These past few months I’ve come back to reading novels for the first time, really, since I was a kid. I just read them an alternative to scrolling, though, so I don’t really pay much attention. When I sit down to watch a film, I try to make sure my mind is clear, my environment is undistracting, and I try to watch observantly and engage on multiple levels. Not always easy to maintain that level of attention even for a 1.5-3h movie, to try to do so for a novel seems unreasonable. I’ve felt mostly indifferent about the novels I’ve been reading during this streak. I had one moment where I felt moved but I can’t really speak eloquently as to why or how. I have too many goals that matter infinitely more to me to make becoming a more refined conscientious fiction reader a goal, but I’m curious by-the-by how other (more experienced?) people approaach their reading.
My library uses Libby and Hoopla apps to provide access to ebooks on my phone so any time I’m tempted to look at my phone I make an effort to read instead of scroll social media.
The best opportunities are during lunch at work and in the hours before bed. I rarely get more than 20 minutes at a time and that would be on the weekends or on a vacation or something. Even if it’s just a page or two it’s still progress.
Keeping attention can be hard! Our devices are designed to grab our attention any chance it can so reading on them is convenient but not as immersive as a paper book imo. But over time I’ve gotten better with it