Reading has a number of benefits including improving your memory and vocabulary, helping you learn new things, and improving focus and concentration. A lot of people say that they want to develop a reading habit but are unable to due to a lack of time. I was one of those people myself at one point in my life. I have used a number of tricks to help me read more and develop a daily reading habit. I have outlined these below.
Create a reading list
I would suggest you start by creating a list of books that you would like to read. For example, you could create a list of novels you’ve always wanted to read but never had the chance to, or a list of books that you need to read to learn something about a topic or field of study that you are interested in. Apart from creating your own lists, you can also use lists that other people have created. Some popular lists include Modern Library’s 100 Best Novels and Le Monde’s 100 Books of the Century. You can also find a large number of different lists online.
Set a goal
A good idea to motivate yourself to read more is to set a goal. For example, you could set a goal to read a certain number of books this year or a certain number of pages each day and then work on reaching that goal. Some tools you can use to help you achieve your reading goals include the Bookly app and the GoodReads.com Reading Challenge.
Schedule a time for reading
To make sure that you will read every day, you need to schedule reading into your day. You could read first thing in the morning, during your commute, before going to sleep or even during lunch.
Find a good place to read
Something that will help you read more is finding a good place to read. This should preferably be somewhere quiet, without any distractions. You could read in your bed, in a comfortable chair or sofa, on a park bench, and of course — at the library.
Eliminate distractions
Make sure to eliminate any distractions that might be interfering with your reading — turn off the TV and put your smartphone on silent.
Read actively
While passive reading is better than no reading at all, I would suggest you try an active approach to reading. When I say “read actively”, I mean think about what you are reading, highlight passages that you think are important or interesting, write comments and notes either on the book’s margins or in a separate notebook. If you are reading on your smartphone or your ebook reader, take advantage of their highlighting and note features.
Keep a reading journal
I recommend keeping a reading journal where you can write down quotes that you like, record what books you have read, jot down any thoughts related to the book as well as any comments you have on what you have read. You can review these later to refresh your memory or to get new ideas.
Carry a book everywhere you go
Always carry some reading material with you, either in the form of a physical book, or an ebook on your smartphone or ebook reader. That way you’re able to read whenever you get a chance. This allows you to spend those little breaks in your day reading instead of scrolling your Facebook or Instagram feed.
Know when to quit
Don’t feel like you have to finish every book you start. If the book you’re reading is boring or not what you imagined it would be, simply drop it and start reading a different one. A good rule that I like to use is the 50-page rule. I always read the first 50 pages of any book I start. If I still don’t enjoy it after 50 pages, I just quit and move on to a different book.
Replace other forms of entertainment with reading
A good way to read more is to replace other forms of entertainment with reading. For example, instead of watching TV or movies, playing video games, or mindlessly browsing the Explore tab on Instagram — read a book. This will allow you to read a lot more books every year.
Read multiple books at the same time
Something I like to do is read multiple books at the same time. Anytime I get bored with a book or I would like a change of pace, I just switch to a different one. A great way to do this is to always read one fiction book and one non-fiction book at the same time.
Get a reading partner
You can also get a reading partner to help you keep yourself accountable to your reading goals.
This can be a friend of yours, a significant other, or a colleague. You can start reading the same book with your reading partner and then discuss it as you read or once you both finish reading the book.