Learn How to Read More Books on the Regular With Easy Tips from Headway

Key points:

• Reading full books requires some thoughtful planning.

• Assessing your schedule and making changes to it is a great way to make time for reading.

• Your environment and habits play a key role in reading regularly.

• E-readers and audiobooks are convenient alternative ways to "read."

• The Headway app is a great alternative for those who find it difficult to commit to reading more books.

The question of how to read more books is incredibly relevant in today's day and age.

And while its logical answer may seem to be "just read them," the unfortunate reality for a lot of people is that doing so isn't that simple. Indeed, while most of us love reading and have a list of books we'd like to explore, modern life doesn't afford us the circumstances, time, or patience to actually sit down for it. 

If you find yourself having this problem, don't worry. You're not alone.

In this article, we'll explore some tips and tricks on how you can make reading a bigger part of your life. By the end, you'll have a better understanding of how to read more books and, hopefully, be inspired to do so. And if you struggle to read as many books as you would like, check out our article about the best books for procrastinators.

How to Read More Often? Top Tips

Make Reading Part of Your Routine

The first and most impactful thing you can do to read more is find ways to integrate a habit of reading into your existing routine. As referenced in the opening, today's modern, highly connected world doesn't prioritize books in the same way it used to. Everything's all about instant gratification, jam-packed schedules, places to go, and places to be. This makes it very hard to find the time to actually take a moment and enjoy more slow-burn activities like reading. But despite the pace at which you may be forced to live, there are ways you can incorporate books into your life without compromising on other commitments.

Here's how:

Assess Your Schedule

You may have gotten used to saying the phrase, "I don't have time to read," but are you absolutely sure that's the case in your situation? Many of us get into the habit of thinking that we're busier than we really are, and as a result, we don't give ourselves enough credit for what we can actually accomplish in a day.

Start by taking a good, hard look at your schedule and identifying any gaps or downtime you may have. Do you have 30 minutes to spare? What about 15? In most cases, the answer is yes – we all have at least a few minutes here and there that we can use for reading.

It can be helpful to actually write out your schedule for a week or two from morning till the end of the day to get a better sense of how you're using your time. From there, you can start to look for patterns and places where you might be able to sneak in some reading time at home or at your local library.

Create a Reading-Friendly Environment

Sometimes, people don't read as much as they would like to or should because of external factors. If your home is cluttered or noisy, for instance, it can be very difficult to focus the few minutes you have to spare on reading.

Creating a reading-friendly environment can help alleviate these issues and make it easier to focus when you do have some time to read.

Think about the places where you feel most comfortable reading. Is it in your bed, curled up under the covers? In a comfy armchair with a cup of tea? Or a quiet campus or public local library. Make a note of these places, and try to set aside some time to read in them on a regular basis.

In addition to finding the right setting, you'll also want to make sure you have everything you need to read nearby. Keep a stash of books in your bedroom, on a bookshelf, in a bag, or in the office so that you can always grab one when you have a few free minutes. If you prefer digital reading, make sure your e-reader is fully charged and keep it within easy reach.

Set Some Reading Goals

One of the best ways to ensure that you actually make time for reading is to set some specific goals. Trying to read more without any sort of plan is likely to result in frustration, as you'll only end up feeling like you're not making any progress and, thus, stop reading altogether.

Sit down and think realistically about how much time you want to spend reading each week. From there, you can break that down into smaller daily or monthly goals. For example, if you want to read for two hours per week, that works out to about 20 minutes per day.

It can also be helpful to set goals for the number of books you want to read in a given time period. Whether that's one book per month or one book per week, having a specific target to hit, like a reading challenge consisting of a reading list of physical books or a playlist of audiobooks, will help motivate you to actually make reading a regular habit.

Supplement Other Pastimes With Reading

If your schedule is absolutely swamped with other things to do, the next option you have to consider is reevaluating your existing pastimes. This is obviously less than ideal, as you don't want to give up activities you actually enjoy. However, in some cases, it may be necessary in order to make room for reading.

Take another look at your schedule and the activities on it. Are there any that you'd be comfortable swapping out? Are some things optional? Is there anything in there that you value less than reading? If so, then you may have found your solution.

Another way to go about this is to reduce the amount of time you spend on your other pastimes so that you have more time for reading. For instance, if you usually spend an hour watching TV every night, can you cut that back to 30 minutes? Doing so would afford you an extra three and a half hours of reading every week, which could amount to a lot of books in a short span of time.

You may also want to consider cutting down on social media use, as it can be a huge time-sink. If you find yourself scrolling aimlessly through Facebook or Instagram, try setting a timer for yourself and only allow yourself to spend 10-15 minutes on the site. This way, you can still stay connected without sacrificing too much of your precious reading time.

Find Books That Match Your Interests

One reason that some people have trouble reading is that they're simply not interested in the books they're trying to read. If you find yourself struggling to make it through a new book, it may be because it's not something you're passionate about.

The solution to this problem is simple: find books that match your interests. Science junkie? Make a good science fiction your next book. If you love the history of sports, look for books about sports figures in history. If you're into fashion, seek out books about the industry or famous designers. And if you're a fan of music, look for non-fiction books and biographies or memoirs from your favorite artists. Check out book reviews if you’re unsure of a title. There are tons of apps, book clubs, and online communities designed specifically for this purpose — give them a go and see what recommendations you can find.

Change Your Format

For some people, the main barrier to reading more is simply the fact that books can be a hassle to lug around. And that's a reasonable justification.

For instance, The Standard Edition of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Illustrated Edition weighs a total of 4.68 lbs, while its Deluxe Edition weighs 10.5 lbs. It's not exactly convenient for reading a lot of books on the go.

It isn't realistic to carry all of your favorite reads around, let alone worry about where you set them down or any risks of damage or theft. One way to get around this issue is by switching to other formats, like the following.

e-Readers

An e-reader is a handheld electronic device that's designed specifically for reading books. The two most popular options on the market are the Amazon Kindle and the Barnes & Noble Nook.

These devices allow you to store thousands of different books on a single device, which is way more convenient than lugging around copies of physical books. 

They're also usually significantly cheaper than buying print books, so you can save some money in the long run. Plus, most e-readers come with features like built-in dictionaries and adjustable font sizes, which can make the reading experience much more enjoyable.

Audiobooks

If you're someone who has a lot of trouble sitting down and reading, then audiobooks may be a good solution. An audiobook is a recording of someone reading a book aloud, which you can listen to on your commute, while working out, or even while doing chores around the house. 

They can be purchased for download online from sites like Audible and Amazon and are especially great for people who are visual learners, as well as those with dyslexia or other reading disabilities.

Use the Headway App

If you find yourself challenged by the planning, costs, amount of time, or commitment of the aforementioned suggestions, downloading Headway may be your solution. Headway is an innovative app designed to make the process of learning quick and enjoyable.

It reworks literary enrichment for the age of the smartphone through reading challenges, streaks, book summaries, and more, and it is quickly becoming one of the most popular apps on the market.

Here's what makes Headway so unique:

The World's Best Ideas in a Nutshell

With Headway, you can read or listen to the world's best ideas in just a few minutes. It's perfect for busy people who want to learn but don't have a lot of time.

Learn at Your Own Pace

Headway offers a flexible learning experience that lets you choose how much or how little you want to learn. You can do a little bit every day or binge-learn an entire book summary of a New York Times bestseller in one sitting. It's up to you.

Personalized Plan

With a fully customized learning plan and curated book recommendations, Headway ensures that you're always learning the things that matter most to you.

Gamified Experience

Headway makes learning fun by turning it into a game. With achievements and streaks, you'll be motivated to keep coming back for more.

Take the First Step to Reading More – Download the Headway App

Transform your reading habits and make learning a natural part of your life with the Headway app. Whether you’re short on time, overwhelmed by choices, or simply need a boost to get started, Headway offers quick, digestible book summaries, personalized book recommendations, and learning plans to suit your lifestyle. Don’t let a busy schedule hold you back — start unlocking the world's best ideas today. Download the Headway app now and take the first step toward reading more books, growing your knowledge, and reaching your full potential!