Read more books! Twenty tips to make you a better reader.

Do you want to read more? You’ve come to the right place to learn some great tips to help you read more books!

According to The Reading Agency, 50% of adults in the UK don’t read on a regular basis. Click here to read the article.

Reading has multiple benefits. It can help you improve your knowledge, cultivate an imagination, and expose you to new ideas. It can also help you relax and it reduces depression and stress.

Easy steps you can take to become a bookworm!

Here are my top twenty tips to help you read more books!

#1 What’s my motivation to read more books?

Ask yourself, “Why do I want to read more books?” Identifying your motivation can make all the difference to your chances of developing good reading habits.

Do you want to read about a certain work-related topic so that you can apply for promotion? Do you want to switch careers? Perhaps you want to spend less time on social media. Try writing down all the reasons you want to read more and put them somewhere that you can see them as a reminder.

#2 Does the genre spark joy?

Starting a new reading habit can feel very daunting. Think about what genres would interest you. Think about what you enjoy watching on TV. Are you the kind of person who loves a good romance? Then pick a romance novel for your first book. Do you like a bit of mystery? Start your reading journey with a detective book. Picking a genre that appeals to you is much more likely to result in you finishing the book.

#3 List them!

Make a to-read list! Perhaps you always wanted to read a certain book but haven’t gotten around to it yet. Make a list of titles and authors you would like to read in an attractive notebook. Then choose one from the list and use that as a starting point. When you have finished it, tick it off your list. Seeing a physical list on paper or screen can help you to focus on what you want to achieve.

The words "book list" typed on a typewriter.

#4 Make it a habit!

There’s a saying that it takes 28 days to create a new habit. This is true of reading too. If you just try to read for a short while every day, then once you pass 28 days, you’re much more likely to continue reading. Don’t give up, if you accidentally miss a day. Keep at it! Your persistence will pay off.

#5 Make time!

If you genuinely want to read more books, grab your calendar/diary/planner and identify times in your day that you could spend reading. OK, you’re looking in your diary and thinking, “But I don’t have time! If you want something badly enough, then you’ll make time. Be honest about how you use your time. Could you swap out binge-watching TV shows for some time to read, or perhaps ban your phone from the bedroom and read a book instead of doom-scrolling for hours?

#6 Make it work for you!

Choose a time that works for you. Everybody has different lifestyles. Are you an early bird? Try adding reading for a short time into your morning routine instead of hitting the snooze button! Grab your favourite hot drink and start the day with a good book.

Just a word of caution: don’t get so engrossed that you are late for work, school or university! Other people find early morning a rush and would do better reading in the evening, maybe before bed to help them relax.

#7 Take every opportunity!

Look for windows of opportunity to read. For instance, while waiting for a bus, commuting to work by public transport, or during your lunch break. There are often more opportunities to read than we realise. Look for them and you will find them. If you want to read more books, you should use every spare moment to read.

#8 Start small!

Start small and gradually increase over time. Don’t set yourself up to fail. It’s all too easy to set incredibly ambitious goals at the start and then fail and feel so discouraged that you give up altogether. Be realistic. You can even start with just five minutes a day. You can then increase your time at a pace that you feel comfortable with.

#9 Get comfy!

Choose a comfortable location. Try to have a favourite comfy chair with good lighting. You could even create a reading nook with bookshelves and a cosy seat to curl up in. A place that inspires you to read will motivate you to read. Find out what works for you and try it out.

#10 Focus on fun!

Make reading fun. Make it enjoyable by linking it to another pleasurable activity such as drinking your favourite beverage, snuggling up with a cosy blanket, or listening to relaxing music. If you do this for a while, reading will become something you look forward to.

#11 Tap into tech!

Don’t limit yourself to physical books. A Kindle, Nook or other e-reader can be fantastic if physical books do not appeal to you. There are some great advantages to an e-reader. You can carry lots of books with you on one device. They’re great for easily looking up new words. You can make notes and highlights, and change fonts and font size.

You don’t have to spend a fortune, a basic model is perfectly adequate for most people, especially if it’s your first e-reader. Treating yourself to an e-reader can be a great motivation to read more.

#12 Love your local library!

Use your local library for free physical books. Budgets can be tight for some people. You don’t need to spend money on books to start reading. If you have a library nearby, go in and browse their shelves and see what takes your fancy. Borrowing books is also better because if you hate the book, you’ve not wasted any money have you?

#13 Transform your tablet or phone into a book!

Use library apps for free books. Almost all libraries now have digital ebooks and audiobooks you can read on your tablet or phone. Check with your local library about which app they use, download it onto your device and log in. Hey presto! You’ve just entered a world of endless possibilities.

#14 Read on the cheap!

Check out charity shops and second-hand bookshops. Reading on a shoestring is perfectly possible. Hunting around a second-hand bookshop can be incredibly fun, Plus you don’t have to spend a huge fortune. This is a good method to build a private library on a budget!

#15 Listening is still reading!

A man sitting in a library wearing headphones and listening to something on his tablet.

Try reading a book and listening to the audiobook version. Some people just feel overwhelmed at the idea of reading. If that’s you, reading and listening to a book simultaneously may help you conquer that fear of reading. Even just listening to an audiobook by itself still counts as reading. Plus you can knit, crochet, draw or do something else while you listen! Check out my links at the end of the article to see where you can get free ebooks and audiobooks online.

#16 Choose books for you!

Start by reading books you are genuinely interested in. A lot of people make the mistake of trying to read “worthy” books or feel they must read all of the top best-sellers. Don’t force yourself to read a book just because you feel you should. You are likely to end up frustrated. You don’t have to wade through “War and Peace” if you don’t want to. Go easy on yourself. Your reading choices are personal to you.

#17 Track it!

Track your reading. A fantastic motivation tool is an app like GoodReads. They are great for tracking your reading stats. You can rate books and leave reviews. You can even set reading goals. On GoodReads, you can read reviews of books and so get inspiration for your next read.

Try out different apps and see what works for you. If you’re not into apps, you could just use a notebook and track the title, author, genre and date you started and finished. You can even write a quick review. It’s entirely up to you how you do it but tracking might motivate you to read more!

#18 Go social!

Why not consider joining a book club or reading group? You’ll have the opportunity to expand your reading repertoire as there will be a set book for you to read that you may not necessarily have chosen yourself. You can discuss what you’ve read with others. A bonus is that you get to make friends and socialise. Your local library or bookshop may have information about book clubs in your area. Take the plunge and try one out. You never know, it might change your life.

If there isn’t one in your area, why not take the initiative and set up your own? Start by inviting friends to join.

#19 Always have something to read!

Carry a book or e-reader with you everywhere you go. Use every free moment to read. Think of all the times you’ve arrived for an appointment and it turns out the other person is running late! It happens a lot. If you have a book with you, you can spend that time reading and it’s no longer “wasted“ time.

E-Readers are usually lighter than physical books, which makes them great for reading on the go. Make it a habit to carry a book or e-reader everywhere you go and before you know it reading will become a part of your daily life.

#20 Hide distractions!

We live in a world dominated by technology and it’s all too easy to reach for your mobile or tablet and end up down a social media rabbit hole and before you know it, your reading time has disappeared. If this sounds like you, try turning your phone off completely, then put it somewhere out of sight or in another room. If you’re in a room with a TV, hide the remote control so you’re not tempted to watch TV.

Try these tips and transform your reading. Take the first step today on your reading journey!

Are you looking for a tutor to help with reading? Click www.topmarkseducation.co.uk to find out about my tutoring services!

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Read more books! Twenty tips to make you a better reader.

Easy steps you can take to become a bookworm!