The 2 Best Methods to Read More Books

The second best habit for daily reading is to block out reading slots in your calendar then use a time to give yourself uninterrupted reading time. The first best habit is using a daily page number goal. Find that video here: • The Best Method to Dev...
Grab a Leuctturm1917 dotted notebook for your time-blocking here: amzn.to/3Zx8ger
Or If you don't want to make your own time-blocks every day, you may like Cal Newports pre-made time-blocking notebook: amzn.to/461AZdv
or his version 2.0: amzn.to/3PPM3F3
Check out murdycreative.co/PARKERNOTES and use promo code PARKERNOTES at check out for 10% off your entire order!!
Grab a Saddleback Leather medium Moleskine/Leuchtturm1917 cover from my affiliate link here to support my channel: saddlebackleather.com/leather...
→ Links
parknotes.substack.com/
/ parknotes
→ Gear
Pens: Pilot G-2 05 amzn.to/3RdmAq2
Camera: amzn.to/3OcSIXR
Lens: amzn.to/3OcSIXR
Mic: amzn.to/3DEYz36
These are affiliate links with Amazon. The channel earns a commission from each purchase - but it doesn't cost you anything.

[@ParkerNotes]

If you enjoy this kind of content and have learned something, or just want to promote videos on the intellectual life, please consider supporting my efforts by becoming a Patreon patron here: patreon.com/ParkNotes

[@hemantkothari909]

Hi Park,I am from India I only get 2 hours and other time it is overwhelmed by procrastination......I need assistance and help

[@thecosmicprime]

I am truck driver who loves to read and think. My schedule is pretty much given to me by the DOT regulations. I read whenever I get a chance and try to read 20 pages a day. I also listen to audiobooks while driving and when I shut down for the night, I have 30 minutes blocked out for reading. I use the tree planting app to keep track of time and I just started taking notes. I may never need to go as deep as a philosopher or grad student, but I just love to learn and soak up life and want to instill into my children a passion for reading and deep curiosity about reality.

[@ParkerNotes]

Dude, I've heard about guys like you! Unreal how much you're growing each day. So cool, thanks for sharing this and it's good to make your digital acquaintance!

[@thecosmicprime]

@@ParkerNotes thanks man!

[@Rohit-cq7vm]

Great, man all the best to you.

[@arizonael]

this is actually so interesting! i‘m fascinated and would love to hear more about your thoughts. all the best to you

[@FatherDIVINE.]

Me too the message I didn't think I needed to see

[@ilikeoptter]

I read on my stationary bicycle every day. I bike for forty minutes, and I average about 10 miles. Over the past two years, I can't believe how many books I've read or how many miles I've biked! A healthy body and a healthy mind is a winning formula.

[@ParkerNotes]

Yesss! This is fantastic. Great work.

[@sampayne2202]

Two tips: - daily page goals work best for me as I often have a book deadlines for seminary. If I have 2 weeks to read a certain book I’ll just split it up into pages/day to finish by the deadline - don’t take my phone to the bathroom when for number 2, always keep a book in there. It’s amazing how much you can knock out even in those shorter periods

[@ParkerNotes]

100% agree 👍

[@xochiltrodriguez428]

Great advice. Too bad my bowel movements are quick. Lol.

[@marlonfrometabarreto888]

Great tips, Parker! I use the second one daily. I struggled to develop a reading habit for years. Here are some tips that helped me: -Schedule time to read in your calendar. -Block out notifications and other distractions. If you use social media, refrain from having it on your phone. Either turn off notifications from apps or use an application that prevents distracting apps from being used during your reading time. -Find several reading options, not just one. Sometimes I may not be in the mood for a particular book, but I have several other exciting books at my disposal. -It's important to recognize that I am not obliged to complete every book I begin to read. In some cases, it's better to put a book aside instead of continuing to read it.

[@ParkerNotes]

These are great! I do these too! Thanks for sharing, I know other folks on here will benefit from these

[@jdmregal]

Great ideas. One thing I've "struggled" with is quantity vs. quality. And here's what I've come up with--pick a book of say a medium challenging level that I can read over a week at one hour per day. Then I choose something that I want to do a deeper dive on with no particular time limit. That way, I get at least 52 books per year read, plus some more material that I've gone deep into.

[@ParkerNotes]

Yes! This is great! I do it with fiction books before bed. I don't need to annotate, except for the occasional quote I want to pull. And I can hammer through way faster than a non-fiction book like philosophy

[@user-nx6sj4ii3i]

I love reading but I don't have to much time during the day. I watched your videos and now I feel more motivated. I'm going to divide the number of pages of the book I pick up and divide in the day's or week I want to spend time reading. If I have a 240 page's book and I wat to finished in one week I need to read at least 34 pages. That's my method! And I preferred to read very early in the morning with coffee in my balcony.

[@MR-yb8od]

I like to read after waking up early in the morning. I can get some good quality deep reading in, set the mood for the day and my mind is subconsciously process what I‘ve read the whole day.

[@ParkerNotes]

Same! Love this

[@drewmorrison]

Agree, sometimes after a workday, reading in the evening can be too much. Need something less thought provoking at night

[@BronxBusters]

I just found you through your common place book video and I'm really enjoying your content. Great stuff and looking forward to future videos 💪🏻

[@ParkerNotes]

Thanks man! Good to have you here!

[@teedjay91]

For me, just writing down the minutes I have read everyday, even without a rigid goal help me read a lot more. The little bit of shame that come with writing "0" and seeing it as a high score is realy encouraging.

[@ParkerNotes]

Yes! 100% with you on this

[@benjishama8198]

I saw you recommended under Ryan holidays reading steps video and your videos have transformed the way I read, everytime I see one of your videos come out I get so excited. Great content, keep it up. 👍👍

[@ParkerNotes]

Haha dude that's crazy. Super encouraging. I got a bunch more for you! Glad to have you on the journey with me 👊

[@marlonfrometabarreto888]

I love those proverbs.

[@ParkerNotes]

I need them so often. Pure gold.

[@hooeygames]

Just recently found your channel and want to thank you for what you’re doing. This community has definitely inspired me to strengthen my reading habits; but also to read deeper, and for this I can’t thank you enough. Many of my notebooks are still in the early scattered stages; to hear your insights on commonplace books, bullet journals and the likes, is incredibly helpful! Looking forward to the future of this channel, in the meantime I will definitely be checking out your podcast!

[@ParkerNotes]

This is fantastic to hear! Can't wait to hear your thoughts on future videos and the podcast

[@erincurrin7590]

I am inspired. I use a form of time blocking on occasion with my weekends, but usually only when I have some specific deadline looming. Now that I am looking at developing a daily reading habit, I love the utility of both tracking methods in conjunction with the time blocking. Thanks for helping me by marrying these tools together so powerfully!

[@ParkerNotes]

Yes! I'm so glad you can benefit from this!!

[@wangwang1488]

Cool video! Can’t wait for your next video on commonplace book again! 😆

[@ParkerNotes]

Haha was tempted to do that one first but I need to chew on the concepts a little more first

[@franciscoossandon3790]

I have an hour and a half for lunch at work. My friend (who also loves reading) and I, eat in about 45 min and the next 45 min we spend it reading in the office. It has been a really good habit for reading everyday. Besides that, I usually read before sleeping at night. Thank for the tips!!

[@ParkerNotes]

That's awesome! What a great friendship to have!

[@Marta-vq8hz]

Hey, man! I recently watched your other video where you explained the reading log. It’s so simple but I I have to say it changed my life. I’m a casual reader and I love reading but I had this terrible habit of not picking up the book for weeks… so it could take me months to finish a normal-sized book. Ever since I started using your reading log technique I’ve finished almost 3 books in a week. I don’t really finish my daily page goal everyday but just the fact that I’m reading everyday made me read faster but also enjoy it more. I started doing this second method subconsciously too. I put a timer for 30 minutes on my phone and focus only on reading for that time. More often than not after the 30 mins is done I’ll still read more because I gain momentum. Thank you so much for this advice you have at least improved the life of one person. I hope you really good luck with this channel im sure you will have even more great content in the future :)

[@ParkerNotes]

This is so awesome!! Thanks for sharing. I'm seriously blessed by this!

[@alittax]

7:47 The power of a comma: "Love, not sleep, (...)" would mean something entirely different. :) (That's how I read it the first time as the camera was focusing.) Thanks for your videos!

[@jesseliddell4472]

For reading habits/goals, I find that keeping a journal works best. For reading the Bible, I try to read four chapters a day -- you'll be able to read the whole Bible in less than a year that way; in addition to that, I like to average a book's total page count for completion in a week -- that's for other books outside of Scripture, whether it's fiction or non-fiction.

[@ParkerNotes]

I was doing the 4 chapters a day for a few years. Took a break to take deep dives but imma start it back up Jan 24 👍

[@jesseliddell4472]

The deep dives are really what it's all about - reflection on the gospel and what/how it leads us on our journey to knowing God. P.S., my wife and I listened to your talk with Gavin over on his Truth Unites channel (the current debate on simulation theory). It was very interesting and insightful to hear some insights to this modern trend and how it can be used as a springboard for evangelizing lost Gen Z'ers. Blessings

[@ParkerNotes]

@@jesseliddell4472 oh awesome man!! Thanks for watching! Looking forward to interacting with you more on here

[@ohbaananaa]

Audiobooks and Natural Reader have really helped me get through more of my for fun reading books and articles, giving me more time to sit down and read harder texts.

[@ParkerNotes]

Oo that's an interesting thought. Glad others have serious and fun book lists too!

[@mohananchandroth3129]

Best wishes from India 🇮🇳.

[@ParkerNotes]

Thanks!

[@Micktheminimalist]

I read every day, I have no set time limit, but what I do is put on some kind of soft classical music on low volume ( barely hear it) and read until I feel like stopping. The ambient classical music actually helps me concentrate more on what I'm reading.

[@ParkerNotes]

I do the same thing with music when there's a lot going on around me

[@james_3457]

Great video! Loved the examples you gave

[@ParkerNotes]

Thanks!!

[@justinebanszky]

One way you can use your phone timer is to set it to the amount of time you want to read in a day, hit pause when you need to take a reading break or go back to work, then check the timer and it will tell you how much time you have left to read.

[@ParkerNotes]

Yep! I do this as well, good call! I try to set them for 90 minutes to 2 hours and just sit and hammer through but that may not be the most healthy thing to do haha

[@JohnnyHofmann]

Helpful stuff Parker!

[@ParkerNotes]

Thanks!!

[@mavrick561]

This is something that I've been struggling with for a while. Thanks for the tips. Awesome to see you've read Jocko. Extreme Ownership was a great book.

[@ParkerNotes]

Thank you! I hope the tips help. And yes, totally. Jocko is the man

[@ethomas2084]

Really like your content. I like your approach to reading. I've always been a reader but with digital technology, there seems to be too many distractions. I tried reading on Kindle but could never get a feel for it. I felt distracted by other books I could read on the Kindle. Tried Audible, but find it difficult to retain the information. Now, I'm planning to go back to real books like you. I'd love to here your approach for balancing digital distractions and reading in a future video, if possible! Keep the videos coming!

[@ParkerNotes]

Awesome! Yeah I can totally relate with this. I'll make some videos on that for sure! Thanks!!

[@xochiltrodriguez428]

That happens to me too with Kindle. I like buying audible and use Kindle at the same time. Sometimes I get distracted choosing books to add to my list instead of reading the 300 plus I have on audible/Kindle.

[@ParkerNotes]

Check out the best method for daily reading here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpO5oYmmnMesrc0

[@jasonwojcik]

The third activity to do is to do an honest time audit to see where you are not using time in the most effective way. It helps define what you need to do verses what you want to do. For me, neither method worked for me. Not because the systems are bad, rather my kid and unexpected life obligations constantly throw monkey wrenches in my schedule. If you have a stable and predictable life, the systems will definitely work! It could also be that my mustache isn't as manly😢 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@ParkerNotes]

Hahahah yeah double check on the mustache! I totally get that there are seasons of life that just don't allow for the study habits we want but raising up kids is more important

[@khal_aegonvii]

Hi Parker, I am a new subscriber. I've always been into writing and notebooks but never really understood why I felt like I needed more notebooks to write on until I found your channel! I feel highly validated and feel like I've found my people. So thank you so much! Been watching your videos. Tho I struggle with keeping track of the things that I write like how do you keep track of where you've written things? I noticed you have so many notebooks on almost individual purposes and I would love to learn how to get more organised! I appreciate your response 😊 (and even more psyched if you made a KZbin video for it too!)

[@ParkerNotes]

I will definitely do some more videos!

[@chaseopsahl]

Your content is amazing. I started a Common Place on St. Basil the Great and his theological works and have started keeping a reading log. Love the analog lifestyle too :) Look forward to continue developing my reading habits.

[@ParkerNotes]

That's awesome!!! Thanks for sharing. Basil is really great haha. Glad to have you here, looking forward to your thoughts on new content in the future

[@Sushi0923]

I agree with you. Life has become so digital nowadays that it actually pushes me to become more analog. Good thing I am still able to read everyday, even if its like a couple of pages. But with planning, I find myself sticking more to the plan if I write it down on paper. I find myself consulting my planner / journal more frequently than Google calendar.

[@ParkerNotes]

Yes! I'm the same way. I started a bullet journal/time-block log and I check it more than my google calendar and I enjoy checking it more too

[@gonzi8046]

Another great video! I just noticed you have a podcast, any episodes you recommend starting with?

[@ParkerNotes]

Ep. 233 Should AI kill us all, and 242 with Jared Henderson are both really good

[@anthonywhitlock9222]

Came across your stuff the other day. Was intrigued initially and even moreso when you said you had your master's in Theology. But *then* I saw you wearing a "certified cage free Calvinist" shirt and *THEN* I noticed the Reformed Forum bookmark. So, yeah, all that came together to earn a sub from this staunch Presbyterian.

[@Denis-Antonio]

I am curious about your theological tastes and your studies. What authors do you like? When will u make a video about theology books?

[@stephenmcdonald9859]

I have a 30 minute sand (hour glass type) timer. It has been the best and least distracting. Plus has a great ambiance to it.

[@ParkerNotes]

I need that!! Thank you. Totally forgot about these

[@stephenmcdonald9859]

It really is awesome for reading and writing (it’s a super nice one too, wish I could share pics on KZbin). Good luck with the Channel. Also, my leather journal has a leather 3-digit locking strap. Super helpful for people with nosey children/roommates. It makes it much more comforting to write true to yourself for more private people. Just channel ideas from someone who’s been running businesses for a long time and takes lots of notes.

[@CorbinatorLoL]

Great tips. Definitely going to start blocking time in my pocket book to help me stay focused. Seems like a great way not only to read but to stay off my phone. Also did Camden Bucey give you permission to use that bookmark outside of a Van Til or Vos work? :P

[@ParkerNotes]

Haha! Don't tell Camden!!

[@bonesb7686]

I like yourvideos. Could you show how you retrieve info from notebooks in order to put an idea together. I can never find my old ideas when notes are in notebooks. Then move from ideas to writing. Most interested in the retrieval of info from notebooks.

[@ParkerNotes]

Yep! This is a great idea! I'll add it to the liat, thanks.

[@mustafamufti1089]

What do you think would be a good approach for someone who is working full-time and has classes in the evenings, every day?

[@handshakes76]

time is a far better method IMO. reading 20 pages of one book could be equivalent to reading 40 of another, and you're going to read far less or far more on some days (or you're going to be discouraged from not having enough time to read enough.)

[@justinebanszky]

Also, there are silent (no tick) kitchen timers. Time Timers has one.

[@ParkerNotes]

😮 that's cheating hahah. All this time I've been enduring the tick-ticks

[@folksurvival]

There are digital ones too.

[@user-gk6wl9qe9o]

Hey can u make a video for people that work 9-5 and 1-9? It is kind of hard for us reading. Before i worked i read a lot but not i dont find as much motivation

[@ParkerNotes]

Yeah let me think about it some more then crank one out for you!

[@MissSenex]

I personally work 2pm-10pm. For the past 5 years I developed a habit of reading before I go to sleep. I try to read 30 pages a night. I notice that when I miss a night or two, my sleep is horrible. Reading for me has helped immensely with my sleep. I try to read throughout the day, but 1 hour before bedtime is reserved for just reading.

[@DarkSitari]

Might be worth averaging like with like rather than mixing up comic book pages with heavy text pages.

[@ParkerNotes]

Yeah I don't actually count comic book pages, just wanted to show off my favorite 😅

[@breynolds7196]

What notebook are using? & Where did you get your leather notebook cover?

[@ParkerNotes]

A lined medium moleskine. It's the old medium moleskine cover from saddleback leather. Should be able to find them on Ebay still

[@tobiaskevorkazito4072]

Oh man this is eXcellent, I got books piled up too. You gave me a great idea to get a library cart like yours. Word up 🙏🌸🦋🌱 edit: I use one of those pomodoro timers that has different intervals of time depending which side you flip it on to. It always allows me to steal time for a reading. Luv this content man 🥊😂

[@ParkerNotes]

Let's go!

[@jesterdejoseph4835]

Good day sir.Just curious, what time do you study? Early morning or evening? And why? Thank you good sir.

[@ParkerNotes]

Early morning. I do intermittent fasting and find that my best work is done before my first meal at 12. The really really good stuff happens from like 7-10am usually

[@jesterdejoseph4835]

Thank you sir.

[@jesterdejoseph4835]

Sir,do you have a video about your daily routine for reading/studying? Thank you.

[@eliudegmdialamicua6169]

❤

[@ParkerNotes]

🫶

[@batman850800]

Does anyone out there count audio books as reading time?

[@LauraBellanova]

🎉

[@ParkerNotes]

🙌

[@khattabsongs7906]

Heyyy❤

[@ParkerNotes]

👋

[@mojojojo6525]

Review the books you like please

[@ParkerNotes]

You thinking like intro books, 1 book at a time, 5 best books, or what?

[@mojojojo6525]

@@ParkerNotes yeah something along those lines

[@lorensims4846]

UPS says nothing improves without measuring it.

[@seandunne6005]

Do you also keep a jiujitsu journal?

[@seandunne6005]

And i should add, Hi, please and thank you. :-)

[@ParkerNotes]

@@seandunne6005 haha hi! Yes I'm working on a good system for BJJ notes now. Do you roll?

[@seandunne6005]

@@ParkerNotes I figured you would have a notebook for jiujitsu! Yes, I roll. Roll is a good umbrella term I hide beneath though 😂. Really enjoy your videos, inspired to cop a pocket notebook today.

[@ParkerNotes]

@@seandunne6005 awesome! I love that. Yeah hopefully I can make a video on it soon

[@marlonfrometabarreto888]

Android philosopher 👌

[@ParkerNotes]

Haha let's go!

[@iamwhatiam5091]

​​​​​@@ParkerNotesDoing a night shift has really disrupted my daily schedule and badly affected my reading habit. When I read fiction & non-fiction (And sometimes for academic books too). I usually make a playlist on KZbin dedicated to the book I'm reading featuring the tours of places mentioned in it; some historical videos related to the place, people, culture, and machines mentioned in the book; etc. It makes those books a bit time consuming but provides a more immersive experience of the book. In case I can't find a video I bookmark the webpage containing information related to the subject. For retaining important information / knowledge mentioned in non - fiction books I take short notes in a commonplace notebook. To me what I gain from a book matters more than how many books I can read in a year. Although I want to maintain a weekly reading habit of 9 hours a week, that is, 1 hour a day (Monday to Friday) and 2 hours a day (Saturday & Sunday).

[@ParkerNotes]

@@iamwhatiam5091 this sounds great! I love the idea of getting background info to help enrich the experience of reading. Really cool!

[@Taranchandel]

Hello sir. Am Taran please giveway your notebook cover please.

[@samiiribnuzwager920]

I HOPE THE BOOKS BEHIND YOU ARE BOOKS OF ISLAM

[@ParkerNotes]

Nah sorry

[@samiiribnuzwager920]

Did you speak arabic language

[@ParkerNotes]

@@samiiribnuzwager920 nope

[@samiiribnuzwager920]

Oh problem plz try to learn it,

[@batman850800]

???

[@fahoursyohangiis]

Your hand writing is bad

[@ParkerNotes]

And your people skills are bad. So what?

[@Krishna10253]

Sir whenever I tried to read a book i dont get concentrated at that and unable to understand any book. Can you help me in understand ing??

[@batman850800]

@@ParkerNotes😂😂😂