How many books do you read per year?
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pitt said:
1. Daily consistency is the key. Reading just 30 minutes every day will have you finishing a book every ten days.
2. Read a fiction and a non-fiction at the same time. Reading a lot of books concurrently will get you bogged down and progress will be limited. Having a fiction and a non-fiction on the go gives you something for different moods. If you have no interest in fiction, read history as an alternative.
3. Read what interests you. If you do you'll be looking forward to every page turn.
4. Know when to pull the plug on books. There are some you will not enjoy, you'll put off reading and they'll be left gathering dust. It's during this time that least of your reading will be done. Set a cut off point. If you decide it to be shit, bin it. If you are not connecting with it, put it on the shelf and revisit later.
5. Listen to audio books. Especially if you make long drives.
I read a lot at work when I have downtime, which can be quite often, last year I think I read about 50 books.
One of my favorite new authors I discovered last year was Malcolm Gladwell (Outliers, Blink, Tipping Point, What The Dog Saw), I think many forum readers would also enjoy his work.
Another was Mordechai Richeler, a famous Canadian author from Montreal whose books include Barney's Version and the Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz (both made into movies).
My all time favorite author is Irvine Welsh (Trainspotting), I wish he would hurry up and write something new!
One of my favorite new authors I discovered last year was Malcolm Gladwell (Outliers, Blink, Tipping Point, What The Dog Saw), I think many forum readers would also enjoy his work.
Another was Mordechai Richeler, a famous Canadian author from Montreal whose books include Barney's Version and the Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz (both made into movies).
My all time favorite author is Irvine Welsh (Trainspotting), I wish he would hurry up and write something new!
Enfant_Terrible
Kingfisher
scotian said:
One of my favorite movies too, when I mention it to younger people and have no clue about it I feel old. Heard the book's more awesome than the movie.
basil
Robin
As someone in the 100+ club I agree with most suggestions allready up.
Last year I set a goal to read 100 books, pushing myself. I got 108. Year before was 81, 49 before that and in the years before i averaged 10-15 since I was 18 (now 26). (I can give you the numbers because I use Goodreads to track my reading). This year I'm aiming for 100 again, pushing beyond that will be too much for me though and I think next year I will cut back to around 60-80.
I read that much because I trully enjoy it - for a variety of reasons, pure enjoyment first of all, learning and self improvement, because I'm a writer and working on being a novelist and for me reading is homework. Even just for an escape and to broaden my mind. I read quite widely, fiction, non-fiction - its all good.
Getting a kindle in late 2010 was the real tipping point in my reading (2010 was the 81 book year - year before with 49 I really made a commitment to read more and had lot more spare time). The kindle just makes things SO much easier to read more. I also sync my kindle with kindle app on my phone so I can read absolutely anywhere. If I have just a spare minute I'll be reading. My dad only reads a book when he is taking a dump, but that bit of time every day means he reads probably more than the average person.
Beyond that, I tear through most non-fiction using the same method Tuthmosis mentions, looking for what is the filler. Even some fiction you can just recognise ok, this bit is shit, excess descriptions or fluff - speed read or just skip through it to dialog or action that is driving the story forward.
I can speed read to a degree, but I dont get the same level of comprehension and knowledge retention. My hat goes off to those who can speed read and still achieve good levels of both. The basics are just scanning each line rapidly, resisting the urge to pause - then just building your speed.
I always have at least 2 books that I'm reading at the same time. Usually one fiction, one non. I alternate depending mainly on mood and energy. If a book is boring me I will leave it for a while, come back and try again, if its still shitting me - bin it. Even before my kindle I had a second smaller bookshelf filled with on average 10 books that I wanted to read. So if I felt like reading some action I coulf, if I wanted to learn there was a few options, if I wanted some sweet inspiration there was always a bio there as well. That way there was no excuse not to start reading that next book as soon as I finished. Kindle makes this SO much easier, I often have like 40 samples downloaded to my kindle allowing me to make a start, read the first ten percent of whatever catches my attention and then buy it if I'm enjoying it then continue reading. It's like having your own huge public library to browse.
For me audio books are too damn slow, my usual reading speed is often double the readers speaking pace and it pisses me off knowing I'm flushing that extra time down the drain. However downloading them to my computer and speeding up the pace (easy done even in WMP) produces good results. Now I use the kindles read out loud a fair bit as well if im working out, cleaning, cooking, etc. I rarely listen when I'm driving though - personal choice, I like driving to my tunes and find I dont pay enough attention.
Last year I set a goal to read 100 books, pushing myself. I got 108. Year before was 81, 49 before that and in the years before i averaged 10-15 since I was 18 (now 26). (I can give you the numbers because I use Goodreads to track my reading). This year I'm aiming for 100 again, pushing beyond that will be too much for me though and I think next year I will cut back to around 60-80.
I read that much because I trully enjoy it - for a variety of reasons, pure enjoyment first of all, learning and self improvement, because I'm a writer and working on being a novelist and for me reading is homework. Even just for an escape and to broaden my mind. I read quite widely, fiction, non-fiction - its all good.
Getting a kindle in late 2010 was the real tipping point in my reading (2010 was the 81 book year - year before with 49 I really made a commitment to read more and had lot more spare time). The kindle just makes things SO much easier to read more. I also sync my kindle with kindle app on my phone so I can read absolutely anywhere. If I have just a spare minute I'll be reading. My dad only reads a book when he is taking a dump, but that bit of time every day means he reads probably more than the average person.
Beyond that, I tear through most non-fiction using the same method Tuthmosis mentions, looking for what is the filler. Even some fiction you can just recognise ok, this bit is shit, excess descriptions or fluff - speed read or just skip through it to dialog or action that is driving the story forward.
I can speed read to a degree, but I dont get the same level of comprehension and knowledge retention. My hat goes off to those who can speed read and still achieve good levels of both. The basics are just scanning each line rapidly, resisting the urge to pause - then just building your speed.
I always have at least 2 books that I'm reading at the same time. Usually one fiction, one non. I alternate depending mainly on mood and energy. If a book is boring me I will leave it for a while, come back and try again, if its still shitting me - bin it. Even before my kindle I had a second smaller bookshelf filled with on average 10 books that I wanted to read. So if I felt like reading some action I coulf, if I wanted to learn there was a few options, if I wanted some sweet inspiration there was always a bio there as well. That way there was no excuse not to start reading that next book as soon as I finished. Kindle makes this SO much easier, I often have like 40 samples downloaded to my kindle allowing me to make a start, read the first ten percent of whatever catches my attention and then buy it if I'm enjoying it then continue reading. It's like having your own huge public library to browse.
For me audio books are too damn slow, my usual reading speed is often double the readers speaking pace and it pisses me off knowing I'm flushing that extra time down the drain. However downloading them to my computer and speeding up the pace (easy done even in WMP) produces good results. Now I use the kindles read out loud a fair bit as well if im working out, cleaning, cooking, etc. I rarely listen when I'm driving though - personal choice, I like driving to my tunes and find I dont pay enough attention.
scotian said:
Mine too! I hope you've read all his shyt? I liked Glue as well but most cats at work couldn't understand what the fcuk he was writing in the scottish dialect he uses in his writing. Funny enough, I'm a Londoner yet I was able to move through his novels effortlessly. I wonder why?
Pitt - Regarding books, why do you want to read more? As one poster mentioned, you can't just read because it's the right thing to do, you should read because you want.
If you want to be more informed, you can use other methods of gathering information, you don't necessarily have to read, if you don't like it.
I find we always make time for things we want to do. If you haven't had the time, it means it hasn't been a priority in your life, which is fine.
For instance, one of my friends was very informed but he hardly read. He would watch documentaries and youtube as he preferred the visual form.
Myself, I prefer reading and I actually have to steer clear of bookstores and libraries because I turn into a maniac once I enter.
My reading collection is extremely diverse. I've got books on stocks, mathematics, psychology, languages, gaming and fiction.
Loving the iphone because when I'm on the bus, I can just flick onto the kindle app and start reading some shyt from there.
If you want to be more informed, you can use other methods of gathering information, you don't necessarily have to read, if you don't like it.
I find we always make time for things we want to do. If you haven't had the time, it means it hasn't been a priority in your life, which is fine.
For instance, one of my friends was very informed but he hardly read. He would watch documentaries and youtube as he preferred the visual form.
Myself, I prefer reading and I actually have to steer clear of bookstores and libraries because I turn into a maniac once I enter.
My reading collection is extremely diverse. I've got books on stocks, mathematics, psychology, languages, gaming and fiction.
Loving the iphone because when I'm on the bus, I can just flick onto the kindle app and start reading some shyt from there.
I have kindle on all my computers and on my ipod which I carry with me. I pretty much read anytime when it's quiet.
If I'm somewhere loud and I have a couple of spare minutes I read this forum.
The info on this forum raises my attention span so high that outside noise is not going to interfere with my retention of information.
I like to drive and listen to audio programs or podcasts.
I think one of the limiting factors of me not reading more books is money. Most books I try to find on a torrent, if I can't find it I buy it, but sometimes I go crazy.
If I'm somewhere loud and I have a couple of spare minutes I read this forum.
The info on this forum raises my attention span so high that outside noise is not going to interfere with my retention of information.
I like to drive and listen to audio programs or podcasts.
I think one of the limiting factors of me not reading more books is money. Most books I try to find on a torrent, if I can't find it I buy it, but sometimes I go crazy.
Moma said:
Moma, it took me some time to get used Welsh's writing style with the Scottish dialect but it was well worth it, I really like the stories he writes about, the gritty side of Edinburgh. He wrote two books that were collections of short stories, Reheated Cabbage and The Acid House. The latter was made into an awesome movie, if you haven't seen it already, check it out, one of the most fucked up films I've ever seen!
I wonder who said over 100 books a year? I usually read 3-4 books a year.
Moma said:
I disagree with you.
I love reading and i have been doing it for years. Actually, i was just counting how many books i have read in the last 2 yrs..in 2011= 6 books, 2010=8 books.
However i take way too long to finish them. For example, i was reading awaken the giant within by Anthony Robbins and i was really enjoying the book but it took me 5 months to finish the book. I tend to have concentration issues so i will read a book today then just read again after 2 weeks, however, it doesnt mean that im not enjoying the book, i would be enjoying it but i cant push myself to finish reading it quick.
Not doing something on consistent basis doesnt mean that is not something that we care about. For instance, i like working out and i know that i should be working out everyday, however i havent been working out for a week now but this is due to work and me being kinda lazy and sick in the last few days but it doesnt mean that i dont care about working out or that im thinking that i should just work out for ''popularity'' as the other user said.
I have this bad habit of not being consistent with certain things in life and bad habits can be changed, reason why i have asked other users what are their secrets to maintain a consistent reading habit.
Why i want to read more? To learn from highly experienced people, to grow and to be stronger.
Pitt -Okay. What do you in your spare time? If you have concentration issues, you can take fish oils to help with that. I have them too and I find it hard to finish a book if the material is dull. If the book is good i.e. a good autobiography or a very humourous piece of work then I am more engaged and tend to stick it out to the end.
My butterfly concentration might be one of the reasons why I am a speed reader. I can't bear being bogged down with dull details. It's the reason I stopped reading IT (by Stephen King) when I was 12. It took for-fcuking-ever for that damn clown to show. I stopped reading long before it even made its appearance - in the literary sense.
For instance, I started 'Star Island' by Carl Hiaasen this Monday night (6th Feb 2012). There are 421 pages in that book and I am on page 347 now (9th Feb 2012).
I don't read it at home nor at work. Just on the way to work (I take the train and bus).
I'll probably be done by Sat morning (at the latest). That's because I like Carl's works of fiction.
My butterfly concentration might be one of the reasons why I am a speed reader. I can't bear being bogged down with dull details. It's the reason I stopped reading IT (by Stephen King) when I was 12. It took for-fcuking-ever for that damn clown to show. I stopped reading long before it even made its appearance - in the literary sense.
For instance, I started 'Star Island' by Carl Hiaasen this Monday night (6th Feb 2012). There are 421 pages in that book and I am on page 347 now (9th Feb 2012).
I don't read it at home nor at work. Just on the way to work (I take the train and bus).
I'll probably be done by Sat morning (at the latest). That's because I like Carl's works of fiction.
Bigscreen5050
Pigeon
I usually do 5-10 books a year.. I have a new goal to read 20-50 books per year.
basil
Robin
One thing for guys lacking the time to read non-fiction, google the books names name and 'summary'. Get the books core messages in a page or 3. Most of these books have so much filler and repetition, summarys are a solid option. I check them out from time to time in order to determine if its worth reading a book and also after reading to reinforce the messages if I havent taken my own notes.
Here is an example, a solid summary of Gladwell's Outliers - http://wiki.dandascalescu.com/summaries/Malcolm_Gladwell_-_Outliers
Another alternative is tracking down the articles that have led to books. Many publishers will commission journalists to expand a successful article into a book. For instance, here is the piece that led to Talent is Overrated - http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2006/10/30/8391794/
Oh and if you have a kindle go into the settings and turn on 'popular highlights'. It will automatically highlight sections that others have highlighted, this makes it very easy to skip through the filler.
If you want to read badly enough you will find a way.
Here is an example, a solid summary of Gladwell's Outliers - http://wiki.dandascalescu.com/summaries/Malcolm_Gladwell_-_Outliers
Another alternative is tracking down the articles that have led to books. Many publishers will commission journalists to expand a successful article into a book. For instance, here is the piece that led to Talent is Overrated - http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2006/10/30/8391794/
Oh and if you have a kindle go into the settings and turn on 'popular highlights'. It will automatically highlight sections that others have highlighted, this makes it very easy to skip through the filler.
If you want to read badly enough you will find a way.
I have to ask some of the 100+ books guys on here... How much do you retain from what you read? Do you ever go back and reread a book again?
I read lots of technical and psychology books and I always go back and read them again until I feel I've learned something or it has absorbed in my mind.
I read lots of technical and psychology books and I always go back and read them again until I feel I've learned something or it has absorbed in my mind.
basil
Robin
I'm one of the 100+, however the bulk of my reading is fiction as well as biographies and various memoiors/travel stories, etc.
I just had a look through my reading history in 2011 and so far this year. In that 13 and 1/2 months I've read 121 books, 41 of those were non-fiction yet only 13 did I deem necessary to take dedicated notes on or write a summary. Others I just highlight passages in my kindle.
For those books with plenty to take in and retain I find taking those notes and then later on re-reading summarys and my notes means my retention is really good. The only non-fiction book I re-read during that period was Stephen Kings brilliant On Writing.
If you are strugling to retain you need to work on your note taking and reviewing. Hilight key passages in the book so if you do need to re-read you can flick through to the good stuff allowing your to get through a lot quicker.
I just had a look through my reading history in 2011 and so far this year. In that 13 and 1/2 months I've read 121 books, 41 of those were non-fiction yet only 13 did I deem necessary to take dedicated notes on or write a summary. Others I just highlight passages in my kindle.
For those books with plenty to take in and retain I find taking those notes and then later on re-reading summarys and my notes means my retention is really good. The only non-fiction book I re-read during that period was Stephen Kings brilliant On Writing.
If you are strugling to retain you need to work on your note taking and reviewing. Hilight key passages in the book so if you do need to re-read you can flick through to the good stuff allowing your to get through a lot quicker.
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