Habits
How to Read More (Without Forcing It)
Reading more is less about discipline than about removing friction and lowering the bar. A few small changes do most of the work.
Lower the bar
The single most effective change is to give yourself permission to read a little, often. Ten minutes before bed, a chapter at lunch, a few pages while the kettle boils — these add up to dozens of books a year. Waiting for a free hour means never starting.
Equally freeing: abandon books you're not enjoying. Time spent slogging through a book you dislike is time you don't spend on one you'd love. Life is short and the catalogue is enormous.
Remove the friction
Keep a book everywhere you wait — by the bed, in your bag, on your phone's reading app. The book that's within reach is the book that gets read. An e-reader makes this effortless because your whole library travels with you.
Pair formats: read the paper book at home, listen to the audiobook on your commute, continue on your phone in a queue. Many apps sync your place across all three.
Make it social and visible
A reading log, a yearly target you treat as a guide rather than a rule, or a book club gives reading a gentle pull. Seeing your stack and ticking off finished titles is quietly motivating. The goal isn't to hit a number — it's to keep the habit alive.
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Common questions
How many books should I aim to read a year?
There's no right number — it depends on your life and what you read. A target can be a useful nudge, but treat it as a guide. Ten minutes a day adds up to far more than most people expect.
Is it okay to not finish a book?
Absolutely. Abandoning a book you're not enjoying frees you for one you will. Reading should be a pleasure, not an obligation to finish.