October is officially here, and participants in Wickson Library’s "50 Books for 50 Years" reading challenge should have around 37 or 38 books on their shelf by now to stay on track for the end of the year.
One Wickson librarian, Kristen Gere, has far surpassed this challenge, reaching a jaw-dropping milestone of 100 books. Naturally, I had to chat with Kristen to learn how she managed to read 100 books in just nine short months, and moreover, I wanted to know what tips she might have for those of us wishing to read more.
Kristen credits most of her success to audiobooks, saying, "I love audiobooks, especially when the book takes place in another country. Hearing the accents adds an extra layer to the story that gets lost on paper." She shares that even with her busy schedule, audiobooks are a great way to fit so much reading into her day.
“Audiobooks are my saving grace. I’m constantly on the move, whether I’m driving my kids to activities, mowing the lawn, or cleaning the house. If I’m not at work or asleep, I probably have an earbud in and a book playing,” Kristen says.
Kristen’s love for reading wasn’t always as strong as it is now. Like many, she went through phases where reading took a backseat. "I became an avid reader around age 10 when Accelerated Reader was introduced at school. The prizes we earned made reading fun and rewarding," she recalls. However, she lost the habit during high school and college when her social life and homework took priority. It wasn’t until her mid-30s, after the loss of her mother, that she turned to reading again. "Audiobooks became a healthy coping skill for me. They helped me escape and focus outside of my own struggles," Kristen says. Now, reading is not only a passion but also a form of self-care for Kristen.
Kristen has a few tips for those of us wishing to increase our reading goals. First, she says, “I encourage everyone to give audiobooks a try. And don’t feel bad if you have to quit a book! I used to force myself to finish every book, but now I realize it’s okay to move on if something doesn’t grab me.”
Next, avoid too much screen time. “I rarely watch TV,” Kristen says. “If I have downtime, I prefer picking up a book instead of turning on the television.” Additionally, Kristen strongly believes in genre hopping to avoid getting into a rut. She encourages readers to keep their book selections interesting and mix it up. “Go for the books that take you to a new time and place, or explore a topic you’ve never really thought about,” says Kristen.
One final tip from Kristen is to load up your Libby queue. Kristen says, “I always have around 50 books on hold through Libby so that I’m not spending time searching for my next book. The next one is always ready to go!”
With 100 books under her belt in 2024, Kristen has plenty of recommendations, but I challenged her to narrow her favorites down to her top four:
1. The Inspector Gamache Series by Louise Penny – “Each book is like visiting old friends. The characters and settings are wonderfully done.”
The Measure by Nikki Erlick – “This was a Wickson Reads book club pick that stayed with me long after. It’s inspiring and thought-provoking.”
Begin Again by Helly Acton – “If you liked The Midnight Library, this is a similar but, in my opinion, even better storyline.”
November 9 by Colleen Hoover – “An absolute page-turner with a fresh plot and a great twist.”
For more recommendations by Kristen, keep an eye out on the Wickson Facebook page for occasional "Kristen Recommends" posts where she highlights all the books and authors that have been capturing her attention lately.
There are three months left in the year and Kristen has a goal of reaching 125 books by year’s end—a goal that seems not only ambitious but also completely attainable. As she continues to power through her Libby holds, she remains a source of inspiration for anyone wishing to read more.
Lastly, Kristen leaves us with one final word of advice: “Find the right books for you. If you love what you’re reading, it won’t feel like a chore or a task to be checked off, but more like a reward at the end of a long day.” Happy reading!
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