How to read good
Have you ever taken a literature class? Or a class with a ton of required reading? Or found an informational pamphlet on taxes on a waiting room floor while your phone is dead? Did the state give you a valid driver's license? Then congrats, you can read!
So, you've got step 1 out of the way. But if you're anything like me, you've got the whole interpreting symbols to discern meaning thing down, but sometimes you have a difficult time reading for fun. After all, the world we live in is incredibly image/video/sound-saturated. That's not a bad thing at all, but it's always good to take a step back and try to get some good old-fashioned reading done. I'm no expert on the subject, but I've developed a few good strategies for keeping up with your reading, and I've decided to put this little list of advice together to try and help you out! Here is, in no particular order, how to read good.
1. MIX YOUR MEDIA
Like I just said a few lines above, we're in a very media-saturated world. Many of us young folks are digital natives, meaning we've had a basic understanding of modern technology for most of our lives--we grew up with personal computers, smartphones, and our older siblings telling us how much better the 90's were.
If you can't quite escape the several pinging notifications and cell vibrations and nagging tweets, try and merge your experiences. Read from your phone, tweet or post what you're reading about, and change your technology from background noise to what it's supposed to be: a means of communication. In the past few weeks, I've learned a great deal about literary citizenship. Part of it is telling people what you're reading and talking things up. You don't have to do it continuously; if you need some quiet time, see the next bit of advice! But it definitely helps you keep up with your reading when you've got people asking you what you think about it. Remember: communicate about your reading and you'll be held responsible for it.
2. TURN OFF YOUR PHONE/COMPUTER/SMART WATCH/YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN
I've had to take a lot of time off from my phone lately. It's simple as throwing it across the room, or for the less violent, putting it somewhere where you just can't see it. You get bonus points for spending a little time in nature or outside. That way you can work on your tan and have something to write about later.
I know it's the exact opposite of the advice I just gave you, but it's still something you should take to heart: never underestimate some time alone with a book (or a kindle if you're one of those people).
3. LISTEN TO SOME TUNES
Some people can't stand to listen to music while they read, and others are on the fence about it. As for me, it sort of depends on what I'm reading, what kind of music I'm listening to, and what kind of day I'm having. My best advice for those who just want to give this a try: make a playlist. Only you know what kind of music you can focus on your reading to. Spotify is a great service for putting together your own music selections, in your own order. Pandora is a good choice for the more adventurous.
Lots of people prefer instrumental music when they study. I'm definitely one of those people, but I won't turn down the occasional folk song when I'm reading. I've found that Simon and Garfunkel pair especially well with Stephen King novels.
Here are a couple artists for you to check out. These people pair well with reading and writing. Feel free to leave more suggestions in the comment section below, or to email/tweet them to me.
Chon - excellent math rock, also great for summer drives and barbecues.
Animals as Leaders - instrumental progressive metal band with grooves for days.
RJD2 - electronic hip hop producer. Dead Ringer is an especially good album.
Scale the Summit - instrumental adventure metal. Great for reading/writing fantasy.
The Lone Bellow - as far as I know, they've only got one album out, but they're a spectacular folk band.
St. Vincent - everything Annie Clark touches turns to gold. Check out Actor and Love This Giant.
Beirut - indie-rock/world music/I can't speak French so I can never sing along to their songs.
Vulfpeck - modern funk, instrumental and with the god-tier vocals of Antwaun Stanley.
Well, I hope my advice was helpful in some way. As we continue to grow as people, digital citizens, and literary citizens, we must accept the responsibilities of keeping up with our favorite literature and supporting each other.
And of course, listening to cool music, tweeting cool tweets, and knowing when to put our phones away.
Everyone reading, stay awesome, like this kid.
Until next time,
Matt
Matt