How To Read More Books
How To Read More Books:
10 Simple (Creative) Hacks
Do you know what bookworms don’t have enough of? Well, money because we spend it all on books. But also: we don’t have enough time to read!
How to Read More Books
Reading for pure enjoyment has been on a sad decline for a while now, with reports saying 24% of Americans haven’t read at all for pleasure this last year.
Life gets busy; books don’t get prioritized. Of course, readers are not mythical entities yet: Pew Research Center states the average American is still likely to read around 12 books a year.
But with over a million books being published each year, the undeniable fact is: we need to find more time to read.
I read 200 books per year and have been steadily hitting this goal since 2014
My #1 way to keep hitting these huge reading counts is genuinely to prioritize it.
Instead of watching TV, I choose to read.
Instead of weekends out, I prefer the cozy comfort of tea, a soft blanket, and an excellent novel. (Peak shy-introvert move here too, I must admit.)
And reading isn’t just a joy and pleasure, it sharpens your mind and improves your empathy and ability to view the world from new perspectives.
Social studies have been done to conclude things like reading Harry Potter turns children into empathetic and perceiving adults.
It’s not just healthy to read, it’s crucial for building a generation of intelligent people who will strive to make the world a better place.
Books teach you to think for yourself, analyze, challenge the status quo and stand up for the downtrodden.
You also, like me, might be a voracious reader but still feel your TBR is casting you salty looks because you struggle to fit more reading time into your busy lifestyle.
But stop panicking! I am here to help.
10 SIMPLE HACKS TO READ MORE BOOKS
1. Include Reading In Your Daily Routine
The truth is, most people don’t “have enough time” for anything. I technically do not have time to look at memes on twitter, but somehow I fit it in. (Hey no judgment; the meme life is important too!)
Chase down 15-20 minutes and set it apart, untouchable and sacred, as your reading-time. Turn it into a habit.
If you’re passionate about getting exercise each week, don’t forget that reading is strengthening the muscles of your brain. Super valid and important.
2. Identify Your Reading Blocks
Wave goodbye to your productive reading hour.
So try mixing things up!
Read for a few minutes in the mornings to break that “read = sleep” association.Don’t read in bed.Make sure you have adequate lighting to avoid eye strain (book lights are perfect for this!)If you struggle to focus because of a noisy environment, put on headphones with gentle white noise playing.If holding a physical book is difficult and causes wrist pain, try finding the perfect e-reader to keep books accessible for you.
The important thing is to identify what makes reading uncomfortable for you, or what turns it into a chore.
Eliminate these issues and turn reading into a safe place.
3. Use Audiobooks
There are so many times we could be reading but instead, we’re stuck doing mindless tasks that require our hands. The solution? Audiobooks!
Put your headphones in and listen to your chosen story while traveling, exercising, shopping, waiting in lines, cleaning, etc.
4. Not Enjoying It? Quit Reading That Book!
There is no shame in putting aside a book that isn’t working for you.
“It might get better!” your inner self whines softly, but be honest with yourself. Will it?
5. Read What Makes You Happy
This seems obvious! But it’s unfortunately common for people to gravitate toward reading books that they “think they should be reading.”
That classic, or this bestseller, or that literary novel everyone talks about. Look, read them if you want.
6. Always Bring A Book
If you love eBooks then make sure you have an eReading app on your phone! There: you’ve got a whole library in your pocket.
If you prefer physical books, put one in your bag every time you go out.
There’s nothing like being a little competitive to get you motivated to read more. Try focusing your reading intentions by setting a specific yearly reading goal!
You can sign up for the Goodreads Reading Challenge and pledge to read any number of books you like.
Pop Sugar also hosts a yearly challenge with over 16,000+ participants and Epic Reads hosts a 2019 reading challenge specifically geared to Young Adult books.
8. Find a Reading Buddy
Think of it like a miniature book club, just you and a friend or two.
When you have someone keeping you accountable for getting through a set amount of chapters per day, it can help you stay on track.
Not to mention, reading doesn’t have to be a lonely activity! Buddy-reading promotes discussion and gathering other perspectives.
The discussion also helps me to absorb the story better and analyze the content… and also inspires my competitive streak so I end up reading twice as fast to “finish first.” Shh… Don’t tell my friend!
9. Reorganize Your Down Time
How much Netflix do you watch? Do you scroll aimlessly on Twitter for a guiltily long time?
I’m not saying stop doing these things altogether, because life is best when all your pleasures are balanced, but if you really want to read more, try purposefully reorganizing where you put your time.
Instead of rewatching Stranger Things for the twelfth time, read a book. Ten minutes on Twitter, then ten minutes with your book.
Discipline yourself to reach for a book first.
10. Read Multiple Books
I don’t know about you, but I love having a different book for every occasion.
If I’m going out? I have an eBook ready to go. If I’m setting off for a walk, I grab my headphones and audiobook.
If I’m cozying up in a patch of sunlight on my bed, I’ve got a physical book with that delightful new-page smell ready to crack open.
Reading multiple books at once can stop you stalling if you’re not in the mood for one of your current reads.
Keeping your reading pile fresh and bolstered with new options is a foolproof way to keep your motivation to read high. We all like new things, shiny things.
I’m a collector and enjoy the act of arranging books on my shelves almost as much as reading them, and my excitement to crack open my next read always mounts when I get a new book.
Do you know what bookworms don’t have enough of? Well, money because we spend it all on books. But also: we don’t have enough time to read!
How to Read More Books
Reading for pure enjoyment has been on a sad decline for a while now, with reports saying 24% of Americans haven’t read at all for pleasure this last year.
Life gets busy; books don’t get prioritized. Of course, readers are not mythical entities yet: Pew Research Center states the average American is still likely to read around 12 books a year.
But with over a million books being published each year, the undeniable fact is: we need to find more time to read.
I read 200 books per year and have been steadily hitting this goal since 2014
My #1 way to keep hitting these huge reading counts is genuinely to prioritize it.
Instead of watching TV, I choose to read.
Instead of weekends out, I prefer the cozy comfort of tea, a soft blanket, and an excellent novel. (Peak shy-introvert move here too, I must admit.)
And reading isn’t just a joy and pleasure, it sharpens your mind and improves your empathy and ability to view the world from new perspectives.
Social studies have been done to conclude things like reading Harry Potter turns children into empathetic and perceiving adults.
It’s not just healthy to read, it’s crucial for building a generation of intelligent people who will strive to make the world a better place.
Books teach you to think for yourself, analyze, challenge the status quo and stand up for the downtrodden.
You also, like me, might be a voracious reader but still feel your TBR is casting you salty looks because you struggle to fit more reading time into your busy lifestyle.
But stop panicking! I am here to help.
10 SIMPLE HACKS TO READ MORE BOOKS
1. Include Reading In Your Daily Routine
The truth is, most people don’t “have enough time” for anything. I technically do not have time to look at memes on twitter, but somehow I fit it in. (Hey no judgment; the meme life is important too!)
Chase down 15-20 minutes and set it apart, untouchable and sacred, as your reading-time. Turn it into a habit.
If you’re passionate about getting exercise each week, don’t forget that reading is strengthening the muscles of your brain. Super valid and important.
2. Identify Your Reading Blocks
Wave goodbye to your productive reading hour.
So try mixing things up!
Read for a few minutes in the mornings to break that “read = sleep” association.Don’t read in bed.Make sure you have adequate lighting to avoid eye strain (book lights are perfect for this!)If you struggle to focus because of a noisy environment, put on headphones with gentle white noise playing.If holding a physical book is difficult and causes wrist pain, try finding the perfect e-reader to keep books accessible for you.
The important thing is to identify what makes reading uncomfortable for you, or what turns it into a chore.
Eliminate these issues and turn reading into a safe place.
3. Use Audiobooks
There are so many times we could be reading but instead, we’re stuck doing mindless tasks that require our hands. The solution? Audiobooks!
Put your headphones in and listen to your chosen story while traveling, exercising, shopping, waiting in lines, cleaning, etc.
4. Not Enjoying It? Quit Reading That Book!
There is no shame in putting aside a book that isn’t working for you.
“It might get better!” your inner self whines softly, but be honest with yourself. Will it?
5. Read What Makes You Happy
This seems obvious! But it’s unfortunately common for people to gravitate toward reading books that they “think they should be reading.”
That classic, or this bestseller, or that literary novel everyone talks about. Look, read them if you want.
6. Always Bring A Book
If you love eBooks then make sure you have an eReading app on your phone! There: you’ve got a whole library in your pocket.
If you prefer physical books, put one in your bag every time you go out.
You never know when you’ll have a spare 10 minutes that could be filled with another chapter.
7. Engage In Challenge
7. Engage In Challenge
There’s nothing like being a little competitive to get you motivated to read more. Try focusing your reading intentions by setting a specific yearly reading goal!
You can sign up for the Goodreads Reading Challenge and pledge to read any number of books you like.
Pop Sugar also hosts a yearly challenge with over 16,000+ participants and Epic Reads hosts a 2019 reading challenge specifically geared to Young Adult books.
8. Find a Reading Buddy
Think of it like a miniature book club, just you and a friend or two.
When you have someone keeping you accountable for getting through a set amount of chapters per day, it can help you stay on track.
Not to mention, reading doesn’t have to be a lonely activity! Buddy-reading promotes discussion and gathering other perspectives.
The discussion also helps me to absorb the story better and analyze the content… and also inspires my competitive streak so I end up reading twice as fast to “finish first.” Shh… Don’t tell my friend!
9. Reorganize Your Down Time
How much Netflix do you watch? Do you scroll aimlessly on Twitter for a guiltily long time?
I’m not saying stop doing these things altogether, because life is best when all your pleasures are balanced, but if you really want to read more, try purposefully reorganizing where you put your time.
Instead of rewatching Stranger Things for the twelfth time, read a book. Ten minutes on Twitter, then ten minutes with your book.
Discipline yourself to reach for a book first.
10. Read Multiple Books
I don’t know about you, but I love having a different book for every occasion.
If I’m going out? I have an eBook ready to go. If I’m setting off for a walk, I grab my headphones and audiobook.
If I’m cozying up in a patch of sunlight on my bed, I’ve got a physical book with that delightful new-page smell ready to crack open.
Reading multiple books at once can stop you stalling if you’re not in the mood for one of your current reads.
Keeping your reading pile fresh and bolstered with new options is a foolproof way to keep your motivation to read high. We all like new things, shiny things.
I’m a collector and enjoy the act of arranging books on my shelves almost as much as reading them, and my excitement to crack open my next read always mounts when I get a new book.
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