Reading is often a rare luxury for many people. To be sat, uninterrupted, and be able to escape into another world of fiction, or stimulate the brain cells through non-fiction books. It doesn’t matter which author floats your boat; this important element of self-care is often overlooked. So, if you want to read more books, but can’t work out how then this blog is the place to be.

I treat reading like many people treat exercise. For me, it’s an essential part of my day. Something that I need to do (I get agitated if I don’t) and that I often bore other people with! Maybe it’s because reading is part of my DNA. My family home was bursting with books, and I think I got my library card before I could walk. It’s been part of my education too, from English Literature at A-Level to the two years ‘supplementary’ subject during my Psychology degree.  So, for a self-confessed book addict like me, it can be hard to understand why people don’t read!

I find this a lot within the Balance Collective book club that I run; a virtual place where we discuss the books that are helping us create a career we enjoy. There are lots of people wanting to read, but they can’t quite fit it in. This, in part, has led to the Clara Cliff notes elements of my book review blogs. You get the ‘top takeaways’ from the book as part of the review.

But, back to the matter in hand. For someone who really wants to read more books, there are ways you can make it happen. There tend to be two main reasons I find why people don’t read, when they want to: time and money. Both of these are genuine reasons why you can’t get your literary fix when you want. However, with a slight mindset shift and planning, you can get through your massive to-read pile in no time!

Five ways to start reading more books.

1. Get Accountable
Sometimes you just need to have a deadline. You may remember your school days, where you knew the teacher would be asking you questions – so you would read. You may have even struggled through the books that bored you, but they were finished.
So, let’s get you into a better place of accountability! One way is through a book club; this could be a real-life meeting or you could even meet virtually! My favourite online book club (apart from mine, of course) is The Motherload Book Club! Another is to join communities such as Goodreads. This enables you to track how many you are have read, create reading challenges (I am planning to read 100 in 2019, click here to see how many I am up to) and get recommendations of books from friends!

2. Dump Netflix*
Do you have a realistic idea of what you are doing with your time? Just take the next week to look at what you ARE doing? Have you got into the habit of a mindless social media scroll? That thirty minutes if Facebook or Instagram could be a chapter of a book – before you know it, that’s a book a week!
*Other streaming services are available, naturally!

3. You don’t have to read
So, you have gone through point 2 and declared you have NO MORE TIME. Ok, so you don’t have to read. No, I’m not changing my mind halfway through. I’m reminding you of the power of audiobooks. If (unlike me) you exercise, could you listen while you run/move/pump iron/stretch? Or, instead, could you listen on your commute or whilst you are doing another of the 497109595 responsibilities us parents have? How would listening to a book work for you?

4. Don’t read alone
I’m often found reading during the day, in eyeshot of my kids. I know it can be easy to feel like we have to be 100% ‘on’, either doing chores or playing 1:1 with the children. However, showing our children we are reading can encourage them to do the same. If you can’t, what about reading to your kids. I’m currently working my way through The Witches with my youngest and had forgotten how much I enjoy the book. Children’s books that have a grown-up fan base could work to ease you back in.

5. Don’t worry about the budget
For me, investing in books is worth it; it’s never a waste of money to buy books and support the arts. But, if you are a prolific reader or on a budget (or both) finances can be a reason to not read. If you haven’t already, get yourself a library card – not just for you but your kids too! For those that can’t get to a local library, or prefer an e-book, most libraries have an online eBook service. BorrowBox has national coverage and also has audiobooks. I personally use the Libby app, as our local library doesn’t use BorrowBox.

So, it doesn’t matter WHAT type of book you like, you have no excuse now.  Grab your book, carve out your time and start reading.

I’d love to know what you think! Come over to my Facebook Group, Careers to Enjoy, to share your favourite book. Hang around for our monthly personal development virtual book club.