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riordan2013 t1_j2j73t0 wrote

All reading is reading. Fanfiction counts (and I too have read fanfictions that put published books to shame). Reading tastes shift over time and your reading life will almost certainly evolve and look different. And reading what brings you actual joy is the point. If reading fanfiction is enjoyable for you, don't stop.

If you still want to try to read traditional books more, I'd suggest the following:

  1. A time goal per day. As little as 10 minutes in bed with a physical book before you pick up your phone might be enough to hook you. I find time goals easiest to stick to because then I'm not skimming absently through pages to reach a page count goal so I can turn to the thing I'm more excited about.

  2. Experiment with alternate formats - audiobooks, physical library copies, Libby/Kindle/etc. Change it up if it's not working. Some books have been great for me on audio and boring AF in print or vice versa.

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Lizk4 t1_j2j9wli wrote

This. I have also read many fanfics whose quality is as good or better than many traditional stories I've read. Quality is quality in whatever format, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. That being said, there's nothing wrong with trying to branch out, either. Do whatever feels best to you and gives you enjoyment.

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