I Read 52 Books Last Year — Here's How You Can Too

Always have two books going at once: one fiction and one non-fiction. This lets you match your reading to your current energy level. Fiction for winding down, non-fiction for when you're alert. No more forcing yourself through the wrong book.

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   Choose one fiction and one non-fiction — Pick a fiction book (novel, short stories, or memoir) and a non-fiction book (self-help, history, science). Keep them in different formats if possible: one physical, one on Kindle or audiobook. For example, read a thriller on your Kindle during commutes and a biography at night.
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   Switch based on your energy — If you feel tired after work, reach for the fiction. If you're alert and curious, open the non-fiction. This eliminates the guilt of not reading the 'important' book. Both count as reading. The variety keeps your brain engaged and prevents boredom.
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   Set a rule: no more than two — Resist the urge to start a third book until you finish one. Too many open books leads to overwhelm and decision fatigue. If a book doesn't hook you by page 50, drop it. Life is too short for bad books. Replace it with another.
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   Use audiobooks for non-fiction — Non-fiction often works well as an audiobook because you can listen while driving, cooking, or exercising. Pair a physical fiction book with an audiobook non-fiction. This doubles your reading without extra time. Apps like Audible or Libby (library) are great.
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   Review your stack weekly — Every Sunday, spend 5 minutes checking your two books. Are you still interested? If not, swap one out. Keep a list of 5-10 books you want to read next so you never have to decide on the spot. This reduces decision fatigue around what to read.

Treat reading like a meeting with yourself. Block 20 minutes on your calendar at the same time each day. No phone, no TV, no interruptions. This removes the decision of 'when to read' and makes it automatic.

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   Pick a consistent time slot — Choose a time that already has low distractions: early morning before work, lunch break, or right after dinner. The exact time matters less than consistency. I use 7:00-7:20 AM, right after my coffee. Set a recurring calendar event with a reminder.
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   Remove all devices from the room — Put your phone in another room or in a drawer. If you read on a tablet, turn off notifications and use airplane mode. The goal is to eliminate the biggest competitor: your phone. Research from Common Sense Media shows the average person checks their phone 96 times a day.
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   Use a physical timer — Set a timer for 20 minutes. Not your phone timer—use a separate kitchen timer or the Time Timer visual timer. This prevents you from checking the clock and keeps you focused. When the timer rings, you can stop or continue. No guilt either way.
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   Prepare your space the night before — Each evening, place your book on your reading chair or desk, open to the page you're on. This reduces friction in the morning. The fewer decisions you make, the easier it is to start. This is a core principle of how to reduce decision fatigue every day.
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   Track your sessions — After each session, jot down the page number you reached and a one-sentence summary of what you read. This creates a record of progress and helps retention. Use a notebook or the Notes app. Over a year, 20 minutes a day equals about 120 hours of reading.

Find a friend or join a book club where you commit to reading a certain number of pages each week and report your progress. Social pressure works when done right. The key is specific commitments, not vague goals.

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   Find a reading partner — Ask a friend, colleague, or family member who also wants to read more. Agree on a weekly check-in, like every Sunday evening via text or call. If you don't have someone, join an online group like the '52 Book Club' on Facebook or a local library book club.
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   Set a specific weekly page target — Instead of 'read more,' agree on a concrete number: 50 pages per week, or one book per month. Write it down and share it with your partner. For example, 'I will read 50 pages of The Power of Habit by Friday.' Specificity makes accountability work.
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   Report progress with a simple format — Each week, send your partner: (1) pages read, (2) a key takeaway, and (3) your target for next week. Keep it to 3 sentences. This takes 2 minutes but creates powerful social pressure. I've used this with a colleague for two years—we've each read over 60 books.
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   Add a consequence for missing — Agree on a small penalty for failing to meet your target, like donating €5 to a cause you dislike or doing 20 push-ups. The consequence should be mild but real. This adds just enough friction to keep you honest without causing shame.
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   Celebrate wins together — When you both hit your targets for a month, treat yourselves to a coffee or a new book. Positive reinforcement strengthens the habit. Research from the American Psychological Association shows that social support increases goal achievement by up to 30%.

Each month, choose exactly three books you want to read. No more. This narrows your focus and eliminates the paralysis of choice. Use a simple system: one book you're excited about, one that teaches you something, and one wildcard.

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   Brainstorm 10-15 book candidates — Spend 15 minutes at the end of each month listing books you want to read. Use recommendations from friends, podcasts, or sites like Goodreads. Write them down in a notebook or a Trello board. Don't filter yet—just list.
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   Apply the Rule of Three categories — From your list, pick: (1) a 'fun' book—something you're excited to read (fiction, thriller, or memoir), (2) a 'growth' book—non-fiction that teaches a skill or concept, and (3) a 'wildcard'—something outside your usual genre (poetry, history, or a classic). This ensures variety.
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   Commit to finishing or dropping — Once you start a book from your three, you must either finish it or drop it by page 50. No starting a fourth until one of the three is done. This prevents the 'too many books, not enough time' feeling. If you drop a book, replace it with another from your list.
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   Display your three books visibly — Place the three books on your desk, nightstand, or in a visible shelf. Seeing them every day serves as a visual reminder of your commitment. This leverages the 'mere exposure effect'—the more you see something, the more likely you are to engage with it.
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   Review and reset monthly — On the last day of each month, review your three books. Did you finish them? If not, decide whether to carry them over or replace them. Then select three new ones for the next month. This monthly rhythm keeps reading fresh and intentional.

Keep a reading log where you record the date, book title, pages read, and a one-sentence takeaway. This turns reading into a measurable habit and gives you a sense of accomplishment. Use a notebook or a simple app.

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   Choose your tracking tool — Pick one method: a physical notebook (like a Moleskine), a spreadsheet, or an app like Goodreads or StoryGraph. I use a simple Google Sheet with columns: Date, Book, Pages Read, Total Pages, and Key Insight. The simpler, the better.
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   Log immediately after reading — Right after your reading session, open your log and enter the data. Don't wait until the end of the day or week. This takes 30 seconds and creates a feedback loop. Seeing your page count grow is surprisingly satisfying.
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   Review weekly to see patterns — Every Sunday, look at your log for the week. How many pages did you read? Which days did you skip? What time of day worked best? Use this data to adjust your system. For example, if you always skip on Wednesdays, move your reading to lunch instead of evening.
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   Set a monthly page goal — Based on your weekly average, set a monthly page goal. For example, if you read 200 pages per week, aim for 800 pages per month. This is more concrete than 'read more books' and allows you to track progress. Adjust up or down each month.
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   Celebrate milestones — When you hit 1,000 pages, 5,000 pages, or finish a book you've been struggling with, reward yourself. Buy a new book, treat yourself to a coffee, or simply take a moment to acknowledge the achievement. This positive reinforcement strengthens the habit.