Foolproof Ways to Read More in 2020

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Have you made any goals for the new year yet? I have made a few and one of them is to read two books a week. So far this has been going well but only because I have devised a system that allows me to do this without slacking on everything else I need to get done. ​

5 Tips to Help You Read More in 2020

• Plug my phone in my living room, not by my bed. I charge my phone at night, and I used to plug it in by my bed. This would lead to me browsing my phone for awhile. I decided this time would be better spent reading my books. So now my charger lives in the living room, and the only thing left for me to peruse is my book.
• Keep my book by my bed. This may be like a “duh” tip but it’s more extreme than that. My book doesn’t go farther than my nightstand (which is actually a basket of yarn #crafterproblems). I only read in my bed. If my book is there I don’t have to get out of bed when I inevitably forget my book in the living room from earlier in the day. I loathe getting out of bed after I’m all cozy under the blankets.
• Use a rechargeable book light. Talk about hating to get out of bed, reading with the lights on would mean just that.  I have replaced the phone charger that was by my bed with the cord for my rechargeable book light. I have used many book lights and lamps in my life. This is my favorite. It’s light (no pun intended), easily positioned, and has three different light modes. This makes it easy to limit the amount of blue light I’m using before bed. And because it’s rechargeable it’s not bulky! ​

• Listen to audiobooks with Audible. If someone tries to tell you listening to a book isn’t reading, don’t listen to them. It’s absolutely the same! And sometimes audiobooks have a little something extra from the author to enhance your experience with the book. My goal of 2 books a week would be impossible without Audible because it allows me to multitask. I can listen while I clean and make dinner. I love Audible and I think it’s very worth the monthly price. I love the selection they have. I love my personalized suggestions they make based on my past selections. I love that for $14.95 i get 3 books a month: two Audible originals and one credit for any book I want. The two Audible Originals I get every month are actually good listens. And if I don’t like or think I’ll listen to a book I’ve used my credit on, I can exchange them for a different book. One think I really love is I don’t have to wait months on end for a new release for a popular audiobook like I do with Libby or Overdrive.* I love that I can get new releases as soon as they’re available. 
• Use a bluetooth speaker or wireless headphones. My phone speaker isn’t the best, and carrying around my phone is inconvenient while I’m trying to get stuff down. That’s why I love my Bluetooth speaker and headphones. This little Oontz Angle speaker packs a punch. It’s small and portable but loud enough to be heard over running water, stove fans, and knife chops. Alternatively, I have these Sony over the ear Bluetooth headphones that work great. If I’m going to be bending over a lot or scrubbing vigorously at soap scum these Soundpeat wireless earbuds also work great. A bonus is I can just put in one at a time to listen for my kids shenanigans. ​​​

*I still use Libby even with Audible. I prefer Libby when I want a book that’s older and I know I won’t be reading again or a book on my list I don’t mind waiting in line for. I also prefer to get audiobooks for my kids to listen to on Libby. Audible just has a much, much larger selection of audiobooks than my library through Libby does. 

And if you’re like “What the heck is Libby?” It’s a really cool platform that works with local libraries to let you check out e-reader versions and audiobooks all from your phone. It’s free for you, all you need is your library card!

Is reading more one of your goals for 2020? I hope these tips help you to reach your goals! ​