A woman sitting in a chair reading a book

How to Read More Books

Before we learn how to read more books, let’s chat about the rediculousness of today’s image. I had ChatGPT create a picture based on my article below. The genius robots drew a woman in a chair. Notice how she and the sidetable are blocking the front door. Perhaps the best way to read more books (according to AI) is to lock yourself in your home and barricade the door.🚪😂

Anyway, let’s get started.

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THE CHALLENGE: If you want to read more books, you have to solve two problems. I’ve listed each problem below along with several solutions.

♥️ Problem 1: You’re READING books you don’t love.

If you read books that you enjoy MORE than Netflix, MORE than catching up on the latest football game, MORE than leveling up your character in the latest RPG game, and MORE than spending the afternoon shopping with your friends – ONLY THEN will you read more books this year. However, if read books you’re not passionate about, then you’re just giving yourself more work. And let’s be honest, who wants to pick up a book that feels like work? Not me.

🐛 Problem 2: You’re haven’t embraced your bookworm

You want to read more books, but you haven’t made it a priority. Instead, reading (for you) is a reward or a way to relax. It’s something you do IF you get everything else done. Here’s the kicker: You’ll never get everything done. Ooof. That means that reading, which sounds like a good idea, stays on the backburner. If you want to read more books, you’re going to have to pull the bookworm lifestyle out of the closet, dust it off, and make it your identity. YOU ARE A READER!

🎭 Solution 1: Start with Your Interests

We need to get you into a book that aligns with your interests. How well do you know yourself? I’m not kidding. When I ask most people what they’re passionate about, they give me vague answers. They spend all of their time helping others, cleaing the house, getting kids to karate, etc. When asked what they love to do, they look at me like I’m an anteater wearing a tophat.

Can you clearly describe what your passions are? What get’s your curiosuty boat churning? Are you obsessed with health, history, or foreign langauges? How about romance, coffee, or elves? Once you get honest with yourself about what you love, you can begin looking for fiction and non-fiction that support those interests.

🤷🏼‍♂️ Solution 2: Listen While You Read

I’m not talking about auidobooks here. I’m talking about you listening to you. Is your new book keeping your curiosity peaked? Just becuase other people say it’s a great book, that doesn’t make it great for you. It’s fine if you’re 50 pages in and uninterested. That’s a sign.

Before you put the book down, try and read the next 10 pages slowly and pay attention. We’re often bored with books becuase we’re rushing through them. Once we slow down and think abut what’s happening, we usually apprecaite the book more. However, if you’ve been readiung well and the book still isn’t grabbing your heart, put it aside.

I give every book 50 pages beofre I judge it, but at that point, I have an honest conversation in my head. Do I want to invest 10-20+ hours in this book? Is there something here that can keep my interest better than Netflix? If not, I’ll set it aside and start a better book.

🙋🏽‍♀️ Solution 3: Read with Others

There’s power in book clubs. Last night, we finished Anna Karenina in my book club. It was a big hit, but let’s be honest, it’s 800+ pages of Russian Literature. Whew! A few people mentioned that reading it as a group brought the book to life for them. Being able to discuss a great book with friends is a fantastic tool for reading more books. Also, knowing that you need to read 15 pages a day to keep up with the group will help you read more books.

☕️ Solution 4: Get Better Coffee

I’m using coffee as an example for overall mental calrity. It’s hard for me to sit and read if I’m tired, sick, or mentally foggy. I used to read first thing in the morning, but for the past 10 days I’ve been walking on the treadmill in my basement for 45 minutes to get the body and mind moving. Then I make a great cup of coffee (thank you very much Edgewater), and begin my reading. By putting effort into my body and mind, it’s easier to get into the book and stay there rather than wander off into the woods of distraction. I hate that place.

🧑‍🏫 Solution 5: Don’t Confuse Boring with Hard

When I share these ideas with people, I usually get the same response. “So, I should only read fun fiction like Harry Potter or The Nightingale?” That’s not what I’m saying. Reading hard or difficult books (at least for me) is a blast as long as the material aligns with my interests – see solution #1. I find tons of value in working through a challening book that pushes me to my limits. That’s different than reading a book that puts me to sleep. Embrace the hard books, they’re worth the effort. Fun fiction is great, but it’s not the only way to have a good time.

If you want to read more books, it’s time for you to change your identity. Don’t be a person with a reading goal this year. That sounds like a person who plans to read if they can find the time. Instead, be a reader. Always have your book with you, make sure it’s a book you’ll love more than Netflix, pour a great cup of coffee, and learn something interesting.

Until next time, read slowly – take notes – apply the ideas.

-Eddy

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