5 Tips for Reading More Books This Year
This post contains affiliate links to Book of the Month. Signing up for the monthly club gives you special perks and helps me earn more credits for future book selections.
This year I didn’t want to set any new year’s resolutions. Aside from never seeing them through, 2020 taught me that even the best laid plans can vanish from one day to the next. However, there’s one thing really high on my to-do list in the coming months: reading more books this year.
Instead of making resolutions, I want to focus on daily habits that I should be doing but haven’t made a priority. As I learned to slow down over the last year, there are a number of things I’ve been doing as part of a daily routine:
Make my bed
Do Pilates (or some other form of movement - I’m currently loving The Fitness Marshall over on YouTube!)
Read an hour a day (can be all at once or aim for 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes before bed)
Once an avid book reader, I’ve rapidly lost the skill to sit down and soak up a book the way I used to and it’s something I want to get back! Instead of wasting time scrolling through my phone or half-watching television, diving into a book is something that proves to be more beneficial to my brain and stress levels.
Reading Books is Good For Your Brain
As a writer, reading is especially important but there are so many reasons why reading books is good for you (and your brain).
According to Psychology Today, reading offers the following benefits:
It makes us more socially aware of what’s going on around us
Reading influences our thoughts
Books allow us to put ourselves in other situations or perspectives in ways we’d never experience on our own
Reading boosts creativity and imagination
Sounds great, right? The Psychology Today article also goes on to share that studies have shown reading late into life may even help reduce the risk of things like memory loss and dementia.
Okay so we know that reading is good for us, but how can we improve our reading habits? Instead of saving books for vacation (guilty) or to collect dust throughout the house (also guilty), it’s time to get proactive and make reading part of your daily habits.
5 Tips for Reading More Books This Year
Here are some tips I’ve picked up along the way that make reading easier for me and I think they’ll help you, too:
Tip #1: Set aside time daily.
Don’t think you have an hour a day to read? You do. Instead of scrolling through Instagram or watching the same episode of The Office you’ve seen 15 times, grab a book and read for 30 minutes. Chances are you’ll spend more time reading once you put forth the effort. Break your time up if an hour feels too long!
Tip #2: Make reading fun!
I often find myself going for the same type of books — usually a suspense or thriller from the 1930s or 1940s (two of my faves are Mildred Pierce and Rebecca). As a way to step outside the box and discover new authors and genres I’d otherwise miss out on, I joined Book of the Month Club in June of 2019 and have really loved picking out new books.
Here’s how BOTM works:
At the beginning of the month, you get to choose any one of the five novels offered. These books are usually new releases, highly anticipated from beloved and new authors. Take a look at some of the recently featured books!
With your membership, you can pick one book or skip the month if none of them strike interest. Even if the monthly books don’t capture your attention, there is the option to select from a second curated list OR you can add on additional books if you really want to squash those reading goals.
Head to your mailbox and grab your book — it’s time to read!
Tip #3: Create a cozy spot to read.
I’m all about designating a spot in your home as a reading nook or corner. Make it extra cozy or inviting and you’ll want to spend more time lost in the pages of your favorite story. Need some ideas on how to create a welcoming space? Check out House Beautiful for some lovely ideas.
Tip #4: Connect with other readers!
There’s nothing like building a community around your favorite hobbies. Whether you want new book recommendations and reviews or just want to stay accountable to your daily habits, share your reading goals with friends (and family!). Sign up for an account on Goodreads to track what you’re reading and leave reviews for others to read.
Tips #5: Quit if you want (and don’t feel bad about it)
Okay, hold up. HUH?
By quit I mean stop reading a book that does not spark joy. When finding time for reading is precious as it is, ain’t nobody got time for reading books that just don’t do it for you. Instead of slogging through a book you don’t like (which makes it even HARDER to commit to reading), put it down and try something else. Reading is supposed to be fun, not a chore.
So — there are my five tips for reading more books this year. Whether you sign up for a monthly book subscription like Book of the Month or join a different reading club, just get out there and read! I’d love for all of us to read more in the coming months.
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