Read a Little Bit More: Tips & Tricks

I think one thing  many of us bloggers would like to do, is read more. I am by no means an expert, but I think that we could all use some small tips and tricks on how to read a little bit more! Through the medium of experience, I have devised 8 maybe helpful and slightly obvious tips on how to read a little bit more.

1. Allocate time 

This one is quite obvious to some, but it was quite revolutionary to me. I used to read an hour before I went to bed, but then I found that the more I worked, the more I just wanted to go to sleep and not part take in any reading. Now I get up a littler earlier and then read a bit in the afternoon. 6am-7am and then 3pm-4:30pm. Sometimes my times are rigid and other times I don’t stick to them. But it is nice to have a rhythm, it also makes me feel productive. Also, allocate internet time too! I think we are all guilty for spending a bit too much time scrolling!

2. Don’t let reading become a chore

If there ever comes to a point where you don’t want to read or it genuinely feels like a chore, I think it is time to put the book down and walk away. Go do something else and come back refreshed. Yes, it may affect the Goodreads challenge in the long run, but I think it would be worth it if you don’t end up hating your shelves.

3. Don’t like the book you are reading? Put it down! 

There was once a time when I had a bad case of finish it syndrome. I would never put a book down and I would suffer for it. I would not read the book for weeks and then I would power through it for day and then put it on the shelf, never to be touched again. As I have got older, more pennies to spend on books and more room, I have found that I can put books down more easily. In the time it took me to finish the book I disliked, I would have read 2 or 3 books I actually wanted to get through! Reading life is too short!

5. Switch it up! 

I get bored of genres after so many books (*cough, cough dystopia*). I think every now and again a switch up in genres is needed. I think not only does it make reviewing easier because you are not comparing your read from the last one so much, but it also prevents me from putting books down as quick. This may not work for everyone, but sometimes a change in scenery is needed!

6. Keep your rhythm

Every now and again, I will develop the kind of rhythm where I finished around a book every 2 days. There was once a time where I stopped to blog or tweet, but now I have found it so much more helpful to simply carry on with the good reading mood and rhythm. Most things can wait, but the never ending recommendations won’t so when you are in the mood to read, just do it. I go through bouts of reading a book  a day and then a book every two weeks so this tip plays a huge part in reading challenges.

7. Take a book everywhere you go

Yes, this tip is slightly annoying when it comes to hunking around the hardbacks, but sometimes I have read some of my favourite books in the queue buying food or on public transport. I don’t read as much as a certain level of awareness needs to be maintained so I don’t walk in to walls or drop my read but I spend so much time travelling sometimes so having a book for the moment really is worth it sometimes!

8. Don’t don’t force it. If you want to read, you will

“How do you read so much?” is a question I get asked on the daily. I bet a lot have people have asked you the same too. The thing is, you make time. You want to read and you love reading. Some people like books, movies, trains, running and maybe all of the above. But the fact of the matter is, that if you want to read so much, you will make time and you will find time. Forcing yourself to read is not the best idea. I think the thing is as well is not to feel bad about not reading or reading as much. Play your books how you want. But don’t moan about not having time to read when you watched Orange is the New Black for the 5th time! (Damn, I love that show!)

So these are all of my tips and tricks! What do you do to motivate yourself to read more? Let me know in the comments! 🙂