I feel reading is made to sound more elite than it is. Everyone is a reader tbh.
Here are my simple tips that I use myself, to read 20+ books a year without setting goals or breaking a sweat š
š Itās okay to quit books!!!
I have seen so many of my friends suffer through a book because if they started it, they ought to finish it. Nopes.
You are under no obligation - to the internet or to the author.
If you find it hard to leave books halfway, set a limit before you start. 75 pages and if you donāt like it, you quit. It's much better to quit a book than to quit reading altogether.
š Read what YOU like.
Listen, donāt fall for āX books you must read to succeedā lists.
If you like smutty romances, read it. If you like deep dives into human body or world history, read that. If you are really into a celebrity memoir, read it with unabashed confidence.
Read what you love, till you love reading.
š Explore contemporary fiction
One thing that I love about reading today is the access to online. Fiction has so many diverse voices and stories, something you wouldnāt have access to when female authors were still publishing under pseudonyms.
You donāt have just an option to read Nicholas Sparks for romance or Tolkeins for fantasy. Like for me, I have loved following an author in her day-to-day life in NYC on insta, going to her book event and then reading her books.
Reeseās Book Club is a great starting point to find contemporary fiction authors you might love.
š Add people who read to your social feeds
Follow a few booktok/ book influencers (omg what a job right!) to your feeds.
Joining a book club seems daunting to me but having 5-6 people on my feed and following along what they are reading fills that gap for me.
š Give Kindle or an audio book a shot
I know we all love smell of a book but itās really impractical to carry it all around. I usually have the same book in hard copy and on Kindle. If itās a non-fiction, I have it on Kindle as I like to mark. I havenāt given audio books a shot because I prefer podcasts, but give it a try. If you hate it stop. But be open to it. It helps you increase pockets of time to read.
š Read non-fiction books like a blog
When reading non-fiction, use book to get what you want. Skip parts you know or are non-relevant. Skim few sections. Double-read/highlight parts that resonate. If it feels too stretched, read a summary instead.
š Be in a physical bookstore as often as possible
Whenever I am in a reading slump, or even when I am not I make it a point to go to a physical bookstore once a week. 9 out of 10 times I buy nothing, but just take pictures of nice covers or titles that catch my fancy. Idk how it works, but it inspires me to pick up a book again.
š Ditch your goal of reading N books/year
āRead X books a yearā is so unhelpful as a goal. What if you donāt like a book. What if itās a bigger book? A better way to frame is read 5 mins before bed. Or read 10 pages in the morning. Or replace scrolling with reading on commute.
š Ask for a customized suggestion
ā¦to a friend or AI. Find a book which meets you where you are at the moment.
For eg, I want to read a romance between pop stars (Daisy Jones and the Six) or a celebrity memoir that goes deep into life (Greenlights), or I am struggling with with confidence at work (Take Back Your Power).
š Host a reading party for 1
Take your book and head to a cafe. Take a snap for instagram. Order a drink of your choice, set a timer for 15 mins. And read - without checking your phone.
Itās helped me calm down, itās helped me hold my ground more firmly. Try it sometime.š
š Re-read your favorites
I reread books I loved all the time. Itās like binge-watching sitcoms.
So to sum it up āØ
Itās okay to quit books (if you take only 1 advice from me)
Read what YOU like
Explore contemporary fiction
Add people who read to your social feeds
Give Kindle or an audio book a shot
Be in a physical bookstore as often as possible
Ditch your goal of reading N books/year
Ask for a customized suggestion
Host a reading party for 1
Re-read your favorites
Hope these help x
š¹ Selling Sunset and The Kardashiansš
I am spending a lot of time on my laptop for work, and planning for my upcoming India trip! After 5 PM when it gets dark, this is what I play in the background.
š A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J Mass
Itās the last part of the ACOTAR series, and I am slowly making my way through.
šļø Hand Warmers from Tesco
I tested them on my weekend walk, and hey it works!!
šø Moment
I made thissss - using this recipe from Pick Up Limes. I skipped the jackfruit and the coconut milk. Defo adding it to my weekly rotation of meals.
Talk next week,
Chhavi x