One day I stumbled upon a video recommendation about reading a book on my Youtube feed. Being an obedient youtube audience that respects and trusts their algorithm, I watched the video.
Then a bunch of his videos gets recommended on my Youtube feed, not gonna complain, because those are interesting ones. He mostly talks about reading, taking notes, enjoy reading, etc. Then his video about slow reading came up. The video was really nice, because it is about embracing reading slowly to enjoy the process of reading, and it is better to have consistency, and more tips from him. It just makes me reflected on how I read these days compared to how I read when I was younger.
I remember reading a lot of books in my childhood. My parents also always talk about me being quiet and just reading a book even when our relatives came (Idk maybe I kinda tried to avoid them by reading lol it's just me). I read a lot of fiction, I still remember the shape of the book in my childhood, they have neat illustrations. One of the stories that I vividly remember is the Daddy Long Legs.
I also had a series of fairy tales that you can put in a box with a rope on it, so it formed some kind of bag that I can bring the books everywhere. And yes I remember I brought them everywhere. I brought them to our family trip when we had to cross the sea from Sumatra to Java Island with a big ship, and I read them again and again at the ship. Some of the stories are The beauty and the beast and Cat in boots.
When our family moved to the bigger part of the city, I accidentally found tons of books and comics on the small attic of the house that we moved in. Apparently, the owner just left them there. So I will spend hours and hours at the stair near the attic, and grab new books every time I finished. The comics they have were so dope though, I read the series of a girl with superpower and was used by the International Organization.
I also borrow a lot of novels from my friend in Junior high school, I think during recess time, most of the time we all will read books (and comics of course). Some friends will bring the complete series of comics, and we will take turns reading it. On Saturday, after the extracurricular activity, I and my friends will go to the book store and read comics there. So book (and comic) was really the way to spend leisure time.
Then in my high school and beginning of University, I also read a lot of nonfiction, mostly my father's collection, so a lot of psychology books and finance, and also world history and Islamic history. I also still read a lot of fiction, mostly the thick novels my sister bought. During high school, as I was a super competitive human, I used to do speed reading, to win reading lol. But I still can differentiate between reading for study and exam (that needed speed reading) and reading for leisure (I could enjoy a book even though it took more than a week to finish -oh yes I'm a bit on the impatient side)
And then...
I think it was because I was focusing on my study, so the book I read will be mostly design or art book, or still relatively related like architecture book. Reading activity changed from leisure to obligation. I needed to read to learn more about my study. And in my leisure time? sure comics still get their chance, but I spent leisure time watching videos and shows, and music videos, etc. I was more inclined to find instant entertainment.
After that, going to my master also somehow 'worsened' my reading habit. I read a lot of articles and books for my study, so I also already mastered speed reading and skimming. I will find the main points of the reading, just read some parts and important details, skip the rest, etc. Of course, this was useful to my study, but then I forgot how to enjoy reading I guess.
By that time most of the books I read outside of books related to my study are nonfiction, mostly self-help, and motivational books. It was enjoyable, and I really like the nonfiction books I read. But I was just so used to speed reading and finding the main points, so I always feel the rush to finish a book to get what it meant as fast as possible. I became more impatient in reading a book, and always want to know the essence of it as fast as possible. Reading fiction no longer excites me because I felt like I waste my time because I just want to know then what is the main message of this story? I treated fiction as a nonfiction book, therefore I couldn't get the enjoyment of reading it like I was before.
So, back to the video I watched. I reflected a lot on my reading journey, and I really want to 'fix' my reading habit, especially on how I treat fiction. So, I decided to try reading more fiction books. I start from reading nonfiction that feels like fiction type of book first, and then slowly try fiction. I honestly have no clue what fiction book is good lately (well it is subjective tho, we all have different tastes, so yeah), so I just tried reading the one book that the video shortly showed, it is called 'Fahrenheit 451'. And apparently, this book is super famous fiction (I'm sorry I just... don't know much about the fiction book lol). Trying not to have any judgment about a famous book, I read that book today actually.
I made an effort to read slower, and just digest it slowly. Took a break, think about it, then read it again.
I didn't try to see how many pages I'm left with, and just enjoying page by page. And suddenly I finished it.
And it was....good.....like a really good experience.
I'm trying to find more fiction to read now. I'll try something similar to it first, and then maybe expand to other genres. The most important part for me is to relearn to enjoy the reading experience, especially fiction. As for nonfiction, I have to still slow down and not rushing myself to finish it tho.
Alright, that is for now.
I will report back if I found more interesting fiction books!
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