I love to read. I have always loved to read. My mom attributes it to the fact that she read multiple books to me every night, but who knows what really cultivated a passion in me for reading. Throughout my life, I have always been a fairly avid reader. I relish the summer days when I was in junior high or high school and could literally spend my entire days reading while soaking up the sunshine. That was the life. But as the years pass, you grow up, life gets a lot more full. And reading gets thrown on the backburner if you don’t make it a priority. And before I knew it, I found myself not reading at all.
Around this time last year, I sat down and wrote an 8 in 2018 list. On that list was a plan to read more. I started slow not by putting some sort of a ridiculous number of books to year by the end of the year, but a simple goal of reading at least 1 book per month. As I gained momentum though, I was able to finish a couple of months where I read more than one book. By the end of the year, I had read 10 books in a six month period. This year, I have been averaging around 2 books per month, with some months exceeding that. In 2019 thus far, I have read 11 books in a five-month period.
If you have abandoned reading or just want to set a goal to read more, here are a few tips I have picked up along the journey.
Set a timer
So this sounds sort of like a no brainer, but timers work for lots of different things. Setting a timer really sets aside the space to read without distractions and it helps you build a habit of making reading a priority in your life. If I feel particularly distracted, I will set a timer for 20 minutes at night and just read. It helps me reset and get back into the habit of reading at night if I have abandoned that habit for whatever reason. Pick an amount of time, set a timer, and then just read. If you pick an average book of 350 pages, reading 20 minutes a day and averaging 40 pages a day, you could potentially finish anywhere from 3-4 books per month.
Put Down Your Phone
I love reading in bed at night, but I also find that sometimes during my night reads I can be really distracted. I will remember something to add to my to-do list the next day or I’ll need to set a reminder or I remember that thing I wanted to look up. Next thing I know, I’ve wasted the 20 minutes I could have spent reading being on my phone. I have had to become extremely disciplined in putting my phone down and NOT picking it up while I read. This even pertains to responding to texts or other messages (most of my notifications are turned off anyway which helps) because I have learned when I open my phone, it is far too easy for me to get distracted on it. So I just ignore it completely when I have set aside the time I want to be reading.
Have books where you live
This is another one that seems like a no brainer, but it really helps. Say you keep all the books you are actively reading in one spot, the likelihood of you physically getting up to go get the book to come back and sit down to read is slim. If you are wanting to read in a special chair or on the couch, have your books nearby. If you want to read in the bath or on your patio, keep a book close-by. Wherever it is you are wanting to read, keep books there. That way when you sit down, you can easily reach for a book and read instead of doing something else. This tip also goes hand in hand with another tip about having a couple of active books. That way, no matter where you are in your home, you can grab a book you are actively reading and start right in.
Carry a book with you at all times
Have a doctor’s appointment? Need your oil changed? Anywhere you normally sit and wait, pull out a book. I know several avid readers that utilize their Kindle or E-reader for this purpose. They keep it in their purse loaded up with books for when they are out and about. Instead of sitting and scrolling on your phone when you wait, read. If you take lunch by yourself for work, pull out your Kindle and read. If you have a book with you at all times, you’ll be more likely to pull it out and read.
Quit reading a book you can’t get into
This is a BIG ONE for me. I don’t know why but I always feel like I NEED to finish a book and then because I am not getting into it, I push off reading until the time I spend reading is less and less. When on the flip side, I could put aside that book I am not loving and MOVE ON to a new book I do love and continue the momentum. Now, this doesn’t necessarily mean that whatever book you can’t get through isn’t good – it just maybe not what you are needing or wanting in this season. Set it aside and you can always come back to it at a different time, and at that time, it may be just what you are needing. Don’t be afraid to quit books. Keep the momentum going.
Keep a list or an actual stack of to-read books
Having some idea on what to read next is helpful. It allows you to quickly, easily, and seamlessly continue the momentum of reading. Instead of constantly having to always research what to read next. There are numerous blogs and resources out there to help you narrow down your choices or you can always ask a trusted avid reading friend for suggestions. I manage my list of to-read books via Trello. I break it down by genre, so I can easily pick whatever suits my mood and then I can check off which books I’ve already read. I also like to “collect” a stack of physical to-read books on my nightstand. Currently, I think my stack is five or six books deep but I like having the “immediate to read” books there, easily within reach whenever I may want to pick them up. I also try to keep one or two books on my Kindle for when I take it with me, so I am not wasting my time searching for a book to read on there. Either way, having books in the queue, physically or digitally, is extremely helpful.
Have a couple of active books
This tip pairs really nicely with a couple of the other tips already listed. First, having a couple of active books where you live or wherever you are going. So this could mean, you are actively reading a physical book in bed, a physical book on the couch, and then a Kindle book when you are out and about. Another benefit of having a couple of active books is that it gives you variety depending on your mood, aren’t in the mood for a personal development book? Have a fun, easy fiction read active that you can pick up instead. Giving yourself a variety in several books you are actively reading helps keep you reading and doesn’t pigeonhole you into one book or one genre.
Know your genres
This tip becomes helpful once you get back into the swing of reading again. You’ll start to slowly realize what books you love and read through quickly and what books are more difficult for you to read. This can even get as complex as storylines you like and storylines you don’t like. Knowing what genres, character types, or storylines you enjoy will help you pick books that you’ll actually enjoy reading and it will help you to pass on books you know you may not enjoy.
Don’t read non-fiction before bed
I recently heard this tip on a podcast featuring Anne Bogel. They discussed avoiding reading anything too heavy, too tragic, or too serious before bed as it can hinder your ability to fall asleep. Or if it is something too intriguing, you may end up staying up far later than you had planned reading. While it may not be an issue for everyone, it is something to keep in mind while your curate your reads during the different times of your day. I know several readers who limit themselves to a personal development non-fiction book first thing in the morning and then a fun, light-hearted fiction book at night.
Are you an avid reader? What are some tips you’ve found to help you read more?
