When you’re keeping up with work, family, responsibility and the neverending day-to-day routine, 50 books per year might seem like a dream. The reality is that the average user checks their phone for 3+ hours every day – a considerable amount of which is devoted to social media.
If you were to use 20 minutes of that time to focus on reading, what would happen?
That’s 50 books per year. Not through ‘speed reading’ techniques or deprivation of sleep! By making small, regular habits that are in your life.
This guide will demonstrate how you can do it.
The reason why most people fail and how to avoid it.
- The first mistake is to start too strong:
Attempting to read for 2 hours a day after many months of no reading.
Solution: Try 10 minutes. Practice first and then increase the amount of time.
- Choosing the wrong book:
Choosing books of philosophy that are 600 pages, dense and require a lot of hard work.
Solution: Start with shorter, practical books (150–250 pages) that you can finish in 3–5 days. - No Reading Routine:
Reading ‘when time permits’ is reading when there are no other priorities.
Solution: Pair up the existing habits with a solution reading.
- Too Many Distractions:
Does 15 minutes of reading in the morning = morning coffee?
Lunch break = 20 minutes
Before bed = 15 minutes
Some of the other common errors include:
Make it harder to focus with phone notifications. One ping is equal to 10 minutes of reading flow!
Solution:
Press the button to enable and disable the Do Not Disturb function.
If necessary, turn off the airplane mode.
Make sure to have no other apps running.
If possible, create a space where you can focus on the task at hand without distractions.
The 50-Book - Step-by-Step Plan
Step 1: Set Up Your Reading Stack (30 minutes, once)
Create a curated list of 60 books (10 extra for flexibility).
Categories to balance:
- 40% Growth (productivity, business, skills)
- 30% Knowledge (history, science, psychology)
- 20% Inspiration (biography, personal development)
- 10% Pure enjoyment (fiction, whatever you love)
Step 2: Schedule Your Reading Time (Non-Negotiable)
Morning Readers (20 minutes)
- Wake up 20 minutes earlier, or
- Read during breakfast/coffee
Midday Readers (20–30 minutes)
- Lunch break
- Commute time (audiobooks count!)
Evening Readers (20–30 minutes)
- After dinner, before screens
- Replace 30 minutes of scrolling
Step 3: Use the “Page Goal” Method
Don’t track time. Track pages.
Daily page goals:
- 20 pages/day = 7,300 pages/year = 50+ books
- 15 pages/day = 5,475 pages/year = 35–40 books
- 10 pages/day = 3,650 pages/year = 25–30 books
Step 4: Apply the “2-Chapter Rule”
If you’re not hooked after 2 chapters (usually 30–50 pages), quit the book.
Life’s too short for books that don’t serve you.
Step 5: Read Multiple Books at Once (Strategic)
Wait—doesn’t this slow you down?
Not if you do it right.
The System:
- 1 morning book (productivity/business)
- 1 evening book (lighter/fiction)
- 1 audiobook (during commute/chores)
Step 6: Take Smart Notes (5 minutes per book)
After finishing each book, write:
- 3 key ideas
- 1 thing I’ll implement
- 1 person who needs to read this
The 90-Day Challenge: Your First 12 Books
Month 1: Build the Habit (4 books)
- Start with short, engaging books (150–200 pages)
- Read 10–15 minutes daily minimum
- Focus on consistency, not speed
Month 2: Increase Volume (4 books)
- Extend to 20–25 minutes daily
- Add 1 audiobook during commute
- Track your progress
Month 3: Find Your Rhythm (4 books)
- Settle into 25–30 minutes daily
- Mix book types (growth, knowledge, enjoyment)
- Celebrate your streak
After 90 days, you’ll have read 12 books and built an unshakeable habit.
The Ask Caliope Advantage
Want to make your 50-book goal even easier?
Start with practical, action-focused eBooks:
- Shorter length (2–4 hour reads)
- Step-by-step systems
- Immediate application
- Evidence-based content