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by conformist 1517 days ago
Sometimes it helps to decide on one book and go and read it in a public space like a park, library or museum. That can reduce the required discipline somewhat. Ideally a place where it is socially less acceptable or inconvenient to stare at a phone, but these are rare. Also taking notes can help.
3 comments

I second the library location. Honestly, it's cliché but there are generations growing up without using a library.

I hadn't been to one from 2003 - 2016. But when I walked in I was stunned by:

- obviously quiet/peace. I mean, it's a library! :-) But compared to the library even the footpath is busy with people talking on their phones/earpods now. A dedicated space for quiet was unexpectedly nice.

- lack of "guard" required. No ads/incentive programs/paying-subscriptions/keeping-up-with-Jones-competition. It took me a while to realise that my constant "what do you get from this!?" suspicions could take a back seat. I could relax a bit more, like hanging out with a good friend you can trust.

It is simply a place you can walk into and exist, knowing that you deserve to be here as much as anyone else.

Plus it might have that book you want to read.

I do this with eBooks carried on a Nook sometimes. It's a great deal more relaxing than anything I might do on my phone, and I feel like I ingest the information or entertainment supplied by a good book much more easily reading in a park or coffee shop than many other places.
>Ideally a place where it is socially less acceptable or inconvenient to stare at a phone, but these are rare.

I would suggest a classroom. The teacher would consider staring at the phone as rude.