Check out my complete list of 100 books read in 2018 (including my Top 10 and Bottom 10)
At the beginning of 2018, I decided that I was going to read 100 books in a year and post all of the book reviews on my Instagram account.
Reading 100 books in a year might sound like an insurmountable challenge at first. You might be picturing endless nights buried in books, sacrificing sleep, and turning down social events just to make it through. But with the right approach, it’s a goal that’s not only achievable but can be a deeply enriching experience. Let’s dive into the strategies that will help you reach this ambitious target while still enjoying the process.
Setting Clear Goals
Before you dive into this journey, it’s important to understand your motivation. Why do you want to read 100 books? Maybe you’re looking to expand your knowledge, improve your focus, or simply enjoy more stories. Whatever your reason, keeping it front and center will help you stay motivated.
Once your motivation is clear, it’s time to break down the numbers. Reading 100 books in a year means finishing roughly two books per week. That might sound daunting, but when you break it down further, it’s much more manageable. If you can dedicate about 30 minutes to an hour each day to reading, you’re well on your way.
Choosing the right mix of books is also crucial. Mix up genres and lengths to keep things interesting. A good balance might include some quick, easy reads alongside more challenging, in-depth books. Variety will keep you engaged and prevent burnout.
Creating a Reading Plan
With your goal in mind, the next step is to create a realistic reading plan. Set daily and weekly reading targets. For instance, aim to read a certain number of pages or chapters each day. Breaking down your reading into smaller chunks makes the overall goal less intimidating.
Incorporate a mix of genres and lengths to your reading list. Having a few shorter books on hand can help you stay on track, especially during busier weeks. Also, don’t be afraid to prioritize reading over other leisure activities. Maybe you swap out some screen time with book time – those small changes can add up.
Finding the Right Books
To keep your interest alive over the course of a year, it’s important to select books that truly resonate with you. Start by identifying your interests and passions. Are you drawn to historical fiction, self-help, or perhaps sci-fi? Whatever it is, load up on books that excite you.
But don’t stop there. Exploring new genres and authors can be refreshing. Sometimes stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to discovering new favorite books. Utilize book recommendations from friends, family, or online communities to broaden your horizons. Reading lists curated by experts or based on specific themes can also introduce you to a wider array of titles.
Optimizing Your Reading Environment
Your reading environment plays a huge role in your ability to focus. Create a space that’s comfortable and free from distractions. Whether it’s a cozy nook in your home or a favorite spot at a local café, having a designated reading area can make a big difference.
It’s also about consistency. Try to read at the same time every day. This routine signals to your brain that it’s time to focus on reading. Over time, this habit will make it easier to dive into a book and stay engrossed.
Developing Reading Habits
Building a habit is all about consistency. Make reading a part of your daily routine, whether it’s first thing in the morning, during lunch, or before bed. Even if you only have 10 minutes, it’s better to read a little every day than to binge-read sporadically.
Maintaining focus can be challenging, especially in the age of endless digital distractions. When reading, try to put your phone away or set it to “Do Not Disturb.” This way, you can fully immerse yourself in the book without getting pulled out by notifications.
Discipline is key here. Some days you might not feel like reading, but pushing through those days can help solidify the habit. And the more you read, the more you’ll start to crave that daily time with a good book.
Making the Most of Your Time
Time management is crucial to achieving your goal. Look for opportunities to read during otherwise wasted time. For instance, you can read while commuting, waiting in line, or during lunch breaks. Even a few pages here and there can add up over time.
Audiobooks are another excellent tool for increasing your book count. You can listen while driving, exercising, or doing household chores. Though listening isn’t the same as reading, it still counts towards your goal and can be just as enriching.
Consider speed reading techniques as well. While not necessary for every book, learning how to skim sections or read faster can be useful, especially for books that are more information-heavy than narrative-driven.
Balancing Quality and Quantity
While hitting 100 books is an impressive feat, it’s important to maintain a balance between quality and quantity. Don’t sacrifice deep comprehension just to finish quickly. Engage with the material by taking notes, highlighting key points, or even discussing the book with others.
Not every book needs to be read cover-to-cover with the same level of intensity. Some books lend themselves to skimming, especially if they’re packed with repetitive information. However, make sure you’re diving deep into the books that really matter to you, those that challenge your thinking or resonate with your emotions.
Tracking Your Progress
Keeping track of your reading can be highly motivating. Whether you use a simple notebook, a spreadsheet, or an app, logging each book you finish helps you visualize your progress. You can include notes about what you liked or disliked, quotes that stood out, or even how the book made you feel.
A reading journal can enhance this process. Writing down your thoughts about each book helps solidify what you’ve read and creates a personal connection to the material. Plus, reviewing your journal at the end of the year can be a rewarding way to reflect on your journey.
There are also digital tools and apps designed for tracking reading progress. Apps like Goodreads allow you to set annual reading goals, track your progress, and even connect with a community of fellow readers.
Staying Motivated Throughout the Year
Maintaining motivation over 12 months requires some effort. One way to stay engaged is to set milestones and celebrate small wins. For example, treat yourself after finishing 10 books, or set up mini-challenges, like reading all the books in a series.
Joining reading challenges and communities can also keep you motivated. Online forums, book clubs, or social media groups offer a sense of camaraderie and accountability. Sharing your progress with others can provide that extra push you need on tough days.
However, it’s important to avoid burnout. If you find your interest waning, take a short break or switch to a different genre. Sometimes a lighter, fun book is all you need to reignite your passion for reading.
During that time, people asked me a lot of questions:
So now, I want to let you in on how I read 100 books in 2018, what my mindset was, and the impact it had on me.
Why Books?
I knew I wanted 2018 to be a year dedicated to learning.
I just wasn’t sure how to accomplish that goal.
So, I first had to ask myself: With my current lifestyle, demands, and availability of time: What’s the best way for me to learn?
I thought about podcasts, e-courses, or even taking college classes. But I came to these conclusions:
- Podcasts only skim the surface of knowledge.
- E-courses can add up and get expensive.
- College courses take too much time to learn one thing. (e.g., 12 weeks for one class). Not to mention, higher education costs are skyrocketing.
I thought to myself: why not books?
I was inspired by Jon Acuff who read 100+ books in 2017.
Then I heard Mark Batterson say that the average author puts about two years of life into every book they write. If that’s true, then reading one book is similar to gaining two years of life experience, which means in 2018 I gained 200 years of life experience.
I had also appreciated what Brian Tracy has to say on the subject of reading:
“If you read only one book per month, that will put you into the top 1% of income earners in our society. But if you read one book per week, 50 books per year, that will make you one of the best educated, smartest, most capable and highest paid people in your field. Regular reading will transform your life completely.”
Wow! Life experience? Top 1% income earner? Transform your life? To me, it was obvious that reading in 2018 needed to be a priority.
Let’s dive into the specifics of how I actually accomplished it and what I would recommend for you.
Get eBooks and Audiobooks From Your Local Library
Many of my friends use Audible. But, unfortunately with Audible, there’s a limit to the amount of audiobooks that you can use per month. And if I was going to read 100 books in 2018, that translated to 8.33 books per month.
I also researched different paid options for Audiobooks, but I found them too limited in their selection or too expensive.
Then, after reading on Reddit, I found out that the Los Angeles Public Library holds the largest e-book and audiobook collection in the United States (40,000 audiobooks and 280,000 e-books). Fortunately, the LA Public Library allows any California resident to obtain a library card. So, during a family trip to Disneyland in January, I made sure to stop by the library and sign up for my free library card.
Then, using my new library card, I was able to explore, hold, and checkout thousands of e-book and audiobook titles.
If you don’t live in California or near Los Angeles, don’t worry. Chances are your local library houses several desirable e-book and audiobook titles. Check out this post that lists some of the top audiobook collections in the United States.
Listen to Audiobooks at 1.5x Speed
Knowing that I had to read 8.33 books per month, I recognized that I would probably have to keep a pretty good pace. The producers of audiobooks often tell their narrator to read at a slower pace. This results in a speaking pace that is often slower than conversational speech.
I found that if I can adjust the playback speed (typically it was 1.5x speed), I was able to get through a book quicker. For example, I was not able to finish an audiobook in 3 hours and 40 minutes, instead of 5 hours and 30 minutes.
Read 2 (or more) Books At a Time
In addition to listening to audiobooks, I also made it a point to read e-books (checked out from the library, of course) at the same time. During the day as I was commuting, exercising, or getting work done around the house, I’d make it a point to listen to my audiobooks.
But, in the evening before going to bed, I’d read e-books on my Kindle. This way, I was able to maintain my pace, even when I was awake.
Be Flexible In Your Criterion
If you’re setting out to read 100 books in a year, it’s okay to be flexible with your criterion for meeting that goal. I’ve heard from different people that:
- You should only read fiction or non-fiction.
- Long novels are the only way to go.
- Your books should only focus on finance.
In truth, who cares? This goal is for you– not for other people. Perfectionism or bending to the will of others will keep you from reaching your goal. I even read a Dog Man book or two in 2018.
Have Fun
If you’re going to set a worthwhile goal, you need to have fun along the way. As Zig Ziglar says, “What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.”
What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.
Zig Ziglar
Don’t set a goal that’s going to be boring or tedious. Instead, set a goal that’s worthwhile to you. One that’s going to help you become a better version of yourself. Should you set a goal that’s difficult or challenging? Absolutely! But if you’re not getting anything out of it and it’s not something that’s going to help you grow, well, don’t set it then.
