How to read more: 6 life hacks for book lovers

1. Create an ideal reading environment

First, try to get rid of all the distractions. Move your phone and TV remote away from you. If you want to read before bed, make sure there is a table lamp next to the bed and that it is convenient to turn it on. Now that nothing distracts you from reading, it will be much easier to pick up a book.

2. Don't leave home without a book

During the day, there are a lot of free minutes that can be spent on reading. For example, when you are on public transport or waiting in line. Instead of sitting on your phone at this time, it is better to open a book. Of course, you can read on a smartphone, but that way there are much more chances of being distracted by something else.

So always carry a book with you. If paper books take up too much space, take an electronic book with you or listen to audiobooks.

3. Don't force yourself to finish reading books you don't like

Many people are accustomed to thinking that it is imperative to read the book to the end, otherwise you may seem weak, not smart enough or miss something culturally significant. But this is all nonsense.

Reading a book in this regard is no different from watching a movie or TV series. After all, if you don't like the show, you quit watching it and turn on something else. It's the same with books: if you don't like one, close it and take another.

Reading should be fun and not seem like a chore. If you enjoy reading, you will read more.

4. Don't read more than three books at a time

Someone can read one book in a couple of days, others like to read several books at once and switch from one to another, like from channel to channel. But if you read too many books at the same time, then reading will start to seem like a boring duty, and it will become more and more difficult to follow the plot twists in each book.

Don't tackle more than three books at once. Try combining fiction and non-fiction. And promise yourself that you won't take on a new book until you finish or quit one you started.

5. Discuss books

This will help fuel your own interest in reading and broaden your book horizons. In addition, discussing books with other people motivates and creates a certain sense of responsibility. We begin to think, "If I don't finish reading this book now, I won't be able to say anything about it when someone asks for my opinion." This is especially true of works recommended by friends, or books that you started reading at the same time with someone.

6. Always complete one reading cycle

As you open the book, decide for yourself how much you will read, and don't stop until you're done. Such a reading cycle can last 20 minutes, include one chapter or a certain number of pages. The main thing is not to be distracted while reading. It is quite possible that you will get carried away and read even more than you intended.