The Habits That Doubled My Reading
The Reader’s Edge | Charlie Samways | September 27, 2026 |
Modern e-readers give us the tools to read more than ever before.
And yet, according to recent YouGov and Pew Research surveys, the amount people read is actually falling.
It got me asking myself how I’ve managed to buck this trend. In 2017, I read less than 10 books per year. A year later, simple tricks had got my count up to 18. And now, I read double my 2018 count of books per year.
The first thing I will say is this: I’m always wary of using the number of books read as a metric.
In the same month, you could read one longer book, which is the equivalent of three shorter books. The amount of reading isn’t different, but the metric gets skewed.
There’s no denying that what matters most is the amount you’re reading and retaining. But I also recognise that book numbers are an easy and accessible metric to measure. If book numbers keep you consistent, then it’s better than not tracking your reading.
That’s why the biggest change was starting to track what I read. It’s also why all channel members can download the Reading Tracker document I use.
I went from having a vague idea of what I was reading to a place where all my books lived. Not only did this help me keep track of all the books I owned in one place, but it set out my reading in black-and-white.
Suddenly there was no hiding place. In my life more generally, I could see how reading was helping me grow through new information and points of view, and now I wanted more of it.
The tracker was how I started to see my reading trends. After one year of consistent reading, I learnt what targets would feel challenging, yet achievable. So each year, I set a realistic target that pushed me.
Sometimes I can see where I’ve tricked my own system. A longer book that took me more time to get through, so I’ve compensated with a shorter book somewhere in there.
No matter what, this simple step of starting to track my reading set in motion a habit that has made improvements to who I am today.
Two Tricks Worth Stealing
Beyond tracking what I read, there are two tricks I recognise that have helped me increase my reading. Those have all been assisted by e-readers, and in my case, a Kindle Paperwhite.
My first Paperwhite gave me the ability to master a skill I’d always struggled with when it comes to reading: The ability to always be ready.
Wanting to keep my physical books pristine had created a block around always carrying a book. All of a sudden, my Paperwhite gave me a lightweight device that I could take with me anywhere.
I learnt that reading in those 5-minute moments scattered across a day compounds over time. As this started to get reflected in my reading tracker, it reinforced the habit.
There was also the matter of my attention span to contend with.
Pre-Kindle, I could read for around twenty minutes and find my attention drifting. Rather than getting a different book, normally I would move over to my phone.
Kindle opened the door to reading in parallel.
You don’t limit yourself to just one TV show, I thought, so why limit yourself to one book at a time?
Reading physical books, I could always read three books at once, but doing it with three paperbacks in a bag was never quite as effortless.
On Kindle, I began reading one fiction, one non-fiction, and one biography at the same time. Whenever I found my attention drifting from a book, I could switch to reading one of my other two. Switching took minimal effort, so even on those lazy days, I had established the path of least resistance.
That simple choice kept me in a book, rather than moving to my phone and scrolling.
These are two simple changes that don’t require any major changes in your life. They are a perk of having an e-reader, and combined with a dedicated reading tracker, you will be amazed by the difference it makes to your reading.
This Week’s Question
How do you currently track what you read? I’d love to hear what system you use, and how it compares to my tracker.
Reply to me at hello@charliesamways.com. I read every one.
From The Channel This Week
These same principles for reading more can also be applied to other e-readers too. When it comes to having a portable e-reader, the Xteink range is one of the best out there right now.
Over on my YouTube channel this week, I shared the customisation options that have made the biggest difference to how much I’ve been enjoying using Xteink. If you have an Xteink device, or you’re considering buying one, this is worth watching.
9 Xteink X3 & X4 Customisation Options That Are Insane
If you haven’t already, keep an eye on my free resources page. Not only will you find the Reading Tracker, but there is also a Free Kindle Guide and notes from some of my favourite non-fiction books. Available to all website members.
Wishing you all the best this week, and tracking the books you read.
Catch up next week,
Charlie Samways