I used to be a voracious reader, but my phone has taken over my brain. I skim the news every morning on my apps, but concentrate deeply on an actual book for 400 pages? It’s a struggle. This past year I read a paltry 19 books, and honestly, I didn’t love half of them. I don’t know if it’s because I didn’t care for the writing or subject matter or if I just don’t like reading anymore—a scary thought.
I have friends who are devoted readers and find great pleasure in losing themselves in a story, so I thought I’d investigate how they approach cultivating their reading habit, including how they find books and set aside time to read them. I also give tips about how to enjoy reading more at the end of the post.
Jane Hudson
When I told my mother, Jane Hudson, that I’d read less than twenty books last year, she was appalled. “I wouldn’t tell anybody that,” she said. My mother, 83, has loved immersing herself in a book since she was a child. She’s an early riser and spends a couple cozy pre-dawn hours on the couch with an old-school physical book sipping coffee. She might take a break in the afternoon and stretch out to read as well.
She gets most of her books from the Sanibel Public Library where she knows pretty much everybody, and reads exclusively fiction. “I read to escape,” she says.
Jane belongs to a book club, gets recommendations from friends and scans the new book displays at the library. If she loves an author, she’ll read everything they’ve written. Some of her favorites are Elizabeth Berg, Lily King and Celeste Ng. She records quotes and ideas from books in a journal and loves to talk about what she’s reading with her friends.
Julie Chernoff
Back in the day, Julie Chernoff and I both wrote for the North Shore magazine Make it Better, now better.net, where Julie’s area of expertise was food (mine was sex, LOL). She’s a multi-talented chick who is one of the most prolific readers I know. She completed a whopping 110 books in 2023—her all time record. You can see how charmingly she tracks her books on her Instagram page, below.
Reading is a priority for Julie. “I do much of my reading in bed at night, either on an e-reader or in real book form. If I’m really into a book, I’ll find an hour during the day to curl up in a comfy chair. I make time to read,” she says.
She trades book recommendations with friends and follows up on book reviews from The New York Times and People. Her interests are wide and she reads genres ranging from Young Adult and romance to the classics. “I’ve always been a big reader,” says Julie. “I love being transported by stories, so I read probably 95% fiction. Having a book in front of me is a portal to another dimension.”
Here’s her visual summary of the books she read in 2023. You have to swipe to see the second page. If you’re looking for a new book, she has asterisked her faves. Impressive!
Kelly Konrad
I also worked with Kelly Konrad at Make it Better and this experienced journalist’s go-to topic was and still is, ta-dah—BOOKS! She has a super accessible and savvy blog, LitzyDitz—Books Without the BS, where she shares reviews, round-ups, and musings on life inspired by what she’s reading.
Kelly sympathizes with my diminished ability to focus and confesses, “I have even thought—if only an author would just Tweet their entire book, then I’d actually get more books read.” She chalks it up to the confluence of social media addictions and menopause brain. She also has a full-time marketing job. She’s mostly a nighttime and weekend afternoon reader, but she has begun reading on her lunch break to make sure she always gets through at least a few pages each day.
Kelly follows other book-related blogs and social media accounts. “If I see a book start to pop up in a few different places, I add it to my list. I also love getting recs from friends, and have a list of go-to authors. I used to think I was being exclusionary by not exploring a bunch of different genres, but honestly, who’s got time to be that intentional about their reading? If there’s a genre you like, dive in.”
The benefits of reading are many, says Kelly. “Reading is a low-cost (libraries!), easy access hobby. A book is a lifesaver when it comes to being an introvert in social situations. It’s a conversation starter personally and professionally. It’s a perspective expander and enhancer, especially when you make an effort to explore diverse authors. Our world is so, so much bigger than just our homes, neighborhoods and friend circles. It’s made me more empathetic, and it’s a fantastic mental health antidote to the current state of the world.”
Kelly would rather savor what she reads than hit a certain number of titles per year. ”I would hate for the casual reader that is trying to make a more concerted effort to get disheartened because they don’t read or listen to as many books as someone else. We’re all just trying to do our best. For me personally, I’m more into reading fewer books that I love. Honestly, if you only read 10 but can chat those books up for days with friends, then your life is that much better for it.”
Based on the books I read last year, I agree. I wish I’d chosen books I liked better, not forced myself to plough through more so-so ones.
Tips to Enjoy Reading More
Here are some techniques that have helped me enjoy reading more.
- Choose a book that’s easy to read. I’m committing to this one. Reading should be pleasurable, not a chore. If you haven’t been reading much lately, don’t bite off more than you can chew. Young adult fiction, chick lit, novelettes, and short stories are all good places to start. One of my favorite books I read last year was Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan, a heartbreaking, beautiful story about an Irish father’s courageous act, told in just 128 pages.
- Find a cozy spot where you can see. This seems obvious, but finding a place that allows you to sit comfortably while holding a book for a sustained amount of time can be a challenge. Not to mention finding good lighting. You might have to add some supportive cushions to your armchair or pull a lamp over to the sofa. I ended up buying this crazy neck book light and it has been so helpful.
- Plan a time to read in your day and set the timer. Sometimes I feel antsy when I’m reading, like I’m not doing anything. Reading is a valuable activity! Carve out 20 or 30 minutes in your day, turn off your phone and set a timer. If you allow yourself to focus completely on your book, you’ll be surprised how engrossing and rewarding it can be.
- Use a Kindle or other e-reader. I like holding an actual book, but I also love my Kindle Paperwhite, which I’ve had for maybe ten years. I can read it in bed in the dark when Liam is sleeping, I can download a book instantly and dive in, and I can adjust the font size and brightness so it’s always easy to see. It’s lightweight and perfect for travel—and it’s private. No one sitting next to you on the plane can see what you’re reading, so you can truly explore any type of book you like.
I hope my learning how my well-read friends approach books and these tips inspire you to do more reading of your own. If you have any strategies or recommendations that have worked for you, please share.
P.S. Here’s a couple other resources you may find helpful:
How to Be a Better Reader by Tina Jordan, New York Times
6 Strategies That Will Make You a Better Reader and Person from TED presenter Ryan Holiday.
Fully Fabulous 
One thought