Friday, January 22, 2016

How To Read More

Ever since I started my blog, I've had people ask me how I manage to read so much each month. I usually read an average of 10 books every month. To be honest though, I had never thought about it much until people started to ask me questions about it. Well, whether you're trying to read more or you just want to know more about my reading habits, here is a bunch of reading tips I've compiled for you. 
The first thing you need to remember though is that reading is supposed to be fun. So even if you read only one book in a month, so long you're enjoying it, you shouldn't worry about figures and page counts :)


1. The book in its different incarnations 


If you really mean to read more, I suggest you consider reading books in their different forms. This will give you flexibility in terms of when and where you can read. For instance, back when I was still a student, I was too scared of my print books getting creases and tears from staying in my bag to actually take them to class. I was however still able to get some reading done through ebooks and that was a major lifesaver back when I was still a freshman and had yet to make some friends. As to audiobooks, they have encouraged me to get through more children and mid-grade books, which are genres I find a bit hard to read in actual print editions. 


2. Kindle app for mobile platforms 

So how does that make you read more? Well, staring at your phone, whether you're in the bus, in class or just about anywhere else, is less likely to have people try to peek at your screen or interrupt you by asking what you're reading. 'Cause, well, they probably think you're just texting someone. Ain't that convenient? Also, depending on where you're going and what you're wearing, you might not always be able to have a book with you. Think tiny party bags, ladies. With your books on your phone though, you can literally have your books in your pocket. Not only are you never getting bored in obligatory family dinners again, but you also get to read more. I personally love this app, especially since my Kindle died on me last year and I haven't been able to get it replaced yet. 


3. Listening to audiobooks while doing tasks around the house


I'm super lazy when it comes to tidying my room. Recently though, I've taken to putting an audiobook on while I'm going about my chores and not only does it take my mind off the fact that I'm actually doing chores, but it also helps me get some more reading done. Audiobooks have also helped me get through books I would have normally never read. Plus, if you get one narrated by someone who's very good at the job, listening to a book can become a really entertaining hobby. 

4. Listening to audiobooks while driving 

Audiobooks are also an awesome way to get some reading done when you can't actually pick up a book. Plus, listening to some Roald Dahl on your way to work in the morning is an awesome way to kick-start the day on a cheerful note. I personally recommend Matilda narrated by Kate Winslet!


5. Extra reading time in the morning 


If you really need to read more, like maybe for school for instance, I suggest you get up at least half an hour earlier than you usually do. This is just to give yourself some extra time in the morning which you can devote to reading. I personally rather enjoy having something to read when I'm sipping my tea in the morning. If you take the bus to school or work, you can also use that time to read a bit from your book. I personally used to find it a bit hard to read on my way to uni because the lull of the bus usually put me to sleep ten minutes into the trip! 


6. Reading before bedtime 

Another awesome way to get through a few additional pages of your book is to devote fifteen to thirty minutes to reading before you go to bed. Be careful of page-turners though, 'cause with those you might just end up reading till morning without even realizing it. Happens to all book lovers at least once. Yep. 

So these were my ideas for reading more. If you have more tips and ideas you want to share, feel free to drop me a line in the comments! 

16 comments:

  1. Last year I quit a lot of tv shows and began to read instead. I haven't regretted it yet! Like you, I also read before bed most nights- I just make sure it's not something high octane.
    Great post, Souda!
    ~Litha Nelle

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    1. It's good that you're enjoying your reading ^^ Thanks!

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  2. These are all such great suggestions! I do try to leave myself a little extra time in the morning before work to get some reading done. The only downside to that is there have been a few times when I've had to leave my book at a really, really good part and then had to wait all day to find out what happened next, lol.

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    1. Thanks Lee :) Haha, yeah that would be a bummer XD

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  3. These are great suggestions, and I totally agree with you about the Kindle mobile app. I love it ~

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    1. Thanks! Yeah, the Kindle app is one of my fav apps. It makes it really easy to "carry your books" around.

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  4. Excellent suggestions Soudha^^ I picked up audiobooks halfway into last year so I'm kind of excited to see how it will increase my books read this year :D I have about a 40 minute commute to work and again when I go home so that's like 1h30 of reading time on workdays that I didn't have before. Reading in the morning can be tricky for me because then I don't want to do anything else the rest of the day LOL!

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    1. Thanks Micheline! I hope you enjoy your audiobooks ^^

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  5. Great tips! I read both print books and kindle. I would love to do audiobooks, but they just don't work out for me :/ But I love reading by Kindle at night because I can turn out the light and not need to get up again before I sleep, and I eat in the morning and read my kindle so I don't have to worry about it getting dirty! It's so much easier to clean a screen if anything happens xD I read paperbacks and hardcovers in the day whenever I can squeeze in time ^.^

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    1. Thanks Olivia :) The thing with audiobooks is that I need to like the narrator to like the book, and that, too, even if the book on its own is good. If it's a narrator I don't like, I'll abandon the book. Yeah, Kindle makes reading a little more flexible. I read on my Kindle at breakfast time too!

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  6. Having physical copies and kindle copies really helps. I don't exactly know why, but sometimes there are days when I just have to lie down (but I want to read) so I pick up my kindle instead because reading a bulky book while lying down is just not comfortable.

    Great tips, Soudha, and I swear by the 'read before bedtime' one! ;)

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    1. Yeah, I also have those days where I don't really feel like picking up a book and would rather be reading on my Kindle instead. I feel like I read faster on Kindle so maybe that's why?

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  7. I read a lot in the bus, to the point that when I reach home my battery is already dead!I haven't tried audiobooks yet, but they seem so fun! These are great suggestions! And I love the pictures ;)

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    1. Haha, I wish I could read on the bus too but I always end up falling asleep XD You should give audiobooks a try! If narrated by a good reader, they can be pretty fun :) Also thanks, I'm glad you like the pictures ^^

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  8. Great tips Soudha. I too read in multiple formats; a physical book, an ebook on my Kobo and a Kindle for PC book. My favourite time to read is in the bath and before bed.

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    1. I've never tried reading in the bath but it does sound like a lovely idea.

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