How I Read 100+ Books a Year

Reading more than 100 books a year doesn’t come from finding extra time—it comes from redesigning reading so it’s easier to start, easier to repeat, and more rewarding to stick with. The core shift is strategic: instead of relying on motivation, the plan builds a daily minimum, locks reading into existing routines, and removes friction by choosing the right format and the right books.

The first technique is a simple daily floor: read at least 25 pages every single day. The emphasis is on minimums, not maximums—after 25 pages, the reader can stop or continue, but the habit is protected by never skipping the baseline. This approach prevents the common “save it for later” pattern that piles reading into the end of the month and makes progress measurable and trackable.

Next comes timing. Reading becomes far easier when it happens at the same time every day, ideally in the morning. The reasoning is practical: a morning slot delivers an early win, replaces phone-browsing with something productive during coffee time, and benefits from higher willpower. The transcript ties this to brain science via the book Spark, describing how exercise can prime attention by balancing neurotransmitters—an argument for pairing morning movement with immediate reading.

A third mechanism is the “habit sandwich,” which borrows momentum from established behaviors. The method: pick two familiar habits and insert reading between them. The example uses a routine like exercise → shower → breakfast; reading gets “sneaked” into the gap between shower and breakfast until it feels as automatic as brushing teeth.

The strategy then turns to substitution—making reading the default replacement for habits that already consume time. One personal example swaps phone use in the bathroom for a Kindle, so the choice becomes read or do nothing. Similar replacements are suggested for commuting, meals eaten alone, and evenings when people would otherwise watch TV.

To handle waiting time, the plan recommends carrying reading material or using a phone-based Kindle app so boredom doesn’t automatically trigger scrolling. The transcript also stresses that medium matters: switching from an iPad setup (via the Kindle app) to a dedicated Kindle eventually became the turning point, implying that comfort and usability can determine whether reading sticks. For those who struggle with reading text, audiobooks or podcasts are offered as alternatives.

Finally, the habit depends on book selection. One tactic is to prioritize books that have “stood the test of time,” using the idea that older problems often have older, proven solutions. Another is asking close friends or mentors for a single recommendation each, then building a shortlist. But there’s a guardrail: if a book isn’t enjoyable, it’s not worth forcing—reading should stay fun. The transcript also warns against vanity reading; the value comes from applying what’s learned, so choices should match what the reader needs to learn right now.

Taken together, the approach turns reading into a low-friction daily behavior: a 25-page minimum, consistent timing, habit stacking, default substitutions, smart use of waiting time, the right device or format, and a curated mix of timeless and personally relevant books.