--- title: "Reading Everywhere: 5 Ways to Get a Lot of Reading Done - Even if You're Not a Fast Reader" url: https://readingeverywhere.com/2012/03/5-ways-to-get-lot-of-reading-done-even description: "Noting the ever-present book in my hand during a recent appointment, my hairstylist commented, \"You must be a fast reader!\" And I had to adm..." --- # Reading Everywhere: 5 Ways to Get a Lot of Reading Done - Even if You're Not a Fast Reader - [About](https://readingeverywhere.com/p/about-me.html) - [Review Policy](https://readingeverywhere.com/p/review-policy.html) - [Frequently Visited Posts](https://readingeverywhere.com/p/frequently-visited-posts.html) ## Wednesday, March 21, 2012 ### 5 Ways to Get a Lot of Reading Done - Even if You're Not a Fast Reader Noting the ever-present book in my hand during a recent appointment, my hairstylist commented, "You must be a fast reader!" And I had to admit that, no, I'm really not. I think I'm about average. It's challenging for me to get my desired amount of reading done, especially after having kids. Everything is a balancing act. That said, I managed to read 85 books last year, and I'm challenging myself to read 90 this year, so I do make reading a priority. But how does one manage to get a lot of reading done when they're not necessarily a fast reader? Here are some strategies that work for me: 1. Read in multiple formats This is probably my top strategy for efficient reading-- I always have an audiobook in the car and an ebook on my phone, so I can read on my commute and at odd moments like being stuck in a waiting room, or even in a long line at a store. I especially can't stand to be without an audiobook in the car. I'm totally hooked on the format, and a drive without an audiobook just feels like a waste of time. 2. Read at meals Within reason, obviously. If you're having dinner with other people, put the book down already! But if you're left to your own devices, I say read away. Mealtime is such a pleasant opportunity to sit down for a decent chunk of time and indulge-- in both good food and a good book. Just don't get spaghetti sauce on the pages. 3. Read books in a variety of locations As I think I've mentioned before, I have a book on my nightstand, a book on my dining room table downstairs, and a book on my desk at work for my lunch hour. And then, of course, I always have the aforementioned audio and ebooks. Wherever I go, I always have something to read... so no excuses! | | |---| | The stack of books on my nightstand right now. | 4. Read on a deadline Being a book reviewer for [*School Library Journal*](http://schoollibraryjournal.com/) means I have reading assignments with specific deadlines. Deadlines help me structure my "to read" list and keep me focused. I know what I have to read, and when. Self-imposed deadlines like participating in reading challenges like [The Story Siren's Debut Author Challenge](http://www.thestorysiren.com/tag/2012-debut-author-challenge-info) or your library's Summer Reading Program can also work toward this strategy. 5. Read for pleasure This one's a no-brainer-- time flies when you're having fun, right? Same with reading! Unless I'm obligated to read a book for a particular reason, I feel no qualms about setting it aside and moving on if it turns out not to be my cup of tea. It can be torturous to slog through a book you don't like, so I recommend skipping the ordeal and getting back to the fun. On a related note, [my friend Beth at A Foodie Bibliophile in Wanderlust blogged recently about encouraging her students to be "readers in the wild,"](http://www.foodiebibliophile.com/2012/03/getting-our-students-to-be-readers-in.html) and listed some of her own reading habits that she hopes her students will model. It's a great post-- check it out. What about you? Do you consider yourself to be a fast reader? What the fastest you've ever read a book? (For me, it was the last few Harry Potter books-- I did manage to read them within 24 hours of their release dates... but that was before I had kids!) What are your best strategies for reading efficiently? Posted by [Allison](https://www.blogger.com/profile/06628530227439660832) at [6:00 AM](https://readingeverywhere.com/2012/03/5-ways-to-get-lot-of-reading-done-even.html) Labels: [reading](https://readingeverywhere.com/search/label/reading) [Newer Post](https://readingeverywhere.com/2012/03/audiobook-review-scorpio-races-by.html) [Older Post](https://readingeverywhere.com/2012/03/book-review-harbinger-by-sara-wilson.html) [Home](https://readingeverywhere.com/) Subscribe to: [Post Comments (Atom)](https://readingeverywhere.com/feeds/6981068417309666761/comments/default)