Most of us, when starting to read a book, barely make it through a few pages before feeling bored, closing the book, and tucking it away in a drawer where it may never see the light again. Our drawers are often filled with books waiting to be read.
Completing an entire book can be a challenge for many, as they struggle to finish what they start. If you’re one of those who find it difficult to complete books, don’t worry. Today, we’ll help you read more books this year.
Here are some practical and effective strategies to enhance your reading habits, stay motivated, and enjoy more books this year. By incorporating these tips into your daily routine, you'll find yourself developing a deeper connection with reading and making consistent progress toward your reading goals.
1. Read Books in Topics That Interest You
Don’t read books that you don’t enjoy. When you start reading, you should feel like you’re devouring one page after another and eagerly anticipating what will happen next. This can only happen if you read a book on a topic that genuinely interests you, as it makes you feel connected and validated in your thoughts.
2. Start with Short Books
One of the biggest mistakes people make is starting with hefty books. If they begin reading, they often fail to finish and end up bored. Starting with smaller books can help you develop a love for reading and complete what you start.
3. Allocate Specific Time for Reading
Reading requires dedicated time. Avoid making it random; instead, set aside a specific time for it. The best time for reading is in the morning. Instead of waking up and rushing to work, wake up an hour earlier and read. Try this tip, and you’ll fall in love with reading.
4. Utilize Your Idle Time
There’s a lot of time we waste daily—whether in the car, on the bus, or at the airport. Use these moments to read, and you’ll be surprised at how many books you can get through.
5. Set Realistic Goals
Many people feel disappointed when they find they’ve read fewer books than they planned. This often happens because they set unrealistic goals, like reading ten books a month—a daunting task for a beginner. Instead, set a goal of reading two books a month. Once you achieve that, you’ll naturally want to read more.
6. Carve Out Time from Your Daily Routine
Studies show the average person spends about five hours watching TV daily, which is a significant amount compared to the time spent reading. You could reduce TV time to three hours and dedicate the remaining two hours to reading.
7. Vary Your Reading Formats
Everyone has their preferred way of reading—some love physical books, others prefer digital formats, and some enjoy audiobooks. Switching between these formats can help you finish books faster. For instance, you can listen to an audiobook while driving and then switch to your physical copy at home.
8. Track What You’ve Read
One simple way to motivate yourself is to keep a record of the books you’ve read. When your list is short, you’ll want to add more to it. And as it grows longer, you’ll feel proud and inspired to make it even longer.
9. Put Your Phone Away
This doesn’t mean you should completely discard your phone, but avoid keeping it near you while reading. Choose a specific room for reading and leave your phone behind, as notifications can distract and disrupt your focus.
10. Learn Speed Reading Skills
Speed reading helps you significantly increase your reading pace, enabling you to read more books in less time. The average reader processes 250–350 words per minute, but with practice and dedication, you can increase your speed to 1,000 words per minute.
11. Share What You Read
Yes, that’s right! Talk about what you’ve read with your friends and share your thoughts. This not only reinforces what you’ve learned but also motivates you to read more books so you can discuss them. You can also share your insights on platforms like Twitter using specific hashtags, allowing others to recommend similar books to you.
By applying these tips, you’ll notice a significant difference and be able to read more books this year. Remember, wisdom isn’t measured by the number of books you read but by how much you benefit from them.
