Grow Your Reading

Try any of these tips:

Set aside time to read, even just 15 minutes per day and let it grow if you feel like it. This can really be fun, and great for your wellbeing and academic development.

Read anything, eBooks and Audiobooks from our SHHS library, read books from home, read books from Wollongong City Library, read good books, trashy fluff books, books too young for you, books you have always wanted to read, books in genres you've never tried before... just read.

Have conversations about reading, talk to your friends and family:

• what books are you liking?

• what books are you disliking?

• what have you read lately that you were surprised by?

• where do you predict the story is going?

• what do you think the author wants you to think or feel? Why?

• what are you struggling with in the act of reading?

• what is working well or helping you in the act of reading? (concentration/vocabulary/disruptions etc.)

Set yourself a reading goal, here are some options, try 1 or more of these:

• Set a personal minimum reading time per day.

• Set a personal weekly goal, maybe timed-based, or page-based or even finish a book.

• Invite friends or family to join you in a reading challenge. This is an opportunity to feel more connected in a shared goal. Have some fun encouraging each other and celebrating as you achieve your goals.

Whether you take on a personal or group goal, it can be fun to add in achievement goals. Work out a reward that is motivating, fun and is at least partially sensible.

Get inspired by authors. Listen to free online talks by authors as they discuss their work. This can be a fascinating insight into their worlds and works, and this can be very motivational for you as a reader.  Before you listen to an author talk, Google the title of the book and "age rating" or "age-appropriate" just to make sure it is suitable for your age -it's not fun reading a book that has content that is really not suitable!

Here are some good free recorded author talks:

• State Library of NSW author talks.

• The Writers Centre has a great podcast series, start with their top ten: Top 10 Author Interviews -some of these are better for older readers.

• The ABC has a radio program (and podcast) that talks to Australian and International authors -available on apps listed on this page.

Try Book Bingo. This is a simple way to diversify the type of books that you read. You might be surprised and find your favourite new genre. You can simply try an internet search for "Book Bingo", or level up and make your own with this Book Bingo generator: https://myfreebingocards.com/bingo-card-generator/edit/rurrt

Create a reading space if that helps, nest(!) and make it comfy.

Hack Your Social-Media To Get Excited About Reading

Friends, family, libraries, and bookshops are the best sources for book recommendations, but if you already use social media, you might like to try another option. 

You can hack your social media algorithm to become a great source of book recommendations. Here's how: follow social media accounts creating booktoks and bookstagrams, then your social media will become rich with recommendations for new books and authors you'll love!

For those who don't know, booktoks and bookstagrams are short videos on TikTok and Instagram that feature book recommendations, reviews, and other book-related content. By following booktoks, you'll not only be entertained, but you'll also see books based on your viewing habits. So instead of scrolling through endless waddling duck faces and a buffet of food pictures, you'll get personalised recommendations for great books.

Booktoks are often created by other teenagers who share their thoughts on books in a fun and relatable way. When you see other people talking about how much they love reading, it can be contagious! You might find yourself feeling more motivated to read and explore new genres and authors.

Happy Reading!