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Six Tips to Read More in 2026
Thursday, March 19, 2026 by Sarah Schwerin

Categories: Life Lessons

Would you like to read more this year? Meeting goals can be challenging. I’ve compiled a list of what helps me accomplish my reading goals. How do you make reading a priority in your life?

Audiobooks count—Yes, audiobooks count toward your reading goal. They even make some books easier to read. As a fiction aficionado, my mind wandered when reading the historical account of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s life in Prairie Fires. But pairing the audiobook with cleaning out my closets suddenly enraptured me, which leads to my next tip…
Multitask—You can listen to audiobooks anywhere and anytime: walking, cleaning, commuting. I’ve even let the car idle in the driveway so I can finish the next chapter. Listening to A Christmas Legacy by Ann Perry made Christmas decorating more enjoyable. Pro Tip: Don’t listen to an audiobook while your spouse is talking to you. Multitasking isn’t always a good idea.
Plan it out—Break book goals into sizable chunks. Can you read a chapter a day, five pages, ten pages? At least every other month, I read a book about the writing craft. Every day, Monday through Friday, I read a chapter. Right now, I’m reading Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody. Fifteen chapters in fifteen days. One book on writing every other month adds up to six books a year. What do you want to learn more about? You can conquer your goal one chapter at a time.
Read before bed—Watching TV and playing on your phone can be entertaining and relaxing, but studies show it doesn’t promote deep, restful sleep. Reading before bed can be just as entertaining and relaxing, allowing you to find your much-needed rest. I like to keep a novel (or multiple ones) by my bed to help me fall asleep or in case I wake up in the middle of the night. Amanda Cox, Lynn Austin, and Michelle Shocklee are some of my favorite authors.
Binge books—Instead of bingeing your favorite show, binge a book. Last year, I spent the weekend rereading the Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins. If you can find the time, curl up on the couch and read for a couple of hours.
Always have a book with you—Books are portable. I have books loaded on my phone, my Kindle, and I can slip one into my purse. Never leave home without a good read. You never know when you’ll have a spare minute to finish a couple of pages.

What tip will you try this year? What has helped you read more? What book are you most excited about reading this year? Comment on my website, sarahschwerin.com, or email me at [email protected].

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Comments

Nancy Ruegg From oh At 4/2/2026 6:20:54 PM

We do watch some TV in the evenings. I read during some of the commercials. (Other commercials I'm taking care of prep-steps for the AM!) When possible, I turn wait-time into reading time also.

Reply by: Sarah Schwerin

I love those tips to turn waiting time into reading time and reading during commercials. Thanks for sharing!

Yvonne Morgan From Oklahoma At 3/29/2026 12:59:32 PM

We do lots of audio books when we drive places. They are so wonderful and a great way to catch up with my reading

Reply by: Sarah Schwerin

Audiobooks are wonderful. Thanks for reading!

Katherine Pasour From NC At 3/28/2026 8:42:33 PM

I love to read and take the opportunity to read whenever I can. I agree, books are portable so I keep one in the car (and one near the bathroom!). Thank you for the great suggestions.