Every 1st of January, do you decide to read more books for the year and on the 1st of March, you have already given up? Or is it that you can’t even pick up a book the entire year because you don’t get the time? It could even be that you read books but sporadically throughout the year. Are these patterns something that you constantly see in your life?
I know this because I used to (I still do sometimes) fall in either of these buckets.
Every year I set a huge goal to read more books but I keep finding reason after reason to avoid reading them!
After averaging 30 books per year for the past 4 years, I think I might be able to help you out.
In this article, I want to explain, why did I start reading more books and the benefits I have seen to date. Also, explain how to read more books with lessons that I have learned along the way. I will try to lay down some issues that I saw when I read more. Yes, there were some disadvantages that I observed.
I also want to dive into the practice of speed-reading and why do I think that speed-reading doesn’t work for beginners. Finally, I want to set some action items that will help you to start reading more books daily.
So let’s get started!
READING MORE BOOKS AND THE OBSERVED BENEFITS
LEARN ABOUT NEW TOPICS
Every time I find a new topic online through a podcast or a YouTube channel, my first instinct is to order a book for that topic. It has become second nature for me to go to Amazon and quickly order a book.
Why? It allows me to learn about the topic from a knowledgeable source.
Online forums and articles are fine. But if someone has made an effort to write a book about the topic, it shows that the person is really passionate about it.
Now I understand, I am making an assumption by saying the person is passionate about the topic and it is completely dependent on the author of the book that I am reading. I get that some people write books just to make money out of the royalties. But I am hoping you are researching the authors before ordering any book, just as I do.
So coming back to the topic of learning about new topics – some time back, I got really interested in Mixology.
I followed a couple of YouTube channels (linking to my favourite channel, if you’re interested) that explain how to make cocktails. YouTube videos were really interesting and helpful, I admit.
But I wanted a more definitive source, so I ordered a couple of books on mixology (Linking to my favorite book on mixology in Amazon). Ordered the equipment, learned a few recipes, and moved on.
I could have done the same from YouTube videos but owning a book gives you access to all that knowledge whenever you need it!
Reading about a topic from a knowledgeable author makes a lot of difference.
TACKLING PROBLEMS LOGICALLY
The more you read, you realize that your problems are not that rare. Everyone faced them at some point or the other. And they came up with solutions. That is why they are writing about it.
Reading more lets you stay grounded and think about a lot of problems in a logical way.
I read a lot of self-help books. So when I was facing an issue with time management at my new job, I picked up Getting Things Done (check the book on Amazon).
After going through a few chapters, I realized that the book was answering all my questions point to point.
It obviously makes sense.
After millions of years on this planet, most of the personal problems have already been faced by someone in some form or another. All you need are the answers. And books give you access to those answers.
READING FOR PERSONAL SPACE
Think about it.
In this day and age, how many things do you do alone? Most of our time is spent at work, on the phone, commuting, or with friends. We don’t really spend time alone.
When I started reading, I quickly realized that this was the time I spent with myself and my thoughts. I kept my phone away and focused on the thing in hand, literally. My book.
When I am reading, it gives me time to reflect on my personal thoughts about the topic which has a calming effect.
FINDING MENTORS
Mentors are important for your personal growth. They guide you, advise you, and support you.
I view authors as passive mentors. That makes me somewhat of an Eklavya, with fingers.
Anywho, as I said before, I order books whenever I stumble upon any new topic.
Once I read through a book, if I like the content, I tend to order more books from the author, follow them on social media, and sign-up for their newsletter (if they publish them).
Thus, the author becomes an ‘indirect’ mentor advising on more recent topics and events.
A great example of this could be Tim Ferris. I found Tim from his first book, the 4 Hour Work Week (check it on Amazon by clicking here). Because I really enjoyed his content, I ordered the other 3 books that he has written (check his other books on Amazon). I went further to follow him on Instagram, YouTube, and subscribe to his weekly newsletter, and podcast! (I would recommend subscribing to his newsletter).
So even though I finished with his book about 3 years back, I still seek advice from Tim because I can trust him on certain issues.
COMPOUNDING KNOWLEDGE
We all know the benefits of compounding. And I have realized that compounding just does not apply to money.
As you keep reading about more things, you will start forming these neural networks of knowledge without realizing it.
The information you consume starts getting interconnected.
And as you keep expanding and refreshing your knowledge year after year, it will create a ‘snowball effect.’
Shane Parrish does a better job of explaining this in his Farnam Street article.
HOW TO READ MORE BOOKS?
But how do you actually start reading more?
Here are some tips that actually worked for me.
QUIT IF DON’T LIKE THE BOOK
This is the most important concept:
If you don’t like a book, just keep it aside.
I did not learn this for the longest time.
I used to hate reading certain books that I ordered and found them really dry. Or they would be interesting for a few chapters and then I wasn’t gaining anything from them. I used to force myself to read them. Dozing off most of the time when reading these books.
If you feel that way about certain books, just keep them aside. You don’t have to read every chapter end to end if it doesn’t interest you.
Always remember you’re reading books to gain knowledge. So if you don’t like it, the best thing to do, just quit. Don’t waste your time!
Do you watch a show online and continue watching it if you absolutely hate it? No.
You just stop watching it after the pilot. Sometimes you may push for another 2 or 3 episodes. Sometimes after pushing yourself further, you may like it or you just don’t like the damn show.
Same is the case with books. If you don’t like it initially, push for another chapter or two. Even after that if you hate it, just quit!
Don’t feel guilty about quitting in this case. It’s just that it’s not your kind of a book.
I usually tend to skim through the remaining chapters after I have decided to quit the book.
SKIMMING TIPS:
1. Read through the index for the remaining chapters. This gives you a structure in your head about what is pending.
2. Open the chapters and go through it really quickly just browsing through the headlines and images.
3. Now go back to the beginning of the chapter and read through the first and last lines of each paragraph for the entire chapter.
4. You can also target certain chapters after you’ve read through the index to only read things that genuinely interest you.
BUY 3 BOOKS AT THE SAME TIME
This one goes hand-in-hand with my first point. If you’re quitting, always have your next book ready.
Why 3 books at a time? It helps you save on the delivery fee. Just kidding. It gives you more options.
I tend to order 3 books from varying genres, just to keep things fresh.
I usually order one self-help, one fiction, and one finance book. So even if I am quitting one book, I have two other options ready to go.
It also helps in wasting less time.
There are so many books that you can read through. And we all know if we are given choices, we will definitely waste time. Happens with everyone when ordering food these days. No?
Instead, I will suggest, keep a ‘reading list’ on either GoodReads (my list of ‘to read’ books) or Amazon and keep ordering 3 books from that list.
As your friends suggest new books, keep adding them to that list. This will help you to waste less time and read more.
SET READING GOALS
You would have seen this coming. Everyone talks about setting realistic goals. And setting goals does help!
But goals need to be smart and measurable.
I used to set my reading goal based on the number of books to read per year. I still do but I have found a better way to manage it. BUT BEGINNERS SHOULDN’T DO THIS.
I will tell you why. Setting annual goals based on the number of books to read will only lead to procrastination, stress, and eventual burnout.
You will have a huge goal of reading 52 books for the year which means 4 books per month. If you miss it for one month, it will keep piling up and you will eventually quit. I am saying this from my personal experience.
Instead set a small daily goal. Consistency is the key to everything!
Instead of saying that I will read 4 books per month, say you will read for 30 minutes in the day. When it is time to read, set a timer for 30 minutes and do your 30 minutes of reading.
It’s more trackable. You can go further and mark the days you have read on the calendar. More tracking.
WHAT GETS MEASURED, GETS MANAGED.
Setting daily reading goals allows you to have a daily habit and a daily measure.
FOLLOW THE 3 SECOND RULE
Give yourself 3 seconds to take the action.
What does it mean? If you have 3 seconds to act on something you will not overthink.
We tend to avoid things when we have time to think about it or when we have a lot of options. By implementing the 3 seconds rule you remove options and time to overthink.
So how to implement it? The easiest way I have found is keeping a book on your side-table. You should be able to grab your book and open it within 3 seconds.
Just consider this. Would you rather read a book if it’s on your side table or locked in your wardrobe behind all your clothes?
Make the book you’re reading more accessible!
My book is usually on the side-table or the bed. I also carry one book at all times when I am traveling. I just make it really difficult for myself to not read.
SET A ROUTINE
Routines define us.
Tell me one time you forgot to brush your teeth before leaving for work? It does not happen. Brushing is ingrained from an early age and it is part of our morning routine. If we don’t do it, life feels incomplete. I am saying this hoping that if you’re reading this you are a normal functioning adult with a minimum sense of hygiene.
Make your reading habit part of your daily routine. Here are some ways you can inculcate reading into your daily life –
- Read for 30 minutes before sleeping
- 30 minutes after waking up
- Read when commuting back and forth from work. If you’re driving, listen to audiobooks (check Audible from Amazon).
- Read for 2 hours on weekends. I would suggest against this but if you don’t find time on a daily basis, this could be an option.
SET A ROUTINE. It’s about finding 30 minutes in your daily routine and getting through your daily goal.
I personally like reading for 30 minutes before sleeping as it also helps me to avoid screen time right before sleeping. When I was working in NYC, I used to read on the train to work and when coming back. It was a one hour ride in total and gave me ample time to read.
But making it part of your routine is essential.
FIND YOUR GENRE
We tend to find what to read based on suggestions from our friends, online articles, and videos. These suggestions are based on books that worked for others.
It does not mean you will like those books.
I personally love self-help and business books while most of my friends read fiction. So initially when I started reading, I used to read fiction based on their suggestions.
But I did not enjoy reading.
It is only when I discovered the self-help genre that I actually started enjoying reading.
Use Amazon to find recommendations. Search for the book you read and enjoyed, scroll down on the page, and they usually show a section below that says you may also like this. You can also try using this site for recommendations.
Once you find your genre, you will read more!
EXTERNAL VALIDATION
I avoid being prone to external validation. I don’t post my own photos online. Even writing these articles takes a strain on my mental health. It’s a mental issue. External validation causes addiction especially the need for validation on social media.
But external validation to motivate you to continue your habits is really good!
By feeling validated you will also feel that you are part of a tribe.
Sharing your reading goals on social media or books that you’re reading, will lead to conversations and motivation from your friends and acquaintances.
Every time I start reading a new book, I post it on my Instagram account. This often leads to new conversations with people who have already read the book or want to read them. This makes me really happy!
It genuinely feels like achieving something good.
So whenever you start reading or set a goal to read, share it with your friends. Ask your best friends to inquire about it.
It will help with the motivation to keep reading more.
MY THOUGHTS ON SPEED READING
One thing that keeps popping up whenever I have tried to learn about how to read more is speed reading.
Speed reading means increasing your reading speed (words per minute) to a considerable amount while keeping the comprehension of the text that you are reading.
Is speed reading possible? Yes. Should you do it? NO.
I was fascinated with speed reading for a long time. I saw tips from Tim Ferris.
I read a book about speed reading. I tried implementing it multiple times. But I failed!
Even when I read really quickly, comprehension of the text was really difficult. I found myself 50 pages into the book with 0 comprehension of the text.
Because I couldn’t do it, does it mean you can either? No.
But it’s really difficult. That’s all I’m saying.
Speed reading comes with a lot of practice. And if you’re already struggling with reading more books (that is why you’re reading this article?), I wouldn’t suggest taking on one more hobby.
Instead, focus on reading more and your speed of reading will increase naturally.
However, there are certain tips that you can inculcate from the practice of speed-reading:
USE A POINTER
Use a pointer such as a pen, bookmark, or even your finger that you can point to the book when reading. Move the pointer as you keep reading the book. Once you have established a comfortable pace of moving the pointer, try to increase the speed at which you move the pointer.
Why is this useful? It does increase the pace of what you are reading because you focus better. But more importantly, you reduce backtracking.
A lot of times, I find myself reading the same text again and again because I am not focused which increases the time taken to read. Using a pointer device will help me avoid it.
STOP READING LOUDLY
Reading something loudly just creates a lag in your brain.
Let me ask you this if you don’t speak what you read, does it mean you don’t comprehend it?
Since we are kids we are taught to read loudly. But it doesn’t help.
In fact, speed readers do not even read the text in their mind. They just skim through the words and it doesn’t affect their comprehension.
The next time you pick up a book, try reading it without moving your lips. You will increase your speed!
SIT UP STRAIGHT WHILE READING
Speed readers say that this helps in blood circulation.
I say just sit up straight to avoid dozing off.
When you’re reading, read with focus. Don’t read to go to sleep. Sit up straight and read for the set amount of time.
You will not waste time reading the same text again and again.
DON’T FORGET THESE THINGS WHEN YOU READ MORE
I found some changes when I started reading more which I want to discuss. You will definitely learn a lot more but beware of these things.
DON’T FEEL GUILTY OF NOT IMPLEMENTING EVERYTHING
Books are written by people who have usually championed that topic. You can’t write about a topic unless you have absolutely clear thoughts about them.
They will definitely teach you everything they know about the topic. But does it mean you will be able to implement everything?
When I read Tim Ferris, 4 Hour Work Week (check the price on Amazon here), I wanted to set up my online business. Automate things. Live that digital nomad life. I started brainstorming things that I could do. At the same time, I read Dave Ramsey’s, Total Money Makeover (check it on Amazon). So now, I wanted to save more, budget more.
Will both things work out? No. But not feeling guilty about it is important.
Don’t feel sad if you’re not able to implement everything.
Keep setting realistic goals. Do one thing at a time from the book you’re reading but keep reading.
Learn the lessons, and don’t go crazy over them.
IT IS OKAY TO NOT HIT READING TARGETS
Don’t feel bad if you’re not able to read on a daily basis.
Your end goal should always be to read more books. Get through more content.
If you miss out on certain days, it is okay. But don’t give up entirely.
DAILY ROUTINE > QUANTITY OF BOOKS
Don’t set your goal with the number of books you want to read in a year.
Try implementing a daily habit as part of your routine. It will definitely help you read a lot more.
ACTION ITEMS ON HOW TO READ MORE
So you’ve read through the post. And now you’re ready to read more books.
Here are some action items for you to start reading more about today-
SET A DAILY TARGET
Target how much time are you willing to give every day to read. Define the daily target as your goal. If reading one hour daily sounds difficult, start low.
Reading for 10 minutes is better than not reading at all.
SET A ROUTINE
When is the best time for you to read throughout the day? Reflect on your day.
Can you read in the morning, evening, or night, during lunch break, or when you commute? It’s up to you.
But be sure you will be able to give your undivided attention to reading at that time.
ORDER THREE BOOKS
As I said before, keep your options open.
Order at least 3 books so you’re not wasting time every time you want to read. Plus it gives you more options when you decide to quit.
Also, decide the format of the book that you like. I personally enjoy reading paper books. But a lot of my friends like eBooks. Some friends like audiobooks. So experiment. See which book you’re comfortable with and go with it.
READ DAILY
Once you have your routine set, make sure you track how many days you’re reading initially. I say initially because once you’re in the habit, you will not miss reading on a daily basis. But initially, you would want to track how many days you read and how many days it takes you to finish one book.
BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS
If you want to read about my absolute favorite books, please check out this page. These are my favourite books in different genres. And they are some of my most gifted books.
These books have had a huge impact on my life and I highly recommend them!
