Here at Once Upon a Book Club, we're renowned for our love of books and believe reading is one of the greatest pleasures in life. Whether it's fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or any other genre, books have the power to take us to new worlds, teach us new things, and provide us with endless hours of entertainment. To quote Adelise Cullins, "Reality doesn't always give us the life that we desire, but we can always find what we desire between the pages of books."

Whether you need to recapture your love of books or are just starting off, we have some great ideas to get you up and reading in no time at all. It just takes a flick of one page to get you going.

Find what you love

The first step in becoming a book lover is finding a genre that you love. There are so many different genres to choose from, so take your time and try a few out. Maybe you'll fall in love with romance novels or mysteries, or maybe historical dramas and fantasy will be your thing. Perhaps you'll find that memoirs and biographies are what you enjoy reading the most. The key is to experiment and find what works for you.

Reading Goals and Challenges

Now that you've found a genre you love, try setting a goal for yourself. It could be as simple as reading one book a month or as ambitious as reading one book a week. We love reading challenges as it keeps us focused, and there is something quite marvelous when you look back and see how many books or pages you have read.

If you're unsure where to start with your reading goal, consider joining a book club. Book clubs are a great way to meet new people and get recommendations for books that you might not have considered before. Our monthly subscription boxes are a great way to discover new authors and genres, and it makes goal-setting so much easier – simply wait for our magical book box to arrive each month!

Make Time to Read

Life can be busy, but it's essential to make time for important things, and books are definitely at the upper end of our priority list. Whether it's carving out 30 minutes before bed or taking a book with you on your daily commute, make sure you're setting aside time to read. You'll be amazed at how much you can get through in just a few minutes a day.

Reading is one of the best forms of self-care. Run a bath, add bubbles, pour a glass of wine, add a revitalizing face mask, lie back, and read for half an hour or more. You'll feel like a new person.

Read at Your Own Pace

Reading is not a competition, so don't worry about how fast or slow you're reading – yes, we know those speed readers can be intimidating. Take your time and read at your own pace. It's better to take your time and savor a book than to rush through it and not fully appreciate it. If you're not enjoying a book, put it down and move on to something else, life is too short and besides there is always a great story waiting on the shelf for you. The most important thing is to find books that you love and that make you happy.

Visit Your Local Library

Your local library is a treasure trove of books just waiting to be discovered. Not only is it a great resource for finding new books, but it's also a great way to save money on your reading habit. Most libraries offer free memberships, which means you can borrow books at no cost. Plus, libraries often offer a range of programs and events for book lovers, such as author readings and book clubs.

Share Your New Found Love of Reading

Finally, don't be afraid to share your new found love of reading with everyone else. You never know; you might just inspire someone else to become a book lover too! Challenge your children, your husband, and your best friend – reading opens doors to worlds we haven't dreamt of yet!

It's all about having fun

Remember, becoming a book lover is all about having fun, exploring new worlds, and discovering new ideas. So, what are you waiting for? Grab a book, kick back, and start reading! Whether you're into romance novels, crime, or biographies, there's a book out there for everyone. And, if you ever feel stuck, we are always here to lend a helping hand.

And when it comes to having fun, treat yourself along the way. Creating your own bookery space, it's a signal to your brain that its me-time, and we have some great items to make it perfect, like our  Aesops Fables blanket, or our You May Say I'm A Dreamer booklight.

Becoming a book lover is an adventure full of twists and turns, ups and downs, and surprises around every corner. So, embrace the journey and enjoy the ride. And who knows, maybe one day you'll become a bookworm extraordinaire, with a never-ending list of books to read and an insatiable hunger for knowledge and entertainment.