Like many, I stopped reading for pleasure during my undergrad.
A few years after graduating I decided it was time to get back into reading for pleasure.
2014 I had read 3 books…
2015 I had read/listened to 10 books…
2016 I had read/listened to 52 more; one book a week.
Now I focus on quality reads (fiction/non-fiction) and sharing my favourites with you.
The Master Reading List:
This section of the site is dedicated to my short summaries of the books I’ve read along with my rating of them.
Full disclosure, all the links to books/audiobooks are affiliate links – it’s how I pay for my hosting/servers. If you would prefer not to buy that way, a quick google search will turn up the same thing.
An even better option (if you want a paper copy) is to go to a local used bookstore.
Support your local businesses!
How to consume more books?
When people ask me how I can read a book a week, my answer is always audiobooks.
But I just really enjoy having a physical book in my hand!
– Normal Person
I get this, but the simple truth is I have never succeeded in carving out enough time in my schedule to sit down and dig into a book unless I’m on vacation. My solution was to start listening to books on my commute, at the gym, planes, or in the car when I travel from A to B. Audiobooks offer a really unique immersive experience where characters and plots come to life in a different manner than in print.
It’s kind of like listening to the unedited version of a novel, that was made into a movie, without the visuals.
Increase the speed you read at:
I do not support speed reading (or listening) for the sake of getting through books faster and crossing them off your list. That is the total opposite intention of deliberately reading something to learn or enjoy. However, I have pushed my baseline reading speed without losing the ability to retain or comprehend information. That’s the sweet spot you’re looking for.
I have had very limited success with improving my comprehension while reading a physical book quickly. I know some people can do it, but it doesn’t work for me. I’m more of an auditory learner and trying to read faster hasn’t worked for me.
However, for Audiobooks, I have been able to improve my baseline listening speed. I would recommend picking up a few fiction novels and listening to them at a faster speed (an option in most audiobook apps).
What I found was depending on the narrator I could listen to the book as fast as 2.5x quicker without compromising my understanding and comprehension of the book. The secret is using small increments and listening to entire novels at these speeds. For your first try set it at 1.5x speed and then adjust from there.
Where I get my books:
Public Library (free):
If you don’t have a library card… get one! It’s the simplest and cheapest way to read more books.
The only issue I have with the public library is sometimes waiting for books (not the biggest deal) or not having the book I want to read.
Local Book Stores:
Support your local businesses and donate your old books!
Amazon:
If I can’t find it at one of the two above, I will order it off Amazon. They usually have the best price and with amazon prime it’s here within a few days.
Audiobooks:
Overdrive (library, free):
Everyone should have free access to books and I always promote going to your public library, getting a card and asking if they have an audiobook service. Most libraries these days are connected to Overdrive which has a fantastic app to check out a book from the comfort of your own home and download the audiobook to your mobile device. It is by far the best way to get audiobooks.
The only complaint I have about using Overdrive is the library doesn’t always have the books I’m looking for.
This is why I subscribe to Audible.
Audible (subscription, $15/mo):
I have never had a problem buying books because they are such a fantastic investment of money and time.
If you buy your books new, this is in line with the cost of a new release paperback and that’s how I justify my subscription.