Your girl has been killing her reading goal for the year in general, but I had a great month in July!
My fellow readers will understand how excited I am about being on task to complete 52 books this year. I haven’t consumed this many books since I was child, and I want to share how I’ve made space to read more in adulthood.
None of what I’m doing is magic, but if you want to read more, maybe my tips will help you actually read those books on your bookshelf.
Hard copy book purists will probably not be a fan of some of my methods, but that’s okay. All methods aren’t for everyone.
Why so many books Noe?
The short answer is because I can! It sounds like I’m being flip, but I’m serious. I literally can do what I put my mind to if I am intentional about the process. I told myself I wanted to work through 52 books this year. Unfortunately, I didn’t set that goal until March, so I’ve been reading 2-3 books a week in order to catch up. I’ve finally made it!
How so many books Noe?
The short answer is however I can! LOL I still love the smell of book pages, but I swear tech has made me a much more productive reader. I know some purists don’t consider the tech route as reading, but the way I see it, we’re all getting the same content! I read hard copy books, e-books and I also listen to audiobooks via Audible. For those of you who are against audiobooks, let me tell you, a great narrator can be a gamechanger! Reach out to me up for suggestions.
Pre-pandemic, I had an hour commute to and from work. That’s what really got me into audiobooks. It’s the perfect entertainment while driving. Currently, I still listen to audiobooks while I’m cooking dinner, which I mention in 5 Apps to Help Get Dinner on the Table.
3 Tips to Achieving Your Reading Goals
Oh yeah, I promised tips didn’t I? Okay, get your notebook ready!
- I plan out my reading time. I typically read for at least 30 minutes every morning. I also read for at least 30 minutes in the evenings. It doesn’t sound like a lot of time, but that is only the goal. I typically end up reading for much longer in the evening and on the weekends.
- I typically read two books concurrently. I have a hard copy book or e-book for the moments when I can sit down to read. I also have an audiobook for when I need to move around, but still have available mental capacity. For instance, I’m listening while folding laundry, cleaning, and doing my skincare rituals.
- I have a fun reading community to discuss all of these reads with! I talked about Virtual Insanity in this post. Our discussions get real and are so much fun. Get you some reading friends, or hit me up! I might be interested in getting a group together.
What Did I Read in July?
The short answer is whatever looked interesting to me in July. If you want to check out everything else I’ve read this year, check out my reading challenge page on Goodreads!
- The Testaments by Margaret Atwood
- Party of Two by Jasmine Guillory
- She Would be King by Wayétu Moore
- The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
- Stay with Me by Ayòbámi Adébáyò
- Sex and Vanity by Kevin Kwan
- Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson
Want to know what’s on my to read list? Check out my #BlackStacks post! I need to get through those.
What did you read this month? Leave your reads in the comments!
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