We often struggle by committing to reading more books. It is important not to blame ourselves and instead focus on things we can change. Today, the world is a fast-paced, chaotic place where information spreads faster.
Reading more books, therefore, is often secondary. In this article, we are going to present easy tools and tips to read more books. Picking the tools or habits that fit your taste or schedule surely will get you back on track.
The Reason so Many People Struggle with Reading
People can’t seem to figure out how to read more. Most of the time, the reason for this is simple: they don’t have the time. We all get busy with work, family, and travel, but figuring out a strategy can help optimize time and spend it more mindfully. Let’s cut ourselves some slack. “Old-fashioned” reading has many new competitors. Social media might be the biggest ever.
Not only is it free and on everyone’s phone, but it is designed to be addictive and has already reduced our attention span drastically. The best way to combat this and figure out how to read more, therefore, is to change what we can – our approach to reading. People think of reading as another task to complete.
This should not be the case; reading should be a treat, a self-care habit, or a lifestyle. Often, we place obstacles in front of ourselves. Instead of stressing about finding the perfect book, just pick one that resonates with you, or a friend recommended. Even better, you can start with one that you read a few years ago and loved.
Building Healthy Reading Habits and Creating a Reading System
If you want to read more books, you first have to make sure you don’t set yourself up for failure. Setting a more minimalistic goal will help you to feel more motivated to start reading in the first place. For instance, putting a small achievable number on the process might make it easier. Finding just 5-10 minutes or 10 pages worth of time will make it seem easier than saying to yourself, “I must read this book as soon as possible”.
Another easy trick if you wonder how to read more is to pair your reading time with other activities. This could be, for example, reading with your morning coffee, at your lunch break, in the park, or just before bedtime. This way it won’t feel like a chore but a habit that complements your already existing schedule.
Remove Obstacles and Make Reading Easier
Sometimes, simply getting rid of some obstacles will go a long way. For example, make sure reading is convenient. Prepare your book so it is ready on your bed when you are about to turn in. Choose your picks in advance, or start a book club with a friend and take turns picking the next book. This way, you won’t get discouraged by the overwhelming number of choices of books available.
Keep the book with you always. You never know when you are suddenly going to have some extra time on your hands. You could be waiting for a delayed bus or at the doctor’s office. If there is no space for a physical book, you can bring it digitally, like on a Kindle or your smartphone. This way, you won’t have to worry about how to read more.
Use Digital Reading Tools to Your Advantage
Your lifestyle can require you to move about a lot. Maybe you travel for work, or you are just an active person always on the go. In this case, finding out how to read more can be tricky. Using digital reading tools will help you greatly. Some people prefer physical books. That’s great.
But perhaps combining that with a Kindle and having your book on multiple devices will allow you to switch between them and use more free time to read your book on the go. If you want to switch it up, you can also listen to them in the form of audiobooks.
Reading for school can be challenging as well. A smart strategy is to use an AI Text summarizer. These tools are a great way to make your reading more efficient and to help you remember important details of your readings.
How to Read More Books in a Year
If you wonder how to read more books in a year, here is an easy tip: set realistic goals. You don’t have to put unnecessary pressure on yourself. Here are a few dos and don’ts that will definitely help you:
- Don’t aim too high. If you set out to read 35 books, you will most likely fail. Instead, go 1-2 a month.
- Don’t be afraid to put down a book if you don’t like it. No one says you have to finish a book if you don’t like it. Figuring out how to read more is by reading things you love.
- Gamify your process. Keep track of books you are reading and ones you have finished. Multiple apps are supporting reading progress, like Goodreads and Evernote, that help you with reviews, digital bookmarks, and more.
The Bottom Line
Figuring out how to read more books is all about the details. Find books you like, add reading to your daily routine, and set goals that are easy to achieve. Reading is more fun if you read the things you like, where you like, on the device you prefer.
