Note a hint of uncertainty in the title: I am tying to read more. Over the past month and a half, I have implemented strategies that force me to read on regularly. At this point, I feel like I going through tingle-like- addict- withdrawls if I’m not reading. Here’s an entry dedicated to the strategies I am implementing to reach my 2018 Reading Goal.
A bit tired of numbering and heading sections of my blog. Today, I’ll be writing a good ol’ fashion wall of text to (hopefully) be read by millions (naw, try a handful– thanks followers). AH-Uhm. I digress. Sorry.
First, I always try to slip my Kindle into my backpack. In the rare instances where I forget, I ensure applications on my phone offer plenty of reading options. One I use is the Bible app to develop my faith. Another application worthy of downloading is BBC News. Together, these applications provide many opportune moments for reading.
A question arises, right? With reading materials readily available, how do I find the time to read? Stephan King answered this question for me: down time equals reading time!
Downtime, for me (and probably King), is time in a lineup, waiting for a bus, and the bus ride to work. Some people experience vertigo when they read on a tin can with wheels. Don’t vomit on your lovely book. Instead, find alternate strategies to add in some reading time.
Any book that I start, I vow to finish. Some people think I am making an inane strategy. Pushing through a terrible read is beneficial for my writing. What helps me push through is the very fact that I usually have three books in progress at the same time.
One of those books is a risk-taker– it is a novel that I might enjoy, but its way outside my typical interest zone. These books are not usually recommended by friends, do not have many reviews on Amazon. Some of these books are self published, or outside the realm of genres I am used too. Captive in the Dark is an example of a risky book.
My second book in action will be one of personal development. Because I don’t want to waste time reading useless information, I always research these books before I invest the time reading it cover to cover. These books are usually recommended by friend, have high ranks on Amazon, and are of used to develop my life (whether that be spiritually, through writing, or any other facets).
The last book in progress is a story that I am confident that I will enjoy. It is fast paced, or taken from a series that has impressed thus far. On my rating scale, a book that is no lower than an 8/10 can be selected. My current book for entertainment is the Shadow Children series
For me, having two or three books in progress at once helps ground my ping pong mind, and keep me interested if one of those books is dry. As of today, I have not ran into a position where all three books are dry. I am curious how my reading habit would fare against those odds!
Lastly, tracking which books you read is imperative to continue reading more. For me, this strategy helps give me a benchmark. It is a constant reminder of my end goal, and allows me to book budget to meet said goal.
