I don’t like to brag, but I read a lot of books. My goal for this year is to read at least 150 books (you can follow my progress on Goodreads by the way, I’d love to connect!). A lot of people ask me how I manage to read that many books, and still have a life. And a family. And hobbies, other than reading.
I’ve always been a reader, but my reading productivity has increased dramatically over the last few years. That’s partly because I quit my job as a youth pastor and thus stopped working fulltime in addition to being a mom, wife, and having other important roles. But it’s also because I’ve applied 5 effective tips to read more books. It’s one thing to determine to ‘make reading a priority’, but it’s another to put it into practice. Here’s what I’ve learned:
1. Make reading as easy as possible
If you want to read more, make sure you always have a book on you. I love my Kindle, which is always in my bag, so I can read whenever and where ever I want to. But I also have a lot of printed books (nothing smells better than a new book, fresh off the printer!), and I have books on my iPad, and even on my phone.
2. Read in small blocks
If you can’t carve out an entire afternoon of reading, that doesn’t mean you can’t ever finish a book. Just read it in small installments, five to ten minutes at a time. In my house, you will find books everywhere. I will read when I’m cooking dinner, I read when I’m waiting for my son to get dressed for school, I read when I’m waiting for the school bus to arrive, I read in every waiting area I’m in. I’ve read whole books in doctor’s waiting rooms!
3. Read what captures your attention
Your time is valuable, so don’t waste it on reading books that don’t keep you captivated. I don’t like quitting, so I used to wrestle my way through books that were boring, badly written or just plain dumb. Now I simply quit when I don’t like a book and start in another one. It’s the same within a book by the way, I don’t feel obligated anymore to read everything anymore. If certain chapters don’t appeal to me, I skip them.
4. Read more than one book simultaneously
Sometimes you’re in the mood for something entertaining, other times you want the heavy stuff. That’s okay. I am usually reading about ten books at the same time. Some I never finish because other books are more interesting (see point above), some take forever, and some are finished in no time. I like having a choice, so I can always read something I feel like reading. That way it feels like relaxing and not like a chore!
5. Keep track of what you have read
This may not work for everybody, but if you are a goal oriented person, as I am, it will help you push yourself to read more. I use Goodreads to keep track of what I read. Incidentally, it’s also a great way to discover new books, especially outside my own preferred genres. But before there was Goodreads, I used s simple Excel sheet to log my books. You could even write down a key take away from each book, a smart way to retain more of what you have read.
Which of these tips have you already tried to read more books?
[Images via k6martini via Compfight cc & Enokson via Compfight cc]
Joanna says
I’ve found setting goals and keeping track of what I read very helpful. I just use a Google Docs spreadsheet.
I’ve also found audiobooks dramatically increase how much I can read. Between all the different tasks that I can safely do while listening to something (cleaning, commuting, exercising, grocery shopping ect.) I can usually listen 5-10 hours a week, sometimes more. Audiobooks are also good for days when I’ve spent a long time looking at text and don’t want o look at any more.
Rachel Blom says
I’ve tried audiobooks, but they don’t work for me. I know a lot of people who do what you do and it really helps them to ‘read’ more in the car, during a commute, while running or doing household stuff. It sounds perfect, but I couldn’t get into it. I kept getting distracted while listening, my thoughts would go in ten different directions and I’d stop listening to what was being said. When it comes to learning styles, I’m very dominantly read/write and visual, so maybe it has to do with that. But definitely something to try for people who want to read more, audiobooks can be a great way to get more reading done!
Wayne Stiles says
Super suggestions, Rachel! Thanks. I used these and more to read 50 books last year and I’m trying to do the same this year. It’s really fulfilling and not that tough. Thanks again for the shot in the arm.
Rachel Blom says
You’re very welcome 🙂 I loved your list of books by the way, read some of them myself and Bonhoeffer’s bio is definitely on my to read list!