How An EXTREMELY Average Dude (me) Read Almost 50 Books in 2022

By the time this year ends, I’ll have read close to 50 books. And I’m a pretty average guy. And I’m not a fast reader. Now, unfortunately, I’m not able to post about how many pounds I shed in 2022. But I did decide at the end of last year, that I was disappointed at how little I was reading. I was determined to change that. And I’m being quite serious here. It really wasn’t that hard. Here’s how I did it, along with why I think you should try it, too.

Here’s the first thing I did. I read books on my phone - and, toward the end of the year, my iPad. I used the Libby app that borrows e-books from my public library. Libby easily opens texts in Kindle on both devices. I checked out books - for free - and I read and read. And it was great.

Now I can hear some of you responding already. “I’ve got to have a real book.” You like the tactile sensation of opening the cover and turning the pages, blah, blah, blah, blah. I mean no offense, but I think most people who say that, when it all comes down to it, really don’t read that much at all. I’m trying to help you actually read books - and not just talk about it, as I was guilty of doing.

Here’s the deal. You’re gonna be on your phone. Don’t sound more holy than you are. You just are. But here’s the question: are you going to be using it for good - or not? How about instead of mindlessly scrolling, you find yourself mindfully growing? You don’t use your phone. Your phone uses you. Why not turn it against itself? And go jujitsu on that little demon device? When you pick it up, instead of killing time and maybe your soul, why not crack open a good book? Trust me, you can pretend you’re turning real pages. It’ll be alright. And it’s even easier with an iPad - or I’m guessing, a true Kindle.

Here’s the second thing I did. I read books that were fun. Now I’m a pastor. I have a seminary Mdiv. I’m supposed to think reading theology books is fun. But here’s the secret: often I didn’t think that much at all. It felt more like work. I often read out of guilt or out of a sense of duty. What did I do this year? I did something I said I’d never do. I read a lot of fiction. I mean a lot of fiction. Many books way over 500 pages. And I loved it. I think it’s going to help my preaching, along with other aspects of ministry. I also enjoy songwriting, and I think it’s also really going to help with that.

But here’s the other surprising thing. I got in such a groove reading, that I ended up reading more books about theology and ministry than I otherwise would have. And I actually found it to be quite fun. I turned it into a game of sorts. Before I would go back to that page-turning fiction read, I’d be sure to read some from a theology first. Sometimes I’d read a chapter, but often I’d just read to the next heading. And then I’d go back in to the “fun,” generally fiction, work. I’d do this often during breaks throughout the day - on occasions where I ate lunch by myself, for example. But, for the most part, I followed this approach at night, when I was in bed, where I’d normally just be scrolling, looking to buy things I didn’t need. Or reading things on social media that made me REALLY MAD. (Warning: exercise caution, and be kind, when you ask your spouse to turn down Law & Order).

Now, I didn’t just read books on my phone. I always carried around a book in my bag that was relevant to ministry. And I would try to pull that out, and read a chapter once or twice a day. Also, not all the books I read on Kindle were free. You’d be surprised what you can actually find and download from the library, but theology titles can be kind of sparse.

Trust me. What keeps most people from reading is a failure to just jump in and get going. You’d be shocked at how much you can read if you just say, “I don’t have much time. I’ll just read a couple of pages.” That’s because you generally won’t often stop there. And it all does certainly add up.

And hear me. Maybe you are someone who says you don’t like reading. But maybe you’ve not really tried. Or didn’t have a plan. Perhaps you didn’t realize you were carrying the library around in your pocket all the time.

Most importantly, don’t miss the opportunity we have to trade up. Sure, we have to make good choices on which books we ingest, but it’s not too difficult to find things better than all the crazy stuff on social media.

Friends, I’m not trying to toot my horn. I just want you to experience it, too. I promise. It wasn’t hard. And maybe this year I can figure out that other goal and shed some pounds. Now that doesn’t sound so easy.