How I Manage to Read a Lot

Every time I post about books, people say: “Oh wow! How do you read so much? I want to be just like you! Please share your reading and book tips.” Honestly, I don’t read as much as it might seem. I read 26 books in the past year, including the three that I didn’t finish because they just weren’t exciting enough.

But here’s what works for me:

1. Airplane reading

When I’m on a plane, I’m either writing or reading. Flights are perfect for this because there’s no internet, and you’re stuck in one place. I might not read daily, but when I do, I tend to binge-read.

2. Carrying a book

I try to make reading as convenient as possible, so whenever I’m deciding what to do next, reading often wins out. The trick is to make reading feel easier than opening Instagram. (Spoiler: Instagram still wins most of the time.) I use a Kindle and buy books directly from Amazon, which means I always have my entire library with me on all my devices.

3. Choosing the most exciting book

Always pick the book that excites you the most for your current mood or situation. Life is too short to waste on boring things. I know from personal experience: if a book is dull, tedious, or irrelevant, you’ll end up doing anything but reading. So, make sure the book you choose is one that genuinely entices you.

4. Reading multiple books at once

I often have two or three books on the go at the same time. For instance, I might have a light, enjoyable read for the evenings and a business-related book for the mornings. This way, I can match my reading to my mood or the time of day.

5. Finishing books is not obligatory

Here’s something important: it’s okay to abandon a book you’re not enjoying. When I first allowed myself to stop reading books that didn’t interest me about five years ago, it was a game-changer. Before that, I used to force myself to finish every single one, even if I lost interest halfway through.

6. It’s okay not to read

Reading is optional. If you feel like you have to read because that’s what “smart” people do, let that go. Just relax. If you don’t feel like reading, watch some lectures. If you’re not up for watching, listen to something. If you don’t want to listen, study or go on a retreat. And if none of that appeals to you? Just enjoy your life.