I love to read. I find reading to be this magical blend of relaxation, escape, and singular focus. It’s almost meditative. When you’re reading, you can’t be scrolling on your phone, watching TV, catching up on texts, or getting distracted by your never-ending to-do list. It unlocks new worlds, teaches me things, and I think makes me a more interesting person (flashback to last month in Napa, when after a few glasses of wine I went on a rant to my girlfriends about the Dust Bowl—read The Worst Hard Time and The Four Winds and you’ll see why).
BUT (why is there always a but?!!). With a demanding career and two kids, and wanting to make time to have a clean house, get dinner on the table, work out, see my friends, all the things…when and how exactly is this reading happening?
I’m breaking down the 10 habits and hacks for how I have gotten up to reading 50 books a year.
And a MASSIVE disclaimer…my kids are now 5 and 7 years old. I did NOT read as much when they were very young, I think I read about 4 books per year when I had babies. So if you’re at a different stage of life, please don’t feel any pressure that you “should” be reading a ton. This is only if you’re interested in leaning into reading and staying motivated, whatever that looks like for you. And, none of these resources or books have been sponsored (but if anyone wants to tap me for a sponsorship opportunity lmk, lol). Ok end of disclaimer.
Here we go.
1. Read before bed.
Once you start doing this, it becomes a really pleasant wind-down ritual. It can be for 10 minutes, it can be for an hour. Keeping a book next to your bed, and getting into bed earlier than normal—knowing you are earmarking time to read—protects this precious time and makes it part of your daily routine.
2. Watch less TV.
Let’s just get into the most unpopular method, shall we? No one probably wants to hear this, but the less TV I watch, the more I read. There is precious little time between when the kids go down and when I need to go down (as in, 1 hour), and I like to save a good chunk of that time for reading. So I phased out all the Housewives franchises; I let Heated Rivalry and Off Campus pass me by. And you know what? The world kept turning. I do still keep a few shows in the rotation (Summer House drama, anyone?) but typically don’t watch more than a few hours of TV per week.
3. Join a book club (formal or informal).
I’ve been in a book club for about 10 years, and although it’s changed people and forms, it’s always something I come back to. Having people to talk to about my books is FUN and having a “deadline” is honestly motivating. These days, I meet every month with two of my best friends, and we go to a bougie restaurant to discuss the month’s book. It’s kind of like a reading/gossip/supper club and I love it so much. I also have a few other friends who are big readers, and we started a WhatsApp group where we discuss books and share recommendations.
4. Track my books on Goodreads.
Ok this app is definitely not perfect, but it’s a great visual way to keep track of books you want to read, see what your friends are reading, and check off your own books when you’re done (SO satisfying). You can create an annual book goal and monitor your progress as you go–it kind of gamifies reading. Add me here!
5. Switch up my genres.
If I read the same genre over and over, I get bored and just fall off reading. So I rotate between contemporary fiction, historical fiction (my favorite), nonfiction, self-help, memoirs, and occasionally I’ll throw in a fantasy, sci-fi or romance. This keeps my reading journey varied and interesting, and gives me lots of content to talk about.
6. Stop reading books I’m not into.
It took me waaaay too long to become ok with this. I felt like it was a sign of failure, and that if I started a book and had already put a lot of time into it, I should just push through it. But honestly—reading should be enjoyable. Life is too short to force yourself to finish a book that’s just meh. So put it down and move on to the next. It’s ok.
7. Read on planes and at airports.
If I’m on an airplane, I’m reading a book (or sleeping). I don’t need to mess around with podcasts, or movies that always make me cry, and I definitely can’t focus on doing *actual* work. It’s a great way to just power through your book list. (Note: this only works when you aren’t traveling with your kids, or if your kids are old enough to occupy themselves with a screen or book).
8. Leverage my local library and the Libby app.
I prefer to borrow my books instead of buy them whenever possible (it just gets hard when you want to read THE hot trendy book that everyone else is also trying to get…cue me buying the hardcover copy of Yesteryear). I use my library app to put books on hold and then just go pick them up when they’re ready; I also put lots of books on hold via Libby, then whenever one is ready, I download it onto my Kindle. It’s easy, and it saves money.
9. Read while my kids watch movies.
On the weekends, if we’re at home, we usually have movie nights. We all chill on the couch, have an easy dinner (not above a frozen pizza), and veg out. But there are only so many times I can watch Aristocats, Kung Fu Panda 3 or It Takes Two (although the Olsen twins are still iconic). So while they watch, I read. I’m not on my phone, and I get some much-needed relaxation myself.
10. Listen to audiobooks (specifically memoirs).
I have friends who are obsessed with audiobooks and constantly have one in rotation (also available through Libby!). But my mind used to wander SO much…to the point where I’d miss whole chapters. So I gave up. UNTIL I started listening to memoirs. There usually aren’t tons of characters to keep track of or crazy plot twists. Often they’re read by the authors themselves which is super engaging. And the stories are WILD, which keeps me super dialed in. I’ll do about one audiobook per quarter, and listen while I’m driving, walking, or cleaning…passive multitasking at its finest.
Aaand bonus round! Here are some of my favorite books (not an exhaustive list because that’s too much pressure, but a decent representation).
FICTION (heavy/depressing)
American Dirt (I know the controversy about this book but still thought it was so important)
The Four Winds (and The Women and most books by Kristin Hannah)
FICTION (not heavy/depressing)
The Correspondent (ok actually kind of sad but not a major downer and SO good)
Daisy Jones and the Six (big fan of Taylor Jenkins Reid)
The Blue Moon Cafe & 24-Hour Occult Emporium (shameless plug for my friend Lexie’s book that drops this week!)
NON-FICTION
Ask Not: The Kennedys and the Women They Destroyed (I need to talk to somebody about this!!)
Girl on Girl: How Pop Culture Turned A Generation of Women Against Themselves
A Marriage at Sea: A True Story of Love, Obsession, and Shipwreck (INSANE story)
The Worst Hard Time (ignited my Dust Bowl passion)
SELF-HELP
What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast: And Two Other Short Guides to Achieving More at Work and at Home (very Whatever She’s Doing-coded)
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones
MEMOIR
Educated (MUST READ!)
From Here to the Great Unknown (Lisa Marie Presley’s memoir)
Let me know your top must-reads and any tips on how you fit in reading time!
Ohhh how I love reading and these recommendations are not the standard list (aka life of pi etc etc). Saving the article and looking forward to reading them!! Can't decide where to start lol
Some of my picks made your all time favs list omg the pride in my heart right now!