People are always asking me—how do you read so much? Meanwhile I’m over here trying to figure out how I can read even more because my TBR pile is starting to rival Mt. Everest. My greatest tragedy in life is knowing that I’ll probably never be able to read all the books I want to read in my lifetime.
So I found myself wondering, how do people read more books? I decided to find some answers.
How To Read More Books: Gen’s Top 10 Tips
A little bit about the method. I decided to go the How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days route and employ the tactics of resident How-To Girl Andie Anderson. Which is to say every tip on here, I have tried and tested myself.
I even included a few that aren’t working for me right now, but have worked for me in the past. I stand by all of them. Just remember that like anything, not all of these will work for you. So I suggest doing what I did—try them for yourself and figure out which ones work best for you!
1. Have a dedicated reading time and anchor
Having a dedicated reading time has been my best method to read more since the pandemic started. I used to get a lot of reading done on my commute, but since I no longer have a commute, I wasn’t reading as much.
I started waking up earlier to get some reading in before my day begins and I try to read at least a few pages before bed. Reading is now a part of my morning and bedtime routines, which makes it easier to pick up again when I inevitably let the habit slide.
2. Set reading goals
Okay, this is the first reading trick that comes with a caveat. For the last few years, I’ve set a yearly reading goal for myself and then individual monthly goals to help me reach the larger goal. It’s worked well for me until this year.
Mid-way through the pandemic I found that having the goal was adding more stress than anything else, so I’ve mostly abandoned it in 2021. I still have a yearly goal that I hope to hit, but I’m giving myself more flexibility month-to-month and trying not to track my reading as closely. I’m keeping this on our list of how to read more because it’s worked well for me in the past, and it’s a good reminder that something that used to work for you might not always and that’s okay.
Not sure where to start with reading goals? Take a look at Another Book on the Shelf’s 2021 Reading Challenge!
3. Listen to audiobooks
Audiobooks were a hard sell for me. I might not have even tried it if I weren’t writing this post. But, honestly, it’s a good trick. Listening is a great way to read more books while you’re doing something else, like washing the dishes or going for a walk.
I’ve been using libro.fm which lets you support a local bookstore of your choice (I chose Type Books in Toronto). Just remember that not all audiobooks will work for you and the narrator makes a huge difference, so check out recommendations from other audiobook lovers!
(Head on over to Instagram to enter our giveaway! You’ll get the chance to win an audiobook credit for libro.fm or one of our custom book club bookmarks. We’re announcing the winner on April 15th—Jette’s birthday!)
4. Carry your book everywhere
I used to do this all the time. My requirement when buying a new purse is that it must be big enough to fit a book inside. Of course, I’m not going anywhere these days, so I didn’t think it applied.
But it turns out that even just carrying my book around the apartment helps. If it’s in the room with me I’m more likely to pick it up when I have some time to kill while cooking or when I need to take a break from work.
5. Read in sprints
By reading in sprints I mean read for even fifteen minutes. I used to dismiss reading as an option if I didn’t have at least an hour to dedicate to it. Now I’ll set aside fifteen minutes in the middle of my day for a short reading sprint. It’s not a lot, but it all adds up and you’ll find that you’re moving through your books faster without even noticing.
6. Read more than one book at a time
Tip #6 for how to read more is another that sometimes works for me and sometimes doesn’t. I find it works best if you pick two very different books. I usually go for one fiction title and one non-fiction title, which could include essays and short stories, since you can dip in and out of those collections while you have something longer on the go.
I used to read up to five books at a time! If you’re tracking how much you read on The Storygraph or Goodreads, it feels like slow going until suddenly you’re adding five books to your finished list all at once.
7. Stop reading books you don’t like
This one is huge! You’re not going to read at all if you don’t like what you’re reading. Where’s the motivation if you’re not enjoying it? So if you find yourself putting off your reading time because you don’t really want to pick up the book you’ve got on the go, pick another book!
I’m not saying you have to give up on the book entirely. Maybe it’s just not fitting your mood right now. But give yourself permission to set it aside and pick up something else that will hold your interest. You’ll naturally start reading more if you’re excited about what you’re reading.
Need some suggestions for books that won’t let you down? Take a look at 5 Must-Read James Baldwin Books That Will Change Your Life and Gen’s Top 10 New Book Releases of 2021.
8. Join a book club
You know I had to include this one. Obviously this works for me because Another Book on the Shelf book club has been going strong for three years now. It’s motivating to read a book that you know you’ll get to discuss with other people (and that you have to read to a deadline for a book club meeting!). However, sometimes you end up reading a book you don’t like.
My suggestion when joining a book club would be to let yourself be flexible. Read the ones you like. Abandon the ones you don’t. You’ll still be able to add to the discussion by talking about why it wasn’t working for you.
9. Designate a cozy reading spot
Okay, so technically I haven’t done this one. I live in a small apartment that I share with my sister, so there isn’t really anywhere to dedicate to a cozy reading spot that isn’t my bed. I’ve compromised by hanging some string lights and making my bedroom more inviting. Even that has worked well enough that I stand by it.
I’m much happier reading before bed when I get to turn my room into a sanctuary. I still wish I had a comfy armchair to curl up in, but that will have to be for Future Me. For now, I’ll have to live vicariously through Jette, who recently set up her own cozy reading spot.
10. Take breaks and don’t burn out
I saved this one for last, but I actually think it’s the most important tip for how to read more. Sometimes we push ourselves to the point that reading becomes something we do because we’re trying to hit a goal rather than because it’s something we enjoy.
So if you’ve tried all of the above, and you’re still finding it hard to read, give yourself a break. Put aside your book and do something else for a little while. Reading will still be there when you’re ready for it. And then when you go back to reading it will be because you want to. And isn’t that why we read in the first place?
It’s Not a Competition
That’s right. Say it with me—it’s not a competition. After all, we read because we love it, not to be the person who’s read the most books ever. (If that is your goal, I support you, but it sounds exhausting to me.) So don’t punish yourself if you don’t hit your reading goals, and don’t hold yourself to impossible standards.
Take what works from this list and leave the rest. Just don’t be afraid to change up your reading habits. As I said, not all of these work all the time. I find a list like this is most useful as something to have in your back pocket for when your old habits are feeling stale and you need some help in your quest to read more.
And remember that the most effective way to read more books is to have fun with it. Whether you’re listening to audiobooks, reading graphic novels, or devouring the latest in a middle grade series, it’s all reading. We don’t all have to be reading War and Peace and we don’t have to constantly compete with our peers and our past selves.
Let us know about your own tips and tricks for how to read more in the comments below! Still need inspiration? Check out Jette’s post on 5 Bookstagrammer’s You Should Be Following.
