How do I read so much? I get asked this a lot.
I read anywhere from 20-30 books a month, which is definitely more than a lot of people but also a lot less than others.
Yes, my past self would also like to know how I now read so much because I didn’t read much at all in the past and felt like I never had the time. I think a big reason why I read so much now is that I make the time. It also helps and improves my mental health by escaping into books.
Below is how I read so much as a mom to two young kids. Also, this can apply to anyone– not just parents to young children! I know everyone can be busy and everyone can find times in their day if they really do want to read a book.
Here is how I read so much as a mom:
1. I Don’t Watch TV
This is a big one. I don’t watch TV. Yes, I have a TV in my house, and sometimes I’ll watch what the kids are watching, or I’ll watch football with my family in-season but for the most part, I don’t watch TV.
The average American watches 3 hours of TV a day, so I’m basically saving those three hours and using my entertainment in book form.
2. I Read After the Kids Go To Bed
I guess this ties into the first point of not watching tv, but after the kids go to bed, I read. My kids go to bed around 8 pm at night (sometimes a little later, unfortunately) but that usually gives me a solid two hours of reading time, sometimes longer before I fall asleep. I like to read once the kids go to bed, as it’s finally mom time!
Nighttime is my time to settle down into a book before I go to bed.
I Read Everywhere
Not only do I read after the kids go to bed, but I also read whenever I can. My kids are finally at the age (thank goodness!) where I can go to the playground and just sit on a bench and watch them play. I can chill and watch them play while reading at the same time without having to follow them around or watch them closely.
I also have the kindle app downloaded on my phone, so I’ll read on my phone when I’m waiting at the doctor’s for an appointment, in the car waiting for someone, or even in line at the grocery store. I’ll open up my kindle app and read in public a lot, and I find that it helps settle my anxiety in public a little too.
Whenever I can find a little pocket of time, I try to read whenever I can. Look for those extra moments in the day where you can open a book, you may be surprised.
I Listen When I Can’t Read
I like to read wherever I can, but I also listen to audiobooks when I can’t read. Everyone is different, but I do prefer reading to listening to audiobooks, but I’d rather listen to a book than not read a book at all, if that makes sense.
I like to choose books where I can actually easily switch back and forth from listening to reading so I can read when I have time, but can still listen to a book when I don’t have time to read.
The amazing thing about audiobooks is that you can read a book when you are folding laundry, washing dishes, sweeping the floor, etc. I find boring tasks more tolerable when I’m reading a book and tend to last a little longer on my feet doing them.
I know a mom who listens to her book in the shower, while she works out in the morning, and then on her drive to and from work. It definitely gives you a lot more reading time while you are doing something else as well!
It sometimes can be a little harder to find books that have the audiobook and reading option, and sometimes can get a little expensive to do both. I love when I can easily get the audiobook and book from the library, but it’s not always possible.
My favorite way (and I find the easiest way!) is through Kindle Unlimited.
If you read often, Kindle Unlimited is awesome. It is $10/month and you can very easily cancel your subscription whenever you want. They also have a lot of great deals for half-price or sometimes cheaper, and you can even get a free trial to see if you’d like it.
There are some books on Kindle Unlimited that say Read and Listen! and you can easily switch back and forth between the two so easily! I love that option so much, and I’m really hoping that more authors will do the read and audiobook option in the future.
To find books that you can both listen and read to and easily switch back and forth to on Kindle Unlimited, please head to the audiobook section on Kindle Unlimited. If you are searching through all Kindle Unlimited books there will be a picture of headphones next to the KU logo, or you can just click on the book and see if it’ll say Read and Listen for free.
If you are looking for some recommendations for some listen + read books, here are a few. They are all romance books because that’s all I read.
- The Miles High Club Series by TL Swan (4-book series)
- Beauty and the Baller by Ilsa Madden-Mills
- The Highland Fling by Meghan Quinn
- Regretting You by Colleen Hoover
The library is also a great option to get audiobooks and books for free. I do a mix of library books and Kindle Unlimited for my 20-30 reads for the month.
I find that Kindle Unlimited is worth the $5-10/month I pay on membership because I do read several books, and one book in itself could be $10 depending on what it is. However, if you don’t read as much, I’d start with the library books and audiobooks. All you need is a library card, and you can start downloading books on Overdrive, Libby, Hoopla, or whatever your library uses. Also, you may be able to sign up for a card online instead of going to the actual library!
There are also some authors that I can’t find through the library because they are exclusively on Kindle Unlimited so I like to do a mix of both.
Do you have any hacks or tips to read more books? How many books do you read in a year? What’s your favorite method in reading more?
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