Great Tips to Spend More Time Reading in 2024

As a fairly new reader, I am trying to get to 40 books a year. Usually, I read 2-3 books a month but sometimes I like to buy smaller books. Around 100 pages or less to finish in case, I go through one of my main books earlier.

I work full-time with some side jobs, so making time for reading can be challenging. Luckily I haven't had an issue with this, I make sure to pick books I only have an interest in. To top it off, I use the free app Bookly to track my reading time so I know exactly where I stand progress-wise.

12 books last year, then for this year, I go for 16 books, 1.5 book per month

I set 40, I’ve already ready 11 books this year!

Alexander wrote: "Audiobooks don’t count, or should be counted separately. It’s not reading. It’s being read to"
Thank you!

I chose 200 books as a landmark for this year. Hopefully, I'll read more.

Tried to put a small goal so that I can be sure that I achieve it and that I feel satisfied when I go over it 😄
It works - it motivates you to be better than you expected. It's better to have low expectations so that u can be proud of u easily. It helps a lot.
:)) have fun reading 📚

Funny that I should use my WTR shelf if my books that I want to read won't be added by the librarians for months ... I know they are volunteers but as you mentioned Amazon so proudly, you might consider other solutions with all that money in your back.

In 2020 I read 103 books, 52 in 21, 32 in 22 and 39 in 23, in sharp decline, with a very slight rebound last year That should mean I'm losing my reading ability, or my hobby. The first could (although it would not have to) be due to age or other physical causes, but of course it is due to the loss of hobby after many years of enjoying all kinds of books (I am 71 years old, and I should have started reading when I was 6 or 7 years old, then there was no TV or cell phones... I must have been about 10 or 11 years old when I had excellent grades, which was not usual. My parents offered me to choose a prize, and I asked for a collection of books adventures (I think there were about 20 by authors like Jules Verne, E. Salgari, R.L. Stevenson, Salgari... One of the best gifts of my life), and it would be terrible. I must certainly confess that what is achievable on the mobile, from great music to motorcycles... it makes me waste a lot of time on something that is not really worth it (music is worth it) and I try to reform that bad habit and set a goal of 50 books for 24, a goal that I hope I can even surpass But I won't know that until December 31. (I read my last book from the 23rd on that day). Let's see if luck is with me. Suerte y ánimo a todos. ¡A LEER!

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

I'm not sure that either proposition is correct. I think that one shouldn't force himself (or herself) into reading, say, a classic, that was too difficult for their age, for example. Reading should be a pleasure, always. If something bores you to tears, stop reading it. You may find you enjoy it more when you've got into the swing of reading.

And the second? Stick to one book if that works for you. Reading multiple books has two advantages: you get a lot of variety in your diet, and may decide that your preferred genre is science fiction, not historicals. The other is directly related to the Challenge: a book that you start on day one is likelier to be finished sooner, and a book that you start on day five is likely to be finished later. Finishing a book gives you a great feeling, and boosts your score!

I put 30 last year and I hit 73
That's not counting the actual books I read that were not on Goodreads.

Interesting tips! If you are a consistent reader, there is no need to set a goal. Review your past history-it will more or less show a common pattern. If reading is one's passion, it is better to pursue it, than fix a goal to be achieved.

I like to alternate between a few books at a time, depending on my reading moods. Usually a spy/thriller novel, a non-fiction history or biography, maybe a historical fiction, and maybe a motivational/self-help book.

LadyBookSpartan wrote: "75 It’s not the amount for me. But the keeping track. I’ve always been an avid reader and love this app for record keeping This is my 5th year of setting and reaching my goals. Thank you Goodreads"

Same here - I find the discipline of stopping to rate a book and write a brief review makes me read more mindfully. I've also been interested to see the breakdown of what I actually read compared to what I think I do -I thought I read more fiction than non fiction, for example, so I was surprised to see that it's more like 55-60% non fiction for me.

Alexander wrote: "Audiobooks don’t count, or should be counted separately. It’s not reading. It’s being read to."
I disagree. What about the many blind or partially sighted people who love to read? Or those who struggle to cope with the printed page for another reason? It's fine for an individual to decide to avoid audio books (or not to count them as books they have 'read') but to make this a rule for everyone ignores the huge number of people who have no other way of enjoying literature.

Last year my goal was 30. This year I challenged myself to 40. I highly recommend audio books to help with reaching your goals. That’s how I use my time on my work commute & I enjoy the drive much more.

I set my goal for 250, same as last year. I came close last year but didn't make it. I went above this a few years ago but haven't had a chance to go past it yet. Here's to hoping that I reach the goal this year.

I read 2 books a week and did over 90 last year. I usually have a fiction book and a non-fiction book going at the same time. I'm also in two books clubs and that gets me to read some books I might not pick on my own.

I committed to 21 books after last year reading 16 books.
But I have a feeling I might get to 24 books if the pace continues.

my goal is 65 this year, i read 70 last year but school's getting busier so i wanted to lower it a little. I'm trying to read more books I don't normally read, I read a lot of YA romance/ issues or dystopian but I've started American Gods (Neil Gaiman) and The Three-Body Problem (Liu Cixin) and I'm making sure to read 15 minutes of each one every day.

My goal this year is 20 books since I did 18 last year. I personally don’t count audiobooks because I tend to get lost and don’t follow the story. I prefer holding the book and experience every word. Currently reading “Jerusalem: The Biography.”

I aim for 365 every year: I read a lot. So 365 it is this year also. Have achieved this goal (plus) for the last couple of years, at least.

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

same! LOL

Hi everybody.
I think that I decided for a reading goal of 52, for my first time ever on the Challenge. But I am not going to feel bad if I don't reach that goal. I might read less, I might even read more ... as an avid reader, I always read, but sometimes it's just "confort reading", like mindlessly eating chocolate, and I just read books who, for me, don't "count".
Anyway, all the best to you all for all the reading you will do!

Some good tips here that I used to help me achieve my goal last year. Swapping between audio, digital and print books is great to get extra progress. Going for 50 books this year, at 6 currently.

Mine is 200 books. Did 201. Last year.

My goal for this year is 100. 9 down, let's hope I make it.

Ashok Deobhakta wrote: "Interesting tips! If you are a consistent reader, there is no need to set a goal. Review your past history-it will more or less show a common pattern. If reading is one's passion, it is better to p..."

Absolutely. But what if reading's not your favourite thing? Then maybe setting an achievable goal is one way to convert it into a passion?

I chose 52 - a book a week - in 2020 and exceeded it by a few so decided to double it to 100 the past three years. Finally hit it in 2023 with 105, but only because I was in cancer treatment and couldn’t do much else. Somewhere in the 80s is a realistic goal for me most of the time.

Local independent bookstores as well the library hold various reading contests and programs throughout the year that help motivate. One bookstore does a reading bingo that I enjoy as it makes me select books I would not normally read. I have found some new favorite authors that way.

I'm going for 52 this year; up 2 from my goal last year.
If you are trying to do audiobooks during meals and while in the car are great times!

Shannon wrote: "Becky wrote: "Reading books you enjoy and reading more than one book at a time is key! I got through 110 books because I cut my losses at 25-50-100 pages when still not interested enough. I also ha..."

If you still feel a bit of guilt over an unfinished book, go to the last couple of pages and read the ending.

Tracy wrote: "I chose 52 - a book a week - in 2020 and exceeded it by a few so decided to double it to 100 the past three years. Finally hit it in 2023 with 105, but only because I was in cancer treatment and co..."

That's terrible about the cancer, Tracy. I hope you're getting better.

My goal is 120. 10 books per month. I read 167 last year. I have also added audiobooks into the rotation for 2024.

My goal is 80 books and has been for a few years. I read when I am at home or waiting such as in the doctor’s office. I listen to books when I am driving and walking outdoors alone. I get different genres yo keep confusion at bay! 😂

my goal is 75 for this year. I usually read 70

My goal is to read 100 like the last 4 years. Reading different books at the same time helped me to achieve my reading goals. Reading in different languages is also helpful.

I have a tough time getting the books I've read into your system. Not user friendly.

The goal is 40 this year I usually go for 52 but I have a wedding to plane this year so I had to compromise. I read 55 last year it was amazing. Who knows I might still make it to 52 this year

If someone doesn't want to count audiobooks for themselves, that's fine. But it's ableist and privileged to tell others they don't count. There are plenty of reasons why someone might need to listen to an audiobook.

Either way, I count my audiobooks as I'm still consuming and thinking about the information and/or story and that matters more to me than how I received it.

My goal is 104 books. I usually have two going at a time - 1 on my kindle and 1 audiobook. I think these are good tips.

I read both print and audiobooks. For audiobooks, I listen to them on double time or else my mind wanders if it is too slow. It also helps me read more. I listen while driving, doing chores like laundry and dishes, and walking the dog. For print, I like to read before bed, but I am going to make more of an effort to read during other times as well this year. My goal is 50 books, so roughly one a week. My best year so far was 2021, my goal was 100, but I read 106, mostly audio.

Colleen wrote: "I put 20 at first and then changed my mind to 10. I have got so much going on that I don't want to overwhelm myself or make myself feel bad if I don't make it. I wish reading my classes could be in..."

That sounds like a good strategy! If at some point you feel you want to take more, you can update your goal or simply enjoy the fact you surpassed it :)

I would like to read at least 24 books, that’s my target. But I realise that often the very goal is the quality of the lecture not the number of the book itself.

Nati wrote: "Colleen wrote: "I put 20 at first and then changed my mind to 10. I have got so much going on that I don't want to overwhelm myself or make myself feel bad if I don't make it. I wish reading my cla..."

My daughter does! She is busy with college, and she doesn't have the time to read as much as she wants. She set a low goal, but she said if it's on here she will make it count! She is counting the book the teacher is using and her class book! Do it! You are reading it, make it count!

This is my first time setting a reading goal so I went with 20 knowing summertime will be slower while I spend time with my younger kids. I feel good about how it's going so far and have also loved finding local book stores with interesting recomendations!

I've realized to read books that I know I'll enjoy, like authors that I already know and like and I stick to the genre's that I love but also explore new authors books that sound to good to pass up and that's worked for me now , there are times when I read duds , last year I've picked up 3 books that I didn't like. Don't be afraid to put it down and start a whole new book. The point of reading is to enjoy and be immersed in the book.

Last year I read 27 books. So as a fun challenge I am to read 30 books. No pressure if I don’t. I have read 9 so far. Happy reading .

Zachtookthem wrote: "Johnny wrote: "My goal is 1. I will at least meet that this year."

Johnny, please... we can be better than this, aim higher..."

Hey if that’s one more than you read last year then go you! Your goal is just for you, hope you can meet or exceed it in 2024!

My goal is 50 this year. I wanted to read 100 last year but didn't make it. I feel like 50 is more reasonable.