not matter whether it takes me a day or a whole month to finish a book.

after all, forcing ourselves to read dismisses the fact that reading is a hobby we enjoy. why should we make it become a chore?

a detailed explanation on how i annotate

to those who have been asking, here's for you.

TABBING SYSTEM

my tabbing system differs in each book since i usually look out for themes or social issues that surround it. there are, however, consistent tabs that i like to observe - these are usually emotions, characterization, remarkable scenes, and well-written prose.

WRITING ON PAGES

while comments that enunciate my emotional state for emphasized passages (which are underlined, not highlighted) are enjoyable, i also like to write thought-provoking questions to improve my ability to comprehend. in short, i write like a literary scholar or a wattpad reader. nothing in between.

ON MARGINS

for short, casual comments, i write them on the margins. it may feel illegal at first (based on experience) but it eventually gets better. trust me on this.

ON STICKY NOTES

lengthy, intriguing comments are written on sticky notes. these commonly include character-study, points for reflection, foreshadowing, topics open for discussions or debates, and pivotal details that drive the whole plot. i usually let them stick out from the pages either on top or the side.

MORE ANNOTATING TIPS

the following are practical tips that i found useful when i was still discovering my style of annotating:

1. pencils or friction pens as alternatives

when you are new to annotating, it is normal to fear erasures, misspelled words, and unorganized thoughts. so, pencils or friction pens are very helpful as you practice being more spontaneous.

2. use pencil for tabbing systems

as i read a book, i discover certain elements and themes that i would like to look back on in the future. since i usually do not know what i want to look for in my current read, i use pencil in structuring my tabbing system.

3. the power of (clear) sticky notes.

if you think you will regret writing on your book, try putting sticky notes all over the pages when you write. the clear ones look like you wrote on them. this way, you can appreciate the joy of annotating without fully committing to it.

4. the more butchered the book looks, the better

i do not know about you, but when my book looks bulky and butchered after i read, (which of course includes a broken spine) i tend to appreciate it more. these qualities indicate how much i love it that i had to pick it up multiple times. these also give the book more character. so do not be afraid to personalize your book, a pristine copy is always available in the market.

5. overcoming unfamiliar terms

especially with classics, i often encounter unintelligible words that sometimes ruin my connection with the book or its message. to overcome this, i encircle such terms and write their denotative meaning. i found this very effective in widening my vocabulary.

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