How to Become a Frequent Reader

Choose books that appeal to you. In school, students often dislike reading because they're forced to read books that don't hold their interests. When you select a book on a topic that fascinates you, you'll be hard-pressed to put it down.

Spend time in bookstores. If you're not an avid reader, it may have been years since you've wandered the shelves of a bookstore. Take time to check out your local bookstore, and pick up a book or two.

Carry a book wherever you go. Instead of sitting twiddling your thumbs while you're waiting at the doctor's office, eating alone on your lunch hour, or killing time until your bus arrives, grab the chance to read just a few more pages of the latest mystery, romance or spy adventure.

Read in bed at night. Instead of falling asleep to the local news or another rerun of a sitcom you've seen about a dozen times, delve into the pages of a medical thriller, science fiction adventure or riveting biography.

Keep a pile of books on hand. It's much easier to stay in a state of continuous reading when you always have your next book lined up and waiting. Many avid readers have what the call their TBR pile -- a stack of books "to be read" -- and as soon as they've finished one, they pick up the next one without missing a beat.