What’s your trick for reading more books?
My TBR (To-Be-Read) pile has become a bit embarrassing.
I try to support every author I meet by buying their books, even if I wouldn’t typically choose that genre. It’s my way of showing support and celebrating the years of work involved in getting a story to a shelf. But it also means my shelves are overflowing with unread titles.
I generally gravitate toward authors in the thriller and suspense genres, as their work helps sharpen my own writing skills. Occasionally, I’ll pick up a book simply because it has a beautiful cover, an intriguing premise, or promises to challenge my thinking in new ways. As a result, I’m left with a daunting stack of books that never seems to dwindle. To make matters more complicated, I’ve noticed I’m a relatively slow reader—or maybe it’s just that distractions abound?
I find myself getting sidetracked easily. I can be midway through a chapter when I suddenly remember an important task—like filling out an excursion form for one of my kids or paying a bill. Before I know it, I’m scrolling through my phone, tackling life admin, and an hour has slipped away.
I even tried reading a book about focus, but ironically, I couldn’t find the concentration to get through it!
To combat these challenges, I’ve embraced audiobooks, which have been a game changer. They allow me to enjoy stories while walking, driving and tackling mundane chores. Audiobooks help me fit more reading into my day, but they did take some getting used to.
I know many avid readers cut back on TV to make more time for books, but I’m not ready to give that up. Watching shows with my husband is our way of winding down together in the evenings—it’s a cherished daily catch-up that we enjoy.
To read more effectively, I’ve started implementing a few strategies.
Read 20 pages to start the day: This one is by James Clear, author of Atomic Habits.
20 pages is small enough that it’s not intimidating. Most people can finish reading 20 pages within 30 minutes. And if you do it first thing in the morning, then the urgencies of the day don’t get in the way. Finally, 20 pages seems small but adds up fast.
Create a reading environment: I used to read near our loungeroom fireplace but it’s in the central part of our house and interruptions are constant so now I go into my bedroom and shut the door. Designating a specific spot for reading signals to my brain (and my family) that it’s time to focus.
Getty Images
Limit distractions: I try to allocate time for life admin tasks, which means I can concentrate on a book without thinking of the 100 other things I need to do.
Treat it like a job: You can’t be a good writer if you don’t read so reading is a legitimate and vital part of my job. Once I moved my mindset away from labels such as “lazy” or “loafing around by reading a book”, I could shed some of the guilt at taking the time out of the day to do it and set it as a priority.
Be okay to not finish a book: My mum gives all books 100 pages. I think this is generous. If the story is not grabbing me in the first few chapters, I move on. It could be my mood, or my concentration levels at that time or perhaps the book is not to my taste. I may return to it at a later date. Or I may just kiss it goodbye. Life is too short to read books we don’t enjoy.
Ultimately, reading more isn’t just about time management; it’s about making reading a priority in a way that fits seamlessly into my lifestyle.
I know there are so many librarians and booksellers avid readers out there. So tell me: how do you manage to get through so many books? I'd love to hear your tips!
Join the conversation on Substack.
Kx
