How To Read More Books

"Who has the time to read anymore?" - it's a common refrain. That's what we are trying to solve here today. Here are 5 easy ways I read more than 52 books every year.

1. Understand which kind of reading you want to do/ need to do:

The important questions to ask if you are an impatient/irregular reader - Do you need to read something to upskill yourself? Are you reading for research? Can blogs work just as well as books/ a Kindle version?

If you are not a regular reader, start with a small niche that you find interesting. Music/ Art/ Cooking/ Entrepreneurship/ Biographies/ Sports/ History/ Finance/ Travel/ Fitness.

Start small - with a blog written by the author whose larger book you want to pick up. Don't go by bestsellers or recommended lists. Read what really gets you interested or something that can help you improve at your work. Let it be for usefulness first rather than pleasure.

2. Learn speed reading and skimming:

I read a lot more with this technique - I have practised speed reading and skimming. When I start a book ( except fiction ), I try to read phrases or an entire sentence instead of reading it word by word. I skim a paragraphs about 10 pages into a book because I have the general idea of what is being said. Many authors also recap their points in the last paragraphs of each chapter.

Google 'speed reading' and 'skimming' - you will find a lot of videos on it. Start practising by looking at 3 words at a time. Believe me, your brain will fill in the meaning with peripheral vision, even if you don't read the full sentence.

3. Calendar reading time:

Bill Gates has a famous habit of reading before his bedtime. I wait for his reading list and recommendations every year in 'Gates Notes'. He is also known to take a retreat every year where he reads extensively.

You will never get any reading done if you leave it for the holidays. Calendar mark 15 mins every day ( to start off ) for reading. Just before sleeping is a good time as your brain can relax after the day's exposure to screens. It helps you sleep better. Another great time can be right when you wake up or during a long commute/ drive to work.

4. Listen to books:

If you just don't have the time/focus to pick up a book, try listening to them. Blinkist has amazing book summaries and Audible has helped me (read) a lot especially when I am busy with other chores. A lot of my friends listen to books when they are driving/ on their commute. The best part is you can speed up the pace or listen to the book slowly - it's all according to your convenience.

5. Experiment and give up:

I love fiction. For the past 3 years though, I have deliberately pushed myself to read books of different genre - even difficult books which I don't fully understand. The idea is to strengthen creativity with diverse ideas and viewpoints. It's like choosing friends who think different. It widens your perspective. It felt boring at first but I now love reading books on behavioural psychology, travel and memoirs. It has helped me with a lot of new ideas for my writing.

However, life is too short for the wrong books. If you find any book non-interesting or not providing any value, give it up - don't finish a book just coz you have to. Time is precious.

Hope this gets you started soon. Will share my detailed reading list in the next edition.

About The Author:

In this case, me. Hi, I am Annesha - Writer and YouTube creator. You can follow my videos here - AskAnnie.