I’m always reading three books at a time. Always. And in this post I’m going to share how I manage it, and more importantly, why I do this. So keep reading, if you love learning and want to be more intentional about your reading life while staying organized and without getting overwhelmed.

I Identify as an Autodidact.

There’s something powerful about being a self-taught learner. I’ve done plenty of formal schooling, kindergarten through twelfth grade, undergrad, grad school, and even started a doctoral program (that’s a story for another day). But these days, I’m not enrolled in any institution. I just learn because I love it.

I have this childlike curiosity that keeps me reaching for more. I read to learn, to grow, to understand, to get better. And because I take it seriously, I’ve created a system that helps me stay on track.

Step One: Get Organized

Whew, this took me a minute. I used to have book titles scattered everywhere, screenshots, texts, sticky notes, you name it.

Now I keep a running list in Apple Notes. Anytime someone recommends a book or I come across one that interests me, I add it to the list. I recently went through and organized everything by genre. I also created a separate list for books I’ve already finished, along with the next three I plan to read.

And yes, I have physical books too, plenty. So I made a personal rule: no new physical books until I finish the ones already on my shelf. The only exception is Audible. I still use my monthly credits to get audiobooks.

Eventually, I want to merge everything, physical books, my Audible wishlist, and my digital list, into one clean, organized system inside Notes or Google Sheets. But for now, I’m staying consistent with what I’ve got.

Step Two: Make Time to Read (On Purpose)

Let’s be real. You can want to read all day long, but if you don’t make time for it, it’s not happening. Here’s how I fit reading into my life:

Morning Reading

Every morning, at least five days a week, I set aside one hour for focused reading. I sit at my desk with my book, sticky notes, highlighters, pens, and my little pointer. This is my time to read something that feeds my professional work.

Audiobook Flow

I’m always listening to a book on Audible. I fit it in during walks, after workouts, during my skincare routine, while cooking dinner, or cleaning up.

The Kitchen Table Book

This is a physical book I keep downstairs on the kitchen table. I used to keep it on my nightstand, but that didn’t work because I’d lay there overthinking what I read instead of going to sleep. Now, I read this book in the evenings, after work or while winding down.

Step Three: Choosing What to Read

So how do I pick what I’m reading? 

I love a mix of genres: educational texts, historical fiction, nonfiction, memoirs, self-help, biographies, autobiographies, you name it. I even want to try some horror or thrillers soon. (If you’ve got a Stephen King recommendation, drop it in the comments!). 

I keep a running list of books I’ve completed so far this year. At the start of each month, I usually write down the three I plan to read next.

Here’s how I pick the three:

Morning Book

This reading block is always tied to my work. Right now, I’m reading “Cultuvating Genius”, and next up is “Unearthing Joy”. These are the kinds of books that challenge me professionally and push me to think more critically about education, equity, and leadership.

While I usually dedicate this time to reading a career-aligned book, something like a textbook or professional development resource, I also use it, occasionally, to catch up on current events in education. For example, I’ve used this block to dig into topics like state intervention legislation, school vouchers, local school board governance, and leadership issues. Sometimes I’ll read a new report or scan academic articles that relate to my work.

So even though this block is mostly for deep study through books, about once a week I’ll pivot and use the time to explore timely education issues and stay informed on what’s happening in the field.

Audiobook

This one is all about what I’m in the mood for. I just finished The Nightingale (so good) and now I’m listening to Lovely One by Ketanji Brown Jackson. Up next is Reel by Kennedy Ryan, because I want something lighter and romantic. I rotate genres depending on my vibe, memoirs, historical fiction, romance, whatever I feel like.

Kitchen Table Book

This is always a physical book I already own. Right now, I’m reading Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Jacobs. I’ve had this book for at least a decade, started and stopped it so many times. But now I’m locked in and loving it.

After this, I’ll probably read Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, which has also been sitting on my shelf waiting for me.

There’s no strict system here, it’s about what calls me. But lately, I’ve been on a journey to learn as much as I can about African American history. I’ve got a collection of books written by formerly enslaved people, and others that document slavery, Reconstruction, Jim Crow, and the Civil Rights era. I plan to keep reading from this group until I finish what’s on my shelf.

Step Four: Remembering What I Read

Reading is great, but I also want to remember what I read, especially the things that inspire me, challenge me, or connect to my work.

Here’s how I do that:

For My Morning Book:

• I highlight key quotes or ideas while I read.
• Then, I voice-text those highlights into a Google Doc so I have a digital copy.
• I write down three takeaways on a sticky note.
• I record a quick voice note with my reflections. If I’m reading with a friend (like I am now), we send each other these voice notes. It helps us reflect and stay accountable.

For My Audiobook:

I don’t take deep notes, but if something stands out, I quickly type it into my Notes app. I have a “2025 Book Notes” folder. Each audiobook gets its own note.

For My Kitchen Table Book:

If something resonates, I grab my phone and voice-text a quick note or reflection into a dedicated note for that book.

That’s the System

To sum it up:

1. I keep an organized book list so I know what I want to read.
2. I schedule reading time: morning focus, all-day audiobooks, and evening kitchen table reading.
3. I pick books intentionally based on what I need or what I’m feeling.
4. I capture what I learn so I can return to it later.

There’s also a Step Five: applying what I’ve read, but that’s a whole other post. So that’s how I read three books at once without losing my mind. 

Let me know in the comments:

• Do you read multiple books at a time?
• What’s your reading routine like?
• Got any horror/thriller recs for me?

Enjoyed this read? Sign up for my newsletter! Check out the video below, where I go in-depth about my system!

With love and reading, 

Tamera