Reading 100 books a year

Jan 2020

Until a few years ago, I stayed largely clear of books. I would still spend hours reading every day - just not books. The content I used to consume mostly spanned news and news analysis. After I reached a certain saturation level, I realized that this was not really helping me grow. So, I stopped using my Pocket app. 

Suddenly, I found myself with valuable extra time at hand. This was when I started reading books. First couple of months seemed very mechanical but eventually, I got used to it. I always had a few books waiting in line and the allure of the next book was enough to keep me reading.

Fast forward to today, I cannot imagine a life without books. I read more than 100 books in 2019. Most of the books I read are non-fiction, and I am never short on recommendations.

Where do I get my recommendations? Books. Authors refer to other books very frequently in their own books, and I do a quick search every time to see whether I would like to read them. A smaller share of recommendations come from blogs, word-of-mouth, etc.

Once I locate a book on Goodreads and decide on it, I quietly add it to my queue on Libby - an app that gives me access to books from local libraries. There is usually a wait time for most books but I always have something to read since my queue is long enough that a new book turns up every few days.

How do I choose what I read? I read on a wide range of topics. There is really no catch-all category. More importantly, I actively read viewpoints that I disagree with. This usually leads to one of three scenarios - tempering of disagreement, agreement or, no change in the status quo.

How do I consume books? I find e-books and audiobooks most appealing. However, I also buy hard copies of certain books that I would like to read again.

How do I keep track of the books I read? I maintain a simple sheet which contains what I have read so far and what I would like to read. Sometimes, I would jot down a few lines which summarize what I learnt from a given book. I also maintain a top 100 list (in no particular order) on this website that I update periodically.

What if you find it hard to get started? Might I suggest that you try making a commitment contract on stickK.com. Posting your pledge to read on social media or simply committing in front of friends can also help.

How does the math work out for 100 books a year? On an average, you need to read two books every week to make it to 100. Now, let us say that a typical book takes eight hours to read. This means that you need to read 16 hours a week to finish two books per week, which amounts to reading a little over two hours every day. 

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So, there is not much of a secret to reading 100 books a year. It is mostly about willingness to learn and adjusting your lifestyle around it.