Tips for Reading More

Do you find yourself with not enough time to reading regularly? Might I suggest making reading a part of your routine? Not sure how to start a reading routine? Here is how I made my reading routine:

Assess Your Current Schedule:

When I started reading regularly, my first step was to look at my current routine and schedule. The most pain free way to start a new habit is to make sure it does as little change to your current schedule as possible. I did a couple methods.

1. Where is your free time?

Your free time is the best opportunity to fit in some reading. This should be the most low pressure area to add in some reading time. Grab a book or two and dedicate yourself to 5 pages. Typically if you get the ball rolling you will keep going. Don’t force it though, your free time should be honored to take care of your mental health needs. Reading isn’t a chore, you should only do it in your free time if you are enjoying it.

2. Where is your wasted time?

Do you spend hours on end scrolling social media? Do you binge tv shows every night? Do you spend hours grinding on a video game? Do find any of these activities causing poor mental health and frustration? Try reading instead.

To help minimizing my screen time I downloaded and app called ScreenZen. This application helped me lock down my social media and limit me in ways the screen time apps included on phones couldn’t. I did not do this with intention to read more, I did this to improve my mental health. A delightful side effect was to get more reading time. I also found, having a book on my phone through Kindle app or the Libby app helped me have an alternative to social media when I was struggling to put my phone down.

For binging, I shut down the autoplay function on my streaming services. I started watching only one episode of a show and switching to reading after instead of carrying on binging. This increased my reading time immensely.

I personally don’t play a lot of video games. A couple methods I may try is keeping books next to my console, keyboard, and/or controller. Give your brain a visual cue that you have a different option.

3. What time can you optimize?

This is the biggest game changer for reading more. There are times in your day when you are doing a daily monotonous activity where you could be adding a book in to pass time. Walking the dog? Listen to an Audiobook. Taking the bus? Read during your commute. Stuck in a waiting room? Read on your phone using a book application (I prefer the library application Libby. Free audio and digital books using your library card)

I added around 10 books in the year simply listening to audiobooks while walking my dog. I added a whole hour of reading every day simply by optimizing that walk time.

Try All the Formats

Do you prefer a physical book? Do you get distracted easily? Do you prefer to be read to? I say, try them all!

1. Physical Media

There is something nostalgic about physical media. It is nice to hold a physical book. It feels more satisfying to read because you can see your progress. These are nice to use when in a cozy reading spot. I find however that these have some limits. Holding a book for too long hurts my hands. Not all books are easy to carry around. You can’t control font size. They can get damaged in your bag. This is where I find other formats exciting!

2. Digital books

Apps, apps galore! The most popular being Kindle and Libby. My personal favorite being Libby. Libby is an app that you can link your library card and borrow digital books and audiobooks from your local library. You can utilize Libby on your phone, tablet, e-reader, and computer. Access has never been more convenient. I find my phone a lot easier to hold for long period of time, you can adjust the font and font size, and as a mood reader, having access to a plethora of books is something that can’t happen as easily with physical media.

The downside is the distraction factor. It is easy to wander to other applications on your phone or tablet and not get any reading done.

3. Audiobooks

If you don’t think audiobooks are reading, think again! Audiobooks enable access to all types of readers. Audiobooks can add value to your book experience as well. I have a hard time concentrating on classic books, but when read to me, I can let the story wash over me. Audiobooks also allow me to optimize my time and get more reading done, even when I am otherwise occupied with chores.

Read More Than One Book at a Time

It is important, especially if you are picking up reading again for the first time, to try everything. There is nothing less motivating than pushing though a book you are not enjoying. If you are reading more than one book at time it give your the opportunity to switch it up when you aren’t vibing with a book. I like to keep a variety going. I always have a comfort genre books going (fantasy), a literary fiction books, a classic, and a non-fiction going at the same time. This helps me stay engaged in reading when I am struggling with a book. Always have options.

-Annie

Do you have any tips for creating a reading routine? Let us know!