How to Read More Books: 15 Simple Habits That Really Work
Want to read more books? These 15 simple, realistic habits help you build a reading routine, beat phone distraction, finish more books and enjoy reading again.
In this article
- How Much Can You Read in 20 Minutes a Day?
- 1. Read at the Same Time Every Day
- 2. Start Small
- 3. Always Carry a Book
- 4. Put Your Phone Away
- 5. Read What You Actually Enjoy
- 6. Give Yourself Permission to Quit
- 7. Try Audiobooks
- 8. Keep Several Books Going
- 9. Create a Reading Spot
- 10. Keep a "To Read" List
- 11. Track Your Reading
- 12. Join a Book Club or Reading Challenge
- 13. Use Your Library
- 14. Read Shorter Books and Short Stories
- 15. Make Reading Social
- Common Reading Obstacles and Fixes
- Benefits of Reading More
- Frequently Asked Questions
To read more books, make reading easy and automatic: carry a book everywhere, read for 10–20 minutes at a fixed time each day, keep your phone in another room while you read, quit books you don't enjoy, and choose books you genuinely want to read rather than ones you feel you should. Small, consistent habits add up. Twenty minutes a day at an average pace can mean well over a dozen books a year.
Here are fifteen habits that make reading a natural part of life.
How Much Can You Read in 20 Minutes a Day?
Reading speeds vary, but many adults read roughly 200–300 words per minute.
| Daily reading time | Approx. words per year (250 wpm) | Approx. 80,000-word books per year |
|---|---|---|
| 10 minutes | ~912,000 | ~11 |
| 20 minutes | ~1,825,000 | ~22 |
| 30 minutes | ~2,737,000 | ~34 |
Even small daily habits add up quickly.
1. Read at the Same Time Every Day
Link reading to an existing habit: with morning tea, on your commute, during lunch, or before bed. A fixed time removes the need to decide.
2. Start Small
Ten pages a day or ten minutes a day is better than an ambitious goal you abandon. Many days you'll naturally read more.
3. Always Carry a Book
Keep a paperback in your bag, or an ebook or audiobook app on your phone. Waiting rooms, queues and journeys become reading time.
4. Put Your Phone Away
Phones are the biggest competitor for reading time. Try:
- Leaving your phone in another room while you read
- Turning on "do not disturb"
- Replacing your bedtime scrolling with a book
5. Read What You Actually Enjoy
You'll read more if you love what you're reading. Romance, fantasy, mystery, graphic novels and folk tales all count. If you're not sure where to start, try short, gripping classics like Andersen's fairy tales or our list of the best fairy tale retellings.
6. Give Yourself Permission to Quit
If a book doesn't hold your interest after a fair try, put it down. Some readers use a "50-page rule." Life's too short for books you don't enjoy, and forcing yourself through them can kill your reading habit.
7. Try Audiobooks
Listening while walking, cooking, cleaning or driving can dramatically increase how many books you finish. Audiobooks count.
8. Keep Several Books Going
Some readers keep a nonfiction book for mornings, a novel for evenings and an audiobook for commutes. Matching books to moods keeps reading fresh.
9. Create a Reading Spot
A comfortable chair, good light and a blanket make reading something you look forward to.
10. Keep a "To Read" List
When you hear about a book that interests you, write it down. You'll never wonder what to read next.
11. Track Your Reading
A notebook or reading app lets you see progress, which is motivating. Write a sentence or two about each book to remember it better.
12. Join a Book Club or Reading Challenge
Reading with others adds accountability and conversation. Online reading challenges, library clubs and friends' groups all work.
13. Use Your Library
Libraries are free, often offer ebooks and audiobooks through apps, and let you take risks on new authors without spending money.
14. Read Shorter Books and Short Stories
Finishing books builds momentum. Short novels, short story collections and folk tales are satisfying to complete. Explore our collection of Japanese folktales or Panchatantra stories for quick, rewarding reads.
15. Make Reading Social
Talk about books with friends and family, share quotes, swap books, or read aloud to children. Reading becomes part of your identity.
Common Reading Obstacles and Fixes
| Obstacle | Fix |
|---|---|
| "I don't have time." | Read in small pockets: 10 minutes here and there |
| "I get distracted by my phone." | Put it in another room |
| "I fall asleep when I read." | Read earlier in the day or sitting up |
| "I can't focus anymore." | Start with short, gripping books and build up |
| "I don't know what to read." | Ask a librarian, follow book lists, join a club |
| "I feel guilty quitting books." | Remember: unfinished books are fine |
Benefits of Reading More
Research has linked regular reading to benefits such as improved vocabulary and knowledge, and some studies suggest reading fiction may help people understand others' perspectives. Above all, reading is a source of pleasure, comfort and imagination.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I read more books if I'm busy?
Read in small pockets of time, carry a book everywhere and try audiobooks during commutes and chores.
How many books does the average person read?
It varies widely by country and survey, but many people read only a handful of books a year, while dedicated readers may read dozens.
Do audiobooks count as reading?
Yes. Listening to audiobooks is a valid way to enjoy and absorb books.
Is it okay to stop reading a book halfway?
Absolutely. Quitting books you don't enjoy leaves more time for ones you love.
What should I read to get back into reading?
Choose short, gripping books in a genre you enjoy, such as fairy tales, short story collections or fast-paced novels.
