2024 is just around the corner which means it’s time to start thinking of New Year’s resolutions. Maybe one of your goals is to read more next year, but coming up with the goal is just the start of it.
Now you need a plan of action on how you will accomplish that goal. Here are some tips that you can implement into your life to help you read more.
Whether you are an experienced reader or a beginner, you will find something useful out of at least one of these tips.
1. Audio Books
Audio books are a really easy way to get in extra reading time because you can listen to your book and do things at the same time. You can listen during your commute to work or while you do your daily chores.
If you have a library card, you can use the Libby app and connect to your library to get audiobooks for free.
2. Read Before Bed
Make it a habit of reading just 10 pages before bed every night. Not only is this a great way to wind down without looking at a screen, but it’s an efficient way to get a few pages in. 10 pages isn’t much but it adds up over time.
This is also helpful because you are setting a specific time of the day to read. By planning it into your schedule, you are much more likely to do it since you have a plan of action. Writing it down on your to-do list is also a good idea because it will hold you accountable.
3. E-books
If you have a book on your phone then you can easily bring a book with you everywhere you go. If you have a few extra minutes in your schedule, you can now use that time to read.
This is more compatible than bringing your physical book everywhere and you will be more likely to read with the easy access. You can also use Libby to get free e-books as well.
4. Read at Meals
Whenever you have a meal without any social obligations, pull out your book and read while you eat. Everyone has to take time to eat so if you are super busy then try out this tip. Just make sure you don’t get any food on your book. An e-book or audiobook would be good for this.
I used to read during lunch all the time and it was one of my favorite things to do because it gave me something to look forward to and it was a break from my stressful day. I will definitely be implementing this tip into my schedule in 2024.
5. Choose the Right Book
Make sure you are reading books that you are generally interested in. 20 pages of textbook reading sounds way longer than 20 pages of reading my favorite book.
If you are reading a book you enjoy then you are naturally going to want to read more. You can read my post on my favorite books to get my top recommendations. Also, do not be afraid to stop reading a book if you are not enjoying it. You don’t have to force yourself to finish every book you start.
6. Make Manageable Goals
Set goals that you know you will be able to stick to. You also want to set goals that are measurable. For example, you could make a goal to read 1 book a month and to do that you will read 20 minutes a day.
Don’t stress yourself out by making goals that are too big. Start out small and increase as it gets easier. If 20 minutes is too long, start out with 5 minutes and work your way up to 20 minutes.
You can also do the 2 minute rule. If you really don’t want to read that day, commit to just 2 minutes of reading. If you still don’t feel like reading when the 2 minutes are up, then you can be done. The chances are that once you start you will want to keep going. This is a really good way to form a habit.
7. Read Shorter Books at First
Short books will be fast to get through and seem more manageable in the beginning. It will give you a sense of accomplishment finishing all of those books even though they were short. It is way easier to get stuck reading a 600 page book than it is a 300 page book.
Now that you have a plan of action for how you are going to read more next year, the next step is to pick out books to read. Check out my recommendations page to start planning which books you will read next year. My post on new book releases in 2024 is a great place to start.