Control your reading environment. Remove any distractions from your reading area, such as turning off the television, turning off your telephone and instructing your family to give you the time you need. Move your reading area to the back porch or into your office if the distractions continue. Establish a peaceful, quiet place to read.
Select books that you find interesting. If a book bores you early, toss it aside for another day and try a different one. Immerse yourself into a book that you feel motivated to read, because your motivation is your impetus to continue if you begin struggling. Decide on your own reading interests and ignore any judgment about the books you wish to read. For instance, if you want to read a new series from the young adult genre, ignore anyone who tells you that the genre is just for kids.
Keep a handheld dictionary with you when you read and look up any words with which you are unfamiliar. Use your dictionary to teach yourself new words by reading the definition, thinking about other ways to use the word in a sentence and trying to incorporate the word into your vocabulary. Build your reading foundation by slowly incorporating new words and new ideas. Remember that the more words you add to your vocabulary, the fewer words you will have to look up in your next book.
Indulge in your thoughts when you reach a part of your book that makes you think. Take some time and think about the event that led to your racing thoughts. Ask yourself questions about how you would handle the situation or why the characters made the decisions they made. Improve your overall reading comprehension by practicing this evaluation technique and learning how to understand the motivations and ideas of the characters you read.