How to Get from Reading a Book to Experiencing a Story

“Reading is a gateway into another world.” There’s a reason why this phrase exists, and when the core of this reason is realized, reading becomes so much deeper than simply reading through a plot. Have you ever picked up a book, prepared to read for just a few minutes, then get immersed for hours? A good book will always pull you in, no matter what part of the story you’re in, and draw you into a world born from the author’s mind. Books share many stories—some more obvious than others, and some buried so deeply that it takes a second reread to realize them. These deep stories are what, when chased, lead to beautiful immersion into a materializing world, pulling you away from reality.

But how would one even begin searching for this dream-like world? There’s a method that applies to non-fiction and fiction alike, and it gets easier with repetition and consistency.

Unlocking the passageway to a book’s universe involves exploring the book’s core. A consistent way to do this is to ask yourself questions as you read. What’s the theme? What is the author trying to say, encourage, or inspire? Most of all, how do the surface-level thoughts connect to a deeper meaning? All authors understand the potential depth of a story, whether it be a short story or a novel. Begin to think like an author, and you’ll become so invested in the story that you’ll see things you wouldn’t have been able to see before. The deeper meanings in a book hold the most intent, and they’ll present their treasure to those who seek it. However, the difficulty of this method’s application can vary depending on how well you naturally connect with the book. We all connect differently with different writing styles or genres.

Knowing there’s a world behind each page also helps if you’re trying to get into the habit of reading. An incentive, whether for a reward or your own interest, is one of the necessary steps to building a good habit. But what if you don’t have enough time to search for this hook of reading inspiration? Well, in that case, something is always better than nothing. Remember, just a few minutes of intentional reading is enough to get you thinking. The thing to oppose is grazing over words—meaning becomes easier to notice if it’s searched for. Especially in a busy period of life, reading and discovering this world can be your escape from reality.

So, next time you read a book, remember that there’s something you can cling to. There’s something that will show you the depths of daydreaming; something that fosters dreams. When you discover this whole other hidden world behind the pages, you’ll be lost in reverie before you know it.