How to Finish Reading One Book A Week

Reading can only help improve your knowledge, vocabulary, and comprehension skills. If you've been planning to "finish that book" or want to read more but can't find the time, you just haven't been pushing yourself hard enough. Here are some tips to help you finish reading one book a week (or in whatever time frame you choose).

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. 

   Choose a book that you think you'll like. Sounds obvious, right? It's best to choose a book that you're into, even if it's not on any of the best seller lists. Some books may be popular and others will enjoy reading it, but maybe the topic isn't for you. So head over to the bookstore and pick a book to your liking.

2. Decide how long you'd like to spend reading the book. If you want to finish the book in a week, take the number of pages and divide them by 7 (for the days you'll have to read). That number will be how many pages you must read each day to accomplish your goal. If you find yourself reading ahead of schedule because you've gotten engrossed in your book, don't worry!

3. Recruit some help. Use someone you know as a moderator for keeping you on track. For example, you can tell your boyfriend that if you don't finish the required number of pages per day, you'll have to wash the dinner dishes or some other undesirable chore. Your friends can help too, maybe you'll have to pick up the coffee tab on the days you don't read your pages.

4. Fit a few pages in at a time. You don't need to sit down for a full-on reading marathon. You can catch up on your reading while accomplishing other tasks like using the bathroom, waiting in line at the supermarket, even reading a few pages during the commercial breaks of your favorite TV show.

5. 
   Reading can be an enjoyable activity.

   Make reading enjoyable. Do you like to relax with a glass of wine? Grab your book and sip your wine while you read. If you're looking for an excuse to spend more time outdoors, take your book to the park and read while sitting on a bench. Another way to make reading more enjoyable is to let yourself get carried away by the book you are reading. Some authors can write in such a compelling way that you can't help but let your imagination run wild, and there's no harm. In fact, it'll help you appreciate the book even more!

6. Form a reading group. You don't need to join an official reading club to enjoy reading with others. You can form a group with a few of your friends and plan to discuss the book after you've finished reading it.

7. Put your money at stake. Make a small wager with your significant other or a friend. If you lose, the money can go to charity. If you win, you can treat yourself. You can also use a website like Stickk.com, which puts your goals online. (It's a great site, check it out!)

Tips & Warnings

• Don't worry if you can't stick to your goal at first, reading every day is a habit you must learn over time.
• Have fun while reading your book.

Resources

• Stickk.com

[Sondrac]

on 4/27/2009 Great information and well written! 5* and rec

[meacham01]

on 12/11/2008 I love reading and writing. What a great article. I would recommend this to all to read. :)
Robert