Regular readers won't be surprised when I say that I'm an avid reader. And because I'm an avid reader, I'm always on the lookout to find ways to increase the time I spend engrossed in a book. Below are a few ways that I've found to help me (in no particular order).
Audiobooks. This is my #1 recommendation. When you can listen while you do something else, it's an absolute game changer. And if someone wants to tell you that audiobooks don't count as reading, ignore them; you can spend your time enjoying books in whatever format works for you.
Pick up a book instead of your 'phone. Download the free Kindle App and instead of idly scrolling through social media, read a chapter of your latest book.
Watch less television or go to bed half an hour earlier. I often have a few nights a week where I don't watch any television at all (usually when my guys are watching something to do with the Vietnam War on PBS) and when that happens, I take a mug of tea up to bed and read happily for an hour or so.
Take a book with you when you wait for an appointment. There is often so much wasted time at an appointment and if you can spend that downtime reading a book, you'll be able to fit in lots more reading.
Read while eating breakfast or lunch. This has been my favourite routine since I began working from home.
And if you commute to work, listen to an audiobook during the journey.
Read books that are fun! I believe in this so much. That doesn't have to mean you read nothing but fluff, but there are lots of great books that are engaging and interesting without being a slog. Look for those.
Do not finish a book you're not enjoying. Nothing will kill your reading like a book you aren't enjoying. If it's hard for you to actually stop mid-read, try just putting it aside temporarily and replacing it with something you're more interested in reading. Then you can decide later whether it's worth coming back to that book or not.
Invest in a Kindle. I'm now a huge fan of my Kindle, but that wasn't always the case. It's great for no-distraction reading and so portable, easily thrown into my bag whenever I'm out and about.
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