8 Ways to Read More Books This Year

Some of these suggestions may be more compatible with your schedule or preferences than others, but within these eight, I believe you will find some ideas to help you read more books this year.

I love to read. My book bucket list is so big there’s a good chance I will never get to the bottom of it. Almost every room in my home boasts a healthy supply of reading material…Yet sometimes I find myself having gone days, weeks, or months without finishing a book. And I know other avid readers who have echoed my horror at letting so much time pass without being immersed in a book.

I have pinpointed the habits and practices that help me find time to read without actually taking away from the multitude of other things that require my time and attention each day.

1. Read in bed.

This suggestion may not be for everyone, but it is GOLDEN for me.

My suggestions to make this work are: have a good book light and choose a bedtime book that does not require a ton of brain power.

I find reading in bed to be extremely relaxing. Using a book light helps keep your brain in power off mode and, at least in my case, keeps your spouse happy.

My husband likes pitch darkness when sleeping, and is often asleep before me. He has grown accustomed to my book light, even though he’s not a fan.

I can get a lot of reading done by reading a little every night before I go to sleep. It’s a moment when you are SUPPOSED to be still and quiet, so you don’t feel guilty about not being up and about, doing all the things. The things will wait, and you are winding down. Why not wind down with a book in hand?

I like to read books that help me relax, but that doesn’t mean it can’t have a suspenseful or exciting plot. As a matter of fact, sometimes that helps me stay focused if I’m really tired.

You might think that reading would engage my brain and keep sleep at bay, but that’s not the case for me. Reading actually helps me focus on the storyline and not the gazillion other things that my brain would meander through, thereby helping me to focus on one thing, then relax, then sleep. This may not be true for everyone, but it’s worth a try to see if it works for you, too.

You may be surprised at how quickly you can get through a book by ‘stealing’ these little idle moments, instead of trying to set aside large chunks of time on your schedule for “reading.” I have found that to be absolutely true for me.

2. Switch up your TV time.

I mention TV time because my husband, who works hard and is outside most of his days, likes to watch some TV in the evenings before he goes to bed. It’s kind of an unwinding time for him. If your family gathers in the evening to watch TV or just relax in a room together after dinner, use this time to read.

I will admit that sometimes I get addicted to the Netflix show that my husband is watching. Often, however, I am not as interested in the show as I am in a good book I’m reading. Since we are just sitting together in the same room and not talking at this time anyway, I read while he watches TV.

However, this might be any time of day when your family is otherwise occupied and you want to be present, but you’re not required to be fully engaged.

Or it may be any time in your day that you can enjoy a book. Maybe you would enjoy a chapter over hot tea in the evening or coffee in the morning or before you ever get out of bed. Read outside while your children play. Again, this is less about setting a time and more about finding a time that you will relax and enjoy reading, and not feel like you need to be doing something else.

An added bonus to consider: by adding reading to your day, you’re setting a great example for your kids. It’s beneficial for kids to see their parents enjoy reading.

3. Always take a book with you.

You will be absolutely amazed at how much reading you get done if you use the moments you are sitting in a waiting room, at the DMV, during lunch break at work…

We have a tendency to use these idle moments for idle things. We might say we will clean out our email inbox or jot down our grocery list, but I for one am far more likely to just mindlessly scroll Facebook or Instagram. Instead of opening your Facebook app and getting discouraged, open a book. You can get so much reading done in these little down-time moments of life, because these minutes really add up, but are so often lost.

Make sure you never leave home without the current book you’re reading. If you’re a note-taker, also have a small notebook and pen.

Keep a small book light in your pocketbook or car. I broke down one night on the way home from town. It took a little while for my husband to get there. I had my book and book light, so I happily read until he arrived.

Moments of waiting, especially those that have the potential to fuel anxiety – waiting on a tow truck, at the doctor’s office, at the DMV – are perfect moments to get lost in a good book.

I read several books in the 2 years I worked a night shift job just by reading on my hour lunch break. During those 2 years, I had zero extra time in my day for any hobbies – for that matter, I had zero extra time in my day for anything as I was actually working 2 jobs at the time. But I had an hour lunch break and it didn’t take an hour to eat. I spent my lunch hour in the solitude of my car (I am an introvert so I was actually refueling my social energy!) and it was a perfect time to read.

4. Listen to books while you’re otherwise occupied.

Yes, this counts. Audio books can be such a great way to add to your reading list if you’re on the move all day.

If you’re in the car a lot – for work or endless Little League practices, while on the treadmill or exercise bike, even while cooking dinner or cleaning house, listening to a book while you’re busy is a great way to get in some reading time!

Listen to a great children’s book if the kids are in the car. The year our son played baseball many miles from home, the three kids and I spent many hours in the car driving to and from practices. We listened to Anne of Green Gables during some of our travel time. We had borrowed it from the library, which is a great place to check for audio books if you don’t want to buy them.

The girls and I used Librovox during their high school years. I will never forget listening to The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy on our lunch break. It was a great, relaxing down time, and the reader was PHENOMENAL. It was tied to the history era we were studying (French Revolution) but it didn’t feel like ‘school work.’

I have used and can recommend Librovox, but there are other sites out there that offer audio books as well. Loyal Books is one example and I’m sure a google search would reveal more. Also worth looking in to: apparently there’s an app called Libby that links to the library and allows you to check out audio books.

If your work situation allows you to wear earbuds or you’re in an office by yourself, listening to an audiobook while doing mundane tasks may help the time pass more quickly!

Another bonus: it is good for your brain to hone your audio comprehension and retention skills by being read to. And you’re never too old to enjoy being read to.

5. Download books.

I’m old school, I’ll admit it. I’m not a fan of reading on a screen. And there is just something about a book in hand…

I prefer to have an actual book in front of me as I’m reading – some of my preference is emotional and nostalgic, some of it is I actually can read faster and concentrate better while looking at real pages.

But you may feel differently, and if you do, that’s fine. As a matter of fact, if you like to download books, I often see lots of great deals – free even! – on Amazon.

So downloading your books may be a cheaper option in many cases.

Also, you have a library at your access at all times. That part is pretty cool.

If you don’t mind reading on a screen, think about looking into downloading some books that are on your “to read” list, and see if this helps you get some more reading done in your day.

6. Change books if you’re not excited about it.

Give yourself permission. Life is short, enjoy your reading list!

Don’t only make a list of books you SHOULD read, but choose books that you will enjoy reading.

Don’t confine yourself to one genre or author – there are so many good books out there! It’s OK to read a lot of books by one author or in a certain genre if that’s what you love. Just make it a habit to be open-minded and try different genres, because some of your favorites might be totally unexpected.

You don’t want to get stuck in a book that you feel obligated to read – maybe you paid a lot for it or committed to a book club – and find yourself not reading at all.

And sometimes it’s not about the book, but about the timing. I have started books in the past, been completely uninterested and laid them aside only to come back much later to not only read the very same book but absolutely love it! Have you ever held a fond memory of a book that you read ages ago, decide to read it again, and end up less than impressed? Apparently, you read it exactly when it resonated with you. So it’s OK to lay aside a book that you’re just not getting into even if it’s on your ‘must read’ list – you may read it, even years from now, and enjoy it. But for now, give yourself permission to move on.

7. Read with someone.

Finding someone to read with may be just the thing to motivate you to spend some time reading. Whether it helps keep you accountable to finish a book or it justifies spending some time with book in hand, consider reading along with someone else.

Find a book club that meets in person or discusses books online.

Your child can even be a partner in reading! No matter the age of your child, you can find books that appeal to all ages. Perhaps you missed some real gems from your own childhood and now is your chance to enjoy them. Or maybe there’s a book that you loved from your youth and you want to share the experience with your child by re-reading it together.

You might enjoy volunteering to read to others at a nursing home, hospital, or library, if your community offers these opportunities.

If reading aloud in your own family or reading along with a book club appeals to you, there are lots of great books and there’s sure to be a book club out there reading a book that you would enjoy. You just may have to search a little to find it. 

8. Get excited about a to-read list.

Build a library! I have hundreds of books, many of them purchased through thrift stores, Abebooks, used book sales, and book fairs. You don’t have to spend a lot to build a personal library. If you like to read online, you can download your library.

Your local library has thousands of books waiting to be read – and it’s completely free!

Getting excited about reading is great motivation for actually getting some reading done! I remember the most exciting item in my Easter basket as a child was a Nancy Drew book. Remember the good books you have read, and rekindle your love of reading.

Visiting the library or a bookstore is a great inspiration to find books and authors and genres that look interesting to you.

Seek suggestions from other authors, your favorite bloggers (use their links to support small business and families!), homeschool forums, and friends that love to read.

Ambleside online is a great place to start for book suggestions if you missed a lot of classics from your childhood, you’re reading with your child and want some wholesome suggestions, or you want some challenging, thought-provoking reading for yourself (check out their upper-level reading suggestions).

Give yourself permission to read!

If you love to read and have a hard time making time for reading, hopefully you’ve found some inspiration or ideas within these 8 suggestions.

In our busy lives, sometimes it feels frivolous to take time to read a book.

But feeding our minds is important for our personal growth.

Reading is entertaining, inspiring, thought-provoking, challenging, relaxing, and educational. We connect with others when we read. We open our minds to possibilities and stretch our imaginations, our vocabularies, and our knowledge. We encourage younger generations to read.

There are many reasons that we SHOULD read, and many things in our day to day lives that keep us from sitting down with a book.

Give yourself permission to enjoy a good book today.