5 Ways to Elevate Your Reading Experience from Subpar to Spectacular

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Hi friend,

If you’re anything like me, you can get completely sucked into a book and disappear into your own little world for hours on end. Whether it be deep in the woods with magical flying dragons, running through the war-riddled streets of France in the 1940s, or cheering in the stands of a hockey game – you can find me there. Definitely not on my couch😉 – just wherever there is. I won’t lie, this doesn’t happen as often as it used to because I’m a little busier now with my daughter, BUT if I find a book I can’t put down, you will 100% still find me up way past my bedtime while I binge it. I will happily function while sleep-deprived the next day.

I have been an avid reader for as long as I can remember. I still remember my parents reading books with me before bed when I was younger. Over all this time, I’ve found different ways to make my reading experience the best that it can be. I want to share these tips and discoveries with you so that you can elevate your own experience too.

Regardless of if you’re experienced in read-a-thons or trying to rekindle a passion for books, I hope these ideas help you discover how to make reading more enjoyable and grow your love for it along the way.

Explore a New Spot

You can choose to make this big or small. It could be as easy as changing your usual reading spot at home – switch it up from the bed to the couch or hop in the bath. As unexciting as this sounds, I promise it can make a difference!

You could even take it outside and set yourself up in a hammock or on the front porch. Enjoy the scenery, listen to the birds chirp, and relish in the feel of a sun-kissed breeze.

If you’re feeling a little more adventurous – pick an entirely new spot on the map to go. Try out a coffee shop, book store, park, dive bar, museum, or library (the last one seems a little obvious, doesn’t it?). It’s nice to have something new to look at if and when you need a little break in your reading session.

Make Your Space Extra Comfy Cozy

If you have the time to create the perfect spot, absolutely do it! I love treating myself to a nice, comfy setup. My best arrangement involves hunting down a snack, making a coffee, snuggling up in my cozy Barefoot Dreams blanket, and lounging in my favorite corner of the couch. Bonus points if my dogs decide to join me! They’re the best reading buddies.

Find a Good Reading Light

I do have another trick up my sleeve if I’m not settling into my go-to spot. Get a good reading light! I reallyyyy enjoy my Hatch alarm clock – for multiple reasons – but one of them is that it can be used as a customizable reading light. I can choose the brightness, sound, and length of time that the reading light runs for. It’s a really helpful cue when I’m trying to avoid binging a book at night.

Pick out your favorite comfy cozy items and set yourself up for success in your perfect spot. A little bit of preparation can go a long way in upgrading your typical reading space.

“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies.” George R.R. Martin

Treat Yourself to an E-Reader

Listen, I love the feel of turning actual pages as much as the next person. The weight of a book in your hand with the comforting crinkle of a page turning can’t be beat. I was anti e-reader for a while because of this.

But I have been brought over to the dark side and I’ll admit, it’s a great place to be.

I still love reading from a hard copy when the situation is right, but it’s so much easier and convenient on my Kindle!

I’ve had a Nook (I honestly don’t even remember the model because it’s so out of date at this point) and a Kindle Paperwhite and have loved both of them as far as function. I switched gears to a Kindle because of the Kindle Unlimited access, and it is well worth it for the books that I read. Being able to pop my little Kindle in my purse and take it wherever I go is a hell of a lot nicer on my back than toting around a giant 600+ page book.

Add a Few E-Reader Accessories

There are some fun products that I’ve discovered that make reading on my Kindle even better. I love having a fun case to decorate, which of course has to have a PopSocket to allow for even easier handling.

I also discovered a Kindle holder and page turner that absolutely saved me during all the hours I spent nursing my daughter. I could sit back, relax, and just click a button to read while she nursed or contact napped. Having both hands free was a game changer!

Create the Perfect Ambience

This compliments one of my previous tips – making your space extra comfy cozy – but expands a bit further than your immediate surroundings. We’re focusing more on the entire ambience and not just the setup of your immediate space.

Put Your Phone on Do Not Disturb

The most important part of this – and I will shout it from the rooftops – put your phone on Do Not Disturb!

Our attention is pulled every which way, every minute of the day, and we all deserve a break from it. Truly immerse yourself in your book and don’t worry about the distraction of your next email, Instagram notification, or spam call. Even if it’s just for a short period of time, it can be freeing to be able to truly let yourself go and step foot into your book.

Add Some Background Ambience

The other part is more of a wide sweep of your environment. As long as you can still concentrate, throw on some background music. My personal favorite choice is a coffee shop playlist. There are multiple options out there, so I’m able to switch it up, and it gives the perfect vibe when I’m at home. Some lovely people have even created playlists for certain popular books that you could try out as well.

Another option that I love, particularly in the fall and winter, is utilizing YouTube. I have found some aesthetic fall scenery and crackling fireplaces on YouTube with jazz music or Christmas music, so you get the added bonus of a nice scene on the screen with your background music.

Once you have all of that ready to go, the last small detail that is crucial is to light a candle. There are even candle scents that are officially licensed for certain books, which I think is the coolest idea ever!

Accessorize Your Book

Don’t come after me with pitchforks – I’m totally guilty of dog-earing pages. A girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do if there’s not a bookmark available.

If I have the option though, I love finding some beautiful bookmarks to mark my pages. Etsy has some really cute customizable options, or you can usually score a good find at a local bookshop! I have a little collection going in my nightstand so I can switch it up with each new read.

Make Your Books Your Own

Another way you can make your book feel cutesy is by having a custom book embosser. I love this for books that I plan to keep on my bookshelf. It makes it feel like I truly have my own little library!

My husband actually gifted me one for Christmas a couple of years ago and it has been one of my favorite gifts that I have ever gotten from him. I immediately went to work embossing just about every book that I own, so if you borrow a book from me, you know what’s waiting for you on the first page.

Make Reading Work For You

Despite all of these ideas, I hope you know that I still support and enjoy reading in any manner. It could be in the five minutes you have before you have to run out the door, an elaborate setup as a little treat to yourself, or finishing a chapter in the car in your driveway.

I’m happy regardless of how it’s done as long as you’re finding books that you love and enjoy! These are just some ways that can help elevate your time with your current read if you’re needing some inspiration or a change of pace.