Eight Ways to Read More
By Matt Watson
We have discussed a case for reading fiction, and a case for reading non-fiction. We know why we should read, but how do we read more? Who has the time to read with kids, events, work, and church? Everyone.
Like everything, reading is a discipline that needs to be cultivated and protected if it is something you want to do. You don’t just work out four days a week, you have to be intentional and guard the time in your schedule to do it. Likewise, with reading, you don’t just suddenly consume 100 books a year. Not everyone naturally enjoys reading, and they will only do so if they discipline themselves to do it.
So, if you want to read more but are not sure how here are eight ways to finish more books:
The Plod Method.
The idea here is that every little bit adds up. Pick a time of day to read, one that is most convenient for you, and guard that time with your life. Given the average reading speed of 200 words a minute, an average of 250 words per page, and an average of 350 pages per book, if you read for 30 mins a day, every day, you can consume a book every two weeks. Results may vary, and you should double-check my math.
Use spare moments.
Do you have a lunch break? Do you have time between appointments, or while waiting at the doctor’s office? Do you sometimes sit down in the bathroom? Take advantage of the available time and read something. Like the Plod Method, day by day it adds up and you will be surprised at how fast you get through a book.
Read what you want.
Not interested in learning more about grain elevators? Don’t read about them. Life is too short to waste on reading books that don’t interest you. Instead, pick something that is likely to entertain you or teach you something. Have you ever watched a show and thought, “Huh. I wonder what the story is behind that?” Go to the library and find a book about it.
Make it a game.
Speaking of libraries, remember those summer reading challenges as kids, where if you read 50 books during the summer you got a prize or a pizza party? Do the same thing now. For every 1 or 2 books you read, give yourself some sort of reward. I won't judge you if it is a pizza party.
Record your reading progress.
One person I know does the Plod Method and records his progress on a spreadsheet. Every night he gives himself an hour to read, and he chews through books yearly. His spreadsheet tracks the title, author, page number, type of book (biography, current events, theology, etc.), and the start and end date. He has two kids and a full-time job, so that is proof it is doable. If you like to check things off a list, this is the method for you. I started doing this recently and it is quite the motivator.
Listen to audiobooks on your commute.
Whether your commute is 5 minutes, or 45, that is time you can reclaim. Libby is an app that connects to your local library to read ebooks and audiobooks. They don’t have everything but they have a lot and it is easy to use. In 2021 I “read” (listened) to 70 books while going about my day. If you don’t have a job that you can do while listening to a book like I did, do it on your commute. Pro tip: switch it up with fiction and nonfiction so your concentration doesn’t suffer.
Use an e-reader or smartphone (but sparingly).
I don’t make a habit of taking a library with me to the doctor’s office, but if I have a Kindle or the Kindle app, I can read while I wait. However, you have to be strategic. Reading on your smartphone is difficult because you’ll be tempted to check your Instagram instead of reading.
Don’t watch movies when you travel, read.
If you can fight to fall asleep to the thrumming of air travel, then take a book in your carry-on instead of watching an inflight movie. When I would fly to visit my dad while in middle school, I powered through thick Tom Clancy novels during the flights and layovers. This is another great use of an e-reader.
Bonus: Skim or speed read strategically.
If you don’t need to retain comprehension, as you do with fiction and most nonfiction, then skim for the main points. It would work best for self-help or business leadership books.