6 Tips To Read More Effectively

As a voracious reader who has tried and failed many different methods of optimizing my reading habits, I feel somewhat confident in my abilities to share some the lessons I have learned in this regard. Here are some tips that helped me reach the halfway point my 2019 goal of reading 52 books in a year (one for every week) –

1.Work According to Your Reading Pattern

Play to your strengths by reading more of what you like – even if that’s regency era romance novels rather than the respectable classics. You’ll soon find yourself moving on naturally to heavier fiction. The key to reading more is to read as much as you can of what you like and never stop at all.

2.Research Books Before You Buy Them

Do you have a stack of expensive books on your shelf but never set your eyes beyond the first chapter? Its okay, we’ve all been there. A good way to avoid this is to approach every book with the knowledge that you will never be able to read anything more than a small fraction of all the books ever produced by our species and that you really have no time to waste at all.

3.Value Your Reading Time

If you find that you still don’t like what you’re reading, let it go confidently. You’ll never like 100% of the books you pick up but that shouldn’t stop you from trying. A good way to read more is to read books by authors you know you would like. Read reviews and synopsis online to see if it would suit you in terms of style, length, genre etc – and find them at cheaper rates!

4.Read Widely

If you follow this list so far, you’ll soon find yourself excited to try new authors whose work you know you would enjoy. A big myth when it comes to reading is that there are a few set books everyone needs to read before they die. That’s nonsense. Rest assured, you’re life will be just fine even if you never get around to reading Vanity Fair or The Vicar of Wakefield.

Keep up to date on the most promising new writers from around the world by throwing a dart at a map and reading as much as you can from that region.

5.Disciplined Fun

One thing that is essential to cultivating a good reading habit is to spend more time reading. This might seem obvious but if you can only bring yourself to sit still for 15 minutes every other day and read your favorite book, you need to change that.

Find time to avoid distractions, do what works for you in terms of space and make time to spend at least half an hour everyday for reading. It requires a little patience at first but once you get into it, you’ll be itching to read more.

6.Create A Community
Reading might be a solitary habit but does not have to be a lonely one. Find people just as passionate about books as you and get excited together. You can discuss book recommendations, libraries, book stores and all things literary.

Remember, everyone you have ever met and thought of as cultures and knowledgeable is just a keen and consistent reader – and you can become one too!