Okay, so it’s been on your last New Year’s resolutions/goals/intentions1 list for the last six years but this year you mean it. This year, you want to read more books.
There are many topics I’m not comprehensively qualified to advise on but the habit of reading is absolutely one of them. Over the last several years I’ve read between 50 and 60 books a year, not because I tried hard or wanted to achieve a goal but because I cultivated a habit that made it easy.
It’s a lifelong passion that even prompted my husband and I to buy a book for every person who came to our wedding.
For those who aspire to read more this coming year, whether that looks like 10 books or 50, here is how I do it2.
Find books you’ll love reading
Some say those who hate Brussels sprouts simply haven’t eaten good ones. The same, I believe, goes for books. An average book (let alone a bad one) can be discouraging, especially when starting, or restarting, a reading habit. So it’s worth taking the time to find a few dependably good ones.
How do I do this? I ask friends what they’ve loved recently or think I would like. I go on the GoodReads app, which shows what books are similar to the ones you like. On the app I can also track progress that year (great for those motivated by data) and see updates from friends I follow; books they’ve read, reviewed or rated out of 5.
If someone has produced or featured on a podcast, article or documentary and I find their ideas interesting, chances are I’ll like their book. My favourite non-fiction reads for 2023 were written by people I first heard on podcasts.
Get free books
One day soon I’ll write a love letter to my local library. Today, I’ll say it’s one of the least appreciated public services and not just because it provides FREE BOOKS but because a ‘due date’ is a superb external motivator to pick up a book and get through it. Also, did I mention; free books!? Sign up, reserve a stack of 10 books on your new ‘want to read’ list then wait for the emails over the next month or two as they arrive – another great prompt to read.
Set a measurable goal
Some people (ahem, my husband) would say setting a numbers goal can make a leisure activity unnecessarily legalistic. But if you’re terrible at making time for hobbies and goals motivate you, set ‘em up I say. I’ll typically set a ‘number of books’ goal but others prefer setting a ‘time per week/day’ goal. And make it aspirational! If you think 10 is achievable, set it for 15. You may surprise yourself.
Eat (with) your books
It’s typical to think of a book reader settling into bed with the novel at night but personally, I rarely, if ever, read before bed. Why? Because if you truly want to prioritise something, you don’t make it the one thing that stands between you and sleep at a day’s end. After an exhausting or overwhelming day, you can bet a pre-sleep read is the first thing I ditch. Instead, the piece of advice I rate most highly and people find most unusual is to read during mealtimes. This approach is great for several reasons; it’s a good 15(ish) minute chunk of time; it’s a reminder that naturally occurs three times a day; it’s often time I can claim for myself at least once a day (but often twice3).
Put yourself in time-out
If you live in a busy and sociable home, flat or office, don’t pop yourself in the lounge, kitchen or cafeteria and expect to get reading done. Those with strong reading habits or an engrossing book may be fine but most people shouldn’t kid themselves into thinking they can make progress on a book while also being part of the group chat/socialising. Commit to one and if you choose socialising, don’t be that person who declares every five minutes ‘Okay NOW I’m going to read’.
Learn to love the 5-minute session
I know friends who will sit on a sofa one evening and devour a book from start to finish. This is a treat but not a frequent reality for me. Instead, I take a ’10 minute chunks’ approach and ensure I always have a book in my bag or car for the handful of minutes before a doctor's appointment or coffee catch-up, gym class or phonecall.
These little chunks can feel pointless but anyone who has looked at their social media screen time for the week knows five minutes here and there quickly adds up.
Talk about it!
Some schools of thought advise against talking about goals. I’ve found the opposite helpful when it comes to reading. Tell everyone you have a goal to read more and ask them to hold you to it during that long weekend away. Talk about the books that you’re reading and ask people about what they’re reading (it’s a FAR better ice-breaker than ‘What do you do?’).
You’ll start to notice which people in your life constantly have a great book on the go and can give quality recommendations. You’ll also enjoy the secondary joy of book reading – discussing concepts and plots with others.
Give it a go… then let it go
I’m a firm believer you should always give a book a few chapters to ‘get going’. I’m still learning to let a book go after this point but it is important. There are no gold stars or silver medals for those who struggle through a novel they hate (I’m looking at you ‘On the Road’ by Jack Kerouac). If you’re battling a book, let it go.
If any of the above helps, you want a personal book recommendation or just to yarn about books, hit me up below or on here.
Or whatever synonym you prefer to use because ‘Resolutions’ is so 2018.
Naturally, every person has different life circumstances and obligations but this works for me and I believe it can largely be customised to you, whatever situation you’re in.
Again, this is something that works for one life stage but maybe not for another.
Great ideas ! 💡