The Netflix Effect on Book Reading Habit
“Why do I read? To know that I am alive. To know that hope and humanity exist in the world. To remember that some people spend years of their life, not watching reality TV or pornography, but trying to create something meaningful and lasting and beautiful. I read to know what is possible.”― Gea Haff
Do you find yourself spending more time watching Netflix than reading a book these days? Do you find yourself picking up your phone to check Facebook or Instagram instead of opening a book? If so, then this blog post is for you!
The Netflix Effect
The Netflix effect is when more people turn to watching movies and television shows on streaming services like Netflix instead of reading books. This trend has become so pervasive that some publishers are concerned about its impact on their bottom line and the future of the book industry. It was first described in a research paper by psychologists at Stanford University and the University of Chicago in 2004. The term refers to the tendency of people to watch movies and TV shows that they enjoy rather than the ones they are assigned to protect by their teachers or parents. It has since been used to describe a wide variety of habits, including how we shop, what types of foods we eat, where we go for entertainment, and more.
In the past few years, we have seen an increase in technology and social media use. There are many reasons people would rather watch their favorite show on Netflix than pick up a novel. From convenience to the fact that it’s just plain dull, there are plenty of excuses for why someone may not want to read.
However, I’m here today with some good news: It doesn’t have to be this way! Reading can be fun if done correctly. Here are some tips to help you make reading a part of your life:
1. Make time for it
This is a no-brainer. If you want to read, then you’ll have to find time for it! I know that this can be difficult however it is important to find the time you will. Try carving out a small portion of your day as “reading time” to fit reading into your busy schedule. For example, if you usually check Instagram or play on your phone before bed at night, then maybe turn off the blue light an hour early and pick up a book instead! The key here is making sure that you’re consistent with this habit, so it becomes second nature.
2. Read what YOU want to read (not what others tell you to)
This tip is something that I struggle with myself! Sometimes we can be so caught up in trying to impress other people by reading popular books or new releases that we end up reading things we’re not particularly interested in and hating it along the way. If you aren’t enjoying a book, then chances are it’s making your life worse because you aren’t thinking about anything except for how much this book sucks. Here’s my advice: only read the books you truly want to read! Do not feel pressured into reading something just because everyone else is raving about it. This goes back to my first tip- make sure that YOU find time in YOUR day to read the books you truly want to read. If this means taking an hour out of your day every Saturday afternoon to go to the bookstore, then so be it! It’ll be time well spent, in my opinion.
3. Set A Goal
This is another one that I have a bit of trouble with personally! Sometimes I’ll be reading a book and find myself not knowing what my next step would be. Should I continue with the series or move on to something else? Setting goals for yourself can help you stay focused when reading. For example, if you are currently working your way through Twilight but are enjoying it more than City of Bones, set a goal for yourself that you must finish Twilight by X chapter/page/word count. This will help you stay on track throughout the reading and also help you get more out of the books you read!
4. Go Digital!
I know what you’re thinking- e-books? No way I’ll ever go there! However, if it helps save time for you, why not give it a shot? E-books are more accessible to carry around with you than physical copies of books, so this is an option worth considering if you commute via mass transit or bike. E-books can range anywhere from $1-$10 depending on what site/app you download them through. Also, before anyone claims that it’s “cheating” to read an e-book, I will say that if anyone declares that, they’re missing out because there are TONS of great books out there that are also available as an e-book. This includes classics like The Catcher in the Rye and Pride & Prejudice (among many others). If you try reading one or two e-books during your lifetime, I promise it won’t kill you!
5. Find a good book!
I know I’m stating the obvious here, but this step is super important! You can’t just sit down and be like, “Okay, time to read now,” without knowing what actually to pick up. This may require researching by browsing bookstores/online review sites/talking with friends for recommendations. Nowadays, there are tons of websites available that recommend books based on things such as your favorite genre and even previous books you’ve enjoyed reading. If you’re still having trouble finding a book to start with, I recommend checking out Goodreads! On Goodreads, you can search for books based on popularity and average ratings. It’s also possible to create your top-rated novels as well as lists to share with others (and they’re not limited to just books- there is also a section dedicated to short stories!!)
Read More : Crowdsource Your Reading List From People You Admire
6. Make It Yours!
Okay, so you’ve picked out your book, now what? Well, I have some more good news for you! There are tons of different ways that you can make reading your own experience. Here are some examples: -Make sure the book is in a place where it’s easily accessible. If you have young children, this may mean putting it on a high shelf or hiding it somewhere they won’t. This will prevent frustration on both your parts- if they see that one day and ask about why it’s essential, then that’s great, but if all of a sudden they want to read it and it’s not available, that could be a problem! -Choose a comfortable spot for reading! This can be anything from snuggling up on the couch while watching your favorite TV show to curling up in bed with a cup of tea. You’ll find that you enjoy reading much more if you’re comfy while doing it! -Make sure there is plenty of light where you’re reading- this can mean turning off your apartment lights or using an e-reader outside (which I know might sound ridiculous but trust me on this one!). Nothing is worse than focusing on words when all you see are blurry letters because of insufficient lighting.
7. Don’t Give Up
If, at first, you don’t succeed, try and try again. Even the most experienced readers can sometimes find themselves struggling to get into a book or unable to finish it. This is normal, and there’s nothing wrong with that! Just because you dislike one particular book doesn’t mean you won’t like another- sometimes, an author’s prose isn’t for everyone. If you can, take a little break and then decide whether or not to give it up entirely. If not, don’t hesitate to change things up by picking out something else!
8. Always Have Something To Look Forward To!
This might sound like a lame piece of advice, but it’s pretty important! You see, sometimes life gets in the way and that “time to read” moment turns into “time to answer e-mails” or “time to browse Facebook.” If you’re someone who reads every day, this might not seem like a huge deal, but it can be not very pleasant for avid readers such as myself. That’s why I always try and have something fun planned- whether it’s starting a new book club selection or catching up on some fanfic updates, I make sure there is SOMETHING out there that makes me excited to read again.
9. Give Other Genres A Chance!
It can be easy to get stuck reading only one type of book, whether because of our preferences or just because we haven’t tried anything else. The great thing about reading is that the possibilities are endless, and sometimes venturing outside your comfort zone can lead to you finding a new favorite! For example, I spent my entire childhood reading fantasy novels and never even considered trying anything else. I recently decided to pick up a YA contemporary novel (Meant To Be by Lauren Morrill) that I realized how much fun it could be to read something with less action and more romance.
10. Remember That Reading Is A Journey- Not A Race!
I know this tip may seem like common sense but trust me on this one- too many times have I seen people say that they’re “running out of time to read” or that they “need to read faster.” Reading is not the kind of activity where you need to be competitive (unless it’s against yourself, like I said earlier!), and rushing through books can often time ruin your overall experience. No matter how many more pages a book has left, slow down and take your time with each page. You’ll find that this will help you enjoy reading a lot more!
11. Change Things Up With Audiobooks!
I know some avid readers who refuse to listen to audiobooks because of their stubbornness but honestly, listening to an audiobook once in a while is not going to kill any love of reading you may have. Plus, I find that audiobooks can be a great way to get through some of the longer reads, and they’re also instrumental during your commute!
12. Don’t Forget To Socialize!
With all of the social media we have nowadays; it’s pretty easy to forget about actual people you can connect with. But trust me when I say this: other readers (especially other bloggers like myself) are really friendly and always looking for new conversation partners! Getting in touch with fellow bookworms is a great way to discover new books, meet people who love reading just as much as you do, and have fun talking about your latest favorite titles. So don’t be shy and reach out whenever you feel like it- whether it’s through Twitter, Goodreads, forums, or just in real life!
Bonus : You need to read three types of books if you are going to integrate them into your lives fully
The Classics : These are classic books that are at least 50 years old, but their advice is timeless. They are even books that have lasted hundreds or thousands of years.
How-to-books : These books provide step-by-step instructions for a specific task. Some are modern, while others are classics. These books help learn new skills, whether it be learning a foreign language or playing chess.
Biographies :Contrary to popular belief, I don’t think humans are all the same in terms of how we learn. I believe we all know differently. Now, whether we prefer to take that information in by hearing, seeing, or doing, that’s our preference. But humans truly learn by being around other humans that have done or experienced these things. Biographies are one of the most important characteristics a person can develop. That allows us to overcome the fear of doing something and focus on the goal rather than being distracted or dissuaded by the anxiety leading up to the actual doing.
I’ve noticed that when I watch Netflix, my desire to read books decreases. It might be because all the images and sounds on screen distract me from reading; or it could just be a coincidence. But either way, make sure you take care of yourself by watching less TV (or maybe not at all) if you want to get back into your favorite hobby!