University of Kwazulu-Natal

How To Read 100 Books A Year 7 Tips To Tackle Your Tbr

Bonisiwe Shabane
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how to read 100 books a year 7 tips to tackle your tbr

In Expert Tips, For the Love of Reading by Lanie PembertonMarch 15, 2024 You might be wondering if it’s even possible to read 100 books in a year. Allow me to reassure you: Absolutely. True, it may sound daunting. After all, that works out to about two books a week. But it is doable, especially if you have a plan in place.

Plus, there are many benefits to reading 100 books a year, including learning new skills and gaining insight, reducing stress, and improving focus. Not to mention, it’s fun! If you’re up for the challenge, start strong by following these tips for reading 100 books a year. Before long, reading will become a habit you just can’t (and shouldn’t) quit. Most of us stay busy with work, chores, and social obligations. It’s easy for the “optional” stuff like reading and other hobbies to slip through the cracks.

This article was co-authored by Grant Faulkner, MA. Grant Faulkner is the Executive Director of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) and the co-founder of 100 Word Story, a literary magazine. Grant has published two books on writing and has been published in The New York Times and Writer’s Digest. He co-hosts Write-minded, a weekly podcast on writing and publishing, and has a M.A. in Creative Writing from San Francisco State University. This article has been viewed 65,434 times.

One hundred books in a year may seem like an impossible accomplishment. Where will you find the time? If you really examine your daily life and your schedule, you’ll probably find that you actually have quite a bit of time that is spent on activities that can easily be turned into reading... If you truly have a passion for reading and want to achieve the goal of at least 100 books in a year, you can definitely do it. "Audiobooks are a great option if you want to read more classics. Shakespeare’s plays, for example, are meant to be performed or read aloud, so audiobooks truly enhance the experience.

Hearing the narrator’s tone of voice and emotional performance also makes the language easier to comprehend and more accessible for a modern audience." If you’re anything like me, you have a never-ending TBR (To Be Read) list that only seems to grow no matter how many books you read. Maybe you set a monthly TBR and abandon it after two days, or perhaps you have stacks of unread books collecting dust because you just can’t resist buying new ones. Let’s talk about ways to stick to a TBR, strategies to lower your physical TBR, and why I personally struggle to commit to one (spoiler alert: I’m a major mood reader). Sticking to a TBR is easier said than done, but if you truly want to follow through, here are some methods that might help: Make It Flexible – Instead of a rigid list, give yourself choices.

A smaller selection (say, 5-7 books) can offer variety while still keeping you on track. Mix Genres – If you struggle with burnout, diversify your picks. A romance, a fantasy, a mystery—this way, you have something to match different moods. Use a Reward System – Treat yourself after finishing a set number of books. Maybe it’s a fancy coffee, a new bookmark, or permission to buy another book. I’ll be honest, I used to think reading 100 books a year was only possible for people who had endless free time, no jobs, and definitely no Netflix account.

But a few years ago, I challenged myself to try, and surprisingly, I actually managed to pull it off. It wasn’t about speed reading or skipping sleep, it was about building smart habits, staying consistent, and knowing how to enjoy the process. If you’ve ever dreamed of hitting that magical number, here’s exactly how to do it without burning out. Before diving into the “how,” let’s talk about the “why.” For me, it wasn’t about bragging rights, it was about growth. Reading this much changed the way I thought, expanded my vocabulary, gave me new perspectives, and honestly, made me more creative. And let’s face it, if you read 100 books, you’re basically carrying a mini-university in your head.

When I first saw “100 books a year,” it felt impossible. But then I did the math: That’s it. Suddenly, it didn’t feel so scary. It’s not about racing, it’s about steady progress. Prolific reading is a habit practised by many of the most influential leaders of our time.

This includes Steve Jobs, Elon Musk and Warren Buffet. Consistent reading doesn’t have to be hard. I’m sharing how I went from being “not a reader” to reading 100 books a year. Last year, I shared how I read 60 books a year. I’ve been reading at least a book a week for years now. What I didn’t share at the time was, that in 2023 I had a new goal.

To read 100 books in the year. I’ll preface this blog too by saying that the number is purely a vanity metric. Don’t get caught up on yours. The reason I made the significant leap was that I noticed something shift. Reading has brought me peace and insights I wouldn’t otherwise have for many years now. But, it didn’t necessarily always come easy.

Despite my best intention, time and focus were nearly always a challenge. After reading consistently for many years, I eventually found the habit started to become easier and easier. So, in this blog, I’m sharing my top tips not so you can also read 100 books. But, to share how I made the reading habit come more easily. I believe storytelling is your greatest opportunity to learn from those who have gone before you. Those who felt a duty to help pave the way for those to come.

As the end of the year approaches, many of us begin writing down our New Year’s resolutions. Among these goals, reading more books often makes the list—but it’s also one of the hardest to accomplish. Why do so many people struggle to reach their reading targets? Let’s break it down and discover practical strategies to help you read over 100 books in just one year. The first reason we fail to meet our reading goals is that the goal itself can feel overwhelming. For my 2024 resolution, I ambitiously decided to read 100 books.

It sounded impossible at first, but I made it happen by breaking the goal into smaller steps. I began by setting a much smaller target: just 10 books. Achieving this felt manageable and gave me the motivation to set another goal of 10 books—and then another. By focusing on incremental progress instead of the big picture, I was able to maintain my momentum and end the year with over 100 books under my belt. A common mistake when setting a reading goal is sticking to one genre, author, or type of book. To keep things exciting and avoid burnout, explore different genres and styles.

Don’t limit yourself to bestsellers or the works of a single writer—give lesser-known books a chance, too. You’d be surprised how much variety can make reading feel like an adventure rather than a chore. Let me preface this by saying that reading is not a competition. I read around 100 books per year, but you should read as much as you like. As a bookworm, I used to dream of having more time to get lost in stories. I have hundreds of books on my reading list waiting their turn.

But between writing, family time, chores, and life’s other demands, fitting in reading felt like a luxury. Here’s how I found ways to squeeze in more reading without sacrificing enjoyment! Ever feel stuck in a reading rut? Reading multiple books can be a great way to keep things fresh! Just like with your favorite TV shows, switching between different genres or moods can prevent burnout. Imagine finishing a thrilling mystery, then switching to a lighthearted comedy to cleanse your palate.

I love having a few books on the go to choose from depending on my mood. If you haven’t tried it before, you should give it a shot. This doesn’t apply if you have a mandatory reading list (like for school), but otherwise you shouldn’t force yourself to read. If you’re reading a boring book, it’ll take forever to finish compared to an interesting one. The moment I dread picking up a book, I no longer read for pleasure. Reading should not be a chore.

It shouldn’t matter that it’s the most hyped up book of the moment or that every friend in your group and their cat has loved this book. Also, it doesn’t mean it’s not a good book; just not your cup of tea and that’s okay. The time you force yourself to read something that doesn’t resonate with you is better spent trying to discover your next five star read. Check out my complete list of 100 books read in 2018 (including my Top 10 and Bottom 10) At the beginning of 2018, I decided that I was going to read 100 books in a year and post all of the book reviews on my Instagram account. Reading 100 books in a year might sound like an insurmountable challenge at first.

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In Expert Tips, For the Love of Reading by Lanie PembertonMarch 15, 2024 You might be wondering if it’s even possible to read 100 books in a year. Allow me to reassure you: Absolutely. True, it may sound daunting. After all, that works out to about two books a week. But it is doable, especially if you have a plan in place.

Plus, There Are Many Benefits To Reading 100 Books A

Plus, there are many benefits to reading 100 books a year, including learning new skills and gaining insight, reducing stress, and improving focus. Not to mention, it’s fun! If you’re up for the challenge, start strong by following these tips for reading 100 books a year. Before long, reading will become a habit you just can’t (and shouldn’t) quit. Most of us stay busy with work, chores, and socia...

This Article Was Co-authored By Grant Faulkner, MA. Grant Faulkner

This article was co-authored by Grant Faulkner, MA. Grant Faulkner is the Executive Director of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) and the co-founder of 100 Word Story, a literary magazine. Grant has published two books on writing and has been published in The New York Times and Writer’s Digest. He co-hosts Write-minded, a weekly podcast on writing and publishing, and has a M.A. in Creative ...

One Hundred Books In A Year May Seem Like An

One hundred books in a year may seem like an impossible accomplishment. Where will you find the time? If you really examine your daily life and your schedule, you’ll probably find that you actually have quite a bit of time that is spent on activities that can easily be turned into reading... If you truly have a passion for reading and want to achieve the goal of at least 100 books in a year, you c...

Hearing The Narrator’s Tone Of Voice And Emotional Performance Also

Hearing the narrator’s tone of voice and emotional performance also makes the language easier to comprehend and more accessible for a modern audience." If you’re anything like me, you have a never-ending TBR (To Be Read) list that only seems to grow no matter how many books you read. Maybe you set a monthly TBR and abandon it after two days, or perhaps you have stacks of unread books collecting du...