Once upon a time there was a child who discovered the magical world of books. This child quickly grew fond of reading, and would read their books under the covers with a flashlight well past midnight. They may have thought they were waging a secret rebellion against their parents’ strictly set bedtime hours, but the parents knew what the child was up to. The parents knew all along that their child was reading past midnight, but figured it was better to not punish a child for merely having a love for reading—a harmless and even healthy habit for children to have. The child slowly grew up, not ever falling out of love with reading necessarily, but eventually developed a desire to shake things up a bit. How could they make reading feel fresh and new, and once again experience that insatiable hunger for books like they had in their youth? If this no-longer-a-child book lover is you, and you’ve been wondering how to fall in love with reading all over again, here are five ways to do just that:

Read a genre you’ve never tried before

As a reader, you probably know what you like, and there’s nothing wrong with liking what you like. However, there may be a genre you’ve always been curious about, but never tried because you thought it’s not quite your style. Maybe now is the time to take that big leap! And the best place to start might just be with the most popular books within that genre. Never read horror? Pick out some Stephen King books! Hesitated to read dystopian novels? Start with The Hunger Games! Stop putting off trying something new and commit to diving in.

Join a book club

Okay, I get it, you’ve probably tried a lot of genres already and truthfully you don’t need to try new genres anymore. That’s great you already know what interests you! But still, if only you could share your love of fantasy or romance with other like-minded folk. Fortunately, you can! Find book clubs locally in your area, or search for online book clubs that read the genres you love the most. Why bottle up your love for the classics when you could gush about them with other people who love them just as much as you do? You don’t have to experience books alone.

Read with your family members

You’ve already tried book clubs, haven’t you? Some of those members were a bit snobby, weren’t they? Or maybe not, but talking about books with strangers isn’t always the most enjoyable. But who said that book clubs were the only way to enjoy books with other people? Read with your family! Be there when your kids fall in love with reading the same way you did, or you can read one chapter a night with your spouse before going to sleep. Reading doesn’t have to be an experience that you keep to yourself, and can easily be shared with those you love the most.

Try audiobooks

I know you like the smell of yellowed pages, or fancy the convenience of a Kindle, but have you ever seriously considered audiobooks? Let’s face it, reading eats up your time, and you can’t do much else when your eyes are glued to a page and your hands are holding the book open. Wouldn’t it be lovely if you could clean your house and read at the same time? Or drive to work while you finish reading Jane Eyre? That’s the sort of luxury audiobooks can provide you, and not to mention quality narrators can give life to characters that wouldn’t have been as vibrant from just reading in your head.

Reread your old favorites

When all else fails, go back to those books that made you fall in love with reading in the first place. No one said you could only read something once. Brush the dust off your Harry Potter books and read them with the same voracity you did when you were still just a child reading under your covers. If you loved them once, you’ll love them again, and nothing quite beats your first love.

If you’re a bookworm, you likely carry books around with you and sneak a read every chance you get. You just have to get to the next chapter, then the next chapter, and truthfully you’re never fully satisfied. After finishing one book, you’re already moving on to another one. But what are the best places to read? After all, you don’t want to read just anywhere. Here are just some of the places to read a good book:

The Library

The library is a great place to read. Not only are you surrounded by a plethora of book choices, you’re also able to check out anything you want for free! If you don’t like what you’re reading, you can just go grab something else without worrying about the cost. Also, if you like quiet, but maybe can’t stand when it’s too quiet, the library is absolute heaven. Just find a nice window seat or an unoccupied table and read to your heart’s content.

On Vacation

Vacations are often far from relaxing if you have a full itinerary of sights you want to see, but depending on your plans a vacation is still a great place to read. Have you rented a beach house or a nice cabin in the woods? Being surrounded by nature can help you ground yourself and focus your thoughts away from the usual hustle and bustle of life. Even if you have a jam-packed European tour in your plans, sneaking in some reading time at night at the hotel is a nice way to wind down and relax after a day of exploring.

A Cafe

What’s better than reading a book? Reading a book and eating food at the same time. It’s a perfect combination. Maybe you just go for that cup of coffee, or maybe you’d like a meal to go with your reading, but either way a cafe has a great atmosphere for getting lost in a good book, and filling up your tummy, too.

While Traveling

We’ve already covered vacations, but what about traveling in general? Maybe you have a long commute and want to fill that time with an audiobook. Maybe you take the train and want a better way to pass the time than just awkwardly rubbing shoulders with strangers. Or maybe you’re on an airplane snuggled up with your favorite travel pillow as you journey to distant lands. Reading while traveling is the perfect way to make better use of your travel time.

By The Fire

Who says you actually have to go out somewhere to read a book? Isn’t the best place at home in front of the fireplace with your feet propped up in front of burning flames? It’s cozy, it’s familiar, and it’s warm—it’s oh so warm. This is especially perfect for those cold winter nights—a hot chocolate in one hand, and a good book in the other.

Outside

If you have a nice patio setup or a nearby park with some good seating, getting out in the fresh air on a warm sunny day can make reading a real joy—though I must acknowledge that reading is already a joy to begin with. Feel that summer breeze and listen to those birds chirping. Isn’t it lovely? If you haven’t read a book outside, try it!

Your Favorite Chair

I know you have a favorite chair. Maybe it’s at your dining table, or maybe it’s a cushy chair in your living room. For me, I have a pink moon chair in my office that’s a great place to crack open a book. Think of that chair that you gravitate to the most. That’s the place you need to sit and read if you can’t go anywhere else, or maybe you even prefer it over anywhere else.

While Waiting

We’ve already covered traveling, but what about just waiting? What about when you’re in line for something? You know, those lines you’re stuck in for twenty minutes or more. Why waste time just standing around? And I know some of you are the type to show up early to events. What else are you supposed to do while waiting for more people to arrive? Don’t just twiddle your thumbs, read a book!

The Bookstore

The library is not the only place where you can find yourself surrounded by books. Bookstores are also perfect for reading, only this time you can purchase and own those books that most interested you when you were skimming through the newest releases at the entrance, or those hidden treasures in the very back. Many worlds are waiting for you to be chosen and taken home.

In Bed

And finally, that one place you always end up at the end of the day, when all you need is some rest and calming energy, and perhaps the best place to read of all, is curled up in your bed. Can you think of anywhere more comfortable than with your pillows and blankets under lamplight? I know I can’t. Bed is the ultimate home—your home within your home. And what else feels like home? Reading books.

Where is your favorite place to read a good book? Let me know in the comments.