‍1. Stop Reading Books You Don’t Like

The biggest stick in your reading spokes can be a bad book. When you don’t like what you’re reading, it feels like every page is another mile of trudging through mud. And that means you aren’t going to be reading as much or as quickly. Luckily, there’s a very effortless solution to this issue: Put the book down.

For whatever reason, many readers find it hard to give up on books. Maybe it’s because school taught everyone they have to read the entire book. Maybe it’s because you told someone you would read the book and feel that you have to consume the whole thing to satisfy that promise. But there are no rules for reading, and you can put down a book anytime.

2. Make a Plan

Thinking ahead and making a plan can ensure you read everything you wanted to and help you do it faster. Create a list of all the books you want to read this fall and add up their page counts. Then, divide that number by the 92 days in autumn to see how many pages you need to read each day.

To find out how much time you'll need each day, do a quick speed check. See how many pages you read on average in an hour and divide the number of pages you need to read daily by that. That gives you a number of reading hours a day to aim for. 

Make sure it's a reasonable number, though. Trying to read 8 hours everyday turns reading into a job, and that's no fun. 

3. Listen to Audiobooks

While audiobooks technically take more time than normal reading for many people, they do allow for one important loophole: multitasking. You can listen to an audiobook while doing almost anything. So, even if they take longer, you can read more of them because you don’t have to schedule a particular time to read. Audiobooks also don’t strain your eyes, so you don't have to take reading breaks to rest your peepers. 

4. Train Yourself to Read Faster

You can find a number of apps and websites designed to teach you to read faster. Apps like Spreeder and Outread use exercises and speed tests to up your reading speed.

Another thing that will make you faster is finding the right copies of books. Books with small, close-together typesetting are harder on your eyes and may take longer to read. For the fastest reading, get books with larger fonts, wide margins and a good amount of space between the lines. You can also increase your reading speed by using your finger to keep your place. Your eyes can get easily distracted, and running your finger under the text gives your eyes something to lock on to.

5. Start a Series

Momentum is a huge motivator when reading. If you get yourself into a store and just can’t put the book down, you’ll finish that book pretty fast. But you can use that energy with multiple books by reading a series. With a series, you’re already invested in the characters, setting and larger plot, so you’ll be more likely to get in the reading zone without the initial effort of starting a new book. Here are some series to try:

• Harry Potter. This series is equally heartwarming and gut-wrenching. The loveable and complex characters that drive the story make it the perfect series to binge-read.

• The Sword of Truth. Epic fantasy lovers will be enthralled by this series. The characters are powerful and heroic, the scenes are beautiful and the world is subtle and complex.  

• Odd Thomas. Dean Koontz mashes horror and super heroes in the Odd Thomas series. This is the perfect series if you’re a mystery and horror fan looking for a more in-depth world to dive into. It's also a great choice for those who don't want something super scary but are interested in a supernatural thriller.

6. Read YA Novels 

YA novels aren’t just for younger folks. They can be enjoyed by people of all ages and have a lot to offer in entertainment. Reading YA books can help you read more because most of them are fast reads and have fast-paced, bingeable plot lines. Here are some YA novels seniors might enjoy:

• The Raven Boys, by Maggie Stiefvater

• Six of Crows, by Leigh Bardugo

• A Study in Charlotte, by Brittany Cavallaro

• Wink Poppy Midnight, by April Genevieve Tucholke

Check out the library at Collinwood assisted living for books to read and a quiet place to read them.