I used to be that person who’d walk into a bookstore, grab a pile of novels or self-help titles, and promise myself I’d read them all. But then life would happen—I’d start one, get bored, and let it sit on my nightstand collecting dust. Worse, even when I did finish a book, I’d forget most of it within a week. If you’ve ever wondered how to read more books without turning it into a guilt trip or a memory test, I’ve got some tips that totally turned things around for me. No fancy systems, no pressure—just stuff that works
Silence the Inner Narrator
Back in the day, I’d read every word like I was narrating a movie in my head. You know that little voice that sounds out everything? It’s like your brain’s personal audiobook, and it’s slow as heck. I didn’t even realize I was doing it until I caught myself dragging through a page, pronouncing stuff like “mischievous” as if I’d never seen it before. So, I tried shutting that voice off. It felt awkward at first—like I was cheating or something—but once I got used to it, my eyes just flew across the page. Suddenly, I was finishing chapters in half the time.
Finger on the Page
Then there’s this trick that sounds straight out of kindergarten: reading with your finger. I laughed at the idea at first. Me, a grown adult, tracing lines like I’m learning my ABCs? But I gave it a shot, and holy crap, it’s a game-changer. My eyes used to bounce all over the place—I’d lose my spot or reread the same sentence without noticing. Dragging my finger under the words kept me locked in. It’s weirdly satisfying, too, like I’m guiding myself through the story. Before I knew it, I was powering through books faster than ever.
Drop the Duds
Here’s a big one I had to learn the hard way: if a book sucks, ditch it. I used to feel this weird obligation to finish every single one I started, like abandoning it made me a quitter. I’d slog through dull chapters, hating every minute, just to say I did it. But why? I don’t sit through bad movies or eat food I don’t like. So now, if a book isn’t clicking—say, I’m 20 pages in and still bored—I toss it aside. No guilt. Life’s too short, and there are too many awesome books out there. Plus, when I’m into what I’m reading, I actually want to keep going.
Sneak in the Pages
Finding time to read was another hurdle. I’d tell myself I was too busy, but then I started sneaking it into my day. I’d pull out a book on the bus or flip through a few pages while munching lunch. Even five minutes here and there—like when I’m waiting for coffee—adds up. I made it a habit, like brushing my teeth, and suddenly, I was knocking out books left and right. You don’t need a big chunk of time; you just need to stop waiting for one. It’s crazy how easy it is to fit reading in once you stop overthinking it.
Mix Up the Stack
Oh, and here’s something fun I picked up: I don’t stick to one book anymore. I used to think I had to finish one before starting another, but that got old fast. Now, I’ve got a couple going at once—maybe a mystery, something brainy, and a chill memoir. When I’m tired of heavy ideas, I switch to the light stuff. It keeps me excited instead of burned out. Mixing it up feels like flipping channels on TV, except I’m still racking up pages. It’s a sneaky way to trick myself into reading more without even trying.
Make It Stick
But okay, let’s say you’re crushing it with how to read more books—what about remembering what’s in them? I used to highlight everything and scribble notes, thinking that’d lock it all in. Turns out, that’s pretty useless. What actually works is doing something with what you read. Like, after a book on habits, I started tweaking my mornings—nothing huge, just small stuff like skipping my phone for an hour. That made the ideas stick way better than any highlighter ever did. Even just mulling over how a book fits into my life helps me hold onto it.
Mental Bookmarks
You don’t need to memorize every page, either. I don’t. I just keep a fuzzy idea of what each book’s about—like a mental bookmark. If I need details later, I’ll flip back through it. For instance, I read this psychology book ages ago, and I can’t recite it, but I know it’s got stuff on decision-making. That’s enough. Books are like friends you can revisit, not tests you have to ace.
So yeah, that’s my take on how to read more books and keeping them in your head. It’s not about forcing it or being perfect—it’s about enjoying the ride. Try some of this stuff out, tweak it to fit your vibe, and see where it takes you. Reading’s supposed to be fun, not a chore, so why not make it work for you?
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