How I Read So Much?

How I Read So Much?

You would be surprised how often I get asked that question. As a way to read more I first started keeping track of everything I read Back in October of 1995. The first year I have numbers for a whole year is 1996. But first some background. 

I have a dual form of dyslexia and came out of grade 7 reading at a grade 3 level and went into grade 8 reading at a university level. I went to a private summer school 5 days a week all summer. My dyslexia was diagnosed in grade 2, you can read about it here: Confessions of a Bibliophile #5 - How I Became a Bibliophile, From Dyslexic to Addict and another piece several years later here: Confession of a Dyslexic Bibliophile - eBooks, Regional Rights and More. As mentioned I have a dual form of dyslexia and I really prefer eBooks I can change the font, font and page colour on most digital books. I find this makes reading easier more me. My son has eye tracking issues and he uses and film over the page or tablet that shows only one line at a time and changes it to blue background which is his preferred reading method. I also do not any longer make a distinction between physical books, eBooks, audio books (though not a fan personally) or adaptive technology using text to speech. I use the adaptive technology whole doing chores, working out or while driving. That way I can jump back and forth between reading and listening and reading again.

I can recommend some tools to help you try and read more. 

1. Learn to Read with Great Speed! Only 10 minutes a day! 

How to Change Your Life in 10 Minutes a Day

Book 2 

Michal Stawicki

ISBN 9781500811976

ASIN B00G3EBDA8

2. Read More Books Now

Brandon Vogt 

(eCourse)

Note: the course is now also available at Claritas U.

3. Coles Notes Study Guides Speed Reading

Mihir Bose

ISBN 9780774005807

ISBN 9781552679241

(Apparently Chapters-Indigo has killed off the ColesNotes brand and there appears to be a second volume called Speed Reading for Higher Marks, you can find both titles used for reasonable prices.)

A Bonus item is one I recommend for high school and university students. It was transformative in helping me go from a 60’s average my first time in university to a 90’s average the second time. It applies the 80/20 method to academics.

4. How to Get Better Grades and Have More Fun

Steve Douglass and Al Janssen

CRU

ASIN B0043EVBVQ

(Note 2023 - the book only appears to be available as an eBook currently, or through the CRU site.)

But basically cut down TV, use adaptive technology or eBook while doing chores or exercise, and driving. Make reading a priority. And I limit games on mobiles and alerts on my phone. I have alerts for work emails, on call email, phone calls and texts I have no other notifications set up on my devices to distract me.

I hope you find one or more of the tips and tools above helpful.

Statistics Books Read By Year:

438 - 2022

365 - 2021

317 - 2020 

392 - 2019

359 - 2018

380 - 2017 

272 - 2016 

177 - 2015 

130 - 2014 

88 -  2013

176 - 2012 

163 - 2011

302 - 2010

142 - 2009

98 - 2008

83 - 2007

191 - 2006

151 - 2005

60 - 2004

52 - 2003

97 - 2002

50 - 2001

41 - 2000

71 - 1999

73 - 1998

131 - 1997

101 - 1996