How To Read More This Year
Last year I read 43 books. This year, I’m going for 50.
Lots of people ask me how I do it, how I read so much in a year. Part of it is because I’m a writer, so I’m constantly reading to learn about writing techniques, styles, how different authors word different scenes, to pick out how characters are described, how scenes are formed, how plots are created. I read to learn. But I also read simply because I love it. It’s something my parents instilled in me at a young age—the love of books. I’ve always had bookcases in my room and throughout our house overflowing with books of all kinds. And going to the local library was a constant during the summer. Since I could sit still, my parents have read to me. And then once I could read for myself, I’ve always been surrounded by books.
Reading a ton of books in a year doesn’t feel like a chore anymore. It’s pretty easy and something that is such a habit for me that I don’t even have to think about it anymore.
Here’s my secrets:
1. When you want to scroll on social media, read instead.
When I deleted all social media off my phone almost 4 years ago I noticed how much free time I suddenly had. Instead of watching a show before bed or mindlessly scrolling till my eyes fell heavy, I started reading before bed. And whenever I’d catch myself going for my phone to fill empty space, I started reaching for a book instead. Not only will you feel better filling your time with something that actually benefits you, but you’ll also feel more fulfilled. Your mind will thank you.
2. Always carry a book with you wherever you go.
This is something I recently started doing. Last January I spent the month in London for school. My entire class was readers. We all carried books with us wherever we went as we’d often have long tube rides or time to pass when going places as a group. Our time was never wasted. Whenever there was a second of free time we’d all pull out our books and read, often updating each other on our most recent find or sharing passages that caught our attention. I (accidentally) read seven books in one month doing this. And I wasn’t even trying to read that much.
3. Read before bed every night.
Many people say they are too busy to read. And I understand that. I often feel too busy for certain things too. But an easy way to start the habit of reading is to do so slowly. Set the small goal that you are going to read a little before bed every night and before you know it you’ll be reaching for a book without even knowing it. Soon you’ll be craving stories before bed instead of your phone. Give yourself 30 minutes. Read until you get tired, and then put it away. No pressure, just something relaxing to do to calm yourself down from the day. The nice thing about reading is that it not only makes your brain work and keeps it active but it also can be used as something of low stimulation to wind down with.
4. Find a genre you like then get as many books as you possibly can that interest you.
If commercial romance is not your thing, then don’t read it. Same thing goes for literally every genre that exists. Read whatever piques your interest and stick with that. Just because it feels like the whole world is reading one thing, doesn’t mean you have to do the same. Reading shouldn’t feel like a chore, and there is no shame in DNFing a book that you can’t get into.
5. Read anything.
This one sort of counterpoints the above tip, but both are so valid. Once you’ve got yourself into a genre you like, don’t get stuck in it. Every once in a while try another genre or type of book and see if your preferences have changed. There was a time in my life when I exclusively read nonfiction. Now I read both fiction and nonfiction, and if I hadn’t have tried something new, I would have missed out on so many good reads.
6. Get a card at your local library.
Reading, unfortunately, can begin to get expensive when you’re buying all the books you’re reading. Espeically if you’re reading a ton. If you want your own copies of books (which I understand) buy from used bookstores or ThriftBooks. If you’re not sure you want to keep a book or if you’ll like it, then the library is your best bet. Libraries are not only good places to get books, but the librarians can also give your recommendations. And it’s a wonderful place to hang out and read. Surrounding yourself with books is often all your brain needs to become motivated to crack open a book.
7. Make friends with fellow readers.
This is one of the most important tips I’ll ever have. They say in order to become something you should surround yourself with likeminded people. This can not be more true. Almost all my friends are readers and it’s such a joy to be able to share what we are reading and our favorite books. While my personal favorite is to find friend groups of readers, it’s not always possible for everyone. I’ve found that the easiest way to do this if you do not have a reading community close to you is to join the app Goodreads. You can track your books on there, join groups, and get recommendations for future reads.
8. Give yourself a goal.
If you are the type of person who needs a goal to motivate them, then create a goal. If goals are not your thing, then skip this tip. Your goal doesn’t have to be anything big. I only chose to do 50 books this year because I knew I’d have time to do so, it was a challenge I wanted to see if I could complete and it was something that felt attainable. If your goal is one book a month or to read one book this year, there is absolutely no shame in that. Set a goal for something you think it attainable, and then go from there. And if December 2024 rolls around and you are books away from your goal, there’s no shame in that as well. I’ve definitely come under my goal multiple years in a row. It happens. It’s life.
9. Explore local bookshops.
This is one of my favorite things to do, especially if I’m visiting a new place. Bookshops can tell you a lot about the place you are in. They are also good places to find fellow readers, maybe get involved in events, and get recommendations. Chances are, anyone who works in a bookshop reads so pick their brain about some of their favorites or what popular books are flying off their shelves.
10. Have fun. Enjoy it.
Reading goals are not supposed to create stress. Reading itself should not make you stressed. The opposite should happen. You should want to read because it’s good for your brain, it gives you something inspiring to do, and because it’s a good way to spend your time and connect with yourself and others. Reading in the past might have been a chore for you (especially if you had to read books you couldn’t connect with in high school), but you can give reading a different feeling if you decide to do so. Find the books and authors that make you happy and stick with them. Find those little places you can go to read that give you a little escape and get lost in a book for a while.
Reading is something that I not only enjoy, but have found that it has a ton of benefits. I use it to wind down before bed at night (after all books don’t have blue light). It’s a good form of distraction if you are stressed out or anxious. It’s also a way to grow your imagination and empathy. Reading makes you a better person, allows you to better connect with society, and can show you parts of the world you might not have otherwise seen or experienced.
We are lucky enough to live in a time where anything you are looking for can be found in a book, so what are you waiting for? Go find it.
