How to Read More Books—And Actually Enjoy Reading
In our fast-paced world, filled with distractions and demands on our time, carving out space for reading can feel like a luxury. But the benefits of reading are undeniable. It can improve your focus, expand your knowledge, and even boost your creativity. Studies have shown that reading can also reduce stress, improve your mood, and even help you sleep better.
The good news is that regardless of your current reading habits, there are ways to read more and develop a love for getting lost in a good book. In this blog post, I’m sharing some practical tips to get you started. These key strategies have helped me finish 5 books per month, even with my busy schedule, and they will simplify your approach to reading so you can check more books off your reading list. This is your guide on how to read more—and actually enjoy reading!
In this Article…
Why You Should Read
The benefits of reading extend far beyond simply passing the time. Here are just a few reasons why cultivating a reading habit is worthwhile.
Sharpen Your Mind
Reading is a mental workout that keeps your brain active and engaged. It strengthens your cognitive skills, improves your memory, and helps you stay sharp as you age. This Atlantic article highlights neurological research showing that reading reduces the rate of cognitive decline.
Expand Your Knowledge
Books are portals to new worlds and experiences. Through reading, you can learn about anything from history and science to philosophy and culture. You can travel the globe without ever leaving your armchair and gain insights into different perspectives and ways of life.
Boost Your Creativity
Reading exposes you to new ideas and fosters your imagination. It can spark your creativity and help you approach problems from new angles. Whether you're working on a creative project or simply trying to come up with new ideas, reading can be a powerful source of inspiration.
Improve Your Communication Skills
Reading exposes you to good writing and expands your vocabulary. You'll learn how to use language effectively and communicate your ideas more clearly, which can benefit you both personally and professionally.
Reduce Stress
Curling up with a good book can be a great way to unwind and de-stress. Reading allows you to escape from the everyday world and immerse yourself in another reality. Plus, it gets you off social media, which we know can negatively impact mental health. It can also help to improve your mood, reduce anxiety, and promote better sleep.
Build Emotional Intelligence
Reading allows you to develop empathy and a deeper understanding of human emotions. It can help you connect with others on a deeper level and navigate complex social situations.
Become More Attractive
People who read are often perceived as more intelligent and well-rounded. One study found that 81% of women and 77% of men believed that being a reader was attractive. While attractiveness is subjective, being well-read can certainly make you a more interesting and engaging conversationalist.
Define Your Reason Why
Take a moment to consider your personal motivations for reading. Just like with any habit you want to build, understanding your motivations for reading is key to staying committed.
Harvard Business Review emphasizes the importance of identifying your "why" when forming successful habits. This principle applies perfectly to cultivating a love of reading.
Here are some questions to ponder before selecting a book to read:
What are you hoping to gain from reading? Do you want to learn about a specific topic, increase your motivation, or simply unwind at the end of the day?
What genres or topics spark your curiosity? Are you fascinated by history, true crime, or fantastical fiction?
How do you envision reading enriching your life? Do you want to become a more knowledgeable person, a more creative thinker, or someone who enjoys the pleasure of getting lost in a good book?
By taking the time to identify your personal reasons for reading, you can tailor your reading choices for a more enjoyable and fulfilling experience. Perhaps you're looking to unwind after a long day – a light, humorous novel might be the perfect pick-me-up. Maybe you're passionate about environmental issues – delving into a non-fiction book about sustainability could spark new ideas and inspire action.
Remember, there's no right or wrong reason to read. What matters most is finding books that you genuinely enjoy and that align with your personal goals. Once you've identified your "why," you'll be well on your way to developing a sustainable reading habit and reaping the many benefits that come with it.
Select Titles Thoughtfully
Now that you've identified your "why" and are motivated to read more, it's time to actually choose a book. Here are some tips to help you select your next read that will keep you turning pages.
Explore Curated Lists
There are a wealth of websites and book blogs dedicated to recommending reads. You can find recommendations based on your favorite authors, genres, or even your mood. These book curations can be an excellent way to discover award-winning books and bestsellers to niche titles catering to specific interests.
Ask for Recommendations
Talk with friends and family about their favorite books and suggestions. Don't be afraid to ask librarians for recommendations either. Librarians are especially skilled at helping readers find books they'll love. You can think of them as literary sommeliers—tell them about the types of books you enjoy and what you're hoping to gain from reading, and they’ll pair you with your next great read.
Read Book Reviews
Take some time to delve into book reviews. This can provide valuable insights into a book's plot, writing style, and overall tone, helping you decide if it aligns with your preferences. Goodreads is a popular platform for finding new books and exploring reader reviews. NPR and The New York Times are two other resources I turn to for thoughtful reviews and essays.
Skim the Summary
Just because a book appears on a particular list or is a bestseller doesn't guarantee you'll love it. Before deciding on your next read, take a quick glance at the book’s summary to make sure it piques your interest. For non-fiction books especially, consider researching the author's background to gauge their credibility on the subject matter.
Stick with Sequels and Series
If you find yourself captivated by a particular book, explore the author's other works or delve into sequels and series. This allows you to stay connected with characters you love and continue uncovering a story’s plot. It can also be a fantastic way to hone in on a specific topic or gain a deeper understanding of a specific author and their writing style.
Choose a Few Books
Feel free to select a few books to read simultaneously. Consider incorporating different genres into your mix to keep your reading diverse. For example, you might choose a non-fiction book to motivate you in the morning and a lighter novel to relax with before bed.
Keep in mind, there's no shame in putting down a book that isn't grabbing your attention. Life is too short to force yourself through reads that aren't interesting to you. Trust your instincts and refer back to this list to choose your next book.
Where to Find Book Recommendations
Goodreads. A social platform where you can browse millions of books, see ratings and reviews, and create your own "To Read" list.
The Millions. A website dedicated to literary fiction, featuring book reviews, essays, and interviews.
The New York Times Book Review. Features in-depth reviews, essays, and interviews with authors about a wide range of books, both fiction and non-fiction.
Project Gutenberg. A non-profit library offering over 60,000 free ebooks (primarily classic works) that you can download and read.
BookBub. Provides personalized book recommendations and daily deals on ebooks.
Everand. Access ebooks, audiobooks, podcasts, magazines, and newspapers.
The New Criterion. This online magazine focuses on reviews and commentary on culture and the arts, including literature.
The New York Times 100 Best Books of the 21st Century. A starting point for exploring highly-regarded contemporary fiction and non-fiction.
Time Best Books of ALL TIME. Time magazine's list of the 100 must-read books can be a great resource for finding classic and influential works of fiction.
Amazon. Based on your purchase and browsing history, Amazon suggests books that align with your interests.
Make Reading a Habit
The key to reading more is to make it a regular habit. Don't relegate reading to an afterthought. Instead, schedule time in your calendar, just like you would for an appointment. Even if it’s just for 15 or 20 minutes a day, setting aside dedicated reading time will help you focus and avoid distractions.
Once you are able to allocate time, choose a quiet, comfortable space where you can relax and focus on your book. This could be a cozy corner of your couch, a quiet spot at your local coffee shop, or even your bed before you go to sleep.
Before picking up a book, put your phone on silent mode and hide any other distractions. If needed, let those around you know that you’re setting aside some time for focused reading.
Mixing up your medium is a good idea too. Audiobooks are a fantastic way to “read” while you’re doing other activities, such as commuting, exercising, or doing chores around the house. I find I retain information better from physical books, but experiment and see what format works best for you.
And lastly, make sure that you are in the right frame of mind to read. Choose times when you're mentally prepared to focus and less likely to be interrupted. You’ll absorb the content more fully and maximize your reading enjoyment.
Become an Active Reader
To truly enjoy what you read, it's crucial to become a more active reader. While many of us aim to read more, quality always outweighs quantity. There's no benefit in reading more books if you don't gain anything from them. Here’s how to improve your reading comprehension so you can benefit more from reading.
Take Notes
As you read, taking notes will help you retain information and enhance your understanding. While this might not be necessary for purely entertainment books, it’s useful for those with points you want to remember and benefit from.
There's no one-size-fits-all approach, so start by figuring out your note-taking style. Experiment with different methods like outlining, mind mapping, or the Cornell Method (which divides your page into sections for cues, notes, and summaries) to find what works best for you.
Don't try to write everything down verbatim. Instead, identify the main ideas, arguments, and supporting details, along with your own thoughts and questions. This will deepen your understanding and make the information more meaningful to you.
While pen and paper are classics, consider using digital note-taking apps like Evernote or Notion to easily organize and search your notes.
Discuss What You’re Reading with Others
Talking about a book with friends, family, or a book club can help you gain new insights and perspectives. Don't be shy about recommending books, writing reviews, or bringing them up in conversation. The more you engage in dialogue, the richer your understanding becomes.
Rating books on Goodreads is my favorite way to not only track my reading but begin conversations with friends on the platform about recent reads.
Look Up Unfamiliar Words
Don’t skip over words you don’t know. Take a moment to look them up in a dictionary or online. This will help you expand your vocabulary and improve your understanding of the text.
Go Beyond the Book
For some genres, consider delving even deeper. For non-fiction, you might explore online resources or documentaries related to the topic. For fiction, research the author's background or the historical period the story is set in. This extra layer of exploration can bring the book to life in new ways.
How to Enjoy Reading
The most important thing to remember on your journey is to enjoy the process. Reading should be a pleasurable experience, not a chore. If you find yourself forcing your way through a book you’re not enjoying, don’t be afraid to put it down and pick up something else. There are countless amazing books out there. Below are some additional tips to make reading more enjoyable.
Reward yourself. Did you finally finish that book you’ve been meaning to read for months? Celebrate your accomplishment! Treat yourself to a cup of coffee, a new book or a relaxing bubble bath. This might seem counterintuitive, but sometimes the best reward for finishing a book is diving straight into another one you've been excited to read.
Join a book club. Connecting with other book lovers is a great way to stay motivated and discover new reads.
Vary your reading material. Alternate between different genres and formats to keep things interesting.
Take breaks. Don't get caught up in the pressure to read a certain number of books monthly, yearly, etc. Take breaks as needed, especially when tackling dense or informative texts. Just like your muscles need rest after a workout, your brain needs time to process information. Stepping away for a short while will allow you to return to your reading refreshed and ready to absorb even more.
Reading can easily be forgotten when there are a million things on your to-do list or a new series on your watchlist. With these tips on how to read more, you can develop a genuine love of reading and reap the many benefits that come along with it.
What are some of your favorite ways to make reading more enjoyable? Do you have any book recommendations? Let me know in the comments below.
