How to read more books? Especially when there are so many of them, with so little time. Reading anxiety is a real thing, but before we dive into anything, here is the disclosure:
This article is about reading for fun, for pleasure, for a great time – and that’s, we believe, the most important thing of all.
Still, even reading for pleasure is in sharp decline across the United States — and the gap between wanting to read and actually doing it has never felt wider. A few small, sustainable changes can make a real difference, without any pressure to hit an arbitrary number.
Reading reduces stress, builds empathy, and sharpens creativity. It makes a lot of sense to want to read more.
This article covers practical tips on how to read more books and evidence-based strategies to fit more reading into your life — on your own terms.
Why Many Adults Struggle to Read More Books
The numbers are striking. A peer-reviewed study published in iScience found that the share of Americans reading for pleasure dropped from 28% in 2004 to just 16% in 2023. That’s a 40% decline over two decades.
Federal data tells a similar story. According to the National Endowment for the Arts, only 48.5% of adults read at least one book in the past year — down from 52.7% five years earlier. Just 37.6% read fiction.
So what’s getting in the way?
- Fatigue and burnout from years of assigned reading in school
- Doom-scrolling and the pull of social media notifications
- Limited leisure time after work, family, and other commitments
- The habit of zoning out — reaching for a screen instead of a book
Digital distraction is the biggest culprit. Smartphones deliver an endless stream of micro-stimulation that makes sitting with a book feel difficult — at first. The key word is at first.
Reading is a skill that atrophies when neglected, but it comes back quickly once you rebuild the habit.
Choosing the Right Books and Setting Goals
Start Small and Joyful
The fastest way to kill a reading habit is to force yourself through a book you hate. Start with something genuinely enjoyable — a page-turning thriller, a short story collection, a graphic novel.
You can start with just five to ten minutes a day. That’s one chapter before bed, or a few pages over morning coffee. Small wins build momentum.
And even if you stick to your five minutes per day routine, you’ll end up reading four books per year, check more in this YouTube video
Find Your Perfect Match
Don’t assume you dislike reading — you may just not have found your genre yet. Start with Goodreads or Reddit to help you discover read-alike titles based on books you’ve already loved.
- Prefer fast plots? Try crime fiction or thrillers.
- Like ideas? Try narrative non-fiction or essay collections.
- Want something short? Try novellas or story anthologies. We have a curated list of books under 200 pages for this scenario.
Set Realistic Goals
Tracking progress can be motivating — but only if the targets are realistic. When thinking about how to read more books in a year, start with one book per month rather than aiming for 52 books in 52 weeks.
Apps like StoryGraph or Goodreads let you log books, set annual goals, and reflect on your reading patterns. Some readers prefer a simple notebook. Either works.
The goal isn’t a high number. The goal is more joy from reading.
Building a Sustainable Reading Habit
Schedule Reading Into Your Daily Routine
Waiting for a free hour that never comes is not a strategy. Scheduling a short reading window — even 15 minutes — is. Habit stacking works well here: link reading to something you already do.
- Read for 10 minutes after your morning coffee
- Wind down before sleep with a chapter instead of your phone
- Use your lunch break for 20 minutes of reading
Scheduling reading time gives it the same legitimacy as any other appointment. If reading more is your goal, treating reading as a scheduled activity — not a leftover — is the single most reliable change you can make.
Always Carry a Book
Waiting rooms, commutes, queues — spare moments are everywhere. Keeping a physical book or e-reader in your bag means you’re always ready to read.
Carrying a book and using every gap in your day is an approach many avid readers recommend. Even five minutes adds up over a week.
Some readers (me, for example) also find value in having multiple books on the go at once — one for commuting, one for bedtime, one for weekends. Different moods call for different books, and keeping several active prevents you from stalling when one isn’t clicking.
Create a Distraction-Free Reading Zone
Your environment shapes your behavior. A comfortable chair, good lighting, and a phone in another room dramatically change the reading experience.
Readers consistently flag this as a game-changer — putting devices out of sight removes the temptation to check them. Some use app blockers or do-not-disturb settings during reading windows.
You don’t need a dedicated library. A corner of the sofa and a turned-off screen will do. We have a whole guide on the best reading position, just in case.
Mix Formats to Read More in Less Time
Audiobooks and e-books are legitimate reading — don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. They also solve the time problem. If you want to know how to read more books in less time, audiobooks during a commute or while doing chores is one of the most practical answers available.
E-books are also easier to carry — your entire reading list fits in your pocket.
Join a Community
Social accountability is a powerful motivator. Silent book clubs, reading buddies, and online reading challenges all add a light layer of commitment that helps people follow through.
Book clubs work particularly well because they attach a social reward to finishing: the conversation. Even an informal arrangement — texting a friend when you finish a chapter — can keep momentum alive.
Online challenges, annual reading trackers, and communities like those found on reading apps make reading more books effectively feel less like a solo discipline and more like a shared activity.
Pros & Cons of Different Reading Strategies
| Strategy | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Physical books | Tactile experience, easier on eyes for long sessions, no battery | Less portable, can’t read in the dark without a light |
| E-books | Portable, adjustable font, instant access | Screen fatigue, easier to get distracted by notifications |
| Audiobooks | Hands-free, great for commuting and chores | Can’t skim, harder to re-read passages, requires focus |
| Reading multiple books | Matches your mood, keeps momentum, prevents stalling | Can feel fragmented, harder to stay immersed |
| Scheduled reading sessions | Builds consistency, signals reading is a priority | Can feel rigid or like homework on bad days |
| Spontaneous reading | Feels freeing, driven by genuine desire | Easier to procrastinate; relies on motivation being present |
| Annual reading goals | Motivating, gives a sense of achievement | Ambitious targets can cause pressure and burnout |
The best strategy is the one that fits your actual life — not someone else’s reading routine.
Staying Motivated and Measuring Progress
Track Without Obsessing
A reading journal or app lets you see how far you’ve come. Noting titles, a brief thought, or even just a date finished can be satisfying. Progress builds confidence.
That said, tracking should serve the pleasure — not replace it. If logging books starts to feel like a chore, step back.
Refresh Your Reading List
Slumps happen. When they do, switching genres can restart your enthusiasm. Translations, graphic novels, poetry collections, or short story anthologies can all break a rut.
Re-reading a book you loved years ago is also underrated. A familiar story often reveals things you missed the first time.
It’s Okay to Quit a Book
Not every book deserves to be finished. If a book isn’t working after 50 pages, put it down. Life is too short, and your reading time is too valuable.
Quitting a bad fit isn’t failure — it’s good curation. It frees up time for the book that will genuinely hold your attention.
FAQ
How can I read more books when I don’t have much time?
Schedule short daily sessions of 10–15 minutes, carry a book for spare moments, and use audiobooks during commutes. Consistency over long sessions wins every time.
What if I start a book and lose interest?
Stop reading it. Switching to a book that excites you is not quitting — it’s smart reading. There’s no obligation to finish a book that isn’t working.
Does format matter? Are audiobooks and e-books as effective?
Mixing formats makes reading more convenient and accessible. Comprehension often improves when you enjoy the format you’re using. Choose what fits your lifestyle.
How do I stay focused and avoid phone distractions?
Put your phone in another room, use do-not-disturb settings, or try a notification-blocking app during reading windows. A dedicated reading spot also helps signal to your brain that it’s time to focus.
How many books should I aim to read in a year?
There is no universal number. One book per month is a reasonable, pressure-free starting point. Adjust up or down based on what feels good — not what sounds impressive.