How to Read More (How I Read 70+ Books a Year!)

Reading more isn’t about finding a magic number of books—it’s about rebuilding focus, removing friction, and making sure the books you pick actually feel worth your time. After a slump around 2015–2016, when reading dropped to roughly 20 books a year, Jaylen traced the problem to a shrinking attention span and a mismatch between what was being read and what felt engaging. The fix wasn’t “read harder,” but retraining attention and restructuring daily habits so reading becomes the default choice.

A central strategy is rebuilding attention span through controlled practice. Jaylen recommends “reading sprints” using timers—starting as low as five minutes, then moving up to 15, 25, and 35 minutes once that focus feels manageable. The same approach works for denser books: commit to a set window (like 30 minutes) and keep reading until the timer ends, which creates momentum even when the material feels tough. Another focus booster is reading while waiting for something with a natural endpoint—like reading while roasting vegetables—because the task has a built-in finish line.

Distraction control is treated as the other half of the attention equation. The biggest culprit is the phone: keeping it within reach leads to automatic checking. The suggested workaround is practical—put the phone away (even in a drawer across the room), silence notifications, and keep laptops out of reach during reading sessions. For noise-sensitive readers, changing location can matter as much as changing behavior. Jaylen recommends finding a quieter spot such as a park, and for persistent background sound, using a white-noise app—rain sounds are described as especially effective because they blend into the background without pulling attention.

Motivation also hinges on book selection. When reading slowed, the root cause turned out to be genre fatigue: YA had been the default for years, but around age 18 it stopped feeling appealing. The remedy was to branch out and actively choose books that spark excitement—ideally picking specific titles you’re genuinely eager to read rather than chasing popularity or recommendations. Jaylen also argues that “easy” reading counts: short books, even poetry (often around 70 pages), can restart momentum during slumps. A personal example contrasts a dense, 500-page fantasy novel with a quick poetry read that can be finished in about 40 minutes, restoring the desire to keep going.

To sustain progress, social and tracking tactics help. Buddy reads with a friend or joining a book club add deadlines and shared discussion, while tracking reading provides a sense of accomplishment. Finally, Jaylen emphasizes pacing: reading extremely intermittently—weeks or months between sessions—prevents immersion and makes it harder to return. Setting goals based on how much a book can realistically be read in a day helps compress timelines without forcing unrealistic speed. The overarching message is tough but simple: reading grows when it’s prioritized over scrolling, not when it’s left to chance.