Key points:
Reading full books requires some thoughtful planning.
Assessing your schedule and making changes to it is a great way to make time for reading.
Your environment and habits play a key role in reading regularly.
E-readers and audiobooks are convenient alternative ways to "read".
The Headway app is a great alternative for those who find it difficult to commit to reading more books.
The question of how to read more books is incredibly relevant in today's day and age.
And while its logical answer may seem to be "just read them?", the unfortunate reality for many people is that doing so isn't that simple. Indeed, while most of us love reading and have a list of books we'd like to explore, modern life doesn't afford us the circumstances, time, or patience to actually sit down for it.
If you find yourself with this problem, don't worry. You're not alone.
In this article, we'll explore some tips and tricks on how you can make reading a bigger part of your life. By the end, you'll have a better understanding of how to read more books and, hopefully, be inspired to do so. And if you struggle to read as many books as you would like to, check out our article about the best books for procrastinators.
How to Read More Often? Top Tips
Make Reading Part of Your Routine
The first and most impactful thing you can do to read more is finding ways to integrate it into your existing routine. As referenced in the opening, today's modern, highly connected world doesn't prioritize books in the same way it used to. Everything's all about instant gratification, jam-packed schedules, places to go, and places to be. This makes it very hard to find the time to actually take a moment and enjoy more slow-burn activities like reading. But despite this pace you may be forced to live in, there are ways you can incorporate books into your life without compromising on other commitments.
Here's how:
Assess Your Schedule
You may have gotten used to saying the phrase, "I don't have time to read," but are you absolutely sure that's the case in your situation? Many of us get into the habit of thinking that we're busier than we really are, and as a result, we don't give ourselves enough credit for what we can actually accomplish in a day.
Start by taking a good, hard look at your schedule and identifying any gaps or downtime you may have. Do you have 30 minutes to spare? What about 15? In most cases, the answer is yes – we all have at least a few minutes here and there that we can use for reading.
It can be helpful to actually write out your schedule for a week or two to get a better sense of how you're using your time. From there, you can start to look for patterns and places where you might be able to sneak in some reading time.
Create a Reading-Friendly Environment
Sometimes, people don't read as much as they would like to or should because of external factors. If your home is cluttered or noisy, for instance, it can be very difficult to focus the few minutes you have to spare on reading.
Creating a reading-friendly environment can help alleviate these issues and make it easier to focus when you do have some time to read.
Think about the places where you feel most comfortable reading. Is it in your bed, curled up under the covers? In a comfy armchair with a cup of tea? Make a note of these places, and try to set aside some time to read in them on a regular basis.
In addition to finding the right setting, you'll also want to make sure you have everything you need to read nearby. Keep a stash of books in your bedroom, bag, or office so that you can always grab one when you have a few free minutes. If you prefer digital reading, make sure your e-reader is fully charged and keep it within easy reach.
Set Some Reading Goals
One of the best ways to ensure that you actually make time for reading is to set some specific goals. Trying to read more without any sort of plan is likely to result in frustration, as you'll only end up feeling like you're not making any progress.
Sit down and think realistically about how much time you want to spend reading each week. From there, you can break that down into smaller daily or monthly goals. For example, if you want to read for two hours per week, that works out to about 20 minutes per day.
It can also be helpful to set goals for the number of books you want to read in a given time period. Whether that's one book per month or one book per week, having a specific target to hit will help motivate you to actually make reading a regular habit.
Supplement Other Pastimes With Reading
If your schedule is absolutely swamped with other things to do, the next option you have to consider is reevaluating your existing pastimes. This is obviously less than ideal, as you don't want to give up activities you actually enjoy. However, in some cases, it may be necessary in order to make room for reading.
Take another look at your schedule and the activities on it. Are there any that you'd be comfortable swapping out? Are some things optional? Is there anything in there that you value less than reading? If so, then you may have found your solution.
Another way to go about this is to reduce the amount of time you spend on your other pastimes so that you have more time for reading. For instance, if you usually spend an hour watching TV every night, can you cut that back to 30 minutes? Doing so would afford you an extra three and a half hours of reading every week, which could amount to several books in a short span of time.
You may also want to consider cutting down on social media use, as it can be a huge time-sink. If you find yourself scrolling aimlessly through Facebook or Instagram, try setting a timer for yourself and only allow yourself to spend 10-15 minutes on the site. This way, you can still stay connected without sacrificing too much of your precious reading time.
Find Books That Match Your Interests
One reason that some people have trouble reading is that they're simply not interested in the books they're trying to read. If you find yourself struggling to make it through a book, it may be because it's not something you're passionate about.
The solution to this problem is simple: find books that match your interests. If you love sports, look for books about sports figures or history. If you're into fashion, seek out books about the industry or famous designers. And if you're a fan of music, look for biographies or memoirs from your favorite artists. There are tons of apps and online communities designed specifically for this purpose — give them a go and see what recommendations you can find.
Change Your Format
For some people, their main barrier to reading more is simply the fact that books can be a hassle to lug around. And that's a reasonable justification.
For instance, The Standard Edition of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Illustrated Edition weighs a total of 4.68 lbs, while its Deluxe Edition weighs 10.5 lbs. Not exactly convenient for reading on the go.
It isn't realistic to carry all of your favorite reads around, let alone worry about where you set them down or any risks of damage or theft. One way to get around this issue is by switching to other formats, like the following.
e-Readers
An e-Reader is a handheld electronic device that's designed specifically for reading books. The two most popular options on the market are the Amazon Kindle and the Barnes & Noble Nook.
These devices allow you to store thousands of books on a single device, which is way more convenient than lugging around physical copies.
They're also usually significantly cheaper than buying print books, so you can save some money in the long run. Plus, most e-Readers come with features like built-in dictionaries and adjustable font sizes, which can make the reading experience much more enjoyable.
Audiobooks
If you're someone who has a lot of trouble sitting down and reading, then audiobooks may be a good solution. An audiobook is a recording of someone reading a book aloud, which you can listen to on your commute, while working out, or even while doing chores around the house.
They can be purchased for download online and are especially great for people who are visual learners, as well as those with dyslexia or other reading disabilities.
Use the Headway App
If you find yourself challenged by the planning, costs, or commitment of the aforementioned suggestions, downloading Headway may be your solution. Headway is an innovative app designed to make the process of learning quick and enjoyable.
It reworks literary enrichment for the age of the smartphone through challenges, streaks, book summaries and more, and is quickly becoming one of the most popular apps on the market.
Here's what makes Headway so unique:
The World's Best Ideas in a Nutshell
With Headway, you can read or listen to the world's best ideas in just a few minutes. It's perfect for busy people who want to learn but don't have a lot of time.
Learn at Your Own Pace
Headway offers a flexible learning experience that lets you choose how much or how little you want to learn. You can do a little bit every day or binge-learn an entire book summary in one sitting. It's up to you.
Personalized Plan
With a fully customized learning plan, Headway ensures that you're always learning the things that matter most to you.
Gamified Experience
Headway makes learning fun by turning it into a game. With achievements and streaks, you'll be motivated to keep coming back for more.
In Closing
While the twenty-first century isn't as book-oriented as its predecessors, there are still plenty of ways to get your reading fix. With a little creativity and effort, you can find ways to read more books that work for you and your lifestyle. And who knows? You might just end up enjoying it.
Download the Headway app today and start learning something new!
FAQs
Is there any actual value to reading more?
Yes! Reading has a ton of benefits, both for your personal growth and for your career.
Some of the benefits of reading include:
- Improving your communication skills
- Helping you to think critically
- Increasing your empathy and understanding of others
- Giving you a broader perspective of the world
- Exposing you to new ideas and ways of thinking
- Helping you to relax and de-stress
How can I find time to read with a busy schedule?
If you're struggling to find time to read, there are a few things you can do to fit it into your schedule.
- Try listening to audiobooks instead of reading physical copies. You can listen to them while you're commuting, working out, or doing chores around the house.
- Use the Headway app to read short book summaries that you can easily fit into your schedule.
- Set aside some time each day, even if it's just 10-15 minutes, to read. Once you get into the habit, it'll be easier to find the time.
What are some good books to start with if I'm new to reading?
Here are a few suggestions of good reads for beginners:
- 1984 by George Orwell
- The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
- The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
These are just a few suggestions, but there are plenty of other great books out there. The important thing is to find something that interests you and get started!
