By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
Readers come in all shapes, sizes, and ages, but one trait they have in common is their enthusiasm for reading. Some prefer short nonfiction or fiction pieces while other readers reach for full-length nonfiction or fiction.
Avid readers devour one book after another while many prefer to linger on each word. Word lovers highlight and underline passages that excite them. They return to these passages to recapture the intensity of the first time they appeared.
But what criteria make a reader enthusiastic? For certain it doesn’t mean age, gender, type of reading, if the process is done fast or slow, or if the reader needs to hold a physical book or swipe pages with their finger.
The following are 7 habits of a highly enthusiastic reader.
- An enthusiastic reader processes the piece for value. Everything read has a purpose: to entertain, inspire, encourage, inform, and/or educate.
- An enthusiastic reader applies worthwhile information to life. Every moment is filled with potential for enrichment.
- An enthusiastic reader often donates a completed book to another person or organization. We are a culture that places sentiment on books given to us or signed by the author. That’s great! But contributing to the reading of others is an investment in someone’s view of the world.
- An enthusiastic reader records finished books and may add a brief statement of what the book was about. This helps to make an informed recommendation and in selecting subject matter for future titles or written by the same author.
- An enthusiastic reader discusses what has been read. Conversations about books are an invitation to step into another reader’s mind. All benefit in the exchange of opinions and views.
- An enthusiastic reader challenges his/her habits to select different genres of books. We live in a diverse world, so why not be diverse in our reading?
- An enthusiastic reader admits when a book isn’t interesting and puts it aside. Don’t be afraid not to finish a book or short piece that doesn’t appeal to you. There are many books out there awaiting your attention.
- An enthusiastic reader introduces new concepts into their lives by exploring the world of fiction and nonfiction.
What about you? What habits shape your reading?
Comments 12
I am an enthusiastic reader. Most of my day consists of reading, reviewing and promoting Christian Fiction. And keeping track if it all! It started when I won some books and I progressed to joining review teams from authors and publishers. I was asked to join a shared blog, so I get my reviews out there but someone else manages the blog! Win/win! I am in my element! I’m retired so I have time.
I love interacting with authors and reviewers. My dream is to attend a conference someday to meet my favorite authors and bloggers. It almost happened but then Covid canceled the one close to me.
Thanks for your list! Blessings!
Hi Paula
Yes, you are an enthusiastic reader! I hope you one day DO attend a writer’s conference. Consider the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference.
I am definitely an enthusiastic reader! The only one of these I don’t do it to keep a list with a bit of a description about each one. I might have to start doing that, though, because my memory is fading a bit. Recently, more than once, I’ve bought a book I’d already read and got through an embarrassing number of pages before it rang a bell. A couple of times they were so good, I just kept reading.
I hesitate to recommend books. They’re kind of like movies – I have to know the reading preferences of the person I’m talking to. I hate it when someone comes back to me and asks why I liked that horrible book (it has happened!).
I’ll read just about anything, if it’s clean and doesn’t go against God’s standards. I love mystery and suspense – I recommend your books all the time, DiAnn. I love books that weave the characters so well that I feel like I’ve parted with friends when I turn the last page. Those are hard to find. Ann Tatlock does a wonderful job.
Lately, I’ve been reading historical fiction and nonficton. The lessons I learn about the past teach me so much about the kind of future I want my grandchildren to inherit. Jane Hampton Cook and Kristin Hannah are excellent.
My eleven year old grandson gobbles up books and excitedly tells me about them. We just read Clean Getaway by Nic Stone, which dealt with the Green Book used by African Americans in the 1950s. We have interesting discussions about the characters and the plots. It’s a great way to relate to an eleven year old boy!
Gee, for someone who doesn’t recommend books, I certainly did! Time for me to stop writing and go read!
Sherry! What fun to read your comments – and recommendations! I’m laughing because I hear you talking. Thanks so much! And I so appreciate your kind words about my books.
According to this list, I’m not a very enthusiastic reader … I do donate and share and recommend books to others, but I don’t really analyze or dig deeper into what I’ve read. I do like a variety of genres, but stay away from horror, R-rated romance, sci-fi or fantasy – though I do enjoy Narnia 😊. I also read both fiction and non-
I’ve started keeping an Excel list of my books, but have only completed Christy Barritt’s page thus far (I have more than 70 of her books and just downloaded and pre-ordered a few new ones this week!)
I read Christian or biblically-based books almost exclusively, but do have a few secular authors that I enjoy (Mary Higgins-Clark, John Grisham and Robin Cook) but I read them only very sporadically.
My favorite non-fiction genres are biographies and autobiographies. Most recently picked up a biography about Sammy Davis Jr written by his daughter and Sisters First, written by Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush – very enjoyable 😊 My favorite non-fiction book is Heaven by Randy Alcorn 🥰
As for reading books “out of my box,” I’ve been working through Forever by Pete Hamill. I learned that this is my son’s favorite novel and I began reading it to find out why 😊 Not exactly my cup of tea, but it is interesting!
Hi Kim, you ARE an enthusiastic reader! You just shared with me your favorite and varied reading. Thanks so much!
I love to read….started a LONG time ago with: The Bobsey Twins and Nancy Drew:)) I read mostly suspense and I’m pretty good at figuring out “Who done it!” I have about 5 or 6 favorite Authors…(DiAnn, you’re one of them.)
If I try a new Author and it doesn’t start out with a “bang” I don’t buy anymore of their work!
I’m usually reading when I should actually be doing a little housework:~))
I keep and re-read now and then these favorites…….I also have a few favorite “Historicals.”
Thanks, Vondia, I started with the Bobsey Twins too and moved on to Nancy Drew, then The Hardy Boys. Thank you for the kind words about my books.
I read widely, although I prefer nonfiction. The more I read, the more I learn and gather information and tips for what I write. Thanks for this post, DiAnnn.
Hi Frances, I’ve read your writing, and it’s excellent. Thanks for your comments.
Such good information. I have to have a book that is interesting to me personally. The books I pick seem to be more suspense, but with a happy ending. If I can, I finish each book I read, but I admit some have not made the grade of a good book.
As a writer, I want my books to be something a reader will not want to put down. I know I’ve failed in the past, but I’m trying to write with a purpose to glorify God.
Hi Kathy, thanks for your comments. You are a better reader than I am. If I’m not into the story on the first page, I’m on to the next book. And if the middle sags, I’m done then too. 🙂