10 Ways To Improve Your Reading Habits

      

Reading has numerous advantages. It's a chance to unwind, learn new things, and improve your mind and mental health. Reading has always been a priority for me, but with the epidemic and having to spend more time at home this year, it's taken on a life of its own. If you want to improve your reading game, I'm convinced you'll find these 12 simple techniques to read more books to be really beneficial.

1. Read multiple books at a time. 

Reading many novels at the same time may sound strange, but it's easier than you think. I frequently have three books open at the same time. I have one paper copy, an Audible audiobook, and a Kindle Paperwhite edition. The idea is to have them be of different styles and genres. You may have one that is more self-development, one that is fiction, and one that is more memoir or how-to. This way, switching from one book to another does not disrupt the reading or become confused.

2. Set a reading goal per day.

I'll set a goal for one or all of the books I'm reading at the start of the week. For instance, I could set a goal of reading one chapter every day. The main thing is to be realistic about how much reading you can and will do each day. It's not about how many pages you can read each day, but about making sure you read something every day and keeping the momentum continuing.

When I first open a book, I like to look at how it is divided. I examine to see if the chapters are short or long and if there are parts within the chapters.

3. Dedicate time to reading every day. 

Once you've established a daily reading goal, it's critical to find time in your calendar to devote to reading daily. If it's part of a habit, I find it useful. As part of my morning routine, I, for example, set aside time every morning to read. I also read every night before going to bed. I usually manage to meet my daily reading targets between those two periods.

4. Have your book with you at all times.

You never know when you'll have some free time, be waiting for a doctor's appointment, or have time to read a few pages. Carrying your book with you is an intelligent idea if there is an unexpected time during the day when you could read a few pages. It all adds up over time. It's even easier to carry around if you have an e-reader (which I highly recommend)

5. Get a reading tablet.

For years, I refused to even think of purchasing a reading tablet. I enjoy having a bookcase and holding an actual book.

After seeing a review by Ali Abdaal on YouTube and discovering that you can highlight sections you like or items you want to return to later (game changer! ), I buckled and purchased the Kindle Paperwhite. It's waterproof (ideal for bath reading! ), very thin, and light.

Because it's so small, you could simply keep it in your everyday bag and have it handy if you're ever waiting in line or have a spare moment.

6. Listen to your book when doing other things.

I enjoy audiobooks because they allow me to listen to them while driving, walking my dog, or doing chores. It's amazing how all those little moments build up, and before you realize it, you've finished a book. By the way, if you don't already have Apple AirPods, I strongly advise you to do so. I have them with me at all times and use them to listen to my audiobook whenever the occasion arises.

7. Listen to your Audiobook at double speed.

I appreciate the opportunity to speed up my audiobook. Depending on the type of book you're listening to and how focused you want to be, consider increasing the speed to x1.5 or x2. I normally save my fiction novels for audio, which allows me to listen to them more quickly. You'll be surprised at how quickly you can listen to a book at double speed while doing other activities like walking your dog, cooking, cleaning, driving, and so on.

8. It’s okay not to finish a book.

Life is far too short. You are not required to finish a book if you are not enjoying it. If you're not enjoying the book you're reading and it's making you want to read less, wait to finish it. This is also difficult for me. I'm always afraid of missing out, but if I keep going, things may get better. When we do this, the next thing we know, we've lost all interest in reading and are now reading far fewer books.

9. Read instead of scrolling.

It happens to the best of us: we open the Instagram app for a few minutes to see what's going on, and before you know it, you've been browsing for at least an hour, if not more (probably a lot longer). And, more often than not, this occurs several times per day. Consider how many pages you could have read in the same period of time. When I want to spend some time reading, I'll leave my phone in another room so I don't automatically grab it and start aimlessly scrolling. As I'm getting ready for bed, I've started leaving my phone in the kitchen as part of my morning routine. This has allowed me to spend more time reading.

10. Find a book club that you like.

To receive book recommendations, I started following a few book club accounts at the beginning of the year. It's been fantastic. It's like having online reading companions. 

 I've been really loving Reese Witherspoon's Book Club. There hasn't been a book they've recommended that I haven't enjoyed.