Reading time: About 4 minutes
From reluctant reader to 52 books a year: your guide to reading more begins with finding what you actually love…
I read at least 52 books every year. As a result, people often ask me how they can boost their reading efforts habits (let’s face it, calling it “efforts” makes it sound like CrossFit for bookworms).
I’m always happy to talk about reading because I get so much pleasure out of it, and I’d like to see more people enjoy it as well. Plus, it gives me a chance to gush about books without looking completely unhinged.
Recently, I read about a group called the Bad Bitch Book Club in Maine. A photo of four women standing in a swimming pool while reading (!) grabbed my eye, as did the headline, which said, “A Camp Where You Can Read All Day (No Kids Allowed.)” Talk about living the dream!
The camp sounds like fun. But do you know what? You don’t need to wait until next summer to become a more committed reader. You can start your own literary revolution right from your couch (pajamas optional). Here are five suggestions that will help you:
1-Read only what you love
This is not school. You’re not trying to ace an exam. And you shouldn’t be trying to impress anyone. Life’s too short for books that make you want to take a nap — unless you’re actually trying to fall asleep, in which case, carry on. My tastes run to memoir and literary fiction, so that’s what I read. You’ll be different and that’s great. If you love sci-fi, go for it. If you want to read about how quantum effects shape the colors we see in transition-metal complexes, then knock yourself out.
I keep a running list of books I want to read next, and I always download a free sample onto my Kindle to check it out before I buy or borrow a copy for more committed reading.
If you don’t know what book to read next, here are some ideas:
- Go to the library. Chat with a librarian about what you like to read, and they’ll have suggestions for you. (And they’ll be surprisingly non-judgemental about your guilty pleasures.) There may even be a “popular reads” shelf.
- Wander into a bookstore. There are always “browsing” tables, and booksellers often have great recommendations. Warning: You may leave with 17 books and a lighter wallet. This is normal.
- Check out the web. I think there are many more useful sites than Goodreads. In Canada, where I live, there’s 49th Shelf, Quill & Quire and Writers’ Trust of Canada. In the US, Barack Obama frequently posts lists of books he’s finished and enjoyed, and Bill Gates does the same. In the UK, there’s The Bookseller and Book Brush as well as the LoveReading Blog. I’m hoping that readers from other countries will post their recommendations in the comments below.
- Talk to friends and acquaintances. And keep a list of their recommendations on your cellphone so it’s waiting for you the next time you’re in the library or a bookstore.
2-Make a plan for success
- When my reading falls by the wayside, as it does from time to time, I decide how many minutes I’m going to read each day, or what percentage of a book I’m going to finish. (My Kindle makes this easy.) Give yourself a minimum time or page count commitment and then make the time to do it.
- Start small. I use this tip for writers, and it applies to readers as well. Even five minutes a day is a million times better than zero minutes.
- Make reading pleasant. Have a great chair and good lighting. Put your phone in another room and go somewhere the kids can’t disturb you, even if it means locking yourself in the bathroom. We don’t judge bathroom readers here — we salute them!
- Always carry a book with you. I keep my Kindle in my backpack. This allows me to read on the train, in lineups and while I’m waiting to meet someone. It also gives you something to hide behind when you spot someone you’re avoiding.
- Give up on books you dislike. Follow the Nancy Pearl rule, named for a celebrated Seattle-based librarian: Read the first 50 pages. If you’re not hooked, give yourself permission to stop. Once you’re older than 50, subtract your age from 100 — and give only that number of pages to any book. (Example: At 70, just 30 pages.) This is almost enough to make me want to become older!
3-Explore different formats
- Listening to an audiobook is not “cheating.” It’s just a different way of digesting written material. Don’t let the naysayers scorn you. (I don’t spend much time listening to audiobooks myself, because podcasts take up my listening time, but if you want to try a sensational one, check out Born a Crime, narrated by the author, Trevor Noah. I listened to it on a road trip with my husband, and we both loved it. Noah does great voices and accents.)
- Install a reading app on your phone so you can read books rather than scroll through social media when you’re bored or waiting for someone.
- Sync your devices. That way, you can go back and forth between visual and audio formats, depending on what you’re doing.
4-Read more critically and more widely
- Reading isn’t just about logging X number of books as fast as you can. It’s also about getting something out of the experience. I rate each book I read out of 10, and I record the figurative language I enjoy (which I report on my blog). Yes, I’m that person who takes notes while reading.
- Many people I know tend to get stuck on just one side of the ledger. Some read only non-fiction. Others, only fiction. It’s like a literary cold war, and both sides are missing out. Make sure you read outside of your preferred genres at least a couple of times a year. I have recently begun reading the occasional mystery. (The superb Irish writer Tana French helped me overcome my initial reluctance.)
- For those who are not interested in fiction, consider that psychologists believe it strengthens empathy and perspective-taking. When we step into a character’s mind, our brains practice understanding thoughts and emotions different from our own. Research also shows it boosts creativity, problem-solving and even social connection. (Tip: All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr is a beautifully researched novel about the Second World War that should appeal to many non-fiction readers.)
- For those who find non-fiction boring, remember that the genre spans all styles: memoirs that read like novels, narrative histories that feel like thrillers and science writing that explains the world in jaw-dropping ways. (Tip: The Stranger in the Woods by Michael Finkel tells the true story of Christopher Knight, a man who lived alone in the Maine woods for 27 years, surviving unseen by stealing food and supplies from nearby cabins. It reads like a novel.)
5-Keep a record
- I’ve never had a terrific memory (I’m much better at critical thinking), so 40 years ago I started keeping a record of every book I read. It’s one of my most prized possessions. Some 15 years ago, I started keeping my record publicly on my website. This accounting, which I offer twice a year, now dates back to 2010.
- My record includes the name of the book, the name of the author, the first sentence (so I can remind myself of the author’s voice), a brief description and my score out of 10.
Making reading fun again
Reading should be a joy, not a chore.
Whether you’re channeling your inner Bad Bitch Book Club membership (pool optional) or sneaking chapters in the bathroom, the goal is simple: find books you love and make time for them.
Your brain, your stress levels and your dinner party conversation skills will thank you. Now stop reading about reading and go read something already.
If you liked this post, you’ll also like How to be a better reader.
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Need some help developing a better, more sustainable writing or editing routine? Learn about my three-month accountability program called Get It Done. There is turn-over each month, and priority will go to those who have applied first. You can go directly to the application form and you’ll hear back from me within 24 hours.
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My video podcast last week addressed what writers need to do about protecting their intellectual property. You can watch the video or read the transcript, and you can also subscribe to my YouTube channel.
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What constitutes your own guide to reading more? We can all learn from each other, so please, share your thoughts with my readers and me in the comments section, below. If you comment on today’s post (or any others) by Sept. 30/25, I’ll put you in a draw for a digital copy of my first book, 8 1/2 Steps to Writing Faster, Better. To enter, please scroll down to the comments, directly underneath the related posts links, below. You don’t have to join Disqus to post! Read my tutorial to learn how to post as a guest. (It’s easy!)
