More time, a different question
Many people look forward to retirement partly because they will finally be able to read. Then the days fill up differently than expected, or the wide-open time feels shapeless. The question changes from where to find the time to what to do with it. A reading project, loosely defined, can give the time some structure without turning it into a task list.
Not everyone wants a project, and that is fine. Reading whatever you pick up is a perfectly good way to spend a day. The ideas below are for those who like a bit of direction.
Project ideas
Follow one subject deeply. Retirement is a good time to pursue a subject properly: a period of popular history, a branch of science written for general readers, a region you have always wanted to understand, or a craft or hobby. Start with an overview, then follow what raises questions. Popular history and popular science are both well suited to this because many titles are written for non-specialists.
Read the long ones you skipped. Large novels and classic works that seemed too big during working years can be taken one chapter a day. Classic literature is worth the effort for some readers and not for others, so quitting books that are not working is a fair choice.
Read a country, a decade or a genre. Choose a theme such as fiction from one region, books from the year you were born, or mystery novels in order of publication. A theme gives a loose route, and the choosing becomes part of the fun. Reading translated literature opens up writing from places you may never visit.
Explore local history. Local libraries and archives often hold histories, maps and records of the area where you live. Reading about your own streets and neighbors, and then walking them, can be rewarding. Family history research is another reading-heavy project, involving records, letters and old newspapers.
Revisit old favorites. Rereading a book you loved at twenty can be revealing, since both you and the book seem different. Second readings often teach more than first ones.
Write about what you read. A notebook, a reading journal or a simple blog can keep a record of titles and thoughts. This is optional, but some people find that writing reading responses of a few lines makes reading more engaged.
Do it with other people
Reading can be solitary, but retirement can also bring a wish for company. Library book clubs, community reading groups, adult education classes and informal groups of friends offer regular contact and gentle deadlines. Volunteering to read with children at a school or library can combine reading with a sense of purpose. Sharing books with grandchildren is another way to connect.
If you prefer to stay at home, an exchange of recommendations with a friend by message or phone is a light form of a reading group.
Make reading physically comfortable
Many people notice changes in vision, hands or stamina as they age. A few adjustments make reading easier.
- Light. Good lighting from beside or behind your shoulder often helps. A reading lamp aimed at the page can reduce strain.
- Print size. Large print editions and adjustable text on e-readers or tablets reduce eye strain.
- Weight and grip. Heavy hardbacks can tire wrists and hands. A book stand, a lap desk or an e-reader may be gentler. Reading posture matters too, so take breaks and move around.
- Audio. Audiobooks are a good alternative for tired eyes, or for enjoying a book while doing something else. Many libraries lend them.
- Eye care. If reading has become noticeably harder, an eye exam is worthwhile, as glasses may need updating or there may be a treatable condition.
Keep a balance
It is easy to read a great deal after years of limited time, but some people find that sitting for long stretches makes them stiff or low. Mixing reading with walking, social time and other interests tends to feel better. Reading outdoors, in a park or garden when weather allows, can be a pleasant way to combine them.
A note on health claims
You may see claims that reading keeps the mind sharp or protects against memory problems. Research on this is mixed, and reading should not be treated as a medical treatment or a guarantee. It is enjoyable, it keeps many people engaged, and it can be part of a varied, active life. If you or someone close to you is worried about memory or thinking, a doctor is the right person to talk to.
Make the plan light
If a project becomes a burden, change it. Retirement reading is for pleasure, curiosity and company, and there is no minimum number of books. A short list, a regular time and the freedom to drop anything that bores you are enough.