Share Post:
Every year, I set a goal to read more books. And every year, life gets in the way. Work, social plans, and a million distractions make it easy to push reading to tomorrowโwhich somehow turns into next month. Sound familiar?
Hereโs the thing: reading more isnโt about forcing yourself to sit with a book for hours or giving up your other hobbies. Itโs about making small shifts that help books fit naturally into daily life.
So how do you do it? How do you go from barely finishing a book to breezing through your reading list without stress? Itโs simpler than you might think. Keep reading, and youโll find easy ways to turn reading into a habitโwithout sacrificing fun or free time.
1. Stop Thinking, Just Start
Overthinking ruins everything. The longer you wait for the “perfect” moment to read, the harder it gets. Instead of planning or waiting for motivation, open a book and read a single page. Just one.
How fast you read doesnโt matter at first; itโs about starting and building the habit.
It sounds too easy, but it works. One page often leads to two, then five, then ten. Even if you stop at one, thatโs still progress. And momentum builds fast when you start small.
2. Pick Books That Actually Interest You
Ever forced yourself through a book you should like? Maybe a classic everyone raves about, or a non-fiction title promising to change your life? If reading feels like a chore, you wonโt stick with it.
Instead, choose books that genuinely excite you. Hereโs how:
- Follow your curiosity โ What topics, stories, or ideas grab your attention? Thatโs your reading sweet spot.
- Mix up formats โ Try audiobooks, e-books, graphic novelsโwhatever keeps you engaged.
- Drop books without guilt โ If a book isnโt working for you, let it go. There are too many great ones out there.
When you actually enjoy what youโre reading, picking up a book feels like a treat, not a task.
3. Create a Reading-Friendly Space
View this post on Instagram
Ever notice how coffee shops make reading feel effortless? The warm lighting, cozy chairs, and soft background noise set the perfect mood.
Now, recreate that at home. Find a comfortable chair, grab a blanket, and set up soft lighting. Keep your current read nearby so itโs easy to reach. A dedicated reading spot helps signal to your brain that this is reading time.
Even better? Pair books with another habit you loveโlike morning coffee, evening tea, or quiet time before bed. When reading becomes part of an existing routine, it sticks.
4. The “10-Minute Rule” for Busy Schedules
Think you donโt have time to read? You do. Ten minutes a day is all it takes to start.
Hereโs the trick:
Ten minutes feels easy, but those minutes add up fast. Over a year, thatโs over 60 hours of readingโenough to finish 10-15 books without major time sacrifices.
5. Always Carry a Book
Youโd be surprised how many little moments in a day are perfect for reading. Waiting in line, sitting in a waiting room, commuting, or winding down before bedโthese pockets of time add up.
If you always have a book (or an audiobook) on hand, youโll naturally fill these gaps with reading instead of mindless scrolling.
Some great ways to sneak in extra pages:
Reading fits into life when itโs convenient.
6. Forget Speed, Focus on Consistency
Reading Fast is Not Thinking.
If youโre reading fast youโre not thinking and challenging what youโre reading. Youโre not being critical.
Youโre not making connections with existing knowledge. Youโre just taking away the surface-level knowledge and not absorbing anything at all pic.twitter.com/EcJ2ikpVSN
โ Chirag Malik | Book Blogger (@booksmyrefuge) September 22, 2023
Reading fast isnโt the goal. Some books are meant to be devoured in a day, while others need to be savored. Either way, progress is progress.
A few ways to read more without pressure:
- Skim sections if youโre losing interest โ No need to read every word.
- Read multiple books at once โ Different moods call for different books.
- Try audiobooks โ Great for multitasking and finishing books faster.
Instead of worrying about how many books you read, focus on enjoying them.
7. Make Reading Social
Books become more engaging when you talk about them.
Ways to make reading a shared experience:
- Join a book club โ Whether online or in person, discussing books makes them more memorable.
- Read with a friend โ Choose a book together and chat about it as you go.
- Share your reads online โ Post on Goodreads, TikTok, or Instagram for recommendations and motivation.
When books become part of conversations, they naturally become part of your life.
8. Cut Down on Screen Time (Just a Little)
Ever check your phone for “just a second” and suddenly an hour disappears? Scrolling eats up the time you could spend on books.
Try small swaps:
- Read for 15 minutes before opening social media.
- Keep books in sightโon your nightstand, coffee table, or desk.
- Use tech wiselyโKindle apps and audiobooks make reading easier.
The less time spent doomscrolling, the more time for books.
9. Track Progress Without Obsessing
Tracking can be fun, but donโt let it turn into a numbers game.
Some easy ways to stay motivated:
- Make a simple list โ Jot down books youโve finished.
- Start a reading journal โ Write your favorite quotes or thoughts.
- Use an app like Goodreads โ Find recommendations and log your reads.
Seeing progress, even in small steps, keeps motivation high. Just donโt let it feel like homework.
10. Enjoy the Process
@vanessafaga cozy reading session๐ผ๐๐ ib: @Debbie ๐งธโ๏ธ๐น๐ค #fyp #booktok #reading #readwithme #readingtiktok #readtok #aestheticroutine #cozyaesthetic #romancebooks โฌ original sound – Danni
Reading should feel enjoyable, not like another task on your to-do list. The less pressure you put on yourself, the easier it is to make it a habit.
A few final reminders:
- Some weeks, youโll read a lot. Other weeks, not so much. Thatโs okay.
- Itโs fine to re-read books you love. Comfort reading counts.
- You donโt need deep, life-changing booksโsometimes, pure entertainment is exactly what you need.
When reading feels natural instead of forced, it becomes something you want to do, not something you have to do.
And with a variety of must-read books coming out in 2025, there’s always something fresh to spark your interest.
So grab a book, read a page, and let the habit build from there. Youโll be surprised at how much you can read without even trying.
