Ten tips to help you read more books this year

In my last post, I shared my five favourite books of 2020 and promised to give you some tips on how to increase the number of books you can read in 2021. Here are ten of them. Also, if you would like to read more of your Bible this year, a number of these tips will help you with this too!

• Set a (realistic) target. 

A few years ago, I had no idea how many books I read in a year, nor how many I read in each genre. That all changed when I discovered Goodreads and began to record every book I finished. Once I had an idea what my annual book-count was, I was able to set a target. And while reading a book shouldn’t be at all burdensome, there’s still something very motivating about working towards a goal.

• Make a to-be-read (TBR) pile

Are there books you’ve always meant to read, but, for whatever reason, you keep choosing other books instead? Take a note of all the books you’d like to read this year – those you know you’ll not be able to put down, and those you know you’ll have to work at – and stick to it. Try not to read any others until you’ve gone through your TBR pile or list.

• Use different formats – print copies, eBooks and audiobooks

One of the fascinating facts I gleaned from examining my 2020 Goodreads list was that almost half of the books were in audiobook format. Walking, driving, cleaning, gardening, cooking, wrapping Christmas presents – if my hands or feet need to be busier than my brain, I’ll often be found with my headphones on. I borrow audiobooks online from my local library, but various apps with subscriptions are available. Christian Audio is also worth checking out – they offer a free audiobook each month. (If you know of any other free/inexpensive audiobook sources, please let me know in the comments below.) As for eBooks, while I prefer printed copies, they have their advantages – I’ve discovered that a tablet screen is much more water-resistant than paper while washing dishes! It’s also handy to have an eBook downloaded on your phone, which leads me to my next point…

• Take a book everywhere with you

You never know when you might find time to read. Is there anything more frustrating than entering a waiting room to discover that the only reading material available is what’s pinned up on the walls? What about when your flight is delayed, the airport’s free Wi-Fi has expired, and you’ve already inspected every single item in each tiny shop? If you haven’t space for a printed book, then make sure you have an eBook already downloaded, and plenty of battery life!

• Borrow, beg and steal

Well, maybe not steal! But in this day and age, reading needn’t be an expensive hobby. Free and cheap eBooks abound online, and there’s the library app I mentioned earlier. Second hand printed copies can be sourced reasonably online, and I’m sure each of us know someone with books they’d be happy to lend you. Just make sure to keep the borrowed books away from pets, drinks and young children, and use a bookmark!

• Read in snatches

It’s a common misconception that unless you have a large block of time at your disposal, there’s no point in starting a book. Wrong! Would it surprise you to learn that the majority of the books I read are read little snatches at a time, sometimes only a paragraph or two? The secret is picking a book up and turning to page one! (But did you also know that you can easily read a couple of pages while brushing your teeth?!)

• Read with someone

My husband didn’t grow up with a book in his hand, the way I did, and he generally struggled to finish any books he started. So, a while back, we decided to read a book together. Most evenings, we take turns reading a few pages of a book we’ve chosen, usually until he begins to nod off (I’m the night owl in our house). In 2020, we completed about a dozen books this way.

• Read different genres

Some books are admittedly hard going. Others just take a little bit more concentration. If you’re committed to adding these books to your list, great! But you might find that you burn out quicker with these than with another genre, so, providing it doesn’t get confusing, there’s nothing wrong with being partway through a number of books at once. I usually have an audiobook, eBook, daily devotional, Bible study book, fiction novel and/or a biography on the go. If one gets too heavy, switch to a lighter read.

• Add the non-obvious books to your record

If you’re reading a daily devotional this year, remember that you can add it to your list. The same goes for Bible study books you read. Young people’s books are generally shorter and a great way to reach your book target, especially if there are classics you’ve always meant to read.

• Make time

I guess I’m not alone in that one of the biggest hindrances to the number of books I’m able to read is the internet. It’s usually so much easier to pick up our phones and scroll through pictures and short paragraphs than it is to lift a book and allow ourselves to be transported to another place through words. This year, if we even use a fraction of that scrolling time to read, I suspect that adding a few more books to our 2021 book list will be more than manageable!

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