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10 Ways to Conquer Your

Reading Pile

by Maria Gracia Updated on January 1, 2025 Overwhelmed by your reading pile or eReader backlog? Discover 10 practical and fun tips to declutter, organize, and finally make time for the books and articles you love. Conquer your stack today. Is your reading pile starting to look like the Leaning Tower of Pisa? Or is your eReader  overflowing with books you keep downloading but never read? You’re not alone. Here’s how to organize your reading pile, clear the clutter, and make time for the stories and articles you’ve been meaning to enjoy. 1. Highlight What Matters Most: Who has time to read everything? Instead, grab a highlighter (or use your eReader’s highlighting feature) and scan for the headlines and topics that spark your interest. Highlight those sections and revisit them later. This trick saves time and keeps you focused on what truly matters. Want to stay even more organized? Jot down notes in a notebook or app so you can act on any big ideas. 2. Tear It Out (Or Bookmark It): Pressed for time? Tear out pages from magazines or newspapers that you actually want to read and store them in a dedicated folder. No need to keep the whole publication cluttering your space. Digital reader? Bookmark those pages or save articles using apps like Pocket or Evernote for easy access later. 3. Create a Personal Reference System: If you’re reading a book and come across something worth revisiting, write it down. Use an index card or sticky notes to record the page number, the section of the page (top, middle, or bottom), and a few keywords. This way, you won’t waste time flipping through the entire book later to find what you need. For eReaders, use the “notes” feature to tag important sections. 4. Speed Reading to the Rescue: Feel like you’ll never catch up on all that reading? Speed reading can help. Check out books, online speed reading courses or apps like Spreeder that train you to process content more quickly. You can also try summary services like Blinkist, which condense key ideas from books into bite-sized pieces. 5. Schedule Reading Time Like a Pro: Reading isn’t just a luxury—it’s self- care. Block out 15-30 minutes daily on your calendar, whether it’s during your morning coffee or before bed. Treat this time as a non-negotiable date with yourself. Bonus tip: Pair your reading time with something cozy, like a blanket and tea, to make it extra enjoyable. 6. Clear the Reading Clutter: Old newspapers and magazines can pile up fast. Recycle anything that’s no longer relevant (news more than a few days old, anyone?). Donate gently used magazines to libraries, schools, or waiting rooms. Prefer going paperless? Apps like Apple News+ let you access tons of publications digitally, keeping your home—and your mind—clutter-free. 7. Create a Dedicated Reading Zone: Say goodbye to scattered books and magazines. Gather all your reading materials into one basket, bin, or folder to make them easier to manage. For eReaders, create folders or collections by category (e.g., Business, Fiction, Self-Help). When everything is organized in one place, it’s easier to see what’s left and avoid overwhelming yourself. 8. Get Real About Your Pile: Let’s be honest—some things in your reading pile aren’t going to get read. That’s okay. Take a moment to declutter by donating or deleting anything you’ve lost interest in. If your eReader has more than 10 unread books, hold off on buying new ones until you finish what you already have. Less guilt, more progress. 9. Take It Everywhere You Go: Make downtime productive by bringing your reading with you. Whether it’s a physical book, a magazine, your eReader, or an audiobook app, you can knock out a few pages or chapters while waiting in line, commuting, or sitting in a waiting room. Audiobooks are a game-changer for those who prefer listening over reading or for multitaskers who want to "read" while cooking, exercising, or driving. Apps like Audible, Libby, or Hoopla make it simple to carry your favorite stories wherever you are. Always keep a book, eReader, or audiobook queued up so you’re ready to dive in during those unexpected pockets of free time. 10. Set Clear Reading Goals: A little structure goes a long way. Decide how much you want to read each day—whether it’s a chapter, 20 pages, or 15 minutes. For longer books, break it down into manageable chunks and set a target finish date. Write it down or track it in an app like Goodreads to stay motivated. Celebrate every milestone, big or small—you’ve earned it! Bonus Tip: Don’t Feel Guilty About Skipping Books: Sometimes, a book just isn’t for you, and that’s fine. If it’s not grabbing your attention, move on. Life is too short to read books that feel like a chore. By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to conquering your reading pile and rediscovering the joy of reading. Not only will you clear physical clutter, but you’ll also free up mental space for new ideas and inspiration. Back to Time Management Index