Why you can't find time to read

5 tips to read 30+ books a year

A subscriber recently told me that, after seeing my clear enthusiasm for books, she read her first book in 30 years. And she loved it.

It really brought a tear to my eye. I know how much reading will change her life…

Many of us would love to read more. Its something we all know is good for us and when we actually get time to do it, we really enjoy it. However, the majority of us just can’t seem to make this a regular habit.

Why? Countless reasons. We live in a busy world. With the internet, there is a staggering amount of entertainment available to us. Or, lets face it, we simply don’t prioritise it.

I’ve made it a mission to stop saying ‘I don’t have time’ to anything. Its just not true in most cases. Instead, I admit, to myself and others, that if I’m not doing something, its because I don’t regard it as important enough.

Reading, like any habit that takes more effort than steaming Netflix, will only stick if you have disciple. This disciple is easier if you unpick your motivation. Why do you really want to read more?

Take a moment to think about this and perhaps scribble it down somewhere. If you’re still convinced this is something you want in your life, I’ve shared my top tips below which have resulted in me reading a minimum of 30 books a year.

Find your format

Gone are the days that we only had physical books to read. Now, you can consume books digitally, storing entire libraries on your kindle, and being to able to access it on the go. Audiobooks are another fantastic option that are getting more and more popular.

These range of formats mean you can better fit reading around your personal preference and lifestyle. I’m a bit of a traditionalist at heart and love having a physical book to read. For me, there is nothing better than that ink stained scent and cosy rustle of paper.

For you, this may be very different. Switching between these formats will likely give you the greatest flexibility. Experiment to find what works best.

Read guilt free

I strongly believe that you should never read a book that you feel you should read. This can really stunt your reading journey, as you associate it with displeasure.

Instead, only read what you love. What will keep you turning the pages and come back for more again and again. If a books isn’t clicking for you, put it down. Leave it there. There are so many wonderful books in the world you are bound to enjoy, so what’s the point in forcing it?

What we enjoy reading is very personal. So what if you enjoy fast paced thrillers, or cosy romance novels, over the likes of ‘classics’. You should never feel guilty over what world’s you chose to inhabit.

Your tastes will also likely change over time. I’ve mentioned before that I like to read with the seasons. Now its spring, I’ve found myself having a love affair with classic children’s novels, like Anne of Green Gables, The Secret Garden and Enid Blyton’s The Enchanted Wood.

They have brought so much joy to my life and I’m certainly not afraid to admit to reading children’s books!

Borrow books

Another barrier to reading can be the cost. Buying lots of new books can start to stack up, financially as well as physically!

My personal favourite get around for this is to borrow books from the library. I started doing this properly last year and this has now drastically increased the number of books I read. Most libraries will allow you to search books online and request them from different branches. Such a wonderful resource that’s well worth using.

Another fantastic option is to borrow from friends. You are more likely to enjoy something that a friend recommends and its great fun swapping notes. You could even start your own book club!

If you do choose to buy books, look for a second hand options. I pick up some wonderful books from charity shops. Or if you are searching out something in particular, try websites like World of Books, or chose a used option on Amazon.

Reading doesn’t have to be expensive.

Swap a habit

Now you’ve sourced the books you want to read, how do you fit reading into your daily life?

I would suggest starting small. Don’t overwhelm yourself. You can start with as little as a page a day if you like and keep building from there.

If you look closely, you will have time pockets in your day that you can dedicate to reading. Scheduling this in can be useful. I always ready a few pages first thing in the morning and a couple of chapters in bed before I go to sleep.

Spending time online, especially consuming social media, takes a big chunk of our time every day. This is revealed by checking our screen time on our phones. Go on, I dare you…

So, if you find yourself scrolling through Instagram when your waiting for the kettle to boil, or your dinner to cook, try picking up a book instead.

I’ve started taking a book with me wherever I go, Rory Gilmore style. If I have a wait at the hairdressers, or I’m early in meeting a friend, then I can use this time to check in with my beloved stories.

Reading should be like this. Messy, spontaneous and effortless. Don’t wait for the ‘perfect’ time to read. It will never arrive.

Start a reading diary

If you are relatively new to reading, and are just experimenting with what you enjoy, it can be useful to keep track of what you do and don’t like and why that is.

You can try setting up a reading diary. This can be as simple or elaborate as you want it to be.

If you read a lot of non-fiction, this can be a wonderful way to store key information that you can easily refer to. As I love to write, I often capture words and phrases that spark my imagination, so I can have a quick source of creativity.

Keeping a log of the books you’ve read can also be a great motivator. I keep a yearly book list and also an ever growing ‘to read’ list in my Notion.

Notion is my preferred diary of choice, as it has so much functionality that makes all this information instantly accessible. I’m considering creating a template for this on my Etsy store, so do let me know if you’d be interested in this below.

As Dr Seuss says -

The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.

Until next week,

Molly xx

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My Favourites

What I’m reading

The Miracle Morning, Hal Elrod

A bestseller for a reason. Some wonderful ideas in this book that I’ve already started adding to my morning routine.

What I’m learning

Creative writing, crafting personal essays with impact (Roxanne Gray)

One of the best Skillshare classes I’ve ever watched. I’m re-watching it a year later and am still learning so much.

If you want to try Skillshare, you can now get 40% a year’s membership if you use the code AFF40D23 . Offer available until the end of April.

What I’m listening too

Jane Austen YouTube soundtrack

Its been adding a bit of romance to my life!

What I’m cooking

Hazelnut Granola Breakfast bars

My new favourite snack. Perfect paired with a cup of tea for a nourishing pick me up!