How Many Books Do You Read a Month?

At our monthly local library meetings, we usually discuss the books we've read that month, whether we recommend them, and why. Typically, I discuss four books, which translates to around one book per week. Occasionally, the number might bump up to five if the books are longer.

My Reading Odyssey

Hello, and thank you for your question, Prajwal Bhat (or PraBhat for short). An average person reads anywhere between 12 and 20 books per year, equating to approximately 1 to 1.6 books per month. However, I don’t quite fit into the average category.

On an average month, I read roughly 200 to 250 books, excluding audiobooks and eBooks. When these are added, that number rises to about 500 to 550 books per month and an astounding 6,000 to 6,600 books per year. Over my lifetime, I've read an impressive 180,000 books. My aspirations are to double that number. I attribute much of my personal and professional growth to these books, which have significantly enhanced my reading and writing confidence, self-power, and a plethora of other skills. From Mathematics to English and Science, History, Business, and even scores of other languages, everything started with books. And although most of these I’ve accessed through the library, I own only about 4,000 to 5,000 of them. I am constantly learning, and I truly believe that reading has been pivotal in my journey.

Quality Over Quantity

The number of books you read monthly is not the ultimate metric. The quality of the books you read and how they influence your perspective, learning, and personal growth are far more important.

A thought-provoking question I ask is: Would you choose to read 10 great books or 100 average books in a year? In my view, the answer is clear; it’s the 10 great books that provide the most value and insight. Quantity shouldn’t overshadow quality.

The Mathematical Reality

It’s also worth noting the sheer volume of books out there. According to my latest Google search, there are just under 130 million books in existence, with approximately 600,000 to 1 million new books published annually in the U.S. alone.

Let’s consider a hypothetical scenario. If an average person reads 24 books per year from the age of 20 until 80, that totals 1,440 books. However, this is an extremely modest number when compared to the vast ocean of books available. You can never read all the books in existence, so it’s essential to focus on the ones that matter most to you and your interests. If a book isn’t as great as you expected, it's okay to stop reading it.

Conclusion

My goal is not to discourage you from reading but to encourage you to prioritize the quality of your reading experience. Each book is a precious resource, and we can only read a select few in our lifetime. Focus on those that truly resonate with you and add value to your life. Read books and improve yourself.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.