A lot of people talk about the benefits of journaling, and I am a fan of doing so (even if I've been negligent about it for the last few months). However, I'm a bigger fan of reading, and taking time out of my busy schedule to try to finish at least one book a month. Oftentimes, I'm able to exceed this goal and finish up multiple comics and books a month, which helps me feel better about my productivity and encourages me to push my reading challenge further.

Speed reading for me was never a problem, but lately, I've been trying to retain more of what I've read. In 2014, for example, I read 100 books in 52 weeks, but I wouldn't be able to remember details or storylines, which is something I am attempting to improve this year.

While there are plenty of book clubs around the city, along with services that will send you a book a month, I prefer reading when I feel compelled to, and go at my own pace - even if this means that I have shelves of books left to read. Incorporating reading into my schedule - be it if I'm waiting for someone, or something to begin, as a way to pass time on public transportation, or just at the end of a busy day - has helped me not only calm down or de-stress but also helped motivate me in its own way.

The best thing I've learned is to work on at most two books at a time - otherwise, it gets too confusing to remember when you may have left off. Another thing that's helping me read more is finding out where the free book boxes, or take a book/leave a book places are around the city. Finally, I try to pick up a book from every new bookstore I visit - both as a souvenir if I am traveling, or if I happen to be exploring new areas around the city.

Taking these steps has helped me grow and improve as a reader, and made me like reading as a whole even more.