How Can I Trick Myself Into Reading More?

As the new year approaches, many people will set a pretty simple goal for themselves – read more books. While it may seem like a trivial resolution, nearly a quarter of Americans haven’t read a book in any format over the past 12 months. The truth is, reading can be difficult for many reasons.

Oftentimes, individuals may have trouble finding time to pick up a novel between work, childcare, and household duties. Others may prefer a quicker and more engaging way of digesting information or entertainment. In both instances, a movie or TV show may be preferred over finding books to read. 

There are few feelings better than immersing yourself in a book you enjoy. Unfortunately, the fast-paced nature of today’s world makes it quite demanding to do just that. Consider the following tips and tricks to help you read more books in 2022 (and beyond).

Carry A Book Everywhere

There’s always a bit of downtime that exists throughout the day. Whether you’re in between meetings, waiting for dinner at a restaurant or sitting around at the airport, there’s always an opportunity to read. However, you may not realize that you currently use this extra time to check for text messages or aimlessly scroll through social media. 

Carrying something to read with you everywhere will allow you to open up a book at literally any moment you have some free time. Instead of checking your phone, you can pick up a novel you enjoy instead. This will get you into the habit of reading whenever you have a chance to do so. 

Try Listening to Books

Many find it difficult to unplug, open a book, and begin reading – whether it’s for an hour or a mere 15 minutes. If this sounds like you, audiobooks may be the perfect solution for you. While it may seem like a bit of a loophole, listening to books will certainly help you finish them faster – especially if you haven’t picked up a read in several years. 

Digital audiobooks are rapidly gaining steam in the US. According to the Audio Publishers Association, audiobook sales increased by 16%, generating an impressive $1.2 billion in revenue last year. Further studies show that the industry is expected to reach $15 billion by 2027. Publishers are taking notice of these trends and making it easier for readers to find audio versions of all their favorite books to read. 

Join a Book Club

Having a community around you will not only keep you accountable but allows you to share your readings with other people. Many consider reading to be an isolated activity but joining a book club adds a social element to the hobby. You will be able to discuss and share your thoughts on titles you’re currently reading and also gain tons of great recommendations for other books to read. 

When you find a book club you enjoy, you’ll be motivated to keep up with books in order to join the weekly conversation. If you live in a large metropolitan area, you’ll more than likely find dozens of clubs around you that you can get involved with. Alternatively, digital book clubs work well to connect with fellow readers across the world. 

Make Dedicated Reading Time

One of the most common excuses adults make for not reading books is a lack of available time. When you take a closer look at your schedule, you’ll likely notice that you spend quite a bit of time on unnecessary activities. Nielsen’s 2021 Total Audience Report found that the average consumer spends about 30 hours in front of the TV, 20 hours on their smartphone, and another 20 hours between their computer and the radio every week. That’s a whopping 10 hours per day spent interacting with various technologies. 

Instead of coming home and turning on your favorite reality television program, try grabbing a book to read instead. Even if you were to reduce your screen time by just 20%, you’d have nearly 15 hours of extra reading time per week. If you read an novel of 80,000 words at an average speed of 300 words per minute, you’d be able to knock out a whole book in five hours or less. That’s three books finished every week! 

Give Up On Books You Don’t Enjoy

Growing up, you probably heard the phrase ‘finish what you started’. When it comes to reading books, this shouldn’t always be the case. Reading time should be considered a period of leisure – not work. Therefore, you should only commit to reading books that you thoroughly enjoy.

If you’re 30 minutes into an uneventful TV show or movie, you’ll likely turn it off and find something new to watch. Enjoying a book should be no different. Don’t be afraid to stop reading one book to find another one that is a better fit for your tastes. Luckily, Iris Reading has a ton of book recommendations for every type of reader!

Conclusion

Achieving your goal of reading more books is possible, but it will take some effort and willpower.  However, when you get into the habit of reading, it’s very hard to put your book down. Reading allows you to immerse yourself in a new world and exposes you to knowledge that you may not have been privy to before. In our modern world of 24-hour media and instant technological information, finding engaging books to read can also improve your real-world conversation skills, as well as your self-discipline and focus. 

If you’ve had a difficult time committing to reading books in the past, you’re certainly not alone. Try implementing the above tricks to get the ball rolling and put you on the path to make reading an important (and enjoyable) part of your daily life.