Since 2014, I’ve read more than 200 books in a year…
I really struggled with a way to start this post without sounding like I was bragging because I know that the number of books people read in a year varies–whether you’re a book blogger or not. Everyone reads at a different pace; not everyone has the time; and that’s what makes it such a personal number.
I read a lot of books in a year–it even shocks me–and that’s why I want to share some tips with you on how to increase the number of titles you read in a year! You might not reach 200 but wouldn’t it be great to fit in 4 more books in a year?
Years ago, I wrote a Guide for my blog: How to Read MORE! I wrote that guide back when I was a full time student. But since then, I’ve left school behind and have a full time career (complete with shift work, a dog and a house) on my hands.
You should still check out that post though because I have recently updated it! But I also wanted to highlight the 3 main reasons why I surpass the 200 books mark every year.
#1 – Get Into Audiobooks
I’ve shared my audiobook experiences many times over the years on my blog. I didn’t have the greatest start with them but they’ve become such a staple to my reading life that I can’t help but share my joy now.
> > SERIESous Discussion: How I Fell in Love with Audiobooks
Why are audiobooks so great? The fact that you can multitask while you listen!!! You can’t do much while you read a physical novel besides eat and ignore the world around you. But with audiobooks? You can drive your car to work; walk your dog; do laundry and chores; etc.
How to feel super accomplished:
Listen to an audiobook while doing your chores and watch as things get done while the minutes roll by.— Lauren (@SERIESousBooks) February 24, 2019
How It Helps Me: I choose to listen to an audiobook instead of music while I’m doing my chores or driving for more than 10 minutes. (I listen to the radio when I’m at work so I get my fill of music in a day.) I always have one audiobook on the go in addition to the physical book I am reading. There’s a reason why 33% of the books I read in 2018 were audiobooks and that’s because I could complete some of my daily responsibilities while listening to them. (Plus, I had a 2 hour commute to work 5 times a week!)
> > SERIESous Tips: 5 Ways to Get Into Audiobooks
#2 – Set Deadlines
This can be interpreted to be many different things and I mean it in many different ways. Deadlines could be anything from blog tour dates, to ARC publication dates, to simply the date the book is due back at the library. But by setting a “deadline” to finish a book, you have a goal in mind and you can start to plan for it.
> > SERIESous Discussion: Why I Love Participating in Blog Tours
How It Helps Me: Approximately 40% of the books I read in a year come from the library and another 40% come from review copies. Having those due dates allows me to focus on what I need to read and when. I get more motivated to find the time to read that particular title because I have to finish it by a certain date. Even just telling myself that I want to finish a book I own by the end of the weekend reminds me to pick it up when I have the time.
#3 – Embrace Novellas
For simplicity’s sake, I classify anything under 140 ebook pages to be a novella. And did you know that they count as a book read for your Goodreads total even if it is only 20 pages long? Novellas made up approximately 8% of my total reads for 2018.
How It Helps Me: I think novellas (or short stories) are super underrated as a book form. I love novellas for a lot of reasons besides inflating my reading stats for the year. For one, they help me overcome reading slumps. For another, they don’t require as much time as a full novel; so when I’m short on reading time, the shorter book helps me feel accomplished by finishing it.
I’m not entirely sure if I will reach 200 books read this year. I haven’t been reading as much as I usually do by this point in the year. But I do know that these 3 habits have helped to keep me on track and keep my numbers consistent from month to month. So we will see what the summer brings. That’s usually when I can kick things into gear since I spend every free moment outside reading when I’m not at work.
What habits do you think contribute to your reading numbers?
I am so impressed that you are able to read so many books each year even with a FT job (it’s a struggle!) I finally started getting into audio books last year and ebb and flow with them, but when I’m in the mood for them they are great and help me get through books so much faster while I am driving or doing chores around the house! I also like your point about having deadlines being helpful- now that I think about it, I tend to read library books and review copies much more frequently than the books I already own- those really tend to get put on the back burner!
The number of books I’ve bought that are just sitting on my eReaders is embarrassing! I think we are all guilty of that as book addicts 😛
I get this shame when I don’t finish a library book on time or return it unfinished. I don’t know why because who cares/knows I didn’t read it but it weighs on my conscious lol