How Many Books Do You Read Each Year?

I definitely still read books. It probably helps that I take a metro bus to and from work (which is when I always read), but I agree that after staring at a computer screen all day, it’s nice to have hard-copy pages to focus on. As for what variety, I’m big on recommendations. Even if I just met you, I’ll usually try something you suggest.

I try to read, and I alternate fiction and nonfiction where possible with a lot of science books thrown in the mix. Right now I’m reading The Feeling of What Happens. But it takes a deliberate effort to make sure I take some of my downtime with old-school reading (and it pays off).

I’ve found that with how fast-paced our lives have become it takes a lot of effort and concerted dedication to sit down and read, and even more to not feel guilty about it. I recently joined a casual book club to inspire more reading in my life. It’s working out fairly well and I find it’s nice to have people to discuss what I’m reading with. An incomplete list of what I’ve read this year:• Outliers• In Defense of Food• Deep Economy• The Omnivore’s Dilemma (again)• Brave New World (again)• When You Are Engulfed In Flames• Atlas Shrugged• The Time Traveler’s Wife• The Road• 100 Years of Solitude• Code of the StreetAnd picked up a few others here and there. Looking at these 11 books I am proud of myself.

I am a graduate student in mathematics.  During the school year I am usually too busy to dedicate any time to reading a novel.  Correction, I feel to busy to do so I am sure I could sacrifice some news/blog reading time to do get a book in. But I generally try to read at least 3  novels during summer break.  I generally stick with fantasy/sci-fi .  

Correction: I did read all the stories in Steven Millhauser’s Dangerous Laughter, which I highly recommend. And, since you mention it, JulieFeldman, when I was taking the bus to work, I was reading a lot more, both on the bus and afterward. Maybe it’s time to get that going again. 

I do, but not as many as I myself would like. I guess I read about 3-4 book a year, all completely different. For example, this year I’ve finished Nabokov’s “Lolita”, turning and finishing soon Nietzsche’s “Gay Science” every once in a while (the type of book you need to be in the mood for and have time for) and also reading one of Candace Bushnell’s novels.

Even though I’m pretty busy I do try to read often if not daily. A trick I found is matching the type of book you want to read with the time you got. So I usually read around 3 books at the same time:1 low level book easy to read when I’m tired or before going to sleep (ex.: War and Peace  or Harry Potter)1 medium level book when commuting or when I don’t have a lot of time (ex.: Wikinomics or Outliers)1 high level book where I must really concentrate and usually take notes – I feel guilty when reading a book about learning something and don’t take notes (ex.: Good to great or Blue Ocean Strategy)This technique works pretty well for me even though I wish I would read more. Sometimes some really good books come up and I’ll just devote all the time I got for it, like when I was reading Anathem from Stephenson.One other thing is to resist the urge to just surf the internet or play a poker game during the commuting

@GuillaumeV, War and Peace a low level book?? You put it in one category with Harry Potter??

Yes, pretty much. Low level for me means I’m able to read it a few pages at a time and that even though I might be tired I’ll understand what’s going on. Considering War and Peace is a novel, it was pretty easy to read and understand. Of course War and Peace and Harry Potter are two very different books, but I still read both of them before going to sleep or when I had limited time ahead of me.

I ‘read’ using audiobooks on my iPhone.  Listening at 2x speed, which actually helps me concentrate, I get through a book every 7-10 days.  Plus, now I don’t mind walking the dog…

I read about 50 books a year and try for an even split between fiction and non-fiction.  I keep track of my reading list at http://andrea-zak.com/booking-it/A commute on public transportation usually means at least 20 minutes of reading in each direction every day.

whoops.  clearly I missed a space http://andrea-zak.com/booking-it/

I read all the time, and I find it is sort of like going to the gym. If you just get in there and do it, the hour you loose by being there you gain by being more alert and productive and sleeping better.In the same way, I find the more I read, the more I read. I read about 3 to 4 books a month, plus blog, rolls the paper etc..I kind of do it like this, maybe it might work for somebody else too!First thing is to know what you want to read and when is the right time to read it. Each book was written in a special time and place, by someone who was thinking of a time and place. Reading a book that matches where you are or where you want to be really helps you return to reading, and finding pockets of time to read. Eat locally, drink locally, read locally, sometimes just reading books written in the city where you live is enough to draw you into as that you are sort of a character in the book itself, and so on this sort of Tao of reading (laughing at how pretentious and silly that sounds) really helps (for me!) because reading becomes a part of your day in easy natural way. If you hate where you are, read a book that takes you away!Second thing is to cruise the book stores or libraries before you finish the book you’re currently reading. Find a book that looks good, that you want to read, and wait to buy it/borrow it until you finish the book you’re currently on. The thing that drags out a book is the connection you have with it and it’s characters and as you approach the end you often want to stretch it out, you don’t want it to end, so you slow down and the characters go in slow motion, like a chess match by mail. If you know what you are going to read next, and you can’t wait to rescue it from the book store then you are going to read the book your on at a consistent speed and it will actually read better (imagine slowing down a record towards the end because you loved it so much, wouldn’t sound the same and what you loved about it might become warbled and distorted. -of course this is my personal feelings not scientific research or anything-).Third thing is read the right stuff! Which is what? So different for each person, but there is a path. (sorry getting Tao-y again) but you know you were reading the right books when you look back and you were reading one after the other and loving it. You “might” be reading the wrong books if you can’t get through them. Maybe they are just not what you really want to read. If you really want to read the new Dan Brown book, then read it! It will lead you to Instance at the Fingerpost and then Name of the rose and then on to Calvino, etc. or maybe just back to another Dan Brown! Why not, if it makes you happy.But the thing is that taking the time to figure out the right book through suggestions or reviews, or friends or pure gut desire, makes a HUGE difference on the number of book and the amount of time you find yourself creating time to read.Like for example Julia Osovskaya, you just finished Lolita, you got to check out Laughter in the Dark, it’s my favorite Nabokov and such a great follow-up, darker, deeper more neurotic that Lolita. Or katiekills, after 100 years of solitude, you got to check out any book by Milorad Pavic, especially the Inner side of the Wind!Crowd source your next read, and see if you read more! I’ll help, if you do the same for me.I read one novel of literature a month, one book about social issues or business and one page turner, some kind of religious/scientific/history thriller that is sort of mental floss and then let the triangulation of the three decide the forth or fifth book and the cycle starts again.I find the thrillers leave me longing for literature and inadvertently increase  my reading speed as that they are paced and written to be read quickly. When you read a 400 page book in 3 days, then you kind of maintain a sort of cruising speed on something a little more meatier. Not that you speed read it by any means. It’s just you get into a rhythm, and you finish Faulkner in a week and half instead of a month.I try not to surf the net even though it is what I do for a living, instead I read the internet through a google reader ( http://www.google.com/reader/shared/jessewpoe)And then on the subway I read books on my iphone. I took the games off, and find that reading an old classic on my phone in ten to fifteen minute segments, really builds a lust to go home and read. And once again sort of slows my mind down into the world where reading is the speed.This month I am writing a novel so my reading time has been step-childed a bit but I still find time to read even after and before writing.It’s a habit you get in to, or that you fall out of….. be good everyone!Jesse W. Poe@dmdxd

I struggled with reading last year so I made a resolution to read a book a week for 2009.  So far, so good.  http://resolution52.com .  I’m on book #49.

That’s awesome! What will #50 be?

I usually read to be informed about the world around me.  This is one reason why it’s important to read.  It’s important to read to get an education.  I read for relaxation usually by laying in my bed with my head propped up on a few pillows.  I read to learn new things.  Also, I believe probably people may lose interest in reading if too much of it is put on the internet.  I know, I’ve heard of kindle.  But that is an expensive device.  Really, I may be like most people who have to have the book jump out at them when they walk into a book store to see if they’d be interested in investigating it.  I have a harder time relaxing sitting upright to read everything on a computer.  Besides, at work I’m at a computer all day.  So, sitting at my home computer even feels like being at work.  So, I hope they never get rid of the paper book.  I don’t believe I’m old fashioned and set in my ways.  My ways are too relax.  Besides, you can only obtain only so much information on the internet.  You have to break into a book to get the amount of information you need.

I easily read about 30 books a year.  I’m 25 and have always had an appetite for using my imagination and in the corporate world I am currently in, reading during my lunch hour provides a much needed and appreciated connection to myself, my imagination and adding to my vocabulary.

I definitely still read books.  I read about 5 or so a year; depending on their size; In addition to a few magazines we subscribe to.  All of the books are in the non-fiction category.  I’ve tried audio books or reading on my iphone, and i must say, I don’t like it too much.  There is just something satisfying about having a book in your hands and placing it on your bookshelf when done.  My Amazon.com book list is currently at 26 pages long.  I wish I had more time to read.  It the cheapest way to learn.  I couldn’t imagine a home where no books existed.  Kudos to the readers in the 50+ books per year club! 

Reading maketh a whole man!
Learnt that in lower school 55 years ago and took it aboard.Been reading all my life, averaged 6 plus books every week.Manage to read two to three books, nowadays mostly fiction, every week!:DWe have three lovely public libraries in my city, plus the University is a wonderful resource.When you read you will lead!If any of you young people wish to become leaders in your respective fields start READING!Find the library in your city, become a member and start reading.It is as simple as that!The Teachings tell us that:GOD has given each of us One RightConsisting of THREE Freedoms1.   Freedom of Choice.2.   Freedom of Decision.3.   Freedom of Action.Once I act on anything – then The DIVINE LAW of Consequences comes into play.”When you Act, you are Responsible for the Consequences of your actions for the rest of your life.”Making a decision to read is in the mind, one flash and it is done.
Action is in your hands get up and walk to the book shelf.You will be in the business of reading.

Patrick – FINISH INFINITE JEST. You will not be disappointed. I read about two books a month. Currently: The Poisonwood Bible. It’s pretty good. But while I used to be able to read half a book before going to bed, I can now barely finish a chapter. I blame old age though.

I, for one, would hate to see the demise of the book.  During my period of unemployment, from May, 2008, until September of this year, I would estimate that I read more than 150 books.  I find reading a book relaxing, certainly more so than watching television.  I think I’m a pretty discriminating reader and quite well-rounded  –  I don’t read the trashy stuff, although I am considering Kathy Griffin’s “Official Book Club Selection.”  I read both fiction and non-fiction.  My dream job would be working in a book store as a concierge-type salesperson, or as a book editor.  The most recent books I have read: Pat Conroy’s “South of Broad”; Stieg Larsson’s “Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” and Joyce Carol Oates’ “Little Bird of Heaven.”I’m using public transportation to and from work — my opportunity to keep a reading schedule during the week.

Reading should not be a lost art. I read about 30 to 40 books a year, two magazines cover to cover each week, and the news. It takes effort at first, but you can train yourself to be a better reader.

I love to read— but don’t do it often. Like most of us the majority of my literary diet is made up of emails and blogroll. Last year I made a big push to read and only finished 6 or so novels. I’m a huge supporter of the tactile and I think physically reading a book is way more rewarding than clicking through on a computer screen. I miss the intimate engagement you get from a story when you’re browsing hundreds of blurbs daily.

Saturday, I’m going to the Miami International Book Fair…it’s one of my favorite annual events.  Lots of authors attend to promote their books and I have found myself intrigued by books I would not have read otherwise.  There is, however, a lot of temptation to buy more books.  I probably have at least a dozen at home now that I haven’t had a chance to read.