The vast majority of us would enjoy expanding our book knowledge, which calls for developing a regular routine of reading. But getting into the habit of reading on a daily basis can be challenging, just like beginning and maintaining any other new routine.
This book includes 19 of the most helpful reading strategies that we’ve come across in my search for ways to become a more productive and consistent reader. And because they are based on fundamental concepts of habit building and behavioural psychology, we believe that anyone can learn to build a solid, more regular reading habit by using these strategies.
The average person reads fewer than four books per year, whereas an avid reader (such as Barack Obama or Bill Gates) reads over fifty. Each year, I read roughly 10 books from cover to cover and skim approximately fifty more. I only read an entire book if I need knowledge beyond the summary or if I find something more profoundly illuminating.
The question is: how can you boost your reading? Here are some methods for building a reading routine:
1. Start by reading about your area of interest:
If you are not a reader, your first challenge will be deciding how to start reading. The optimal technique is to read books on topics that pique your interest (such as football, gardening, or cuisine) and then conduct a Google search for recommendations. The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and The Horse by Charlie Mackesy is a great example of a basic and easy-to-read book. Some books have slow beginnings. Continue reading beyond the initial few pages; finish the chapter. Continue reading; you may always skip paragraphs! In addition, it is allowed to abandon the project if you are not enjoying it. In conclusion, there is never a bad time to start reading. According to Mortimer J. Adler, “the purpose of good literature is not to see how many books you can read, but rather how many speak to you.”
2۔ Reserve time daily for reading:
Set aside one hour every day for in-depth reading of a substantial book. Some people would claim that you do not have an hour. Nonetheless, if you have an hour to devote to physical health maintenance, such as going for a run or to the gym, you should devote at least as much time to safeguarding your emotional, intellectual, and spiritual health, which are significantly more important to your well-being. Consider reading as a form of meditation, as a technique to cultivate mindfulness. Attending book readings/discussions at a local bookstore is a fantastic method for establishing the habit.۔
3. By reading physical literature
Finding the time and focus required to avoid distractions is our greatest challenge. Physical books aid us in sustaining concentration. While e-books have their place, actual books can help us reduce our screen time and offer a novel way to refuel our brains. Slowing down and gaining perspective can be facilitated by reading physical books.
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4. Utilize applications like Audible and Blinkist when you’re tight for time:
While there is no alternative for reading, there are a number of handy apps that can help you make the most of the time you have. Listening to audiobooks while driving is a useful technique. Blinkist, an app that serves as a platform for summaries of nonfiction books, is my current favourite. The majority of economics, business, and how-to books, in my opinion, are easily summarised. Because I read predominantly non-fiction, Blink provides me with a brief synopsis and key point for each book I read. While purists may object to such shortcuts, I prefer to compare the two methods to two unique styles of cricket. While reading a full-length book is like playing a Test match, reading a summary on Blink is like watching a T20 match or the highlights! Each possesses its own intrinsic value and audience.
5. Analyze the content and style
If you are a fan of style, you must enjoy each phrase; for instance, Siddharth Mukherjee’s The Gene uses both his personal story and magnificent images to teach scientific concepts in a clear, relevant manner. You may also read for the language, the clarity with which the argument is presented, and occasionally for the cross-disciplinary connections that provide insight into the author’s mind. This can help you improve your writing and presentation skills. Similarly, opinion books and essays by individuals whose intellect you appreciate or whose opinions you may find interesting regardless of whether you agree with them, such as Noam Chomsky or George Orwell, must be read in full.
Reading is no longer viewed as a luxury; it is instead a need. Put away your electronic devices, choose a place where you won’t be disturbed, and remind yourself that this is your sacred time for growing your creativity, your attentiveness, your sense of possibility, and drawing forth the finest in you from a deep well. I can almost guarantee that if you choose your reading material wisely (I gravitate toward biographies, books on ideas and leadership, and anything that is not merely entertainment), you will emerge an hour later as a considerably more sophisticated and genuine version of yourself. If you do this often enough, you will begin to wonder how you ever got by without it.
According to my friend and novelist Pico Iyer, “Nearly everyone is happiest (inspired, creative, and engaged) when they are completely engrossed, and unhappiest when they are dispersed and distracted.” Therefore, write yourself a prescription for pleasure using one of the most efficient ways for enhancing focus — and happiness — that man has discovered. What constitutes reading!
