How to Read One Book Each Month

Hi! My name is Nicole R. Smith and I have the honor and privilege to continue the Better Impact Book Bites legacy – a taste of great books worth consuming – as your new featured author! Corina Sadler, CVA has passed the baton to me as she transitions to another adventure.

I will be reviewing books that cover a wide variety of topics such as the benefits of volunteering, working with volunteers with disabilities, inclusion, leadership and much more.

Regarding the pace at which Corina and I have been able to read books, we’ve been asked such questions as, “How are you able to read so many books?” or “Where do you get the time?” Sometimes, it can be challenging, and other times so easy because the content is so compelling, you just don’t want to put the book down!

As we head into this next generation of Book Bites, I wanted to begin by sharing five tips to help you get through a book in a month.

1. Carve out time: I say carve because, like carving out initials in a tree trunk, it isn’t always easy to do, but you will find it will be worth it. Here are my top tips:
   • Wake up 30 minutes earlier
   • Use 15 minutes of your lunch break
   • Lock yourself in the bathroom and put up a do not disturb sign
   • If you are often the passenger in a car, read on the way to your destination
   • Read at your appointments, especially in the waiting room
   • If you use public transportation, read while on the go (just make sure you don’t miss your stop!)
   • Always walk with your book in case you have unexpected idle time, you can take advantage of it
2. Audiobooks: Audiobooks are a dream. They can help you get through a book faster and it makes carving out time easier as you can now listen to the book while you are working out or while you are in your car; especially on your commute. The great thing about audiobooks is you can listen to them repeatedly in ADDITION to buying the hard copy to make your notes and references.
3. Choose a topic that interests you: This will make it easier for you to want to pick up the book and stay engaged.
4. Decide how much you will read in a sitting: Will it be a dedicated 15 minutes? Will it be a dedicated 10 pages or one full chapter? Whatever it is, decide ahead of time and then make sure you stick to it.
5. Swap out social media or Netflix binge watching time for reading time: These days, most phones give you that dreadful update at the end of the week to let you know how much time you have spent on social media that week. If and/or when you get that report, perhaps use a quarter of that time to dedicate to reading. Additionally, about show binge watching…well, need I say more? Ok. I will. I am not saying not to binge watch, but perhaps instead of watching three shows in a sitting, watch two and use the time that you would have watched the last show to read instead.

I hope you find these tips helpful and useful.

I cannot wait to share with you books that will enhance and further your work, your career and your growth.

If you have any books you think I should feature in the Better Impact Book Bites series, let me know by commenting below! I would love to hear from you.

Happy Reading!