5 simple ways to read 50 books (or more) in 2009

January 5, 6:17 PMBook ExaminerMichelle Kerns

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"I wish I could read more, but I just don't have the time."

How often have you heard yourself saying these fateful words? You're certainly not alone in that lament: surveys and research studies in the past several decades unanimously reveal that only a small portion of the population reads on a normal basis (in fact, about 80% of books are read and purchased only by about 20% of the population).

Cast an eye upon these dismal statistics: a whopping 80% of families in the United States did not buy or read a book last year; 42% of college graduates never read another book after college; 70% of adults in the United States have not set foot within a bookstore in the last five years; and 1/3 of high school graduates never read a book again (assuming they actually read something in their senior English class -- debatable these days).

What's so depressing about these pathetic numbers is that books have never been more widely published, cheaper (sometimes even free), and more easily attainable in a variety of formats than ever before. So quit whining about not being able to find time to read and just do it people -- it's easier than you think. Let 2009 be the year you put the final nail in the coffin of your non-reading ways. If you follow these 5 strategies, I guarantee you'll get through at least 50 books this year: impress your friends, family, and, most importantly, yourself, and make these tips a way of life.

5 ways to read 50 books (or more) in 2009

 

1. Make audiobooks an everyday part of your life

I can't think of a single more painless way to plow your way effortlessly through stacks of books than by always having an audiobook close at hand. Listen to them as you drive to and from work or errands, while you do mindnumbing housework, while exercising, in the garden, on your lunch break, or in the evenings together as a family (like when you'd normally be watching useless, brain-cell killing television shows). A typical audiobook production runs about 8-10 hours in length. If you listen for a mere thirty minutes per day, you'll sail through approximately 20 books in a year. Up that amount to 1 hour a day -- and remember, you're doing other things while you're listening -- and you'll have breezed through at least 40 books.

Don't fret about the prohibitively high cost of audiobooks in your local bookstore: local libraries, used bookstores, and the internet offer a plethora of free or crazy cheap audio delights.

Need some suggestions? Take a look at 10 best audiobook productions (so good, they make the print versions seem almost boring).

2. Carry a book with you everywhere you go

This is one of those seemingly stupid little changes that, when you implement it, can yield such extraordinary results it will, in hind sight, seem fairly genius. Wherever you go -- to work, to an appointment, to the grocery store, to bed -- make sure you have a book in your bag, hand, etc. Every time one of those awkward waiting moments rears its ugly little head (there are 500 people trying to check out and only one cashier; your doctor is running 40 minutes late; you lie in bed wide-eyed, unable to sleep) flip the book open and start reading. Multiply these little moments together over the course of a year and you'll be amazed at how many tomes you can get through.

For some suggestions, take a look at 100 modern classics, 10 books that will scare the hell out of you, Amazon's best books of 2008, Favorite books of all time, and 10 best books to read while screwing off at work.

3. Read books by email

DailyLit, a nifty little service that emails you snippets of classics, nonfiction, bestsellers, and more, can help you make it through books you never thought you'd conquer. The books available are either offered free or at a low cost and you can pick how long the unabridged excerpts you receive will be and how often they are sent. Do this on a normal basis and you'll fly through books just by reading your email. For more information, take a look at Give Us This Day our DailyLit; to sign up, see the DailyLit site.

4. Buy a book for everyone on your birthday, anniversary, and holiday lists this year

Despite what lousy B-list Hollywood movies may portray, books are not boring, geeky, and the exclusive realm of mousy bespectacled girls and guys who can't get a date. If you (God forbid) are one of those 70% of adults who haven't darkened the door of a bookstore in the past five years, you're in for a surprise. There is an affordable, fun, and interesting book available nowdays for every taste, genre, age, reading ability, and interest imaginable.

Next time you need to buy your mother-in-law or brother a gift, go to your local bookstore (and don't forget the used bookstores!) and troll the aisles. If you don't find: a) some sort of fun book you'd be proud to give as a gift and b) a tome or three you desperately want yourself, I'll eat my copy of Ulysses. There's nothing like seeing books and seeing other people that are interested in books to ignite a desire to leap into the volumes yourself. And by purchasing a book for someone you care about, you'll be encouraging them to get reading as well -- how can you go wrong?

5. Read aloud to your kids

It's certainly no secret that reading to children is one of the most beneficial things a parent can do: Victor Goertzel's book, Cradles of Eminence, revealed that the single most common aspect in the lives of highly successful people was the presence and respect for books in their childhood home; Jim Trelease's Read-Aloud Handbook identified reading aloud to children as the single most important way a parent can positively influence their child's academic -- and future -- success.

What you may not have factored into all this, however, is your part in the reading aloud ritual -- it's not just beneficial to the kids: it's beneficial to you, as well as being a bonding experience for the entire family. Think back to the favorite books of your childhood: Were there any books that you adored? Books that you always wanted to read but never got around to? And what about today's stellar offerings -- if your kids are interested in reading Harry Potter, why not read it together? And if they are in the throes of Harry Potter withdrawal, be the coolest parent ever and pick some books geared to ease the pain of the end of the series (take a look at 10 best books for treating Harry Potter withdrawal for ideas). Reading aloud to your children, even just 15 - 20 minutes every evening will benefit your entire family.

Any additional ideas on how to read more in 2009? Let us know; leave a comment below. And if you've got a book suggestion, by all means, air that as well.