#teachingisfun

“Tetyana, how do you manage to read so many books a month?” It is the most popular question that I am asked.

[By the way, I have completed my reading challenge “50 books in 6 months” in 4 months. I didn’t expect to finish so soon. I’m going to continue reading books.]

I’m going to write tips and strategies that work well for me, and I am sure that they will help you. Furthermore, I’d like to state that I’ll be talking about reading paper books, e-books, and listening to audiobooks.

As ALF said, “without further ado,” let’s start.

Always have a book on hand

Once you have some spare time, you should read. For example, if you are waiting in line; waiting for your kids when you pick them up; or in a restaurant waiting for your order, you have some spare time, you read.  

Even if you read for 3–5 minutes, it counts as progress.

Let’s see the numbers:

An average person reads 250 words per minute. Therefore, you can read 750 words, or approximately 3 pages, in 3 minutes.

If you read for 5 minutes, that is 1250 words and about 5 pages.

An average person in metropolitan cities spends 45 minutes a day waiting in line.  In non-metropolitan cities—20 minutes. 

If you read 250 words a minute and spend 30 minutes in line, you will read about 7500 words, which is about 30 pages.

Eat and read

I am not sure that it is my recommendation, but this is what I do.

I eat and read. Throughout the years, I have learned how to keep books clean while eating.

Allocate some time to reading

For example, 30 minutes in the morning and 30 or more time in the evening.

There is a technique in time management called time blocking. You block time in your schedule for activities, and those slots cannot be allocated for other activities.

Find a supportive community

It can be a group on social media or a forum where you can discuss the books that you are currently reading or have already read.

Many people read on the new social media platform, Threads. I like sharing my experience there, on Instagram, and on Goodreads. Goodreads is an app that can also be used on a desktop, where you can befriend other readers, leave book reviews, comment on book reviews that were written by others, track your reading progress, and create different reading lists, for example, “read,” “currently reading,” “want to read,” and others.

I do enjoy Goodreads very much! Besides, it is free of charge. You can follow me on Goodreads.

Track your progress

What can be sweeter than tracking progress? This is one of my favorite parts of reading. Personally, I track my progress on Goodreads. On average, twice a day. Call me crazy, but it helps me to see how much I have read and how much is left to read. I prefer knowing where I stand.

Choose the right books for you

What I mean is that if you like a book, the chances that you will enjoy it and read it fast are higher. Choose genres that you find interesting.

Mixing different genres works well for me. This year I am reading non-fiction, detectives (books by Agatha Christie), classic books, plays, and getting to know better modern writers who write fiction. Let me be clear: I wouldn’t say I like fiction, but I listen to detective audiobooks by Agatha Christie. I always listen to them before falling asleep. They relax me, and I fall asleep faster. In the morning, I rewind to the point that I can remember. Finding the spot takes me no more than 5 minutes.

Such a mix works well for me, as I do not get bored. 

Choose the best format/s

This is my system:

Paper books are absolutely my favourite! I take them with me when I commute, go out, travel, or read at home. The smell of new pages is intoxicating, and turning the paper pages over is another pleasure of mine.

E-Books: My Kindle e-Reader is always with me if paper books do not fit into my purse or backpack. I love my Kindle because you can highlight interesting parts (there are four different colors), make notes, and get books immediately after buying them in one click (no need to wait for delivery). 

Audiobooks: I love listening to audiobooks and falling asleep when I go shopping, clean my desk, or organize my home office.

Reading on the move

If you drive, you can turn on an audiobook. If you are a passenger or you walk, you can read a book or turn on an audiobook.

Where to read or listen to books

Everywhere, you feel comfortable!

Last week, I went shopping. I turned on the book “The Big Four” by A. Christie. As a result, I had listened to two hours of that book. Earlier that day, I ate out. It took them 15 minutes to prepare my lunch. While they were cooking, I was reading the book “You Never Know” by Tom Selleck. Moreover, I was reading while eating. To sum up, I spent an hour reading one book and finished listening to another book.

Finish reading the not-finished books

Take a close look at your bookshelf. Then, take a close look at the unfinished e-Books. Of course, if you use the Audible app, check it out too. If you find some not-finished books, think about finishing reading them.

Find books that are not thick

Look for the ones that are less than 200 pages. For example, “The Great Gatsby” is 186 pages; “The Maids” by Jean Jane (a play) is 150 pages (by the way, I highly recommend reading this book and seeing this play if you are lucky); “Why We Work” by B. Schwarz is 150 pages.

But it would be nice if you didn’t use this tip too much.

Make reading a ritual

You can read a book while drinking your morning coffee or tea. When you cook, you can turn on an audiobook instead of music. If it is too loud when you cook, it is a good idea to use noise-canceling headphones.

Another possibility for a ritual is to read or listen to a book in bed before you fall asleep.

I always read books an hour before going to bed. And when I go to bed, I turn on an audiobook. Yes, I fall asleep while listening. But in the morning, I rewind to the point that I can remember. Finding the spot takes me no more than 5 minutes.

Important:

If you have read 20 (more or less) pages and you don’t like the book, start reading another one. If you read for pleasure and no one forces you to finish the book, just put it aside.

Usually, I come back to the books later. Sometimes “later” comes in two years.

My own rules:

Firstly, I read multiple books at the same time (check my current reading list on Goodreads).

Secondly, I mix languages. The majority of the books I read are in English. My goal is also to read at least 4 books a month in Ukrainian (my native language).

I am not sure if these rules of mine can be recommendations, but they definitely work for me.

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Please let me know in the comments below which strategies you are going to use.