As the end of 2022 approaches, many of us are taking stock of achievements from the year that has passed.
One avid reader has shared her accomplishment for 2022 with a TikTok video that has more than 33 million views.
In what has been described online as a "novel idea," Katie Fulton from Philadelphia created a Christmas tree using books. In 2022, she read 266 books, sharing her experience and latest reads on Instagram and TikTok under the username katieneedsabiggerbookshelf.
A 2019 study found that reading increases intelligence. In a study of 1,890 identical twins, the twin with stronger reading skills was found to have higher overall intellectual ability by the age of 7.
A study by Sussex University in the U.K. found that reading may reduce stress by as much as 68 percent. There is even evidence that reading can help fight Alzheimer's disease as a 2013 study reported that those who engage in reading or puzzles are 2.5 times less likely to develop the disease than those who don't.
Looking back at the hundreds of books under her belt, Fulton told Newsweek how she managed to reach her reading goal.
"My goal is always 20 books a month," Fulton said. "Some months I don't hit it, and others I exceed it."
Reading challenges are incredibly popular across the world. Suzanne Skyvara, vice president of Marketing & Editorial, Goodreads, told Newsweek: "In 2022, 6.5 million people set a goal to read more with the Goodreads Reading Challenge, committing to read a collective 320 million books."
Online reading is also a hot topic, with Reddit's r/52book subreddit amassing 485,000 members who pledge to read one book a week for a year, while the Instagram hashtag #readingchallenge has more than 619,000 posts.
"I read pretty much every day," said Fulton. "I am usually reading three books at a time: one audiobook, one physical book and an e-book. So they need to be different genres to keep track."
Reading isn't just a great leisure activity either—there is plenty of scientific evidence to support the benefits of reading books on health and well-being.
How to Read More Books
If you're keen to flex your literary muscles in 2023, Fulton offered some top tips for setting your own reading goal.
Embrace Audiobooks
"I'm in the car a lot for work so about a third of my reading is audiobooks," explained Fulton. "They're a great way to get yourself into reading. Driving, cleaning the house, making dinner—all great times to put on some headphones and get lost in a book."
The great debate over audiobooks has raging for years, with bookstore Barnes and Noble hosting a discussion on it in as far back as 2014, where bookclub members debated whether audiobooks made you a "reading cheater."
Frances, an avid reader and part of the TikTok "BookTok" community that frequently share book-related content under the handle @readwithfran, told Newsweek: "I do think that people are quick to dismiss listening to an audiobook as 'not really reading' without stopping to consider the purpose of books and of stories. For me, books aren't just about reading, but are about experiencing a story, and everything that comes with that. Sometimes, listening to the book can impart that story even more effectively than reading it yourself can.
"There is also an obvious ableism element to the issues that people take with listening to audiobooks being referred to as reading. For people with visual impairments, and other disabilities, audiobooks make reading accessible. I have combined type ADHD, and as much as I love reading, I don't always have the capacity to do so. Audiobooks allow me to accommodate for my varied focus."
"Audiobooks count," said Skyvara from Goodreads. "Mixing it up between audiobooks, print books, and e-books help you find more ways to read."
Read What You Enjoy
"I read pretty diversely and sometimes depending on what's happening in life a specific genre calls to you in that moment," said Fulton.
Choosing the right books can help you achieve your goals, added Fulton: "If a book isn't working for you, don't force yourself to finish it. Life's too short to read books that aren't for you."
Skyvara agreed: "There's no rule that you have to finish a book. There are so many amazing books out there waiting for you, so open a new one and keep your reading habit going."
Set a Realistic Goal
A total of more than 200 books in a year is an impressive feat, but Fulton said that starting with an achievable goal is the key to success.
"Start with a goal of five or 10 books for the year," she added. "That's already more than many people read a year. If your goal is too high, it's easy to get discouraged if you aren't hitting it."
On Goodreads, people are able to share their reading goals with others to keep themselves accountable. "The average goal is 49 books," said Skyvara. "But the most popular goals are between 11 and 25 books for the year."
Always Have a Book With You
Take advantage of pockets of downtime by always having your reading material to hand. Whether it's a book in your bag, or an audiobook or e-book on your phone, keeping it close means that you can get in a few pages when you least expect it.
"Instead of pulling out your phone while waiting in the doctor's office, pull out a book instead," said Fulton.
Update 12/16/22, 02.48 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
Update 12/20/22, 05.30 a.m. ET: The name of Frances, part of the TikTok "BookTok" community, has been updated.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Alice Gibbs is a Newsweek Senior Internet Trends & Culture Reporter based in the U.K. For the last two years ... Read more
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