If your TBR pile feels like it's growing faster than you can read it, you're not alone. Whether you're trying to hit a reading goal, get through more books this year, or just want to spend less time stuck on one chapter, learning to read faster can make a real difference without turning reading into a chore.
The good news: reading faster doesn't mean skimming or missing the good parts. With a few simple habits, you can pick up your pace while still enjoying every page. Here are 12 tips that actually work.
Why reading speed matters (and when it doesn't)
Before diving in, it's worth saying there's nothing wrong with reading slowly. Some books deserve to be savored. But if you're someone who wants to read more, finish more series, or stop feeling guilty about your ever growing TBR, building reading speed as a skill can help you get there without sacrificing how much you enjoy the story.
1. Stop subvocalizing every word
Most slow readers "hear" every word in their head as they read, which limits your speed to roughly talking pace. Practice scanning a few words ahead instead of mentally pronouncing each one. Your brain can process written words faster than it can "say" them internally.
2. Use a pacer
Run your finger, a pen, or even your eyes in a smooth line under the text as you read. This trains your eyes to move steadily forward instead of drifting back to reread lines you've already processed, a habit called regression that slows almost every reader down.
3. Widen your eye span
Instead of focusing on one word at a time, train your eyes to take in small clusters of 3 to 5 words per glance. This is one of the core techniques behind most speed reading methods, and it gets easier with practice.
4. Read in short, focused sprints
Set a timer for 15 to 25 minutes and read with full focus, no phone, no multitasking. Short, distraction free sprints almost always beat long, interrupted reading sessions, both for speed and for how much you actually remember afterward.
5. Pick books that match your current mood
Forcing yourself through a book you're not in the mood for is one of the biggest reading speed killers. If you're in a slump, switch to something easier or more immersive. A fast paced romance or thriller will almost always read quicker than a dense literary novel you're not connecting with.
6. Minimize distractions before you start
Put your phone in another room, silence notifications, and tell people you're unavailable for 20 minutes. Every time your focus breaks, it takes time to fully reimmerse yourself in the story. Distraction free reading is almost always faster reading.
7. Don't reread unless you have to
Constantly flipping back a paragraph "just to be sure" adds up fast. Trust your brain to retain the gist, and keep moving forward. If something important was unclear, it's usually clarified naturally as the story continues.
8. Read more, not just faster
This sounds counterintuitive, but reading speed is a skill that improves with volume. The more consistently you read, the faster your brain gets at processing sentence structure, vocabulary, and pacing, especially within a genre you read often.
9. Audiobooks count (and can train your pace)
Listening to audiobooks at a slightly increased speed (1.25x to 1.5x) can help train your brain to process language faster, which often carries over when you go back to physical reading. It's also a great way to get through your TBR during commutes or chores.
10. Set a realistic reading goal
A clear goal, whether it's a number of books per month or a set amount of time per day, gives your reading a sense of structure. Tracking your goal also makes it easier to notice your own progress, which is motivating on its own.
11. Track your reading habits
Keeping a simple log of what you read, when, and how long it took helps you spot your own patterns: which genres you read fastest, what time of day you focus best, and where you tend to slow down. Our Daily Planner Notitieblok is a simple way to build this habit without overcomplicating it.
12. Choose books you're genuinely excited about
This might be the simplest tip on the list, but it's the most effective: you read faster through books you're actually enjoying. If you're stuck in a slump, sometimes the fix isn't a faster reading technique. It's simply finding a book that hooks you from page one.
A fun way to find your next page turner
Not sure what to pick up next? A Blind Date Book takes the decision fatigue out of choosing. Pick your genre, and let the surprise do the rest. Once you're hooked, mark your progress with a bookmark so picking the book back up feels effortless.
Frequently asked questions about reading faster
Does reading faster mean I'll understand less?
Not necessarily. Many speed reading techniques, like reducing subvocalization and widening your eye span, are designed to maintain comprehension while reducing the habits that slow you down unnecessarily, like excessive rereading.
How long does it take to notice a difference in reading speed?
Most readers notice a difference within a few weeks of consistent practice, especially with simple changes like reducing distractions and avoiding unnecessary rereading.
Is it better to read more books or read them more slowly?
There's no universal right answer. It depends on your goals. If you're trying to get through your TBR or build a consistent reading habit, focusing on speed and consistency helps. If you're reading for pure enjoyment, slower can be just as valuable.
What's the easiest tip to start with?
Minimizing distractions (tip 6) and picking books that match your mood (tip 5) are usually the easiest wins, with the biggest immediate impact on your reading speed.
Start reading faster today
You don't need to overhaul your entire reading routine overnight. Pick one or two tips from this list and build from there. Track your progress with our Daily Planner Notitieblok, let a Blind Date Book keep your TBR exciting, and watch your reading pace pick up naturally as you build the habit.
Happy reading! 📖⏱️