20 February 2015

How to read more

I know a lot of people put 'read more' on their list of resolutions for 2015 but how can you read more? Most of these 'tips' are some I use daily and I read more and more. 

Time dedicated to reading
Choose a time every day where you 'have' to read, for example an hour every night before you go to sleep, from 5 to 6 or something like that. All you can do in that time is read, you can't do your homework, you can't blog, you can't use social media - you just have to read. 
I know this one work for most people, it's also a great way to relax before bed, that is, if you take an hour each night before you go to sleep. 

Do NOT force yourself to read
Even if you've scheduled some time for reading you should not pressure yourself. If you force yourself to read you'll probably end up not wanting to and that's definitely not the point. 
Reading when you want to is the best thing you can do.

Carry a book/reading material with you everywhere
I love this one. If you carry a book, an iPad or have books on your phone you always have something to read wherever you are. So if you're waiting for the bus you can just take your book out and start reading or if you have 10 minutes before class starts you can get through a couple of pages. 
I know that when I started sleeping at my boyfriend's I read every morning while I was on the train (10-12 minutes), while waiting for the bus (15-20 minutes) and when I was on the bus (10 minutes). I also read while going back to his place and during breaks and stuff. I could get through at least half a book everyday. 
So use the time wisely because all those pages add up and before you know it you've read a book. 

Audiobooks
I used to listen to audiobooks while I worked - because I worked, and still do, in a library. I just had to put the books back on the shelves so I could just listen to audiobooks while I did. It's a great way of doing multiple things at once; if you have a long way to school or work you can listen to a book on the way or if you like knitting or crocheting (like I do) you can listen to an audiobook while doing that as well. 
I often find that I don't read as much because I feel like I have to do so much - e.g. laundry, clean the house or walk my dog - but you can listen to an audiobook while doing all those things! 

Know what you want to read
This is what I call 'mood-reading'. If you know yourself good enough to know whether you're in the mood for a classic, contemporary, mystery or fantasy it's easier finding a book to read and because you don't have to spend a lot of time figuring out which book to read you have more time to read! Also, if you read something you want to read you're practically destined to read more. 

Learn to read faster - time yourself
This has helped me a lot! Also with schoolwork this is fantastic! If you're a slowreader you can learn to read faster; say you want to read a page in a minute. You just have to find your phone, set the timer for a minute and then you read as fast as you can - without just skimming of course. It's takes practice but it's so worth it once you get the hang of it - especially because you don't have to think about it after a while. 
You can test how fast you read here

Cut out distractions
Turn off your tv and put your cellphone away. Make a cup of tea and find yourself a fort of 'isolation'. If you cut off the distractions it's easier to dive into a book and really feel the book. 

Do you have any other tips to read more? 

2 comments:

  1. Great post! I really needed something like this. I guess i will be using some audiobooks to help me read. Thanks for posting.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks! and you're welcome! It was quite fun figuring out how to read more - and also trying them out beforehand. Audiobooks is definitely the best way. I've started using them at night before bed when I'm tired, but not tired enough to sleep.

      Happy reading! :)

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