If You Want To Read More Books This Year, Here Are 9 Helpful Tips

    Since we've entered a new year — and new years come with setting intentions — I wanted to give some helpful tips if one of your goals is to read more books.

    Farrah Penn
    by Farrah Penn

    BuzzFeed Staff Writer

    Hi, I'm Farrah! You've perhaps seen me around this space before talking about books, one of the things I deeply love chatting about. Since we've entered a new year — and new years come with setting intentions — I wanted to give some helpful tips if one of your goals is to read more books.

    1. Repeat after me: Graphic novels count as books.

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    I literally don't care if you're going to run to the comments to tell me differently, but graphic novels, manga, and comics count as books. PERIOD. It's visual storytelling. Plus, the artwork that goes into graphic novels is stunning. It is part of the story. So give them a chance this year. I promise you'll be happy you did. 

    If you need a place to start, some of my favorites are: Flamer by Mike Curato, Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell and Sam Maggs, Heartstopper by Alice Oseman, and Dancing at the Pity Party: A Dead Mom Graphic Memoir by Tyler Feder.

    2. Listen to more audiobooks, especially memoirs and nonfiction.

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    Listening to audiobooks is reading. If you have a library card, you're able to connect to apps like Libby/Overdrive and check out audiobooks for free. LibroFM is a great option if you'd like to start reading more audiobooks AND support your local bookstore. Then, of course, there is Audible, which gives you one free audiobook credit a month if you're a subscriber. 

    I listen to audiobooks all the time, and it's a big part of why I get through so many books each year. I listen while I'm cooking dinner, while I'm in the car, or while I'm doing something super tedious on my computer. Depending on length, I typically can get through one audiobook a week. 

    If you need a place to start, a few great ones are: Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid, Shit, Actually by Lindy West, The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett, and Know My Name by Chanel Miller.

    3. Give poetry a try!

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    I feel like sometimes poetry gets made fun of in a way that's like, "Wow, I could have written that." But did you? For real, while poetry books are on the shorter side, they also force you to sit with a poem for a while and reflect. I love reading poetry. It's helped me through many tough times. And it's a great way to diversify the genres you're reading throughout the year. 

    Some of my favorite poetry books include: Amid Thirsty Vines by Alfa, Home Is Not a Country by Safia Elhillo (technically a novel-in-verse, but it counts), and She Must Be Mad by Charly Cox.

    4. If you're not into a book, DNF (aka "do not finish") and move onto the next.

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    Reading is such a subjective experience, so it shouldn't be controversial to NOT finish a book that's not clicking with you. Even if it's the most hyped book in the world at the moment, there are still going to be readers who don't like it — and that's OK! Have you ever read reviews of your favorite book? If not, you're going to find some bad reviews. It happens! So don't feel bad about closing it and moving on to something you like more. 

    5. Intentionally seek out shorter books.

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    Listen, you don't have to read books as thick as the entire Game of Thrones series to enjoy great literature. There are PLENTY of books that fall on the shorter side that are extremely enjoyable. In fact, your local bookseller would probably be more than happy to point out a few of their favorites!

    Some shorter books I really enjoyed include: Mouth to Mouth by Antoine Wilson (192 pages), My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite (240 pages), and Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine (288 pages, but it reads quick). 

    6. Set aside 20 minutes a day to read.

    7. If you loved an adaptation, read the book it's based on.

    Hulu

    There have been so many great adaptations that have released over the years. To All the Boys I've Loved Before. Big Little Lies. Normal People. Little Fires Everywhere. Dune. It. The Hate U Give. Crazy Rich Asians. I can go on for days!!! If you enjoy adaptations, why not try reading a few books before the film version releases? 

    For upcoming book-to-film adaptations, check out this list of all the ones we can expect to see this year! 

    8. Ask your friends for recommendations.

    text conversation that says you are currently the only person who gives me book recs i actually like so i will check these out next!
    Farrah Penn / BuzzFeed

    I love asking people, "What's the last book you read that you could NOT put down?" Not only will they be gushing about a book they loved, but it's most likely guaranteed that book won't bore you. I have a few people who occasionally hit me up for book recommendations and then come back saying how much they loved them. It's a great feeling! It's also a great feeling when you're recommended a book that you go on to absolutely love. 

    9. Join a book club!

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    To be completely honest with you, I am not a book club person. Then again, maybe I just haven't joined the right book club! However, book clubs are a great way to hold yourself and all your friends accountable for finishing a book within a month. Even if you don't spend the entire time talking about the book, it's still a good excuse to read and have fun!

    What advice do you have for people who want to read more books this year? Leave your tip in the comments!

    Here's a neatly packaged Bookshop list of all the books I recommended here!