Do you have a “TBR” (To-Be-Read) pile that is slowly turning into a mountain? You aren’t alone. Many people search for “how to read more books” or “speed reading for beginners,” only to feel discouraged because they naturally read at a slower pace.
The truth is, reading 52 books a year isn’t about how fast your eyes move across a page; it’s about system design and habit formation. Here is a realistic, step-by-step strategy to finish one book every week—even if you are a “slow” reader.
1. Ditch the “All-or-Nothing” Mentality
The biggest barrier to reading is thinking you need a quiet library and two hours of free time.
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The Strategy: Use “Micro-Reading” sessions.
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The Math: If you read for 20 minutes in the morning, 10 minutes during lunch, and 20 minutes before bed, you’ve read for nearly an hour. For an average reader, that’s about 30–50 pages a day. By day seven, you’ve finished a 300-page book.
2. Leverage the Power of Audiobooks
A common search query is “Do audiobooks count as reading?” The answer is a resounding YES.
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The Hack: Your “reading time” expands to include your commute, gym time, and house chores.
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Pro Tip: Listening at 1.2x or 1.5x speed feels very natural and allows you to finish a standard 8-hour audiobook in just a few days of commuting.
3. The 50-Page Rule (Quit Fast)
Life is too short for boring books. One of the best ADHD-friendly reading tips is to give a book 50 pages. If it hasn’t captured your interest, “DNF” (Do Not Finish) it.
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Why it works: Slow readers often get stuck on a book they dislike for months, which kills their momentum. Moving on to a book you love will naturally increase your reading speed.
4. Curate Your Environment
If your phone is next to you, you aren’t reading; you’re just waiting for a notification to distract you.
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SEO Tip: People looking for “how to improve focus while reading” should try “Digital Sunset.” Turn off your screens 30 minutes before bed and replace them with a physical book or an e-reader like a Kindle. The lack of blue light also improves your sleep quality.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it possible to read a book a week with a full-time job? Absolutely. Most people spend over two hours a day on social media. Replacing just 50% of that “scrolling time” with “reading time” makes a book a week easily achievable.
Does speed reading actually work? Traditional speed reading (skimming) often lowers comprehension. Instead, focus on “Active Reading”—reducing subvocalization (pronouncing words in your head) and avoiding re-reading sentences. This increases speed without losing the story.
What are the best books to start with for slow readers? Start with “Page-Turners”—thrillers, memoirs, or short non-fiction. Avoid dense classics or academic texts until you have built your “reading muscle.”
Conclusion: It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint
Reading one book per week is a life-changing habit. It exposes you to thousands of new ideas and perspectives every year. Remember, the goal isn’t just to “finish” a book; it’s to enjoy the journey. Start with 15 minutes today, and watch your library grow.
What is the one book you’ve been dying to read but haven’t started yet? Let us know in the comments, and we’ll help you find the motivation to pick it up!
