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If you read 50+ books a year, how do you do it?

142 replies

Pigtailsandall · 15/02/2026 08:02

I admit, this is just me being nosy, but I'm hugely impressed and astounded by people who get through 50+ books a year. I'm interested in how people do it- during what gaps in your day do you read, do you have many books on the go at once, do you have time for other hobbies? In other words, what does your reading day/week look like? Are you a fast reader? Do you read evenly throughout the year?

My goal is to read 24-26 books this year, essentially one every two weeks or so, and I know come summer months I'll struggle to keep that pace as life will get busy.

OP posts:
bryceQ · 15/02/2026 13:22

I read a lot. I don’t watch much tv. My son is non verbal autistic and I need to watch him all the time but he likes to do his own thing so I usually read my kindle around him, so I am there if needed. I probably read a book every couple days. Sadly I also get a lot of migraines and if i am feeling rubbish reading is the best distraction .
I wouldn’t put pressure on yourself to read , just do when you can. You have a small child! It’s very different if you were retired.

slet · 15/02/2026 13:17

I read about 80-100 books a year.

i don’t really watch tv.

i include audiobooks in this which i listen to on my commute for minimum of 1 hour per week day.

i read an actual book at the same time.

i read everyday.

i could probably read a lot more if I spent less time on my phone.

MagentaRocks · 15/02/2026 13:14

I am a fast reader. Last year I read 229 books. So far this year I have read 27.

I read a lot, I take my kindle with me to read instead of scrolling on my phone while waiting for people, on the bus, lunch time etc. I also don’t sleep well so often read instead the night to try to make me sleepy.

ThisWiseBiscuit · 15/02/2026 13:11

I have a very fast processing speed so about 100 pages in an hour is the right speed for me to feel fully immersed in the book (for me it's a bit like being on a movie set when I read). I have a 40 minute commute and I read then twice a day. I'm also not a massive TV/screen person so I tend to read when the family are watching in the evening. Early mornings at the weekend when I'm doing chores I might have an audio book on if I'm in the mood. Over the year it averages out to about a book a day but it's rarely as simple as reading a whole book every single day. Of course I read much more on the holidays!

Cuttheshurtains · 15/02/2026 12:56

Anndalouzier · 15/02/2026 11:58

I would just recommend downloading Goodreads and setting yourself a challenge for the year on it. It tells you how ahead or behind your target you are.

Yes - I use the storygraph app, you can set challenges on there to and it also produces lots of lovely different graphs telling you about what kind of books you've read and things.

It also recommends books you might like which inspires me to try new books

NotWavingButReading · 15/02/2026 12:07

I used to read easily 100 books a year, that was when working full time but before the internet.
Having children slowed it down to under 20 a year.
Now I am retired and DC grown up I'm reading just under 50. I've made a really concerted effort to read more instead of scrolling (and yet here I am faffing on MN instead of reading).
I can't get on with audio books and only read on kindle or kobo. I bought a second hand kobo which I only use for library books and out of copyright free books.

What helps me read more?
I DNF very quickly if I don't love a book within a chapter.
I am unadventurous and stick mostly to genres I like.
I can speed read but I don't do it all the time.

Anndalouzier · 15/02/2026 11:58

I would just recommend downloading Goodreads and setting yourself a challenge for the year on it. It tells you how ahead or behind your target you are.

LostinLondon2025 · 15/02/2026 11:39

I have had long fallow periods when I have only read magazines and Mumsnet. Forgive yourself for that; your brain just needs a rest or a reset.

Firstly, you need to ease yourself back into reading. I always start with re-reading easy old favourites - mine are Jane Austen, PG Wodehouse, and Agatha Christie.

Then I go in with new books and use post-its to mark up seven sections per book - ie days of the week. Naturally a short book such as Orbital can be read in a day, but it evens out because A Suitable Boy will take several weeks. So long books are for weekends and holidays, and short books are for commuting, and if I read one marked section at least I’ve always done a daily minimum.

I always read for an hour before bed - it’s essential for killing insomnia. Then on the tube and when waiting around to collect the offspring from activities. I try to use real books as I find I retain more information than when using a Kindle.

Nomedshere · 15/02/2026 11:34

I read about 100-130 a year.... always have done! I love American literature and can easily read a book in an afternoon. I don't watch much TV...I go to bed at 9 and read before bed.

DeftGoldHedgehog · 15/02/2026 11:28

I not only read a fair bit, but am writing a novel while working full time. Early mornings, evenings and weekends basically.

DeftGoldHedgehog · 15/02/2026 11:26

Read on the train to work, instead of watching TV in the evening, use multiple formats like e-books so I can listen while walking the dog or in the gym. I can also up my weekly average with a holiday!

Frannyisreading · 15/02/2026 11:24

@Youcancallmeirrelevant I am quite a fast reader but it would take me a lot longer than 2.5 hours to read a 350 page book. I think you must read extremely fast, which is not realistic for most people. Also, I think with some books it would be a pity to whiz through it like that and not appreciate the language and the atmosphere. It would be a shame if people felt discouraged because it took them longer to finish a book.

Frannyisreading · 15/02/2026 11:24

@Youcancallmeirrelevant I am quite a fast reader but it would take me a lot longer than 2.5 hours to read a 350 page book. I think you must read extremely fast, which is not realistic for most people. Also, I think with some books it would be a pity to whiz through it like that and not appreciate the language and the atmosphere. It would be a shame if people felt discouraged because it took them longer to finish a book.

DoAWheelie · 15/02/2026 11:20

CousinBette · 15/02/2026 10:49

That’s not reading.

Yes it is.

Anndalouzier · 15/02/2026 11:17

would you tell a blind person using an audio book they're not reading?

Anndalouzier · 15/02/2026 11:17

CousinBette · 15/02/2026 10:49

That’s not reading.

Def is.

Anndalouzier · 15/02/2026 11:17

Agree also. One audible. One kindle

queenofwandss · 15/02/2026 11:03

I usually have 2 books on the go at a time- one audio which I prefer for non-fiction and I listen while driving, cleaning etc. Then fiction books I live to wind down in the bath or when going to bed.

MagdaLenor · 15/02/2026 10:58

I read a lot. I don't have a Kindle and don't like audio books, so it's usually paperbacks. I go round charity shops, get a whole load, then mostly re donate if I won't read them again. I usually read on waking for a short time, mostly in the evening and in bed. I take one to work and read at lunchtime, even if it's only for 15 minutes. I usually take one if I go into town, and sit in a coffee shop and read. I think if it's always been part of your life, it's second nature, if that makes sense.

SheilaFentiman · 15/02/2026 10:55

CousinBette · 15/02/2026 10:49

That’s not reading.

It’s consuming a book: the story, the language, the characters. Using ears not eyes is the only difference.

Selttan · 15/02/2026 10:51

I read pretty much every night before going to sleep.
I can easily read half a book a night but that’s cause I’m a skim reader - great for rereads as I pick up on new things each time, not great for my budget as I read hundreds of books a year.

CousinBette · 15/02/2026 10:49

SettingSunStillness · 15/02/2026 09:00

I have audiobook playing while doing housework, on public transport, driving.
So read loads that way..

That’s not reading.

DelphiniumBlue · 15/02/2026 10:47

I used to read at least that many, but nowadays, not so much. That is because I’m spending too much time doomscrolling and on MN. It does lead me down interesting paths, but all the time I spend doing that is time I’m not reading actual books.
I am a fast reader, can easily read a book in an afternoon ( if it’s fiction, non-fiction I prefer to read more slowly and in short chunks).

justasking111 · 15/02/2026 10:44

modernfairies · 15/02/2026 08:22

I read very quickly which helps. I read for an hour before bed every day and sometimes for longer in the evening if DH is watching something I have no interest in. I also read when on public transport as it is easier than having signal dip in or out or when waiting for DC to finish appointments.

DH loves sports, discovery in the evening on TV so I read. Always read in bed for a bit it relaxes me.

MouseCheese87 · 15/02/2026 10:40

I read books that are relatively easy to read and keep me interested enough to keep reading. I have about 2 free hours in the daytime and about an hour before bed. If I wake really early I will sometimes get a book out. I think I must have read over 50 last year. I average about 2 a week but I do have a few gaps when I'm not reading anything.