How to Read More Books

If I’m being totally honest, I was NOT a big reader until 2021. I would read maybe 1 or 2 books per YEAR since college. YIKES! Don’t tell anyone. But a few years ago, I got really into it.. and now I read for 45 minutes to an hour every day. I can’t even remember how many books I read this year, but it was a LOT!

I love reading because it’s a relaxing, healthy way to drip some dopamine, and is very good for your brain.

I learned recently that reading fiction specifically is one of the most relaxing activities for humans! So if you’re cutting back or quitting alcohol and find yourself missing that glass of wine at the end of the day to take the edge off, try reading for 20 minutes instead! Reading actually relaxes you, whereas alcohol only provides a temporary, artificial sense of relaxation followed by a surge of stress hormones.

Plus, reading makes learning new ideas and words super FUN (yes, I know how dorky I sound 🤓!) I also love the aesthetic of having book shelves in the home 📚… they look beautiful and make me feel smart!

Think you don’t have time to read? If you spend any amount of time on social media, I bet you do! Pick up your iPhone right now, go to Settings > Screen Time > See All Activity… and look where it says Social. I bet you’ll be SHOCKED how much time you waste scrolling every day. I challenge you to try my tips below and put that wasted time towards forming a positive reading habit instead!

#1: Read stuff you like

Maybe this is obvious… or maybe not! There is no prize for finishing a book just because you started it.

If you start reading something and you aren’t enjoying or finding any value in it, move the fuck on! Return it to Amazon, give it to a friend, or put it in one of those cute little free libraries.

There are millions of books in the world, so there is no reason to waste your precious time reading a book you aren’t gaining anything from. I promise you, there are other books out there that you WILL like!

If you don’t know where to begin, you can find what’s currently on my bookshelf at the bottom of this post.

Let’s talk about genre. if your goal is to read more, don’t feel like you have to read books that are educational or inspiring. If you love steamy romance novels as much as my high school teacher, Mrs. Dunn, read those! I absolutely LOVED reading YOU on the subway when I first moved to New York City. I also really enjoyed Dexter! Both are SO CREEPY and super fun to read!

Once you’re in the habit of reading, you can always add in some educational or personal development books (my fav) to the mix.

#2: Read several books at a time

I know this sounds crazy if you’re not used to reading much, but hear me out.

I have ADHD so I tend to get bored or lose interest in things easily.. especially if I’m reading the same book day in and day out. Even when I’m really into a book, I start itching to know what else is out there, and my attention wanes.

However, I have found that reading a few different books simultaneously makes me stay WAY more engaged with all of them. Typically I read one chapter at a time, and then switch books. Chapters tend to be the end of one idea or theme, so it’s usually a good place to stop and switch gears. Nowadays I’m typically reading two to four books at once. What a difference this had made in my ability to read a whole lot more.. and really enjoy it!

#3: Set a timer

If you want to read more books, I highly suggest deciding on a certain amount of time, in minutes, that you want to commit to reading each day. Set the timer for how long you want to read during a session, then put your phone away and read, undistracted, until the timer goes off. (This is also a great way to practice time-batching, to teach yourself how to focus better, and be more present and mindful in a world full of distractions.)

Super specific tasks that you can assign to yourself, like “I’m going to read 30 minutes today” are far more likely to be achieved than vague goals, like “I want to read more this year.” (Thank you, Atomic Habits!)

My current goal for reading is 1 hour, 5 days a week.. which I break up into 30 minutes in the morning (as part of my morning routine) and 30 minutes in the evening or before bed.

You can use the timer on your phone, or if you want to get extra cute with it, buy a fun kitchen timer on Amazon like this adorable pink strawberry one.

How can you make sure to find the time you want to commit to reading? Read #4 ;)

#4 Schedule it in your calendar

We are far more likely to form a good habit when we schedule it beforehand.. and even more likely to follow through if the exact task, time and location is also written down. (I learned this from Atomic Habits, which is a fantastic book by James Clear.) And it makes sense because putting something in your calendar takes “finding the right time” OUT of goal setting.

There is never “the right time,” there is only time and what you do with it! ;)

When you put something in your calendar, all you have to do is follow your own instructions without thinking about it. The human mind defaults to lazy, and we like to do things without having to think about them first. (This is also great advice if you want to start going to the gym / working out.. or learn any new good habit, really. Put it in your calendar!)

If you want to read more books, add the following to your calendar or your daily to-do list: “I will read for __ minutes on (Date) at (Time) in (Location).” See what a difference it makes!

“Professionals stick to the schedule; amateurs let life get in the way.” - James Clear

#5 Habit-stack it!

“Habit-stacking” refers to adding an additional habit to one you already have, and it’s a great way to form new, positive habits. (Source) To apply this concept to reading more books, find another daily habit that you’ve already mastered, and simply add your desired block of time for reading, before or after that preexisting habit.

30 minutes before you start cooking dinner might be a good time, or right after you floss your teeth at night. Do what works for you! Just make sure you stack it with another habit that you’re already doing on autopilot, every single day (or every week day.)

Habit-stacking reading with going to the gym won’t work if you’re a fairweather exerciser, for example.

#6 Take a book with you everywhere

This is a great way to replace doom-scrolling with reading. If you take a book with you everywhere you go, you’ll be astonished by how much reading you can get done when you spend just a few minutes here, a few minutes there.

Prime examples? The waiting room at the dentist, doctor, esthetician’s, nail salon, hair salon… the subway or car, if you aren’t driving (obviously) and don’t get motion sickness, and standing in line at the grocery store or pharmacy.

I even read while I’m power-walking on the treadmill on days when I’m too lazy to do a “real” workout, and in the elevator on the 40-floor ride up to my apartment. It all adds up to so much extra reading time!

Still not sure what to read? Here’s what’s currently on my mantel in New York!

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Rooting for you always,
Gretchen

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. However, I only recommend products I use and love.