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

[Pigtailsandall]

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.

I would read a lot less if I didn’t own a kindle, for sure

I read 100 + books a year as I don't have many other hobbies! My kids are older so don't need me as much. I have a kobo/kindle/borrowbox on my phone so I can squeeze in extra reading time at the school gates, in queues etc. Also audio books whilst walking to/from work, doing housework etc. I'm a fairly fast reader as well but I think this is down to years of reading

Def

Yes, me too. If I'm shopping, driving, cleaning the house, I'm also listening to an audiobook.

I read 50 books a year without trying. I read every night for about half an hour, which is usually enough to get through an average length novel a week. I then will read 2-3 a week on a busyish holiday.

With a bit of intention I get through 75-100 books a year, but that includes reading on my commute (an extra 1-2h of reading a week), choosing to read instead of TV or social media, carrying my kindle everywhere to read instead 5 mins downtime, and reading a book a day on a lazy holiday.

The 75–100 includes around 5 audio books when I’m driving/in the shower/walking along/doing chores/getting ready.

My counter question is: if you read 50+ books a year, what's how many pages/ file size for e books.

I'd say the average book has about 280- 300 pages, that's easily done in a week or less. The books I read often have 3-4x as many pages... that's obviously a much longer read! Then there is language and content some are easier than others for example straight forward romantic novel versus a historical fiction with lots of background information. That would take longer as I get sidetracked fo fact checking. A romantic or crime novel I'm happy to skip a few pages if it's to tedious or predictable without harm.

@ArticWillow that’s one of the reasons I like a kindle. So if I’m multitasking eg commuting or cooking, I can read an
easy crime novel. If I’m in a quiet place, then I can switch to something needing more concentration

A 350 page book only takes around 2.5hrs to read, so easily done in a day instead of watching TV or scrolling on a phone.

Could you invest in a kindle if you dont have one? I bought a new one last year, and it has a light so I can read it the dark if dh is sleeping and we're in bed. I'm just thinking if you are sitting with your children to fall asleep you could read then? I signed up to kindle unlimited which is great but obviously you need to read the books to get your moneys worth.

Shortest book I read was 163 pages & longest was 1688 pages. On average most of the books I read last year were between 300-500 though.

I read, on average, 100 a year - maybe a few more. I’ve always read voraciously since childhood and I can’t go anywhere without having a book on my person. It’s been easier since kindle arrived, though I don’t have an actual kindle, just the app on my iPad/phone. I still love 'real' books, though.

Mostly I read before going to sleep, for at least an hour, and I used to have a regular train commute which also meant reading time. I don’t do that any more and my reading has definitely suffered as a result. I’ve noticed that anxiety and worry do tend to mean my concentration takes a hit and makes reading more difficult, although funnily enough, I read very intensely during the Covid lockdown. But I don’t have dc and my time is mostly at my disposal outside of work, so that helps enormously.

I read pretty quickly too, having compared this with DH, who doesn’t read nearly as much as me. However, I can’t do audio books at all. If I could, I’d be well into 200+ a year!

I didn't manage to read much when I had small children, I used to manage to read maybe a page before I would fall asleep at night!

But now they are older I do read around 50 to 60 books a year. I have a full-time job and hobbies /volunteer ing and busy for children but I carve out any spare bit of time for reading.

I usually have a Kindle book an audiobook and a nonfiction book and fiction paperback on the go at anytime

I don't much a lot of TV and I have a health condition that means I do have to make sure I rest regularly.

I'm also a really fast reader, I have to be as my job involves reading lots of dense and complex text.

I’ve always read lots and very fast. Did an English degree and am an English teacher. When I had DC 1 people seemed to take pleasure in telling mei would no longer have time to read! Bonkers - read more than usual as not working. To me it’s not a chore - it’s like breathing.

However, I can’t do audio books at all. If I could, I’d be well into 200+ a year!

You're not the only one. I just can't focus and I find my mind wandering. 😅

My advice is the same as a lot of others, if you don't have a kindle I would definitely recommend one. It's portable and means I can read in bed without worrying about having adequate lighting.

I have no idea how long the books I choose to read are. That never makes me decide whether I'm reading it or not.

I tend to read a mixture of non-fiction (which could be anything from very readable to very dense complex text which requires reflection) literary fiction, and classics. I do sometimes read children's novels too, either to reread an old favourite or to read along with my child. I enjoyed some Anthony Horowitz books recently as my son was reading them and I enjoyed reading them so we could chat about them .

A 30 mins each way commute is 10 hours a week. With the average audiobook being 8-12 hours that's a free book a week just on the commute time which gets you to 50 without needing to put aside any extra time.

If you are worried about blocking out sound while cycling then it may be worth looking at open ear headphones - these let you listen without blocking out any outside noise (they hook over your ear and dangle instead of sitting inside). That way you'll still be aware of traffic etc.

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.

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

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).

That’s not reading.

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.

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

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.

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.