Written and photographed by Samantha Demangate
Early last year, I reviewed my ever growing “books to read” list and became overwhelmed. The list was long and I would seriously have to improve my reading habits to make any progress. Usually I knock out one book per month, ending the year at 12, but that wouldn’t make a dent. So in 2022, I buckled up and decided that I would read with discipline and intention. At the end of 2022, I had read 50 books and was left with a slightly lighter “to read” list”.
Alright, 50 books either sounds enormous or minuscule depending on who you’re talking to. I’ve come to find that the term bookworm means different things to different people. Some proudly make it through 1 book a year while others plow through 100. There’s no right and wrong and everyone has their own interests and schedules.
First off, let me address this: The number of the books you read doesn’t really matter! As long as you’re reading and learning. Time is limited, and personally if I plan to read all that I want to read, I better get on it. This is my motivation. But it doesn’t have to be a chore. Establish your reading purpose, and stick to it. Are you reading for relaxation, to gain knowledge, to challenge yourself? The list of reasons can go on, so whatever it is for you, identify it. That said, here is a list of things that I’ve done in 2022 to drastically improve the amount of reading I did.
Make a Reading List
This may be obvious, but it’s crucial, and I’ll tell you why. I used to go to the library and rent a book on a whim. I didn’t read a thing about it past the synopsis. Unsurprisingly, I’d be pretty disappointed when I realized a couple of chapters in, that I was uninterested in the story. The disappointment that comes with an ill-fitted read can deflate our desire to read all together, dashing your reading habits. I recommend you do your research and create a customized To Be Read reading list for yourself. Even then, you’ll come across some duds, but your list will be tailored to you and will increase your enjoyment. There have been books that seemed perfect to me, but once I cracked it open, it just wasn’t a fit. So, do the research. Save yourself the time (and money).
Use Platforms like Goodreads or The StoryGraph
I know it’ll sound like this message is sponsored, but it isn’t! I just truly love book tracking apps. I’ve tried a handful, but I regularly use Goodreads and The StoryGraph. Goodreads is a bit outdated, but I still use it for 2 reasons: reviews and recommendations.
Once you log your book interests on Goodreads, they will provide you with many excellent recommendations tailored to your interests. I’ve found some of my favorite books this way. In addition, there are mountains of book reviews on Goodreads due to the website’s age. Here, you can gain perspective on the book and decide if it’s truly a good fit for you.
I read reviews often, but I don’t let the opinions of others sway me too much. They really can help me decipher whether or not I want to read something and have helped me create my TBR (to be read) list.
Note: Beware of spoilers within reviews! Proceed with caution.
Now to The StoryGraph. I love The StoryGraph because it’s just so satisfying to use. Every book you finish gets tallied within a personal graph for your viewing pleasure. Essentially, it’s a big colorful pie chart that separates all the books you’ve read into categories. In addition, all of your stats are broken down into several different graphs. These various graphs are organized by book length, medium, genres and the number of books read per month. Anyone that loves color coded organization will love this. The StoryGraph has only been around since 2019, so it’s still relatively new. That said, there are fewer reviews on it compared to Goodreads, but the platform does a great job with book recommendations. Its database will only get better with time.
Between Goodreads and The StoryGraph, my reading habits have grown stronger. I have to thank the addictive quality of The StoryGraph’s reading charts for additional motivation. Go ahead and download them or sign up online! Did I mention they’re free?
Schedule “Reading Time” in Your Calendar
For those who need additional structure, scheduling reading time in your calendar may help. Start with just 15 minutes a day. It could be in the morning while you have your coffee, in the afternoon during lunch, or right before bedtime. Whenever it works for you.
I use a habit tracking app to record my daily habits, because honestly, I need to. I aim to read 30 minutes per day and I document it daily. Some days are better than others. Before I tracked my habits, I was under the impression that I was reading more often than I actually was. For those who need a little extra accountability, this is a great way to improve your self-discipline.
There are plenty of free habit tracking apps, and if this method works for your personality, by all means, do it. It is a sure way to improve your reading habits. But simply penciling it in on a physical calendar would do too.
Consider e-books
I know that someone reading this is going to want to fight me for this one, but hear me out. I used to be anti-e-book, and frankly, I don’t understand why I was. Only swearing by paper books, I was limiting my accessibility to great reads. I’ve been living on the road for a year and a half (digital nomad here) and just couldn’t access books the way I could before. In some of the countries I’ve lived in, I couldn’t even find books in English. It got to a point where I just wasn’t reading at all. But then I gave in and started reading digitally.
There are loads of ways to read books digitally. You can find several websites online that provide the classics for free. I personally use Libby and yes, it is FREE! All you need is a library card. You can check the app prior to see if your library is compatible with Libby (Most libraries in the USA are). Once you log the card onto Libby, you will have access to your public library’s collection of ebooks and audiobooks. Some public libraries have more impressive collections than others, but any library is better than no library.
There are many positives to e-books and if you decide to try them, I think you’ll find those positives just might suit you. Did I mention the perk of portability? I often read my books on my phone while waiting in long lines and while running errands. I still carry one physical book with me while traveling, but e-books have really improved my reading habits, and I’m just so grateful to have them.
Audiobooks
Wow, I don’t know what I was doing before audiobooks. Audiobooks came into my life the same way e-books did. They were my only option for a little while, and I learned to love them. Now I listen to part of an audiobook almost everyday. Washing dishes and folding laundry has never been the same since. For some books, I personally prefer the audio version. If you are reading a memoir, check to see if it comes in audio format and then check to see if the author narrates it themselves. Listening to Dave Grohl’s – The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music and Tom Felton’s – Beyond the Wand was so much fun. I felt immersed in their stories and their audiobooks contained extra antidotes. Overall, it was a great time.
Again, like e-books, I get my fix of audiobooks from Libby. Haven’t ever paid for a single one. Utilize your local library!
View Reading as an Investment
If you ever feel guilty about putting the time aside for yourself to relax and enjoy a book, just remember, reading is an investment in yourself. Everything you read is either an investment in your knowledge or is a way for you to relax and rejuvenate. Also, you deserve that time for yourself! No explanations needed.
Read on and enjoy.
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