People often ask me how I read 100 books in a year, so I’m sharing my tips to encourage you to read inspirational books. Even though I work full time, have two busy teenagers at home, I’m finishing my Biblical Studies degree at Liberty University, and I lead a large online ministry…I’ve continued to pursue my passion of reading. Our Book Club Director Heather C. King read TWICE as many books in 2015!
10 Tips to Read 100 Books in a Year
Tip #1 Never waste time!
Using my smartphone or iPad, I carry Kindle ebooks everywhere I go. The books synchronize to my last page read. When I find myself waiting at a doctor’s appointment or car repair shop, I’ll thumb through my book collection and find something to read. Waiting room magazines are typically outdated and gossip-centered, so I carry healthy books in electronic format.
Tip #2 Lower the Cost!
Just as I don’t like wasting time, I also don’t like wasting money. So each morning I jump on Amazon and look for free and discounted Kindle ebook deals. I share these deals with others via http://lifeversebooks.com/newsletter
Tip 3# Free is Good!
After searching free books on Amazon each day, I then search NetGallery for pre-published books. I’m able to download these to my iPad (or Kindle device) and read prior to their actual release date. In exchange for the free book I’ll write an honest review on my blog at LifeVerseBooks and also on consumer sites such as Amazon. My local library doesn’t carry many Christian books so borrowing is not available to me. With free Kindle books I never have a due date!
Tip #4 Join a Book Club!
My local leadership group reads one Christian book per month, and we meet the first Saturday of each month to discuss the book. It’s exciting to read with like-minded people and then discuss key concepts from your books. At WBC we have an online book club with more than 11,000+ women at http://www.facebook.com/groups/WBCbooks/
Tip #5 Turn off the car engine and read during carpool!
If you’re a parent like me then you’re carpooling kids all over town. Arrive early for pick-up, turn off the engine and wait in the carpool line with other parents who arrive early and read books. Watch the clock and before the kids are released, close your book and pay attention to the traffic and kids. I typically arrive 20 minutes early and read for 15 minutes, twice a day. Some people listen to audiobooks on long car rides or commuter trains, just make sure you’re not listening as you drive.
Tip #6 Turn off the television!
While television is relaxing entertainment, it often fills my mind with negative images and thoughts. I’ll limit my viewing time, especially before bed at night. When I read an inspirational book before falling asleep, I’m more rested and relaxed for the next day. I’d rather spend five hours a week reading books than five hours watching television- but that’s because I enjoy reading books. Set a goal to read 20 minutes a day and soon you’ll have less television and more books. Rarely do we see articles “How to Watch 365 Hours of Television in a Year” but I think it’s easy to do! One hour a day, 365 days a year… it adds up over time!
Tip #7 Set a timer on social media!
It’s easy to get online and lose track of time, so I set a countdown timer on my phone and when it rings I get offline. To be more productive, twice a year I record all of my activities for two weeks. Using a calendar format, I write down everything I’m doing and after two weeks I add the minutes into time blocks. Then I limit the unproductive activities (social media, electronic games) and increase my productivity (reading books).
Tip #8 Read more than one book at a time!
I get bored easily, so reading multiple books keeps me entertained and encouraged (like channel surfing with the television remote control). I’ll read one chapter from each book, switching between topics and expanding my knowledge. When a book is really good, I’ll put the other two books aside for a few days and plow through the five-star book instead!
Tip #9 Explore different authors and topics!
I learn fast so when I read the same author or topic repeatedly, I get bored and can even predict the next chapter or ending. To offset this conditioning I explore different authors and topics. The books I read are non-denominational. The Holy Bible English Standard Version is my plumb line and when I disagree with the theology or teaching of a book author, I fact-check with the Bible itself.
Tip #10 Read in front of others!
Books are conversation starters! Reading is healthy and expands your vocabulary. Since kids learn from our behavior, we model habits they’ll adopt later in life. After reading 100 books in front of my kids and husband…my husband who reads “one book a year” is now reading beside me, discussing with his local small group, and sharing what he’s learned. My teenagers are reading too! Read for yourself and others will follow.
Bonus Tip: Store your books in the free Kindle Cloud Reader instead of your device. Only download the books you’re currently reading to save memory on the device.
Bonus Tip: When I finish a book, I copy my book highlights into a document file so I can retrieve them later. You can find your book highlights at http://kindle.amazon.com
Now it’s your turn! Post a comment below and share your tips too!
Resources for Reading 100 Books in 2016
