When I was a kid, I loved to read. I imagined myself fighting pirates with Peter Pan, exploring the secrets of Hogwarts Castle with Harry, Ron, and Hermione, or traveling to the lands of the ice bears with Lyra Belaqua. Then – sometime around high school – reading began to feel like a chore. It was something I had to do, rather than something I wanted to do. The notion of having to read more books, on top of my anatomy textbook, was a bananas concept.
It wasn’t until college that I realized I hadn’t picked up a book for fun in years. I woke up each morning and scrolled on my phone until it was time to leave for the day. And I wasn’t happy. It was in that moment that I decided to swap scrolling for page-turning. And it changed my life entirely.
I cannot stress enough how important and wonderful reading is! And if you are reading this guide, you are probably hoping to add it back into your life as well.
If you are not a self-identified ‘reader’, then challenging yourself to read more can seem like a vague goal. And as we all know, vague goals seldom lead to results. With that in mind, if you have a personal goal to read more, then lets focus on making that goal more actionable.
Without further ado, here are my top seven tips that will help you read more books.
7 Tips to read more books
1. Set reading goals
Set a reasonable goal for a number of books you want to read in a year. Let’s not get to crazy and start off with 100 books in a year. Instead, let’s start with something that you can realistically achieve. One book a month is a great place to start if you are new to your reading journey. For those who are a bit more advanced and are just looking to read more, then maybe double that number to 24.
In reality, the number of books does not matter. What DOES matter is that we are tracking our progress. I recommend signing up for a Goodreads account – the bibliophiles social media. Every time you finish a book, you get the ultimate satisfaction of marking it as ‘READ’. You can even create your own Goodreads-esque bullet journal tracker. Everytime you finish a book, write the title and check it off.
Having clear goals can help you prioritize reading and will create a sense of accomplishment every time you get a step closer to completion.
2. Create a reading routine
If you really want to read more, then incorporating reading into your daily routine is a must. The best way to make reading a habit is to block it into your schedule at roughly the same time every day. For me, personally, I make the time and space to ready for an hour every single morning before heading off to work. I find that my brain is the most open to imagination before it gets cluttered with work stress. For many of my friends, reading right before bed is the way to go. Maybe you will choose to read during your lunch break or commute to and from work.
Consistency is key here. It does not matter WHEN you read, but setting aside a dedicated time every day is such an important factor when you are trying to read more. Even scraping together just 20 minutes every single day will help solidify that habit – and will really add up over time!
3. Find material that interests you
There is literally no sense in powering through a book that you are not enjoying. A book could be a New York Times Bestseller and bore you to tears. Alternatively, maybe a book no one has ever heard of will knock your socks right off.
Again, Goodreads is great here. Put in the topics you are interested in – history, art, non-fiction, travel memoirs, you name it – and the algorithm will do the heavy lifting for you. Oh, and if you find a book you really do love, you can easily see similar books to check out.
If you love books by Hemingway, check out his other works. If memories of your high school English teacher cramming Jane Eyer down your throat are still haunting you, then don’t start with the classics – but introduce a few over time. Maybe some of your favorite TV shows were adapted from novels. Try checking those out, since you know for sure that you already love the story! The sky’s the limit here.
Oh – and if you find yourself in a reading slump where you cannot find a book to enjoy (all readers hit this point), then go back to some of your childhood classics. Dive back into the worlds of Narnia or Hogwarts and let your imagination take over. Works every single time.
4. Limit screen time
As much as I love my phone, my squirrel brain is constantly tinkering with it. If it is near me, I am scrolling through it. And this habit, although I am actively trying to break it, really gets in the way of my reading. That is why my phone is in “phone jail” during my morning reading time.
If you have a goal to read more, then phones away! Keep your screens in a separate room so you are not tempted to check for incoming messages.
5. Create a reading nook
You’re more likely to read if you have a really squishy and cozy place to do it. Invest in some squishy pillows, a dedicated reading chair, and some candles. Or find a spot on your couch or balcony that is your “reading spot”. If you prefer to read in public spaces, head to a nearby park or cafe. The ultimate goal here: have a place where you feel comfortable and in the mindset to read more.
I find that my “reading spaces” actually make me excited to read more.
Oh – and before you start, brew yourself a piping hot cup of coffee or tea to sip while you cruise through your pages.
6. Carry a book with you
One of the best ways to read more books is to always have the option to dive into the pages. Have a few minutes while you wait at the DMV? Grab a book. Hopping on a 30 minute public transportation ride? Read a few chapters.
Now, the thought of carrying a 500-page novel might sound unpleasant. And that is because… it is unpleasant. That is why were have a hidden hack right in our pocket – our phone. Download apps like Audible to listen to audiobooks at any point in the day. You can also use a service like Libby or Hoopla, which are free services that connect directly to your public library.
Swap out your music for audio books on occasion, and you’ll be surprised how quickly you chug through your reading goals!
Yes I know this tip goes against my “no phones” rule. But we’ll make an exception if you are using your phone for reading purposes.
7. Join a book club or reading group
There are endless book clubs that exist these days. Which is great news for anyone looking for motivation to read more! Joining a book club is a great way to have accountability for your reading goals – as you will have a deadline for finishing up the book. Deadlines are great motivators for people with aforementioned squirrel brains like me.
Book clubs are also great social channels, and an awesome way to meet people! You get the opportunity to meet people who also have reading goals – and can get recommendations from them as well. Reading groups also tend to discuss books in more depth, which can deepen your understanding and enjoyment of the material. Someone might have an entirely different interpretation or perspective of the book than you, which is always fun!
Plus… there are snacks.
That’s all, folks!
Hopefully this guide gives you some ideas for incorporating reading into your daily routine. Reading more books has seriously impacted my life for the better. I cannot stress it enough! So swap scrolling for page-turning, and you’ll be surprised how great you feel.
Do you have any reading habits? Drop a comment below with your tips and tricks!
Check out my 5-Star Reading Guide for more inspiration.
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