How to Read More with These 11 Easy and Effective Tips
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Do you ever wonder if there is a hidden formula to reading more and in an effective manner? one that helps you enjoy a good book and feel like you are a true bookworm?
Benefits of Reading
I get it, nowadays society is focused on mastering social media and spending a lot of time reading text messages and blog posts (thank you).
Blog posts count as reading and after all, they are short articles 🙂 Nonetheless, as a society, a lot of us lost the ability to read a physical book, one that you count its pages.
Reading is one of those good habits that need to come back in fashion. Thankfully there are always new authors and new books to get us engaged in the exciting adventure of reading.
It is incredible how much we could read if we stop mindless scrolling. Reading more requires all the effort of creating a new habit. One factor that can help form this new habit is finding great books.
Fiction or nonfiction, when you decide to read more and enjoy the topic, you will start on the right foot.
Anyhow, the first thing, in my opinion, is going to be to dive deeper into the benefits of reading. Here are some of them:
It Can Increase Important Cognitive Abilities
Reading can increase your ability to focus giving you with this an opportunity to do more of the work that most people can’t do nowadays: deep work.
Carl Newport
Carl Newport who has written extensively about how to increase productivity and about work habits has read as a must if:
- you want to improve your ability to focus on cognitively demanding tasks without distraction
- you want to train the brain to concentrate and build the mental stamina necessary for deep work
- you want to improve your ability to focus and work efficiently
Many services and works done in our society would be better if we improve our ability to concentrate, don’t you agree?
Here is what Carl Newport has to say about deep work and the benefits of reading from his book “Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World”
“Professional activities performed in a state of distraction-free concentration that push your cognitive capabilities to their limit. These efforts create new value, improve your skill, and are hard to replicate.”
“Simply learning about a new domain seems to improve performance in ways that remain mysterious. In a 2013 paper published in the journal Science, researchers recruited two groups of people and administered a test of creative problem-solving. One group was instructed to read a dense article about a new scientific discovery; the other was given no specific task. The article readers subsequently performed significantly better on the problem-solving task, despite being given no training in or even exposure to the specific problems involved. The authors of the study argue that the process of just learning about something new turns out to be beneficial in ways that extend far beyond the realm of the original task.”
Mindless scrolling sure has its place, but in my humble opinion, it is important to check how much time you are spending mindlessly scrolling. Just saying.
Mr. Newport has also stated that reading widely and regularly can expose us to new ideas and perspectives, challenge our assumptions and biases, and help us become more empathetic and open-minded!!
Warren Buffett
Another well-known figure in our times that has talked about the importance of reading is Warren Buffett.
Warren Buffett, as you may already know, is a renowned American investor and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway.
He is also known for his love of reading and has spoken publicly about the importance of books in his life. In fact, he has often credited his success in investing and business to the knowledge and insights he has gained from reading.
Here is one of Buffett’s famous quotes about reading:
“I just sit in my office and read all day.” He has also been quoted as saying, “Read 500 pages every day. That’s how knowledge works. It builds up, like compound interest.”
In his annual letter to shareholders in 2012, Buffett wrote:
“I insist on a lot of time being spent, almost every day, to just sit and think. That is very uncommon in American business. I read and think. So I do more reading and thinking, and make less impulse decisions than most people in business.”
Overall, Buffett’s emphasis on reading reflects his belief in the importance of continuous learning and personal growth as a path to success.
These testimonials are good motivation and a great way to start our habit of reading.
Let’s take a look at three other people that love reading and regard it as a necessity for personal development and success in life: Elon Musk, Bill Gates, and James Clear.
Elon Musk, Bill Gates, and James Clear
Elon Musk is known for his habit of devouring books, here is a famous quote from Elong Musk about the importance of reading:
“I learned how to build rockets by reading books.”
Elon Musk knows what he is talking about and has on many occasions given book suggestions in public for a wide range of topics from science to philosophy.
Another powerful and successful man that loves reading is Bill Gates. He not only recommends readers books on all topics and genres but also is a big advocate for literacy and education.
This is one of the things he says about reading:
“Reading is still the main way that I both learn new things and test my understanding.”
James Clear is another prominent figure that promotes reading for personal development and growth.
His book Atomic Habits is on my reading list this year, and in that book, he discusses how reading can shape the way to act and the things we believe in. He also wrote about how to incorporate reading into our daily routines. You can follow him on his social media account to find his reading recommendations.
I hope you are very well motivated now to read because the best way to read more books is to be motivated about it! When there is a will there is a way, and that is so true!
Easy and Effective Ways to Start Reading More
1. Define Your Motivation
We already did some of this work with the first part of this post. However, I want to challenge you to ask yourself a few pertinent questions about motivation.
How much would you like to read more? and why? is it always in your mind but you never get to do it? Maybe you never knew how great figures like the examples above talk about reading.
Questioning ourselves always helps to reflect a little on the motive of our desires and dreams, and hopefully, we can anchor those dreams on a solid motivation to make them come true.
I hope you feel motivated already and the best part, is to fuel your motivation with your love for learning to help others :).
To learn more motivation and goals please read: 5 SIMPLE STEPS TO ACHIEVE YOUR SHORT TERM GOALS EFFECTIVEly
2. Join a Reading Club
One of the best things I did when I started reading more was to join a reading club. I first joined a book club from a religious institution, but their reading list was not exactly my cup of tea.
Then I joined another book club with a mix of spiritual and secular books, which did the trick.
At the end of the day, the best books are those that you enjoy reading.
A Word About Reading Clubs
- Usually, reading clubs have a monthly meeting where people meet in person or through the computer to discuss the book.
- Many times there are specific questions to discuss and or a presentation about the historical figures in the book. When you know that you will be discussing the book, then you want to be prepared and read!
- The book club I joined had a telegram account, which is like a group text where people talk about the book of the month. Usually, our leader would keep us engaged in the reading of the book.
- If you do not want to join an official reading club, maybe you can have accountability for your progress on the book by reading it with another person and forming your little reading club of two people, I say nothing wrong with that.
Steps to Choose a Reading Club
- Look for one hosted by someone you know with similar values as you.
- Survey their reading list first so you make sure those are the books that call your attention as well.
- Experience the meeting and decide after one month of interaction how you like the club
- Give it a try even though you may not like it at first.
- Choose from one that accommodates your needs and temperament for example, online or in person.
- If you cannot find what you are looking for, create one yourself!
3. Make Sure You Like What You Are Reading
This is probably my best tip. I can not emphasize enough the importance of finding what you like to read about.
I think in general we all like a good story. Some people like fiction, others true stories. I also like to read things that go with my values, and that I know are helping me to be a better person.
So, if you do not like the book you are reading just leave it and go for the next. There is nothing wrong with not liking the classics, for example.
There are so many different genres of books: self-help books, short stories, fiction, and non-fiction books, the list is endless and hopefully, your reading list is precisely what you need and want to read.
Thoughts on How to know what you Like Reading
- You are always thinking about the book and the next time you will pick it up to continue reading
- You use any minute you have to read one more line
- You cry, laugh, or ponder about what you just read
- You keep on being pulled to that type of book or writer again and again
- You start imagining what you are reading and go deep into concentration mode easier
4. Fine-tune What You Enjoy
You have to start reading so you know what you like, so do not be afraid and try to read that book that you always wanted to read.
It is ok to put the book aside and pick another one that seems to be more appealing.
Maybe sometimes you stick with the one you do not like but you continue reading because it challenges you, which would get you to learn lots of new things.
5. Set an Attainable Reading Goal
If you are reading on your own, set a goal of how many books/pages per month, week, or day you would like to read.
Then calculate how many books you would have finished by the end of the year. If you set a goal to read one book per month and you end up reading 10 books for the whole year, that is a pretty good accomplishment (especially if you read none the year before).
If you are like me you will be thinking about this goal often and how nice it would be to accomplish it.
You don’t have to read lots of books in a month or a year as long as you are reading more than before.
Count the Number of Pages
In order to set a goal for your new reading habit (or maybe old), you can set a number of pages to read every day by determining how long you want to take to read the book, how long you can read every day, and how many pages you need to read every day to be done in the set time.
It feels really good to know that what could be a waste of your time can be used now to accomplish your goal of reading more.
Chances are that once you start reading more you will take less time to read one book because your ability to concentrate improves and with that your reading speed.
So the number of books that you read should naturally increase as you form the habit of reading.
If you join a book club make sure they are reading at a good pace for you. If you have the time, challenge yourself to read the book from the book club and also one that you read by yourself. I
t is amazing how when you are enjoying what you are reading it allows you to go above and beyond your goal to read more.
6. Always Have the Book Available
Have the book available for you to read next to your bed or table where you read. If you know you will be out and about, have a small book in your purse or bring your Kindle as well.
7. Use Kindle or Audiobooks
Getting a Kindle device will help you to read more.
Kindles are lighter and extremely portable. I got this Kindle and is working like a charm.
Also, the books that are available on Kindle typically are cheaper, which is very nice when you are on a budget.
Audiobooks make it easy to finish a book while you do the chores at home or any other activities that allow you to multitask, such as folding the laundry.
Use any of these options and you will be surprised how much more you can accomplish for your reading goals.
Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition – Wifi, Without Ads, Amazon Leather Cover, and Wireless charging dock
8. Set a Specific Time to Read
It helps to plan and know when exactly you will be spending time reading. For example, I usually read in the morning while no one requires my assistance or help, which is then pretty much the rest of the day.
9. Make Yourself Cozy and Relaxed
It helps to read more when you are not worried about the time or are cold or too hot. Try to have a blanket, drink, or food available near you, that way you can concentrate on your reading. This tip is special if you have a set time available to pick up your book and spend some time with it.
10. Choose a Variety of Topics
One of the things that helped me the most to read more was, yes you guessed it, the reading club. One of the reasons why it was so helpful was that the books were already picked up for me.
It was exciting to find out what the new book was every month and to get surprised by the said book.
Sometimes it was a nice surprise and others not so much, but it was always a variety of topics that expanded my knowledge and interests.
Having a variety of topics in what you are reading keeps you motivated and engaged in the books you get to read. Also, variety will keep your boredom from reading about only one book type.
To help you decide what books to read you can always:
- Start with my little list of recommended books to read:
Read Timeless Books to Read and That You Will Love
- Check the New York Times in their books section. They give you detailed reviews, news, and features of the literary world.
- Check several well-known Instagram accounts that promote the love for reading, and can help you decide what to read next:
- @strandbookstore: This is an indie or independent bookstore. It is based in New York that offers reviews on books and recommendations on its Instagram account.
- @bookriot: They have the author’s interviews and recommendations as well as other book-related content.
11. The Library is Your Best Friend
- If you are on a budget don’t hesitate to find the books you want to read in your local library.
- Last time I checked, two of my books were available not only in paper but also in digital form. So I’m able to download them and keep them on my Kindle forever!
- One app you can use is the Libby app. This app gives you access to a wide selection of digital books.
- The way it works is that you first get a library card from your local library. You will then install the app and take it from there.
- No more excuses for not having money or space for books!
- I personally enjoy hard copies more than electronic books though.
- I am happy that I have my own reading habits. I have a daily reading routine which helps me to keep going with reading.
- This is definitely the most economical way to read more and find books. It starts to add up when you start reading more.
Conclusion
You can read more books as long as you are ready for them! Set your goals, look at what you can do, and go for it with confidence.
There is a whole new world in each book you read, go discover those adventures and stories.
Make sure you tell me in the comments what you are reading and if you have any more tips to share to read more 😉
Happy reading!
