Yes, me too! Multiple books going and I get excited to support my mood. And yes, I do finish them, people might ask. Mixed genere ,always learning. Cheers to Books!
I agree with quality over quantity. These tips helped me on my reading journey and sharing for those who want to get started or make reading more of a priority. I haven't been tracking as much the last couple of years as I have already instilled the reading habit. But I still read a lot
This makes so much sense. I carry a physical book with me wherever I go. I notice, for instance in the laundromat, where anyone can read a free book and take it home, the titles with beautiful covers are ignored. Everyone is deeply communing with their phone. But in the laundromat is where I discovered my first British Crime Classic. It had a beautiful original art cover and I discovered an entire genre that I never knew existed.
I downloaded the Kindle app to my phone so I would be able to read on the go without having to carry a book, and it's been LIFECHANGING!! I get so much more reading done in small 5-10 minute waiting periods that I'd normally just be doomscrolling or on social media for. Love it!
That is a great way to "fit in" little blocks of reading. It really adds up. I am always amazed how many little minutes I have when I am out that I pick up my phone.
Thanks for the tips. I am an avid reader as well and find in this day and age, it is a smaller and smaller group. I will try and incorporate these into my reading routine. I like the 50 page decision point idea.
Awesome Jim! Glad you found it helpful. I agree on reading becoming less and less common although I think there is a growing movement to get back to reading as a push back against the hold technology has on all of us.
Enjoyed this post! I too average close to 100 books a year. My record is 119. The best tip I can give is enjoy reading. One book I read a while ago said “follow Whim.” Don’t worry about following a list of “the best X books” or whatnot but read what interests you. I’ve found that advice helpful!
Ryan, I admire your dedication to planning your reading. Although I love to read, I don't set a reading time or word count the way you have.
I tend to read from nonfiction genres/topics when I'm researching to write on that topic or when I want to improve my life in some area. That requires making notes and slower than reading fiction.
Occasionally, I'll decide to balance my reading by dipping into fiction.
Once I set a goal to read every book of given author as they were available for sale. I was on a clip when I began reading John Grisham's books, but he's so prolific, I soon fell behind.
I began to "cheat" by watching the movie versions or listening to audio on my walks. I still haven't consumed all of them in any of those formats.
I gave up with reading all of John Grisham's books, I fell in love with the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith. I'm on his 16th book in that series of 23. There's a chance I may catch up before he writes the next one.
I don't have any great tips to offer except continue to read what you enjoy and discuss what you read with fellow readers.
For folks who want to stay on track or read consistently, joining local or virtual reading clubs can be satisfying because you get to discuss and share, very likely getting insights you may have missed on your own.
These are great tips and they absolutely resonate with me. I often tell my students try to read as much of what’s assigned as you can, but more importantly read about things you like…
Your post really resonated with me as I am also a life long learner and lover of knowledge! Retaining audiobooks is hard for me too, so I always try to carry a book with me everywhere I go. I have no idea how many books I've read this year...not as much as some, but more than most probably!!
So glad it resonated with you. I find that I mostly read audiobooks for pleasure. I am jealous that you don't know how many books you have read. I told myself I wouldn't keep track this year but....
Great question. No, I only count completed books as books read. Usually if I quit a book, it is either a book I start on Audiobook or a book I just picked up according to it piquing my interest. Most of what I read has been thought out in advance so this makes it where I don't quit the majority of books I read.
Tips for retention? I always worry about retention, then start doing more work to try and focus on retention, but as a result the reading begins to feel like a chore, and I start reading less. It’s been a life long battle striking that balance!
Thanks! I don't really track numbers of books as much as I once did now that I have established the habit. But I love learning about people's reading tips
Read multiple books at once, so can switch between them depending on mood. Much easier to read light fiction when tired.
Reducd doomscrolling, junk tv, and crap podcasts and find a lot more time than you realise.
Read everyday.
Oh yes! I am definitely reading more than one book at a time. Love me some evening fiction when I am tired. Great tips!
Yes, me too! Multiple books going and I get excited to support my mood. And yes, I do finish them, people might ask. Mixed genere ,always learning. Cheers to Books!
Quality over Quantity.
The only thing that matters is finding the best books on a subject and reading them over and over again.
I agree with quality over quantity. These tips helped me on my reading journey and sharing for those who want to get started or make reading more of a priority. I haven't been tracking as much the last couple of years as I have already instilled the reading habit. But I still read a lot
That's a great intention. Thank you for that.
This makes so much sense. I carry a physical book with me wherever I go. I notice, for instance in the laundromat, where anyone can read a free book and take it home, the titles with beautiful covers are ignored. Everyone is deeply communing with their phone. But in the laundromat is where I discovered my first British Crime Classic. It had a beautiful original art cover and I discovered an entire genre that I never knew existed.
That is a great story! Love it
I downloaded the Kindle app to my phone so I would be able to read on the go without having to carry a book, and it's been LIFECHANGING!! I get so much more reading done in small 5-10 minute waiting periods that I'd normally just be doomscrolling or on social media for. Love it!
That is a great way to "fit in" little blocks of reading. It really adds up. I am always amazed how many little minutes I have when I am out that I pick up my phone.
Thanks for the tips. I am an avid reader as well and find in this day and age, it is a smaller and smaller group. I will try and incorporate these into my reading routine. I like the 50 page decision point idea.
Awesome Jim! Glad you found it helpful. I agree on reading becoming less and less common although I think there is a growing movement to get back to reading as a push back against the hold technology has on all of us.
Enjoyed this post! I too average close to 100 books a year. My record is 119. The best tip I can give is enjoy reading. One book I read a while ago said “follow Whim.” Don’t worry about following a list of “the best X books” or whatnot but read what interests you. I’ve found that advice helpful!
Yes! I would definitely agree with this. I make a plan but then let me whim dictate a lot of when I pick up a book! Thanks Rachel
Ryan, I admire your dedication to planning your reading. Although I love to read, I don't set a reading time or word count the way you have.
I tend to read from nonfiction genres/topics when I'm researching to write on that topic or when I want to improve my life in some area. That requires making notes and slower than reading fiction.
Occasionally, I'll decide to balance my reading by dipping into fiction.
Once I set a goal to read every book of given author as they were available for sale. I was on a clip when I began reading John Grisham's books, but he's so prolific, I soon fell behind.
I began to "cheat" by watching the movie versions or listening to audio on my walks. I still haven't consumed all of them in any of those formats.
I gave up with reading all of John Grisham's books, I fell in love with the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith. I'm on his 16th book in that series of 23. There's a chance I may catch up before he writes the next one.
I don't have any great tips to offer except continue to read what you enjoy and discuss what you read with fellow readers.
For folks who want to stay on track or read consistently, joining local or virtual reading clubs can be satisfying because you get to discuss and share, very likely getting insights you may have missed on your own.
Awesome advice Flora. I love how reading can lead us down so many different "rabbit holes" like your Grisham journey.
These are great tips and they absolutely resonate with me. I often tell my students try to read as much of what’s assigned as you can, but more importantly read about things you like…
Great advice!
Your post really resonated with me as I am also a life long learner and lover of knowledge! Retaining audiobooks is hard for me too, so I always try to carry a book with me everywhere I go. I have no idea how many books I've read this year...not as much as some, but more than most probably!!
So glad it resonated with you. I find that I mostly read audiobooks for pleasure. I am jealous that you don't know how many books you have read. I told myself I wouldn't keep track this year but....
I think it might be fun to start keeping a record of what I read! I have seen some really creative reading logs that I might try.
Get a library card and use it.
Great tip! Love the library
Do you count the books you quit after 50 pages in your total books read?
Great question. No, I only count completed books as books read. Usually if I quit a book, it is either a book I start on Audiobook or a book I just picked up according to it piquing my interest. Most of what I read has been thought out in advance so this makes it where I don't quit the majority of books I read.
Tips for retention? I always worry about retention, then start doing more work to try and focus on retention, but as a result the reading begins to feel like a chore, and I start reading less. It’s been a life long battle striking that balance!
Great question! I am planning out some more posts on my reading life and plan to share what I have learned about retention. Stay tuned!
Interesting post. Thanks. Although I haven’t tracked how many books I’ve read in each year for a while now. I enjoy the process of it all the same.
Thanks! I don't really track numbers of books as much as I once did now that I have established the habit. But I love learning about people's reading tips
I love reading for an hour before I sleep to calm my mind and slowly drift into a sweet sleep.
Yes! Great time for reading!
About 4 months ago I purchased a Boox Palma 2 and that was a game changer...best of portable reading...aside for a paperback book love!
I had to look this up. I hadn't heard of it. Looks pretty awesome!
Love the spirit of this writing. Thanks for not encouraging people to speed-read. Cheers!