How To Read More 📚

[@MonsieurBooyah]

another slump prevention tactic is to not get caught up in keeping up with current reading trends, or to be too rigid with your TBR order. let yourself read as passion allows.

[@bmasters1981]

"let yourself read as passion allows." That's what I've done lately with what I've been reading-- I've been having a passion for medical and hospital thrillers, and as such, have read 5 such books that were written by a former doctor/author from the Boston area (he was originally from Springfield, MA, and he left us in 2013) named Michael Palmer, M.D.; the first one I read of his (which I got in a thrift store in Alabama when I was visiting my sister in 2024) was Flashback from 1988, and ever since then (he wrote that Flashback book in a very involving way that had me reading through it and truly enjoying it), I got several more (and finished them), both at other thrift stores and on Amazon (the most recent one I read was The Sisterhood from 1982, his first one).

[@biscuitrollerboy]

I'm usually allergic to sentimentality, so I hope this doesn't come across as overly effusive. Your videos have encouraged me to start reading again, and your genuine enthusiasm never fails to put a smile on my face. I haven't been this excited about reading since I discovered Tolkien in 8th grade. You're doing good work, Merphy. Keep it up.

[@jakesmith-m2h]

the book that changed my approach to money is The Gilded Nexus of Prosperity all recommendations... It's completely different from anything I've read so far

[@mellsmith-n7e]

I used some techniques from that book to make money, and I can truly say I'm earning more now

[@markjohn-g6s]

I'll buy you dinner for this recommendation

[@liberlynn]

I've been thinking about this very thing recently. Some tips I've been focusing on is 1) engaging my imagination more. This doesn't come naturally to everyone. So I'm working at actually seeing the characters and settings in my brain, trying to feel the feelings, smell the smells, etc. 2) I'm trying to stay in a book for a little longer. Not speeding through it makes it so I have more time to reflect. I'm actually reading about three or four books at once, but pacing myself to finish each one over two weeks. It ends up feeling more like a TV show, because I'm sitting down and reading five chapters, but then I have to close the book and read a different one until tomorrow. I think having my brain engaging with that world for a longer time period in the real world helps the story, setting and characters stay with me and feel more real.

[@justadude7525]

Incredible to struggle with reading and still having a reading channel and reading such vast amounts, truly awe inspiring🤯

[@cheyennebuckbooks]

Reading widely is definitely the reason I read as much as I do. I very rarely read two books in the same genre in a row because bouncing between genres helps each book to feel exactly like what I want in that moment.

[@ThePalatineNerd]

One of the things that really helped me out of my reading slump was borrowing the audiobook and ebook/physical book from the library at the same time. When I cook or I'm driving/traveling, I'll listen to the audiobook. Then I can transition to reading rather than listening when I'm in a position to do so, and on the occasions where I struggle to read, I'll turn on the audio book and read along as it is read to me, as if I were a 1st grader all over again. Despite it all, I think building a habit of reading around a particular moment of the day makes a world of difference. For me, that is reading chapter or two with my morning breakfast and coffee while soaking in the sunlight through my kitchen window. It's tranquil. It's quiet. It starts off my day on a foot that makes me prepared to be productive.

[@miss.spin_gabi6649]

Can confirm, these tips work very well. I also started reading multiple books at a time, all different genres/lengths. AND i listen to audiobooks as I read physical books, I find it easier to concentrate with my adhd. I also started highlighting words I don’t know (like they told us to in grade school lol) so that I’m reading with more intention. Now that Ive grow my vocabulary, my reading comprehension has gone up. I’ve tried such a verity in books that I really managed to narrow on what excites me. But even hearing the topics you mentioned here, like diving, remind me that the options are truly endless. I’m basically obsessed with reading. I went from an average of 4 books a month to 8. It’s completely replaced my need to watch TV. And is not cuz I’m telling myself I NEED to read more, but because I love it.

[@No8Named8Shadow]

Merphy: Find a buddy to read with! Me: I have no friends 😔

[@zacharyrome3432]

Lol same , literally ZERO !

[@TellBetweenTales]

I think since starting my KZbin channel (which remains at a tiny 41 subscribers) I’ve enjoyed reading even more because of these exact points you mentioned. I take notes and pay more attention to the themes and what the author is saying. I also get to process it in my head as I write scrips and then talk about it (even if it’s to myself) while I film. Still working on finding community, a lot of discord channels are behind a Patreon paywall and I’ve tried a few and ended up not caring for it and don’t want to drop the Patreon because I feel bad about signing up to support a channel and then dropping them a few months later but then it prevents me from finding new people. I guess I need to go channel surfing and expand the group of channels I watch

[@coyley72]

Merphy, please give us a library shelf tour. Your videos always have the books blurred and I’d love to know what’s on your shelves. Thanks thanks ❤

[@heather9130]

Came here because I have two small kids and one on the way, and I keep acquiring books from recommendations. For me the main issue is time. You started me reading again years ago, the discord buddy reads made me branch out into new genres. Now I have an idea of what I like and a full TBR, but where is the time?? I have to make time, so I started reading while my kids are playing. My 3 year old was a little too curious at first, but now he takes it in stride. I'm gonna start keeping a few notes, that's a great idea. My husband reads on his train commute, so we've started buddy reading and that also really helps.

[@light-wolfred741]

What helped me read is finding my favorite story and just getting fully emersed in the lore. For me the books I read have games, audio narrations, art, models, and fan theories so for me Warhammer 40K has a ton so that I never get bored. So im always reading about it

[@Bogrin]

Your tip on taking notes reminded me of something I did when I was a kid reading the Animorphs books! I kept a journal tracking what animal forms each character unlocked and how many times they used each one! Definitely brought me more enjoyment from the series. Might have to do something similar again!

[@stevenstewart782]

2 each his own I guess for me taking notes just makes no sense I enjoy reading The story why do I wanna make No notations about it people who Put annotations in books That's weird to me because that's That's vandalizing your book why would you do that

[@Thomas.R.Howell]

Ever since starting a booktube channel I’ve always encouraged others to read at their own pace. Enjoy the journey because you can only read a book for the first time once.

[@johnwilliams4658]

Great video as always Merphy. Your enthusiasm and thoughtfulness provides a welcoming online oasis. My reading has been almost exclusively non-fiction (history and ancient literature and relevant commentary mostly) but have moved back to fiction in the last twelve months. Science fiction and, to a slightly lesser extent, fantasy are my genre choices. However, I've moved in a completely different direction than expected and it's been rewarding to enter this new rabbit hole. I'm either reading or soon to read, The Corner that Held Them by Sylvia Townsend Warner, Human Acts by Han Kang, everything by Claire Keegan and hopefully everything by Clarice Lispecter. Keegan can be quite bleak and confronting but the quality of her writing is without question and I see why she has so much postive press. Lispecter's writing is dreamlike and mysterious but I've only tackled a couple of short stories so far. I took over the management of three public libraries a couple of years ago which helped drive my appetite to discover new fiction writers. Your videos are also inspiring. Thank you.

[@professorpop4905]

Great tips; I particular like cultivate your curiosity! One tip I’d add to your read widely advice is alternate heavy and light. Going to something escapist after something brain-breaking helps me out a lot.

[@maya_ofthewood]

Multigenerational stories have been keeping me reading, so thank you for the Wild Swans recommendation!

[@RedCranes_and_Ravens]

Love the point about not being afraid of breaking out of genre rut. I never would have predicted Pat Conroy would be one of my favorite authors, but here we are.

[@Johanna_reads]

I loved this video! I loved the tip about exploring different rabbit holes! You’ve really shown that on your channel with the examples you shared. 😁

[@Jay-yr9oi]

Two things that helped me get back into reading for pleasure during grad/law school and out of slumps since was setting myself the goal of just read one chapter a day. Just 1 chapter of 1 book. Just find time for that much. Eventually, would get me to an interesting point in the story that would hook me back in or at least keep me from dropping the habit altogether. Another thing that helped was letting myself be okay with DNfing. Realizing I don’t owe it to an author to finish their work just because I started it has helped me so much. Your point of engaging with others has also helped. Especially with series, finding KZbinrs or Reddit threads to keep discussing the book has forced me to engage more with the story in a way that I find makes them more compelling. Doing a reading group over discord with some friends from college, meeting weekly to engage with the text and discuss it and introducing each other to new topics was great at increasing my interest

[@Merdragoon]

These tips have helped me get back into reading in general as I remember your first video on this around the same time as the Annotation video. It also helped to just go to the library because it forced me to have a time limit on a book a little and not take forever with having it (though a few times that had failed because they changed where you're not fined for having a book longer than the recommended time as long as you return the book, but that was mostly because I had a lot going on in my life and emotionally I was hit hard). But it did help at least be mindful of my reading habits. And because I've been reading from the library, I decided to use storygraph for my reading journal and annotation because they have a feature where you can write down your thoughts as you put in your progress of your reading. It also made Buddy Reads a lot easier too. Due to Storygraph having a buddyread feature similar to the journaling feature but it has the added bonus of locking those thoughts behind a progress thing so you're not spoiling your buddy read people and they can read your thoughts when they get that far. It's been really easy to have that conversation that way.

[@alannapenner37]

Merphy, this video came out at the perfect time. I've already DNF'd 2 books this year and I'm just STRUGGLING! I will definitely branch out and read more widely, I'm finding myself more drawn to trying some non-fiction right now anyway (which is almost unheard of for me). Thank you for this

[@rockyj885]

I love the tip of basically going down a rabbit hole that interests you!!! (also, low-key wanna read a diving book now...) The film adaptation tip is how I found one of my favourite books of all time, The Martian (I remember I saw the trailer, it said "based off a novel" and I just had to go read it). Currently a big motivator for me is getting through all my owned books, I love picking away at it

[@danielhernandez-ij5sf]

I know for me one thing that helped is thinking I have to read a lot of chapters. I slowed down and read as much as I wanted, if it was just one chapter or a couple of pages. The minute it feels like homework is when you stop.

[@hellgast0]

I don't know if this counts, but I also just don't find time and energy to read lately, so I tried listening to audiobooks more. Sometimes even while reading the physical book. And that helped imo to still feel I can enjoy the stories I want to consume, while not feeling like it's a task to do.

[@AnonforGod777]

Ive been waiting for one of you to make this Video. Appreciate it mucho

[@JasperAyeee]

i really only have two tips for people who want to get into reading or want to read more: 1) talk to an avid reader -- this could be a friend, chatting up a discord channel, going to a bookstore and speaking to a bookseller -- they'll ask you questions and point you toward something you'd be interested in. 2) join/start a book club or buddy read --> take baby steps to surround yourself with others who like to read. share your thoughts. ask others to share theirs. build a community. expand your mind.

[@storyphile4518]

Last year I did a challenge where I chose one of my fiction reads each month and paired it with a nonfiction book of a similar subject/time period. It was really enlightening and helped me discover new topics I had never explored before.

[@davidcarlson4289]

At the beginning of last year I came to the end of another rewatching of the tv show Lost and I wanted more stuff like that, i found the German tv show Dark but that too came to an end. So I googled but oks that had the Lost vibe and I found some titles. In fact, Annihilation was on that list. And i started watching channels like you, And a Kent, Shades of Orange and I began discovering a renewed love of reading and a new found love of horror. And now I have tons of books in my tbr.

[@ginnieliebherr4245]

Wild swans is so good. I’ve been thinking about rereading it.

[@alwayschooseorange]

So much great advice here! A thing that often serves as jet fuel for my reading is to read 2-3 books at the same time that have something in common and to see how they “talk to each other”. At the end of 2023, I was alternating between reading The Lost Metal, the book of Ecclesiastes, and Alan Watts’ book The Book on the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are and it was FASCINATING how much overlap there was and how all three texts looked at death from different angles. I find this often works best when mixing fiction and non fiction. Anyone else here ever try that out to great success? Would love to hear about it if so!

[@dominiqueramos54]

I've avoided annotation but think I'm going to start. I already mentally annotate throughout the day, but writing my thoughts out seems more enjoyable.

[@ryans6442]

I first heard of the Cosmere through your channel and started reading it last year. I’ve read Mistborn era 1, Elantris, Warbreaker, and now I’m reading Way of Kings. I’m about 40% through it now and I’m really enjoying it. I’m trying to get through it but I typically read slow

[@thefriesofLockeLamora]

A commonplace book can really make reading indulgent, and nourish and reward curiosity

[@Starlesslight]

I guess I grew up in a time reading wasn't really social. I don't feel like I lost out on anything because of that though. Everybody seems to feel the need to share everything these days, but it's also ok to keep that magical sacred feeling of losing yourself in your imagination to yourself.

[@Rebecca-xw4ji]

Loved this video!

[@badfaith4u]

Thank you for your reading tips.

[@mattkean1128]

This is felicitous. I'm trying to fit in The Wager later this month

[@rebekah6561]

Still watching but The Cautious Traveller’s Guide to the Wastelands has that bio-horror like Annihilation. I remember because I hadn’t really read anything like Annihilation until this book. Also What Moves the Dead is probably in this category as well. (I think Annihilation really hits that dread and thriller aspect of it best, but I did enjoy the take in both of these books!)

[@FrankyIrony]

I actually just started my journey to read more (trying wheel of time but the length might make me drop it) perfect timing

[@gokulakrishnan589]

This video is more of 'How to read better? or How to enjoy reading more?' than 'How to read more' but I am glad it is this way because I mostly Don't have trouble reading a book or completing it but I find it difficult to enjoy the book wholly or feeling it so whenever I am in slump It is more of I am not feeling what I am reading than I can't read this book. Thanks for sharing this tips anyways.

[@MonsieurBooyah]

on today's Reading Hacks (tm), Merph shares the secrets of being a human visual processor by making your eyes reading machines! or, you know, read what you love, and try using books to avoid social media black holes :)

[@thehatter1074]

Don't mean to brag... but I've read 11-12 books so far this year. And I've got so much more to read.

[@frantictoast3741]

Oh hey, The Wager is on my TBR for the year.

[@storyphile4518]

Just read it last year; it’s great!

[@dreux_]

the thumbnail is just…wow 😳

[@Energy.stays.conserved]

i have only read a few books but i do have a few genres which i usually explore, but not every author's work make me deep dive into the world of their stories but i loved a few ones like : A Song of Achilles, We Were Liars, A Thousand Splendid Suns, They Both Die at the End (please do not judge my character by this book, the story was actually great) ... Btw, how many chapters of SBR you are in ? ( just wanted some updates : )

[@brendanw2335]

Thanks Merphy, this is the first comment I left for your videos. One of things I have found works for me is view book tubers that have similar genre tastes for further recommendations and those that may have completely different tastes of genre etc to challenge to read more widely. Just a bit of context I have a family and busy job and I went through a reading slump. when I was younger I always enjoyed fantasy, science fiction and horror. I was recommended by someone from work a few years ago to read the wheel of time series. I did some research on this, yourself and Daniel Green were the first book tubers I viewed and subscribed to and this allowed me to widen my scope. Otherwise I would never of read the three body problem and from your recommendations I also read wild swans which was also fantastic. Another author i have gotten really into and love after viewing your videos is Fedrik Backman, I never of thought of trying modern literary fiction previously but I have now and so glad I did, Backman is so masterfull with his characters. I have now grown my book tubers subscribed list to about 10, and i am really addicted at viewing their videos Other book tubers such as the library of a viking, book born, Haley Pham and most recently Wera. Really recommend people stoke their excitement and interest by viewing, liking and subscribing and supporting book tubers (and their hard work) thanks Merphy for your amazing book videos!

[@Nasser851000]

AKA How to Read without being disturbed 24/7 😆

[@gurentgc3546]

This! I already love reading but I'm 33, married and without kids and still always something happens when im trying to read...

[@stevenstewart782]

Yeah I don't really understand how taking notes is going to help Me read better Every Minute I spend writing something down I could be reading And enjoying what I'm reading instead of taking notes about it For me taking notes turns reading into a chore Which makes it like it's homework I don't want homework I'm 53 years old

[@neondemon5137]

That thumbnail is such a thirst trap 😅

[@Yesica1993]

How do you deal with family or others who see reading (and especially going further, like taking notes) is just a waste of time that could be spent doing something more practical?

[@Montie-Adkins]

"Bio, bio-scifi, bio-horror, invasive plant life, unknown area, cosmic this thing is bigger than me," = Scavenger's Reign.

[@MisMariaRosee]

In 2024 my life changed because of 3 thing: 1. I stopped thinking about the past😔 2. l started reading (Your Life Your Game by Keezano fav) 3. I started believing in God

[@James.NewYork]

such a agreat book i agree

[@supershinigami1]

I totally missed that you have a second channel where you talk about books. I just thought you talk about One Piece all the time 🤣. I was so confused for more than a year haha. Why did you want to use your main channel for that?

[@koboldmartian4063]

VanderMeer's publishers call it cli-fi!

[@niikolo_x]

If I see a book bigger than 10 pages, I just can't. It has to has pictures bigger than the words.

[@niikolo_x]

I can do audiobooks though.

[@niikolo_x]

One Piece audiobook would be so cool

[@rad4924]

The best reading advice I've ever had is to make sure you keep your eyes open, because if you read with your eyes closed you might miss important parts of the book.

[@keravnos2231]

I "HAVE" gone through pirate phases 😂😂😂😂. My guide to reading, is not for the faint hearted: Step 1: Read the summary Step 2: Read the Wikia Step 3: Come back to the book a month later

[@ralphholder6541]

hi my names ralph and i love you"er channel i wanted to ask you since you use it all the time do you know what happened to goodreads? i wanted to start useing it and it no longer on my kindle fire 7 it used to be there now its gone.

[@brennagorin726]

Merphy, are you a diver too?

[@Yesica1993]

Wow, my comment was deleted. I can't say anything on this stupid platform anymore, no matter how innocuous.

[@noshei21]

Read more by not reading less! Stop watching videos and go read, also why are you reading this comment instead of reading a book! Go read something! Why are you still here?

[@jace76ful]

Or getting distracted by watching KZbin videos!!! 👀

[@amritasengupta5251]

By not watching Merphy. Should go read more.😂😂😂😂😂

[@easytargetYT]

The best place to start is not watching YT videos. Irony is entirely dead in this awful awful timeline.

[@JayGTheAwkwardBookworm]

Audiobooks are my saviour! I always feel guilty if I just sit there with a book, so the audiobook allows me to do things around the house as I read 🥹

[@badfaith4u]

Please don't feel guilty when you sit down to read a book.