Tips to Read More

Probably the number one thing people comment on my book posts is “how do you read that much?!” Valid question. I do have four kids, a small business, the occasional attempt at being social, and my own writing. The short answer is I’m a crazy person who has no chill ever. But I do believe strongly that if you want to read more, there are ways to facilitate that! So here are my quick tips for reading more.

Utilize your library

Buying books adds up fast, especially when you’re in a Barnes & Noble with a credit card and zero self-control (like me haha). Even Kindle and Nook editions of books, while cheaper, can ratchet up those bills quickly. I realized that one of the biggest reasons I wasn’t reading much a few years ago was simply the cost of all the books I wanted to read (plus the space it takes to store tons of books). Oddly enough, I think most of us forget that the library exists for us to check out any book we want for FREE. Once I got into the rhythm of regularly checking out books (usually literal armfuls at a time), my reading time went way up. Most libraries have systems where you can reserve books online and then just swing by and grab it off the hold shelf too. Our library even has a Kindle lending program so you can just download and go from wherever you are. So go dust off your library card and start using it!

Audiobooks are reading!

Forget the ableist nonsense. All reading is valid. If you don’t have the time or mental capacity to sit down and read a book, listen to it! Many libraries offer audiobooks as well so you can get them free. Listen while you do the dishes, drive to work, shop in Target, whenever. I like to listen to audiobooks while I run (so I can try and ignore how much I freaking hate running). Long road trips are also perfect times for audiobooks.

Take your reading with you

And I don’t mean that you need to be that person reading a book at the party instead of hanging out. (Although I absolutely was the person for most of my life so…) I keep books in my car so when I’m out and about, I have reading material I can pick up during small breaks. I read a lot at the park while my kids play, during ballet classes, and waiting in the school pick up line. Basically, I try to swap out the times I would normally idly scroll through my phone with reading. You’ll be amazed with how much reading you can get done even in small spurts!

Choose reading as your entertainment

I want to be super clear, this is not me looking down on anyone or trying to guilt trip you. I consume plenty of media all of the time and love it. What I am suggesting is that I know after a long day I want to unwind and be entertained, and that doesn’t always have to be scrolling IG and watching reruns of The Office. Basically, remember that reading IS a form of media and entertainment. If you truly want to read more, think about replacing some of your tv/movie/scrolling entertainment time with reading.

Read what you actually enjoy

Anyone else suffer from what I call “TBR guilt?” I’ve got this list a mile long of books I want to read, and many of them are books I feel I have to read because they are critically acclaimed or a classic in the western canon. For a long time, I struggled to pick up new books because I had this guilt in my head that I had to read “the classics” first, then I could pick up contemporary. And while I thoroughly enjoy a lot of classics, there isn’t some kind of required reading list you have to get through before you can get to whatever else you want to read. Just Read What You Want. Do you like romance? Sci-Fi? Unabridged versions of Victor Hugo? Whatever it is, don’t feel guilty for enjoying it! Just Read.

When you torture yourself through War & Peace because you think you have to read it, you’ll never want to pick up another book. But when you get into the genres and authors you love, you’ll find greater enjoyment from reading and do more of it.

#readlindahamilton #tipslindahamilton