>10 Tips to Read More and Read Better
by admin | on May 29th, 2010 |
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We usually seem to have way too little time and way too many books to read. One of our fellow reviewers suggested that we should write about how to find time to read more. When I thought about it, I realized it’s not just about time. I’ve read an average of 3 books every month and yes, I do have a full time job that takes twice the time that I signed up for! Here are some things that work for me,
1. Read more than one book at a time
To me, reading is also about the mood I’m in. So sometimes the book I’m reading just doesn’t go with my mood. On such occasions, I just pick up a very different kind of book. For instance, right now I’m reading ‘New Moon’ by Stepanie Meyers which is a mix of adventure, the mythical and romance. I’m also reading ‘The argumentative Indian’ by Amartya Sen, and have just started Jeffery Archers short story book ‘And thereby hangs a Tale’
2. Keep a different book in your bag and on your bedside
Again, in continuation of the previous suggestion, my moods are absolutely different when I have time during the day and at night. I also like that my bed-time book is always on the side table and my day-time book is always in my bag.
3. Decide and get hold of your next two books before you need them
A journey always begins with the first step. So I take the first step well in time. I get my copy and let it lie around at home. I buy the book when I’m excited about it and not when you’ve almost finished what I’m currently reading. I’m human but have only a fish’s memory ;P
4. Re-think your book budget and be smart
I know a lot of you must be thinking – gosh how much can one spend? Just put it in perspective for yourself. I spend about an average of Rs 1500 (USD 30) a month for 3-4 books. Considering that alteast 3 people at home will read it and then it gets gifted away, its a great investment in improving who we are. But yes, I also buy a lot of used books. I avoid pirated copies as a personal rule.
5. Keep unread books in sight !
Don’t put a book into a closed shelf until you’ve finished it (or decided you cant ;p). If you can’t see a couple of books lying around all the time, then fix a small open book shelf at a place where you’ll look at it often. Infact this is such a positive habit because I’ve seen folks at home as well as a lot of people who come also browse through the book and discuss about it.
6. Make a habit of gifting books
And you’ll get more than your fair share in return. Some of the most treasured books have been gifted to me when I didn’t even know such wonders existed. Start by giving and expect nothing in return. You’ll be surprised by how good the world is
7. Expand your genre
I know a lot of people who tell me that I like reading this kinda book and I don’t like that kinda book. Ask them to give an example which made them decide not to read a genre and you’ll probably hear nothing or a lame book. I know a friend who challenged me that once I read Harry Potter for the first time, my perception of it will change. And boy, has it grown on me! Taking your family along with you to a book store is a simple way to do this. They’ll usually buy things you probably wont. Feel free to experiment.
8. Find other people who love books
Its a small world these days and its great to just discuss about what people are reading. It helps me make a mental note of what people said and even come back to reviews when I’m just about deciding my next books. BookReviews was started exactly with that intention. Other great places are ofcourse Goodreads and weRead. So get talking
9. Stop reading a book when you think its not worth it
I can recall books that I started and they just didn’t finish! With time I realized its not such a bad thing. Infact the more you enjoy a book, the more quickly you finish it. I don’t worry about the money you’ve spent to buy it. I just gift it to someone I think might like that kinda book. Trust me, its not difficult to find such folks. People have very different reading tastes
10.Make a list
Last but not the least is to make a reading list. Everyone agrees but very few act on it. I don’t sit and jot it down on a paper. There are a host of online applications which allow me to bookmark as I go. Doing this in advance also helps me ensure that my list has good diversity.
But to put it all in perspective, the record for reading the highest number of books in a year is held by Sarah Weinman. She claims to have read 462 books in one year! Read the Los Angles Times article on Sarah Weinman
here.
Are there other things that work for you? Tell us ! Have you written a similar article? leave your link at the
Book Club discussion forum topic “How to read more?”
p.s- I don’t mean to brag. I wrote it in first person because I didn’t want to give advice but just share what works for me
Are You My Mother? : A Comic Drama by Alison Bechdel
One Amazing Thing by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
The Sense of Sight by John Berger
The September Revelation
Mini Book Review: Manjaveyil Maranangal(Malayalam)
And Then It Rained by Gaurav Dashputra !!!
The Land of Decoration by Grace McCleen
The Submission by Amy Waldman
Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick
Vivek and I by Mayur Patel !!!
Comments (8)
And, a small PS to (10) - once you make such a list, make sure your near and dear have access to it (whether they want to or not!) :-) My husband is not into books and doesn't bother about what I've read or not, so I keep a list in his wallet so he can pick it up for me during his travels/shopping.
I have blogged about it here
http://totalgadha.com/tgtown/manjulika/2010/05/29/3-in-a-day-at-different-times/
Take a library membership . Will surely help!