Productivity

How to Read More Books: 10 Science-Backed Strategies

8 min readJanuary 20, 2024

How can I read more books?

To read more books: 1) Dedicate specific time daily (Warren Buffett reads 5-6 hours/day). 2) Increase reading speed with training (approximately 40% improvement possible). 3) Read multiple books simultaneously. 4) Cut low-value activities. 5) Always have a book accessible.

Learn From Elite Readers

Warren Buffett reads 500 pages per day. Bill Gates reads 50 books per year. Elon Musk taught himself rocket science through books. What do they have in common? They treat reading as a non-negotiable priority, dedicating hours each day to learning through books.

Speed Reading: The Multiplier Effect

If you read 30 minutes per day at 250 WPM, you'll finish about 15 books per year. Increase your speed to 400 WPM (research shows this is achievable), and you'll finish 24 books per year with the same time investment. Speed reading training multiplies every minute you spend reading.

The Compound Effect of Reading

Buffett says: "Read 500 pages every day. That's how knowledge works. It builds up, like compound interest." Reading compounds in two ways: 1) More knowledge connects to existing knowledge, accelerating learning. 2) Faster reading means more books, which means faster knowledge accumulation.

Practical Strategies

1) Read first thing in the morning before distractions arise. 2) Always carry a book or e-reader. 3) Read during "dead time" (commutes, waiting rooms). 4) Set a daily page goal (50 pages = 18+ books/year). 5) Cut low-value activities (the average American watches about 3 hours of TV daily). 6) Speed reading training multiplies every strategy above.

Ready to Read Faster?

Our app uses the research-backed techniques discussed in this article. Train with science, not gimmicks.