How Do You Read So Much?

I’ve always loved to read. From staying up late to read one more chapter of Harry Potter as a kid, to spending afternoons in used bookshops on Thai islands instead of going to the beach like a normal backpacker, there’s always been a backdrop of books in my life. But like most parents, in the years of pregnancy, having a baby and adapting to life with a kid, reading took a back seat. (Unless Giraffes Can’t Dance counts.)

Life is just busier.

Then across 2022, but even more so in 2023, I’ve really gotten back into reading. Part of this is because my daughter is a bit older – I’ll just say that straight off the bat, as it definitely helps. But there are also some other reasons I’ve managed to read more often, which I wanted to share with you.

But before I do that, I should mention why I’m writing this post.

Since the beginning of last year, I’ve been sharing the books I’m reading on my Instagram. Which at the time was one or two a month. But recently, books have become a bit of an obsession. It’s the end of March and I have read 22 books this year… I’m not saying that to book shame anyone. Reading has just become something I really love to do. But it’s a habit I’ve managed to develop and I now get a frequently asked question DM’d to me every week:

“HOW DO YOU READ SO MUCH?”

So here we are. My reasoning. My explanation. My tips for reading more. Whatever you want to call it. Here is exactly how I’m managing to read so much these days…

I started to read what I wanted to.

I think this is the key thing for me. I started reading the kinds of books I really enjoy. The kinds I inhale in a weekend.

Not that I was reading books I didn’t like before. But my book choices were influenced by what I saw people reading on Instagram, the cool new book in everyone’s flat lay. And don’t get me wrong, I’ve discovered some bangers that way. But everyone tends to be reading the same kind of thing – it seems influencers are usually only focused on contemporary fiction. And sometimes it hits, sometimes it doesn’t. But there are SO MANY genres of books out there.

I read A Court of Thorns and Roses (affiliate link) at the beginning of the year (yes, I am an ACOTAR obsessive, of course), and I suddenly remembered… Oh, I like fantasy. I loved Harry Potter as a kid, then Twilight and Hunger Games… I kind of forgot I was into this kind of magical escapism. And reading this genre has massively boosted how interested I am in reading.

It might be a different genre for you – Sci-Fi, Crime, Thriller, Horror, Self-Help, Spiritual, Travel Writing, Romance… but it’s good to try some different genres out to see which one is really for you.

There’s a lot I DON’T do.

How do I read so much? Well, I’m not doing a lot of other things!

The amount of time we spend in each area of our lives is mostly up to us. We can’t change the 8 hours of work or the time we need to make dinner or give the kids a bath. But there will be some time in your day that you can do whatever you want with. And I choose to read… Instead of going to the gym, which yes, I know, I really SHOULD be doing. (I have very little will-power.) I’m also very shit at cleaning the house because that is just so boring to me. And as much as I love TV, I’ve just been watching the shows that I really want to watch, instead of chucking any old thing on, or rewatching The Office for the 456^th time. It’s given me the time to read, rightly or wrongly. But I wanted to put it out there, that there’s a lot I’m NOT doing, when I’m reading.

I joined GoodReads.

I do have an obsessive streak. I get into things and it’s all I think about for a while. That’s just a part of my personality (and is probably why I started this blog in the first place, when I was completely obsessed with travel!) So I think joining GoodReads has helped keep me on track with my reading habit. It’s a website/app where you can track what you are reading, rate the books you’ve read and keep a TBR list of what you want to read. And I think the obsessive in me likes collecting book titles on there.

But even if you are a normal human without this obsession, having GoodReads is a good place to find books to read, check out reviews, etc. So is good to have for any of you with reading goals.

I have a nice evening habit.

Reading is a habit. And just like any habit, it needs to be developed, it doesn’t happen overnight. But since I inhaled the ACOTAR series I mentioned above, I realised those 5 books had naturally given me a little routine. I’d spend time with my family in the evenings, have dinner together, put my daughter to bed, then get cosy with a cup of tea, a blanket, a nice candle burning and a wonderful book. It feels like self-care, and honestly, it’s pure joy.

And that’s why I kept it up when the series ended. I moved onto my ever-growing TBR pile and continued the habit with the next book. And I’ve not stopped!

I consume book content.

My last reason for why I read so much, is that I’ve gotten into book content online. And I think that helps.

After downloading TikTok ages ago, thinking I was too old for it and deleting it, I’ve since gone back and discovered BookTok. Just loads of people showing their latest reads, sharing theories and giving recs, and I just love it. The same applies to GoodReads, as well as lots of Instagrammers I’ve started following. Seeing other people reading inspires me to read more and keeps me in that world, if that makes sense?

So to answer your question, that is how I am managing to read so much. I’m not doing anything crazy. I’m not speed reading through books, I’m not staying up late every night (except if I’m on a really good book and can’t help myself), and I’m not reading at weird times of the day. I’ve just learned to love it, to read the books that interest me, and developed a lovely little evening routine.

And I thoroughly recommend it.

It does mean I’ve spent a fortune on books lately, but as my best friend pointed out, there are worse vices to have in life.

For more book content, go follow me on GoodReads! Happy reading x