A quick guide to reading more in 2023

If you want to read more in 2023, whether you want to improve your Goodreads statistics or simply become more effective with your studies, you've come to the correct place. Here are five easy ways to increase your reading productivity in the new year.

1. Try not to be too hard on yourself.

A common error is expecting to be able to read too much, too quickly. This error will lead to dissatisfaction and fatigue in the future. Most individuals need time to (re)learn how to sit down and concentrate on a book for an hour or two at a time. Because it is no longer a skill that most people require, it has essentially become a dormant vestigial organ. It can, however, improve over time. Be patient, and don't be disheartened if you begin slowly.

2. Read several books at once.

Many people I know will not begin reading another book until they have finished the one they are presently reading. Do not attempt this! It's best to maintain different books in the rotation if you want to maximize productivity and minimize burnout. When you become bored or tired of one author's writing style, switch to another book to keep things interesting. I like to read a fiction first thing in the morning and nonfiction before bed – a personal choice, but it might work for you as well. One approach to speed up this process is to keep books all over the place – by your bed, in your backpack, on your desk, and so on.either on your computer or in your bathroom. Learn to navigate different texts in different settings – it's fun, cool, and funky.

3. Read books that pique your interest.

Similarly to suggestion number two, if you aren't enjoying a book, you don't have to finish it! The time you have available to read is limited and valuable, so don't squander it. Unless you have a compelling need to read a particular book — for school, work, impressing a crush, etc. — you should not feel awful about abandoning a book that isn't working for you.

 The 50-page rule or the one-third rule are appropriate starting points. If you're not feeling it at that point in the story, you should break the chord. Seriously, I've done it three times already to "Ulysses" (2023 is the final time).

To reduce the quantity of duds you pick up, hunt for prospective stories in a variety of venues. Nonfiction magazines and journals do an excellent job of tracking and reviewing new releases. The New York Times and The New Yorker, for example, are excellent locations to begin assessing whether or not a book is right for you.

 Personal referrals are also beneficial. Believe me when I say that the professors here at Wake Forest are well-versed in good books, and if you're ready to talk to them for a bit, they can steer you in the right path. Even TikTok and Reddit can be useful for locating the proper book. I enjoy reading.

4. Set aside time, particularly for reading.

While it is not always practicable, the best reading is done alone in a calm place. This is not to mean that you should avoid all noise — I nearly always listen to ambient music or white noise when reading — but you should avoid being in an unexpected or irregular soundscape. Consistent noise is the ideal noise for text immersion.

 Reading in public is both visibly and internally distracting. You never know what noises they'll make, and it might be tough not to feel self-conscious while reading in public.

Instead of going halfway, set aside time for reading. This entails turning off your phone and finding a peaceful place.

5. Have a goal.

If you're reading this, you might be someone who, like me, doesn't find reading enjoyable or easy. After all, it's much easier and more satisfying to scroll through TikTok, play video games, or binge-watch a TV show. The ultimate selling point for reading, though, is that it has a tremendous impact on you as a person. Reading has the capacity to change your life, whether you wish to become more knowledgeable, sympathetic, creative, or simply see the world in a different perspective.

It's a lot simpler to put in the effort of reading a powerful book when you remember how much good you're getting out of it. Remember that the procedureis only as fruitful as the work you put into it, which is why active reading is essential. If you remember why you chose the book and what you hope to gain from it, you are more likely to succeed than if you become lost in the sea of words.