The Library Vault

The question so many of my friends and family ask me is “How do you read so much?”

The answer I tend to give them is “Reading when I’m not working is literally all I do!” This is why I’ve already read 78 books in 2023 (and counting). Don’t get me wrong, I have a social life. But what beats being curled up on the couch with your book (and also, in my case, my dog) with a nice snack? If you can think of something you think tops that, let me know in the comments.

But for someone who is trying to get back into reading or just simply wants to read more, I’ve got some simple tips I used to get to the point I’m at today. I went from only reading what I had to read in college to reading for fun on a daily basis and starting a bookstagram account. “Bookstagram” is basically an Instagram account dedicated to bookish content. I post book reviews, videos related to books/being “bookish,” and much more. Often a lot of what I am influenced to read I have seen a fellow bookstagrammer post about. I am happy I’m reading again, and these tips truly helped me begin the journey. I’ll go in depth with each tip after I list them all.

My tips for reading more or getting started with reading include the following:
1. Schedule time to read.
2. Read multiple books in multiple formats.
3. Don’t force yourself to read something you don’t like.
4. Use Goodreads or StoryGraph to track what you read.
5. Set an achievable reading goal.
6. Always keep a book with you everywhere you go.

Tip #1: Schedule time to read.
I can’t stress this enough. I try to read on my lunch break, whether it’s for the entire hour or just ten minutes, because at least I’m doing some sort of reading. If you just build reading into your schedule you’ll already be reading a lot more often than you realize. Besides reading on my lunch break, I also try to read during one of my shorter breaks at work as well as once I get home from work. Whether I read for five minutes or two hours, I’m still getting my reading time in efficiently.

Tip #2: Read multiple books in multiple formats.
I read up to three books at once: an audiobook (yes they count as reading), an ebook on my Kindle, and a physical book. Sometimes all I have the capacity for is just one book at a time, while other times I’m actively reading three different books. I strongly suggest giving audiobooks a try if you haven’t already. I started listening to them in January through the Palace app, Libby, and Libro.fm. I’ve enjoyed listening to my audiobooks whenever I drive somewhere, be it to work, on a road trip, or down the street to the grocery store. Every second counts towards reading more. It’s really fun when you have an engaging narrator. Talk to any of the staff at the Russell Library and they can get you set up with Libby, Hoopla, and the Palace app. Yes, for free!

I also read a lot of books on my Kindle through Libby and NetGalley. I use NetGalley often, which allows you to request free advanced readers copies of ebooks and audiobooks in exchange for reviewing them. This is largely due to the fact that I’m a librarian, or else I probably wouldn’t get so many free early releases. I have the ebooks sent directly to my Kindle the same way I do with my Libby books. I read on my Kindle everywhere, but especially when I’m outside, because the screen doesn’t have a glare to it. The Palace app also offers access to ebooks right from your phone or tablet.

Ultimately, just reading more than one book at a time will instantly increase how much and how often you’re reading.

Tip #3: Don’t force yourself to read something you don’t like.
I used to shame myself hardcore for DNF-ing a book. (DNF stands for did not finish in the bookish world.) I would force myself to finish books I really disliked just because I felt like I had to. Now, if I don’t like a book, I simply stop reading, and move on to something else. Why waste time on something you don’t like? There are so many great books out there that you don’t need to drag yourself through one you don’t like. This has helped me read more by always having a book ready to go on my TBR (to be read) in case the one I’m currently reading doesn’t work out.

Tip #4: Use Goodreads or Storygraph to track what you read.
I’m a heavy user of Goodreads. I know readers who prefer Storygraph because it’s much more in depth. I’m more comfortable with Goodreads so that’s what I use. I enjoy using an app to track what I read because I can see how much progress I’m making each time I log how many pages I’ve read. Seeing those percentages increase each time keeps me going to keep on reading. You can also see what your friends are reading and how far they have gotten into their own books. This also helps keep me from reading the same genre multiple times in a row. Because I read so much, I tend try and vary what I read so I don’t get genre burn out.

Tip #5: Set and achievable reading goal.
My goal this year, as I’ve set on my Goodreads app, is to read 130 books by the end of 2023. I’m currently on book seventy eight (as I write this…it’s probably more by now). My goal may seem inconceivable if you’re just getting back into reading or if you’re a slow reader. I read pretty quickly so that’s helpful when reading multiple books. Make sure whatever goal you set is something you know you can achieve. If your goal is to read more, aim high. Squeeze in a few more chapters a day or try reading multiple books. If your goal is to begin reading again, aim low, and if you surpass your goal, then you know you can aim higher. You could read one chapter a day, week, or even month. Be realistic. My goal last year was 120 books and I read 120. This year I upped it by ten more books to push myself further. Depending on the outcome this year, I’ll likely increase by ten more books. Don’t push yourself too much. Reading should never feel like a chore. It’s supposed to be fun, and your reading goal should reflect that.

Tip #6: Always keep a book with you everywhere you go.
I always bring a book with me no matter where I am. I can open my Kindle app on my phone and have instant access to all of the books on my Kindle. I can do the same with Libby, Palace app, and NetGalley. Through your phone, your books are a few taps away.

I tend to bring my Kindle to many places because it’s less cumbersome than an actual physical book. It fits in my purse and has really cute stickers on it. I can read just about anywhere with my Kindle, regardless of whether I have Wi-Fi or if the lighting is bad. The less time my eyes are on my phone where I can get distracted by bookstagram or my texts, the better.

---

I believe if you have a book with you, you’re more inclined to read it. Stuck in line at Starbucks? Put on an audiobook. Stuck waiting to be seated at a restaurant for dinner? Pull out your phone and start reading while you wait. We do a lot of waiting in our lives, so why not have a book to keep you company? You’d be amazed at how much more you’re reading throughout your week. If you utilize any of these six tips, I can guarantee you will be reading a lot more. Not only that, but you’ll be reading better quality books (as long as you follow tip number three)!

Enjoy your reading!