Great Tips to Spend More Time Reading in 2024

Meenal wrote: "200. It's funny how Goodreads is encouraging readers to DNF books and read multiple books at once."

If people think they might be comfortable reading two books at once, it's not such a bad idea. For me it only works if they're much different: a biography and science fiction, for example. Reading two books at once, one about a dispossessed handsome English duke and his love for a scullery maid and another about a handsome French marquis and his love for a laundress, both set in the 18th century, could be a little confusing! :)

I like setting a low goal and then perhaps beating it. And with a low goal I can spend time with really good long novels like Empire Falls and The Goldfinch.

Trying to make more time to read than my usual 12 to 15 books yearly.
A must is doing away with wasting way too much useless hours daily on the web which definitely cuts into lost reading time. Also, finding a location free of too many distractions where re-reading doesn't become necessary. Avoid putting a book down too long to forget important details.

When I read more than 1 book, it's usually a memoir and one other to keep them easily separated. Also like to step out of my comfort zone and read a different genre than my usual favorites for a change of pace.

Happy Reading All!!

I chose 12, but will probably increase it as needed.

I'm hoping to read 36 books - 3 per month. I was able to do it last year and am being realistic in setting that as the goal again.

My goal is 30..I had 24 last year an it was nice. I had 40 the year before and I stressed myself out(I made 42)..

It's pretty much summed up as: make the time to read. Easy! 👍

Isabelle wrote: "I just have no motivation to read, like I'm sitting scrolling on my phone, thinking that I should read, but I'm just not motivated."

You can read on your phone too. I scrolled my iphone and found some free books,, Some were really remarkably good

i haven't met my goal in awhile but this year i started working at a library and i'm surrounded by books in a lovely place with so much natural light.

i chose 30 because i turn 26 next month and am trying to get used to the idea of getting to that age eventually, doing my best! it's more than my goal last year but less than 50 like i've tried for others.

may all of us enjoy and not stress over reading this new year, i'm wishing it

My challenge this year is 40 books. Am I going to get it? I don't think so. Thank goodness I still have 3 months of Audible.

Another recommendation is to join group readings of books that may interest you to finish the books faster. You have to read them the day the group says. A little pressure sometimes helps.

Audio books really help. Play them when driving, cooking, cleaning, knitting, etc. It really boosts your total. As for print. If you read 50 pages a day you can read a 350 page book every week.

I decided to take a break from social media and focus again on reading more like I used too. I gave myself the challenge to read 30 books this year. I have read 4 books so far this month 😊

Something that helps me always have something I want to read is, borrowing a bunch of books from the library (more than I can possibly read in a couple of months), and when I need a book to read, choose something from the bunch I borrowed, depending on my mood. That way I always have plenty of options.

Wanted to be realistic, but still push myself a little and choose 12 books. One book per month doesn't sound that much, but I need to write my master's thesis this year and this challenges motivates me not to forget that I can also still read for fun :)

Like every year, I'm starting with a target of 52 books to read, but like almost every year I'll probably increase that to 100 when I reach the target halfway through the year :-D

26 this year-one every two weeks. Read 32 last year, but found myself not enjoying the books as much toward the end of the year. I know rereads are okay, but if I don't push myself to read different things, I will always go back to tried and true. So, for me, at least 26 new to me books!

I would like to read 50 books this year.

Even though I reached my goal of 250 books rea for 2023, I lowered this year's to 200 as I have to prepare to list my house for sale by the beginning of summer.

I am currently on disability, so have the time to read each day.

i put 75. am i realistic? maybe. january’s almost done and ive read five (well i listened to the first half of one until the ebook came in. are audiobooks cheating?)

I love the tip about reading more than one book at a time. Personally, I like to read something mentally enriching (self-help, nonfiction, classic literature) in the morning and then something fun/entertaining in the evening. I just can’t focus on nonfiction at night!

I put my gol to 75.. then I choose this year to don't overwhelm myself and I put It down to 50

I set a realistic goal based on achieving last years challenge (and a few more) and I mix up how and what I read - Audible is great when I drive, cook, walk; Kindle on the train; but I enjoy getting my hands on real paper when I’m in bed or relaxing in a chair!

Kyla wrote: "My goal is 150 dunno if I can make it but def gonna try!"

Last year my goal was 100, but I lowered it to 90 near the end. My goal is 100 again this year, but I have already finished 6! Some of my books are pretty short though

Set a goal for 24 books this year ... off to a great start, as I completed 3+ in January. On track to complete 6 by the end of February, so I hope to exceed my initial goal of 24! Although the number of books is the target, I actually prefer to look at the number of "pages read" when we get to the end of the year.

I have 24 books for the challenge. I know I will complete 12 because of book club. I also read multiple books at a time. Reading my favorite genre and favorite authors along with recommendations with get the last 12. If I find a book not to my liking, it is OK to let it be a DNF.

I have set my target at 80 this year. Read 85 last year but found myself rushing through books in December just to reach the target! Would rather have a lower target and enjoy the books.

My goal is 180 books this year. I did reach my goal last year. So I want to read more. I will say that even if I DNF the book that still counts in my mind.

Another tip: I read a daily devotionals book every year. By the end of the year, I can check it off. Same would go for periodic devotionals, etc., for 40 days, 6 weeks. I may not get to check it off soon, but I know it's going to count!

Sandra wrote: "I have 24 books for the challenge. I know I will complete 12 because of book club. I also read multiple books at a time. Reading my favorite genre and favorite authors along with recommendations wi..."

Yup, I finally learned it is OK to not finish a terrible book! Life is too short to read a bad book!

Mandy wrote: "I have set my target at 80 this year. Read 85 last year but found myself rushing through books in December just to reach the target! Would rather have a lower target and enjoy the books."

I hate not being able to meet a target and rushing. What I do is set a target of 25 (some years I barely meet it, some years I totally surpass it -- 25 is manageable, but still a challenge for me). If towards the end of the year I have surpassed it/will surpass it, I change my target to 30, and then sometimes 35!

My goal is 300, it’s end of January & I'm @ 32 so it’s going well. Winter is easier so I gave my self some grace for the summer when it’s harder for me.

A couple of years ago, I managed to get through War and Peace by breaking it into pieces. I read a chapter a day. It took the entire year (in fact, by the end of the year, I doubled up on chapters so I’d finish in that calendar year. I did this while reading conventional-sized books. I’ve continued this with other books since and have finished some really good “chunksters”.
I also tend to listen to audiobooks at an increased speed. I’ve often thought that it still sounded “normal” at twice the speed.

It’s about being a reader, not about how many books you have read.

Take a book with you (e-book or printed) when going to an appointment. Helps pass the time and also helps you reach your reading goal. Another tip is to keep 3 books running at once- one audiobook, one e-book, and one print book. If you’re tired of reading on your e-reader, switch to the print book, etc. And listening to a “light” book when drifting off to sleep at night achieves two goals at once (I just set my timer for a realistic time limit, like 15 minutes). And audio books are good listens while doing housework or other chores not requiring a lot of concentration; I find it makes the chores go faster. Another tip is to select a few shorter reads, along with longer ones, to help you reach your book goals- it’s a real confidence booster. Pick some exciting books in a genre you prefer- if you like spy movies, select a spy book; action movies, pick a fast-paced book; etc. And, maybe switch genres on occasion- you may be surprised to find that you are a non-fiction lover, for example, if you pick just the right book. You might not be able to put it down!

I've set my goal for 50 books again this year. I read 50 books in 2022 and met my goal. I surpassed my goal in 2023, with 57 books read. I don't think I'll have any problem meeting or surpassing my goal again this year. 50 always seems like a doable number for me and leaves me with a little wiggle room, when life gets too busy.

The key for me is to always have a book with me, wherever I go.

Happy reading, everyone! :D

Yo puse 80 y ya llevo 15 en un mes

i tend to push back my goal because i beat my goal way too early not expecting the amount of reading

belén wrote: "i put 75. am i realistic? maybe. january’s almost done and ive read five (well i listened to the first half of one until the ebook came in. are audiobooks cheating?)"

Apparently audiobooks aren't cheating (even though I kind of feel like they are...) I'm compromising by adding them as "read" but also adding a tag for "Audiobook" so I can tell which books I listened to vs. which ones I "actually" read.

I usually do nonfiction audiobooks and play them while doing chores so I definitely am not "taking in" as much as I would if I were looking at each word, so I think they sort-of count. I'm getting the info, but not engaging with the text like with a "real" book, can't flip back a few pages to revisit something, sit and think on a point for a few seconds before moving on, etc. I prefer nonfiction for audiobooks because the way I listen isn't focused enough to keep up with a story unless it's like YA or a reread or something like that.

Hi everyone, Good tips - I went beyond by goal of 20 last year to 24 books - I reached this goal by reading at the gym why I am walking on the treadmill or bicycling. - My exercise improved and my book reading allowing me to do two things at once.

I am actually reading two books at the same time right now, one is a novel with one story and the other is a collection of love letters. It will definitely speed up completing my reading goal :)

For the last 3 years, my goal has always been 20 books pero year and thank God, I have always surpassed the goal!

I asked for a bookstore gift card for Christmas. I plan to use it for books that my public library doesn’t have.

Pam wrote: "Take a book with you (e-book or printed) when going to an appointment. Helps pass the time and also helps you reach your reading goal. "

I always bring a book with me and read on my commute, when I'm waiting for the bus/an appointment, etc. Not having a book to read for five minutes drives me crazy (there isn't always something to look at on my phone). Commute time is when I get most of my reading done.

Juan wrote: "For the last 3 years, my goal has always been 20 books pero year and thank God, I have always surpassed the goal!"

I always make my goal 25 books a year. Some years it's a struggle (but I manage to make it), some years I far surpass that! I'll increase my goal if I know I will pass 25.

Cathy wrote: "Hi everyone, Good tips - I went beyond by goal of 20 last year to 24 books - I reached this goal by reading at the gym why I am walking on the treadmill or bicycling. - My exercise improved and my ..."

Awesome! I too will read on the treadmill!

I read 106 books last year with a commitment to read 100 books. This year as of Jan 31, I have finished 7 books.. If I keep up this pace, I will have read 364 books. I know my pace will vary. Last year, I had to work to get through the full 100 books so I will stick with that figure this year. I just love to read...

Audiobooks don’t count, or should be counted separately. It’s not reading. It’s being read to.

reminds me to add dates!

doing 100 this year!yay!

My goal is 50