There is nothing I like better than curling up with a good book. Unless it’s curling up with a good book and a good cup of coffee. That’s why I love my Kindle Unlimited subscription. I’ve found so many great books and new authors through it. At the end of the day, you’ll usually find me in cozy pajamas reading while my husband watches a show or two. It’s also one of my favorite ways to relax when I have free time. Reading is one way I recharge, especially when I’ve spent the day with a lot of people. The introverted side of me relishes a good read.
But, reading isn’t just a solitary activity. It’s easy to think of it that way, but there are a number of ways that reading can be part of an active social life. It can also be a special part of family life. My twins and I read the entire Harry Potter series together. Out loud. There were days I thought I couldn’t possibly read another word, and they would ask, “Just one more chapter?” We had such fun and made some wonderful memories.
As a mom, though, it can be difficult to find time to read for the simple pleasure of it. As a homeschooling mom, the challenge can be even greater. My daughters are starting Challenge A with Classical Conversations next year, and the reading list has me thinking I’ll probably be reading fewer of my own favorite books as we explore a lot of literature together.
We will also be doing a lot of discussing those books on our community days next year, but there are many other ways reading can be a social activity. And let’s face it: we all need some social interaction. After all, friendships can last a lifetime.
Here are 9 ways reading can be a social activity:
Joining A Local Book Club
I’ve never been part of book club, but I think I would really enjoy it. I know there is one that meets at our local library, and I have a friend who always participated. Book clubs seem like a great way to gain new perspectives on things we’ve read, as well as to make friends with similar interests. They also introduce you to new authors and titles. They don’t have to be high-pressure or overly academic either. Sometimes people just chat about books over coffee, discussing what they liked or didn’t about book.
Shared Word Games
Books are just one form of playing with words, and reading doesn’t always need to come with a front cover and a page count. Word games like Scrabble, crosswords, Bananagrams, or app-based puzzles can bring people together around the shared enjoyment of language. Some of the best are word search games that can help you time your ability to spot words against someone else. The joy here is in quick wit and some fun playful competition.
It might not be the same as diving into a new book, but it taps into a similar part of our minds that gets excited about meaning, structure, and surprise. For families or friends (or kids!) who don’t consider themselves big readers, it’s also a sneaky way to keep a love of words alive without ever calling it “reading.”
Reviewing Books Online
Writing a book review doesn’t have to mean becoming a full-time critic or overthinking every sentence. It also doesn’t mean trying to be the wittiest person on Goodreads. Still, jotting down a few thoughts about how a story made you feel or what ideas stuck with you after the last page can be one way to interact with others.
Over time, these little online impressions can help build an ongoing, low-pressure dialogue with fellow readers, and you may even make a couple of online pals because of it. Once in a while, your words might also help someone else decide to give a book a try.
Going to Literary Festivals
The truth is that with movies, television, online life, social media, and video games to compete with, reading has fallen by the wayside for many people. That’s why supporting a local literary festival, if there is one near you, can be great because they’re not just for hardcore book lovers or industry insiders at all. These gatherings are full of people who love stories, enjoy hearing them told, and are curious about how they come to life.
There can often be panel talks and Q&A sessions, or readings in local cafés and bookshop corners. In general, the vibe is usually relaxed, sometimes a bit quirky, and always filled with people who understand what it’s like to get completely caught up in a story. You might even meet an author you like or a local writer. You could even promote your own works if you host a booth there. The Oxford Conference for the Book is one I hope to attend some day.
Writing & Reading Blogs
Not everyone wants to start a full-blown blog with scheduled posts and themed series, but you may find that a simple online journal or shared document can be enough to cause a few good conversations. If you have a blog you read regularly, comment and interact with the author. Many people form friendships this way, and there are many blogs dedicated to books. If you love reading, start a blog and review books. You might just find publishers will send you review copies as well.
Reaching Out To The Author & Attending Signings
It might feel a bit unusual to contact an author, but these days, many of them are quite active online and genuinely appreciate hearing from readers. Moreover, if they’re just starting out, they want to hear that you liked their book or that you followed and engaged with their posts on Instagram. A short message or a comment after a book signing can be surprisingly impactful. Who doesn’t want to hear that their work is appreciated?
Book signings and readings also offer a rare moment to put a face to the words. Visiting with the author just might inspire you to write more, too!
Participating in Writing Competitions
Even if writing isn’t the main passion in your life, entering the occasional short story contest or poetry challenge can be one way to socialize through reading. Such competitions often encourage a blend of reading and writing and are a great way to challenge yourself. Just have fun with it. Who knows? You may find you really love writing as well as reading.
Reading With Your Children
If you’re a parent, this is probably one of the most important ways to read with others. Reading to a toddler before bedtime or sharing chapters with an older child creates lasting memories and is a wonderful way to spend time with them. It also teaches them the value of books and stories and helps develop vital comprehension skills. Kids remember those moments, not just for the stories themselves, but for the time spent with you.
Sharing Your Love For The Art
It’s nice to share your love of reading with others, and it might inspire them, too. Giving a friend a book you think they’d love, leaving a novel in a free library box, and chatting about a story during a walk with a friend are wonderful ways to connect with others over the written word. It’s also one of the reasons books and reading will never die.
You don’t have to plan it or make a big deal out of it…Just a passing comment or a book recommendation can encourage someone else and start a conversation. Who knows? Coffee and conversations about books might become a regular occurrence and a strong friendship will form.
Disclosure: This is a collaborative post and may contain affiliate links.
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