I’ve been doing some new things this year and making it a priority for me to take time out to read. I thought it would be tough in grad school to find time to read and even blog but I’ve found myself able to carve out some time each day to do the things that are important to me, which is awesome. I’m so thankful for that, I definitely would be 110% burnt out by now if I couldn’t. Some of you have been asking how I’ve been able to read so much with grad school and everything else going on so I figured I’d share some tips (some new, some old) to read more this year!
Always be reading something.
This is my first tip. Always have a book going. When you finish one book, immediately pick out another one. It’s usually really hard for me to choose and sometimes I’ll change my mind, but I will always pick SOMETHING out when I finish a book. Doesn’t matter if it’s an e-book or a physical copy, pick it out and get excited about it!
Keep it in convenient places. Or take it with you.
This one is up to you. I usually will always keep my current read on my nightstand because I will read in bed most nights, but if you like reading on the couch or something, you could keep it on your coffee table as well! Make your book easily accessible and VISIBLE. Or, if you’re like me, you’ll end up bringing it with you everywhere. I keep my books in my backpack, my purse, in my car… it depends! Usually if I’m close to finishing a book or REALLY into it, I’ll carry it with me everywhere. But most of the time it stays on my nightstand!
Give yourself a choice.
When you sit down to watch Netflix or scroll through Instagram, think about reading instead. Doesn’t mean you have to give up those Netflix binges entirely, but just give them a second thought. Are you watching Netflix because you really want to or are you just bored? If you’re bored, try picking up your book instead. Just this switch alone has made a huge difference for me this year! Instead of watching TV for an hour or two, I’ve been reading and blowing through 100+ pages. It’s awesome!
Set a timer.
I use the Bookly app for this, but when I sit down to read I set a timer for myself. I aim to read AT LEAST 20 minutes each time I pick up my book. Usually I’ll go for more, but it feels less like a time-waster if it’s only 20 minutes. If I’m feeling guilty about reading over doing schoolwork or something, then I keep in mind that it is only 20 minutes out of my day and I can handle it.
Track it.
I use Bookly and Goodreads to track the books I read. It’s a huge motivator to me to update what page I’ve gotten to that day. On Goodreads, there’s a bar that fills up the closer to get to finishing a book. I don’t know what it is, but it’s so satisfying to look at! The Bookly app tracks how long I read and how many pages I’ve read so far. It’s cool to see those stats growing every week.
Get excited about books!
I love following Instagram accounts that share what they’re reading on a regular basis. Some of my favs for recs are @BookBaristas and @CrimeByTheBook! Buying books is an expensive hobby but I have a subscription to Book of the Month that I think has really helped me make sure I always have something good to read each month! You can add additional hardcovers to your box for $9.99 which has been a total game changer for me! I also get lots of books from Amazon and Target because I can’t help myself. E-books are a cheaper option if you’re looking to save money (and space!). And don’t forget libraries are great for browsing and borrowing books as well. Surround yourself with options and I guarantee you’ll be more excited to read!
Something else I think is important is to not feel bad if you want to stop reading a book. If you aren’t enjoying it, it’s not for you. Don’t feel bad about abandoning a book. We only get so much time in this world and you don’t want to waste precious moments reading a terrible book! Abandon it and move on, girl!
Make it part of your routine.
As I said before, I keep my book on my nightstand. Before I go to sleep, I set that timer for 20 minutes and I just read and see how far I get. Sometimes I read more, but most of the time I just do 20 minutes and get to sleep. Once reading is part of your routine, I swear the books start piling up. I cannot believe I’m three books ahead of schedule right now and am onto my 12th book of 2018 and it’s only the beginning of May. Crazy!
Hopefully these tips helped you! You know I always like chatting books so tell me in the comments what you’re reading or what tips you have for fellow readers to help them find time to read more books!
