5 Tips to Help You Read More This Year.
Have you got ‘read more books’ as your resolution this year? Great, we’ve got some tips to help you become a persistent page-turner, and enjoy it!
Have you been eyeing up that lengthy classic that has been at the top of your to-be-read pile for months, or potentially you already read a lot but want to do even better this year? Maybe you simply want to make more time for reading in your routine but are struggling to commit?
Whatever your reading goals are for this year, we’ve been there. It’s overwhelming, there are so many books and so little time. Fortunately, implementing a few handy tricks and tips will make your reading journey more enjoyable.
Last year, I decided to take a different approach to reading. In the past, I felt a lot of pressure to read as an English literature student and a writer. The pressure slowly made reading a chore for me rather than the joy it ought to be! So, I decided to make a change and focus less on what I ought to be reading and more on connecting with my love of books.
My strategy worked! Last year I beat my annual reading goal of 52 books by 15, and this year I’m on schedule to read 100. But what’s even better is I have my passion for all things bookish back.
Here are a few tips and tricks to help you read more this year without piling on the pressure.
1. Tracking and setting goals
It is difficult to achieve a goal if you aren’t sure what that goal is. The Goodreads Reading Challenge is an excellent way to set and track your goal, it can tell you if you’re on schedule and how many more books you have left. It’s also really fun to look back on which books you rated 5 stars, and which you gave scathing reviews to! I like tracking my books on Goodreads but if you prefer pen and paper, bullet journals are a fun and creative way to track your reading journey.
2. Read more than one book at a time
Sometimes people are scared to read more than one book at a time. But trust me it is essential when trying to read more. No matter how much you enjoy a book, you may not always be in the mood to read it. The best way to date many books at once is to pick ones with very different genres or styles. Currently, I have a science fiction, a Russian classic, and a young adult fantasy on the go. This is also a great tactic to push yourself out of your comfort zone and read more genres.
3. Don’t be scared of DNF
Forcing yourself to finish a book you can’t stand is one of the easiest ways to fall into a reading slump. Not only will it take the enjoyment out of reading, but it will also slow your progress down for the year. You have to take the shame out of not finishing a book, life is too short to read a book you hate. So, embrace the DNF (did not finish) and read something that better serves you. I’d recommend giving a book 100 pages before declaring the DNF but do whatever feels best for you.
4. Make reading part of your routine
The best way to consistently read more is to make reading more consistent! Sounds simple, and it kind of is. To keep up with your reading goals it is essential to integrate reading into your routine so that it will become second nature to you. Maybe wake up a little earlier and read with coffee and breakfast in bed. If you’re more of a night owl dedicate half an hour before bed to snuggle up with a good book. I even have friends that read when they run on the treadmill! It’s all about finding the perfect reading routine for you.
5. Join a book club
Joining a book club is a great way to stay accountable when reading. Not only that but it’s a great environment to meet other book lovers, step outside your literary comfort zone and get a bit more out of a book. Hearing fellow book enthusiasts discuss various interpretations of the book could potentially open you up to something you missed. Online book clubs are a great alternative if the idea of an in-person meet-up is not your cup of tea, or if you have a busy schedule. If you commit to a monthly book club, that’s already 12 books towards your annual goal!