How to Build a Reading Habit That Actually Sticks

“I’ll read more some day.” It’s easy to say but difficult to do.

Between work, studies, and a constant stream of phone notifications, that “someday” just never seems to come. The good news? You don’t need hours of free time or a fancy motivation. You just need to build a reading habit—and that’s far easier than you might think!

Start Small

Many people think reading means finishing a full chapter or spending an hour with a book. That’s not true. The best way to start a reading habit is to begin small.
Read for just five or ten minutes a day. Pick a time that fits naturally—before bed, during your commute, or while having tea. What matters most is consistency, not speed.

Small steps every day will slowly train your brain to enjoy reading again.

It’s worth noting that the hardest challenge with anything is often just finding the motivation to start. Once you have the book in hand, you may surprise yourself, becoming immersed in other worlds entirely by accident.

Choose Books You Actually Enjoy

If a book feels boring, it’s okay to stop reading it. The biggest mistake new readers make is forcing themselves to read something they “should” like.
Instead, pick stories or topics that truly interest you — romance, mystery, motivation, biographies, or even short stories. When reading feels fun, the habit grows naturally.

And while we’re on the subject, stop worrying about DNFing a book. Putting a book down doesn’t mean you can’t pick it up again. It just means it’s not what you’re feeling today. Plenty of readers flit between a handful of books before finding one they want to settle on for the long haul. There’s no rule that says you can’t have multiple books on the go. Plus, even if you put a book down for longer than you planned, you’d be amazed how quickly your brain will pick up the plot and characters all over again, once you get back into the swing of things.

Make Reading Easy

Out of sight means out of mind. That’s why you have to make sure you’ve always got a book on hand when the moment calls for it. Keep a book in your bag, on your desk, or next to your bed. Or if you’re really stuck without a book, pull out your phone, go to OpenLeaf.app and browse to your heart’s content. The goal is to make reading the easiest option when you have a free moment — instead of scrolling social media.

Audiobooks are also a great option for on-the-go reading. Whether you’re driving to work or cleaning the house, an audiobook can help you get your reading hours without losing any of those productive hours.

Pair Reading with Another Daily Habit

Your brain loves making connections. Think about your favourite album or playlist — when one song ends, you almost expect the next one to start, even if you’re not listening to it. That’s how your brain builds associations.

These connections are what help you move through your daily routine without thinking. You brush your teeth, then automatically wash your face — no reminders needed.

You can use the same trick to build a reading habit. This method is called habit stacking. It means linking your reading time with something you already do every day. For example:

• Read after your morning tea or coffee
• Read on your bus ride to work
• Read for 10 minutes before you sleep
• Read while eating lunch alone
• Read while waiting in line or at appointments
• Read a few pages right after you turn off your TV at night

When you attach reading to an existing routine, it quickly becomes automatic. That makes it much easier to keep going.

Final Thoughts

When all’s said and done, building a reading habit is one of the best gifts you can give yourself. It relaxes your mind, improves your focus, and fills your life with new ideas.

If there’s one thing that’s important to remember it’s to remember why you’re doing this. Do you want to have read more of the classics? Do you remember how it felt to love reading but can’t seem to find that feeling again? Or do you just want to know what the big deal with books is?

Whatever your reason, remember it. Don’t just read because you feel you have to. Read because you want to. And if you’re not enjoying what you’re reading then it may be time to switch things up with another book, another format, or perhaps even a whole new genre.