“If you don’t like to read, you haven’t found the right book.” J.K. Rowling
I spent most of my childhood at our local library. I started off devouring Nancy Drew and The Famous Five. In my teens, I read trashy romance that would make my mother whoop my ass if she ever found out.
In my early twenties, I was obsessed with self-help books, and now I’m revisiting To Kill a Mockingbird (to bring back memories of the wonder I experienced in high school English class.)
Books have played a pivotal role in my life. They’re my therapist, life coach, a form of escapism, and a writing teacher.
But the more people I speak to, the more I realize that very few people share my fondness for reading.
Some people give me a blank stare, while others cringe and change the topic to a Netflix show they’re watching.
And there are some — like you, who desperately want to build a reading habit but aren’t sure where and how to get started.
In this post, I’ll share some of the best ways to start a reading habit, and if you keep at them, I promise that reading will become a way of life for you too.
Before we jump into how to develop a reading habit, here’s a refresher on why reading is so important.
Table of Contents
Why Reading Is So Important
This may seem like a dumb question to answer, but so many people don’t actually realize the full impact of reading.
- Reading makes you a lifelong learner — you’ll always be thirsty for knowledge.
- Reading expands your mind’s horizons. It removes your blinkers and helps you see the world from different perspectives.
- Reading enhances your cognitive skills and makes you “well-learned.” Most readers are far more intelligent and eloquent than their non-reader counterparts.
- Reading gives you an escape when life gets too heavy. It’s much healthier to turn to a book than alcohol when you’re anxious.
- Reading makes you more observant and emotionally intelligent. Sometimes, I feel like a mind-reader, and that’s only because I’ve been in so many minds through books.
- Reading makes you a better communicator — verbally and in writing.
- Reading helps you become well-traveled. It’s true; you don’t need to visit a place if you’ve read about it. I haven’t traveled physically to many countries, but I’ve been there through my books.
Why Is Reading So Disliked?
So, if reading has so many incredible benefits, why don’t more people read?
I believe it’s because many people associated reading with boredom or even as a form of punishment when they were kids, which may explain their reluctance to read now as adults.
Teachers may have made you read aloud to the class or write boring book reviews, and your parents may have forced you to read uninteresting gobsmack.
I’m grateful to my mom for making reading a fun, imaginative experience when I was a kid. She’d read to me every night, and when I was old enough, she took me to the Nancy Drew section in the library, and I was head over heels right then and there.
If you were on the other side of the spectrum as a child, you can still cultivate a voracious appetite for books as an adult.
How to Develop a Reading Habit (10 Tips)
1. Set Small Goals
When you’re just starting to read, you need to set small, realistic goals.
If you set a goal to read 50 books in six months or challenge yourself to read five chapters a day, you’re going to feel overwhelmed and stop reading entirely.
Instead, commit to reading for 15 minutes a day or one page a day. Once you’ve nailed these small habits, you can set bigger goals.
2. Explore Different Genres to Learn What You Like
Reading different genres — whether that’s romance, fantasy, thrillers, or self-help — is the best way to experiment and see what catches your fancy.
Once you’ve found what interests you, continue reading more books in that genre.
Your favorite genres will also change with time. I was a romance novel addict in my teens and early twenties. But as I’m getting older, those novels are starting to annoy me. So, I’ve switched over to psychological thrillers and self-help now.
As you grow, so will your reading interests, and that’s okay!
3. Make a Reading List
Create a wishlist of all the books you want to read. Don’t set a deadline to read them, but have a bucket list of some sort. This way, there’s something to look forward to when one book is over.
Goodreads is an excellent source for finding books in most genres. Plus, people have book recommendation boards on Pinterest that you can follow.
4. Try Different Reading Mediums
There’s no need to strap yourself to a physical book anymore. There are e-books and audiobooks, and each has its benefits.
I’m an e-reader girl. I love having access to hundreds of books on my tablet. Also, I like traveling with an entire library. I’m not a fan of audiobooks because I envision a story and imagine a lot better by seeing the actual words.
I have cousins who only swear by physical books, but they also read considerably less than me because the struggle to get physical books is real.
Try different mediums to find what suits you, and then stick to that.
5. Set a Time to Read
If you’re going to leave reading up to destiny, it will never happen.
Once you’ve made it a habit, reading will become a part of who you are, and you can do it anytime. However, when you’re still building the habit, you need to plan exactly when you’ll read.
The time should work best for your lifestyle. Perhaps you have a few minutes to spare in the morning before work, during a long commute, or would prefer to wind down after work.
Regardless of the time you set for reading, stick with it every day. Soon, reading will become a part of you, and the clock won’t matter.
6. Reduce Distractions
If you can’t find time to read, it’s likely because you’re using your free time to browse the internet, watch TV, or scroll through social media.
Cut out these distractions by filling that time with reading — it’s far more interesting than watching Susie’s Instagram stories and a new Netflix show that isn’t living up to the hype.
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7. Think of Reading as a Relaxing Activity
If you view reading as a chore or something to check off a to-do list, you’re going to take all the fun out of it. Instead, start thinking of it as a destressing activity that you do to take your mind off things.
You want to feel excited when thinking about the moment you’ll get to pick up a book. It should feel relaxing, satisfying, and enjoyable. If it feels anything but, you’re not going to build a reading habit in the long term.
8. Make It Easy to Get Books
It will be challenging to keep up a reading habit if acquiring books is hard.
Most books are inexpensive, but the long-term costs are not feasible if you plan on reading a lot (which I hope you do over time). So, visit your local library or download free PDFs (make sure they’re legal first).
You can also download free apps that have a huge library of novels. Plus, you can sign up to subscription sites like Audible and Audiobook.com if you prefer audiobooks.
9. Have a Book with You All the Time
It’s good to keep a book handy for unexpected windows of time, like when you’re waiting for a doctor’s appointment, have to sit in the car to wait for somebody, or randomly decide to go into a coffee shop.
The best way to always have books with you is to keep an e-reader. I usually cart my tablet everywhere I go. If you’re more of a paperback person, stow one in your bag.
10. Don’t Torture Yourself with a Book You Don’t Like
The police aren’t going to arrest you if you stop reading a book.
I used to think I was “cheating” if I didn’t finish a book I didn’t like. But now, I change books all the time if I don’t find them interesting. Sometimes, I’ll even read three books at once — all because I enjoy different stories, voices, and lessons on different days.
Reading is supposed to be enjoyable, not a punishment. Moreover, books are art, and any art is subjective to the viewer. This means that not every book will appeal to you, and that’s okay!
Feel free to leave books unfinished, move on to more interesting stories, and switch between them whenever you please.
Best Books to Start a Reading Habit
Here’s a mix of fantasy, self-help, philosophy, psychological thrillers, and romance to get you started on this journey!
1. Atomic Habits
“Atomic Habits” by James Clear is a practical guide to understanding and changing your habits. He explores how small changes, or “atomic habits,” can lead to significant personal transformation.
This book is an MVP in the self-help world, and what better book to read when you’re building a reading habit?
2. Harry Potter
HP needs no introduction. With themes of friendship, courage, and the power of love, these books take you on a magical journey that captivates readers of all ages (especially adults.)
3. To Kill a Mockingbird
This classic novel is set in the racially charged American South during the 1930s. The story is told through the eyes of Scout Finch and explores themes of racism, empathy, and justice.
This thought-provoking novel was introduced to me as a teenager — quite frankly, I’ve never gotten over it. It reminds me that doing the right thing isn’t always easy.
4. The Alchemist
“The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho is a different kind of self-improvement novel, as it’s purely fiction.
It follows Santiago, a shepherd boy who embarks on a journey to fulfill his dreams. This book delves into themes of destiny, purpose, and pursuing one’s aspirations, making it an inspiring read.
5. The Silent Patient
This book is a gripping psychological thriller that revolves around Alicia Berenson, a famous painter who shoots her husband and then stops speaking.
Her psychotherapist narrates the story as he unravels the mystery of why she committed the crime and what lies beneath her silence.
Proceed with caution when reading this one, as you’ll fall in love with psychological thrillers after this!
6. Verity
“Verity” by Colleen Hoover is a romance with a dark and suspenseful twist. The story follows Lowen, a struggling writer hired to complete an injured author’s novel series.
As she delves into the author’s unfinished manuscript, she discovers a chilling tale that blurs the lines between fiction and reality, with secrets and deceptions at its core.
Final Thoughts
I hope you enjoyed reading this post on how to develop a reading habit.
Creating any habit takes time, patience, and consistency — it will soon become second nature to pick up a book and drown in it.
If this post helped you become a reader, please leave a comment.
“Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read. One does not love breathing.” Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird
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