How To Read More: Simple Habits That Stack Up

Books & Literature Mar 23, 2026

by Grace Grocholski

We’ve all been there: after a long day of obligations, reading can feel like just one more task to complete. It’s so much easier to sink into a mindless TV show or social media scroll. The thought of reading is met with resistance because it demands a different type of focus and attention than other diversions. Yet books endure precisely because they can deliver the opposite effect of passive consumption. They can provide escape, sure, but they also allow us to deepen our connection to others and ourselves, building empathy and understanding. Shaping our hearts and minds, if we allow them. The challenge isn’t that we don’t want to read, it’s that life can get in the way. But reading doesn’t have to require tremendous time or effort. Small habits of making books a part of your everyday rhythm can ensure they remain a meaningful part of your life.

Here are a few tips to read more, without making it into a chore:

Always have a book with you. A book is a quiet companion. Whether a paperback in your bag or an e-reader in your pocket, carrying a book means you will always have a friend to turn to when the moment is right. Waiting in line? Pull out your book. Commuting or traveling? Prime reading time, especially an audiobook while driving. These small moments can really add up. Ten minutes here, ten minutes there, and suddenly you finish a chapter. It also creates a habit in your daily life signaling that reading isn’t just for long stretches of uninterrupted time, but part of a daily routine.
Set aside twenty minutes (or ten, or five!) This ties directly into the first tip: the myth of reading requiring long, uninterrupted stretches of time. As with any habit, consistency matters more than duration. Setting aside just five minutes a day can build momentum. Try these reading “snacks”: a few minutes with your morning coffee can set a thoughtful tone for your day, a few minutes during your lunch break can feel like a hidden retreat, or a few minutes before bed can help you wind down. Frame reading as a ritual rather than a task. By carving out a small predictable window, you can train your brain to view reading as part of your daily routine. Over time, these minutes accumulate into hours, and hours into finished books.

Also, it’s OK if you don’t finish your book…which brings us to the next tip:
Let go of the guilt of unfinished books. It’s OK if what you’re reading doesn’t resonate with you. When you feel obligated to finish, gently remind yourself that reading isn’t a contract, it’s a conversation. If the book isn’t speaking to you, it’s OK to set it aside. Some books aren’t meant for you right now; others may never be. And that’s perfectly fine. Freeing yourself from the pressure of having to finish, sets you up for success to read more widely and with more joy. When you let go of guilt, you open yourself up to curiosity.
Create a reading friendly environment (ahem, phone away for a bit!) Your environment can have a huge impact on your behavior. If your books are hidden away, they become harder to access physically and mentally, making them easier to forget. Keep your books visible to invite opening their pages. Place a book or books on your nightstand, keep one on your coffee or dining room table, and stack them at your desk. I also find that keeping my phone in another room at night has been a game-changer for my reading routine. I reach for a book at bedtime, without my phone to distract me. And in the morning, I feel drawn to read a few pages to linger in bed. If you surround yourself with books, you create gentle reminders to read. You can even pair reading with a small ritual, like coffee or tea in the afternoon, or lighting incense or a candle at night.
Read what you love, not what you should. This ties into tip 3. The classics will always be there when you are ready. They have value and their place, but forcing yourself to read them can drain the joy of reading. Instead, let curiosity be your guide. Explore a topic you’re genuinely interested in, because reading feels most potent when it feels like you are learning something, not when you’re forced to learn. The more you enjoy what you are reading, the more likely you are to keep going.

Reading is the ultimate quality over quantity activity. Even a few minutes a day can enrich your life. Books can be woven into the fabric of your everyday in ways that feel natural and nourishing. Carry a book with you, carve out a dedicated time to read (no matter how small), release the guilt of unfinished pages, create a welcoming environment, and most importantly, read what moves you. With a reading practice, you can discover that reading isn’t a task to manage, but a moment to savor. Each page opens up the possibility of another world, another perspective. Books remind us to slow down, to reflect, and to connect. The next time you find yourself with a few spare minutes, try putting your phone down, and reach for a book. You might be surprised at how much those minutes add up to change your day, and over time, your life.