How to Read More in 2017

January is start-over month. It is the month for New Years resolutions and intentions and is when most people reevaluate their habits and the decisions they've made the past year. I've been making tons of resolutions for the new year (17 goals for 2017) and have been comparing goals with my friends as well. I was surprised to find was that some friends' goals included reading more in 2017. As someone who reads at least fifty books a year, here are some tips to those of you who may have similar goals and want to increase the amount of books read in a year.

Uppercase Subscription Box Reading Planner (Weekly Layout)

1. Make Reading a Priority
   
   If reading is something that you do as an afterthought, then you're probably not going to get much of it done this year. Make reading more a goal for the year and set it as one of the important things you hope to accomplish this year. Pick a number of books you'd like to read this year or an amount you'd like to read a day (maybe a half hour every day). Thinking of reading as an actionable and measurable goal will help this goal become a reality. This will keep you from putting it off or thinking that you are too busy to get your reading done.
   
   
2. Read What You Enjoy Reading
   
   A lot of the time, people stop reading or get stuck in the middle of a book because what they're reading is something they wouldn't have chosen for themselves. This has happened to me a few times. Not because I don't know what kinds of books I like, but because there are a number of books I convince myself I HAVE to read because I have a degree in Literature and I should be reading more classic literature.
   
   Honestly, this isn't always bad. Half the time, I'm extremely glad I've forced myself to read something a bit more challenging and that I can use my analytical muscles for. But the other half of the time? I'm miserable. The book is long and boring and I don't want to admit defeat so I end up in a reading slump that can last weeks. Don't do that to yourself. If you're not enjoying a book and you can't push through it, move that book to your DNF (did not finish) pile. Reading shouldn't be stressful and you shouldn't make it so.
   
   
   
3.   Make a Time and Place For Reading 
   
   
   
   Like most other things (especially writing), it's easier and you're more likely to get it done when you designate a time and place for a specific action. There are three times that would make great designated reading times.
   
   Make a habit of reading on your daily public transportation commute to work. It's something you do most weekdays (most likely) and it gives you something productive and enriching to do during a time you would've spent doing nothing. If you're a student, read during your commute to school and back home.
   
   If you're someone who does work during their commute, try to make reading a part of your morning or nightly routine. Reading can be a great way to start your morning. Reading about characters that go on adventures or people who are inspiring and striving to achieve their goals can energize you and give you motivation for the day to come.
   
   Adding reading to your nightly routine can also help you to get better prepared for sleep. Don't pick up any thrillers or page turners for this time of day (that can lead to all nighters believe me). Instead, self help books and historical fiction can help to calm both your body and mind down enough for a relaxing night's sleep.
   
   
   
4. Find a Way to Get Inexpensive Books
   
   
   
   A lot of people don't want to become avid readers because books have become more expensive over the years. "Twenty plus dollar for a hardcover novel? No thanks." And while I understand that impulse, there are many ways to find inexpensive reading materials. Here are some of my favorite ways to find inexpensive books:
   
   - Go to the library.
   The library is the best place to go for books. It costs you nothing at all and they have an expansive selection to choose from. Better yet, you can even rent books digitally as long as you have a computer or tablet with a compatible reading app.
   
   - Bookoutlet.com
   This has to be one of my FAVORITE book retail stores. They sell used and new books at a fraction of the original price. They don't usually have books that have just been released but if you wait a few months, the book you've been wanting may be available for three to five dollars! This is a huge discount when you consider the $9.99 plus tax cost of a softcover book at full price!
   
   - Buy ebooks
   For those of you who aren't picky about whether or not you have a physical copy of a book, many best sellers can be found for insane sales prices in the ebook section of Barnes and Noble or Amazon! And if you're just browsing without anything specific in mind, thousands of ebooks are on sale for only 99 pennies.
   
   - Scribd
   This is an ebook subscription service. For $8.99 you can download any two books a month from Scribd's database. The book reading experience is similar to that of a Nook or Kindle and though the book selection is similar to that of bookoutlet, the titles of popular books are available and instantly accessible.
   
   
   
5. Find an Alternative Way of Getting Your Book Quota In
   
   
   For those of you who literally have a jam packed day and who can't read while on route to somewhere because you drive, try listening to audiobooks during your drive to work, home, or the grocery store. It will keep your mind engaged while you drive and can teach you a few things - if you're listening to a self help or instructional text.
   
   
   
6. Find a Way to Keep Yourself Accountable 
   
   
   
   So you've planned on trying all of these tips but you won't see any results unless you implement them. You have to follow through with these actions. Write reading into your to-do list for the day so you can keep track of when you do or do not complete your reading. Start a reading and writing planner (bullet journal style - if you want to be cost effective). Uppercase's book subscription box has AMAZING reading planners (shown in the left) available for a low price ($13.99).
   
    Track how much reading you get done with fun apps or join goodreads.com in order to share your opinions on your favorite new reads. At the very least, tell a friend about your goals and have them hold you accountable. 

I hope these tips will help you accomplish your goal of reading more in 2017. Reading is a wonderful way to keep the mind sharp and has been scientifically proven to stave off mental illnesses like Alzheimers and Dementia. Reading also provides a low key way to destress and offers an escape from everyday hardships. So please make sure to read more and enjoy the benefits of acquiring good habit. 

Happy reading.