25 Tips To Build A Reading Habit And Finish More Books

Bonisiwe Shabane

-Nov 1, 2025, 5:19 AM

25 tips to build a reading habit and finish more books

Disclosure: We are part of the Amazon Affiliate/LTK Creator programs. If you purchase a book, we will receive a small commission at no cost to you. This post may contain links to buy books, and you can read our affiliate disclosure here. Reading is one of the most enriching and relaxing habits you can develop. Whether you’re looking to escape into another world, learn something new, or simply spend your time more meaningfully, reading more books this year can be a game-changer. However, with busy schedules and endless distractions, it can be challenging to prioritize books.

To help you out, we’ve curated 25 actionable tips that can fit into any lifestyle. If you’re ready to get started, don’t forget to check out our Ultimate Guide to Reading Tips for even more strategies to supercharge your reading life! Instead of aiming to read 50 books in a year right away, set a manageable goal, like one book a month or even 10 pages a day. Breaking your goals into smaller, achievable chunks makes the process feel more rewarding and less daunting. Check out our Reading Journal Prompt for 2025 for ideas on setting your Bookish Goals. Instead of trying to power through a book that you’re not enjoying, put it down

EXPERT OPINION BY JOHN RAMPTON, ENTREPRENEUR AND INVESTOR @JOHNRAMPTON I’ve always enjoyed reading. But, to be perfectly honest, I didn’t used to read as much as I should have. Besides being a great way to escape and unwind, reading increases your knowledge, focus, and worldview as a business owner. It also gives you something interesting to talk about when you’re networking. In short, reading is beneficial in both your personal and professional lives.

But, that’s not the concern. The biggest problem is actually finding time to read more books. I was able to accomplish this by using the following 25 tricks. If you’re anything like us here at Once Upon a Book Club, you’ve probably wished for more hours in the day for literary joy! But with busy schedules, reading usually takes a back seat. Don’t worry!

Whether you’re a casual reader or tackling an ambitious reading goal, we’ve got you covered with our team’s practical tips and tricks to make more time for books this year. Let’s make 2025 the year you finally read more, even with a packed calendar! Let’s start with the numbers – but don’t panic! This is the kind of math you’ll actually enjoy. For example, if you take about 8 hours to finish a book, ask yourself, how many minutes a day can you reasonably commit to reading? 10 minutes a day?

That’s about 5 hours a month, which adds up to 6-7 books a year. 30 minutes a day? That’s 15 hours a month, or 20 books a year. You overachiever, you! Congrats, you're already one step there by reading this post. The main requirement to do something is wanting to do it.

It will push you to work on it and find ways to do it. To develop a reading habit, you must want to create one first. Reading is like anything else. If you want to do more of it, you have to build it into your routine and read as a habit. Whether your last book was good or not, whether you have movies on your watch list or not, whether they serve an exact purpose or not—you should be compelled to pick up a book. Building a reading habit, like any other habit, doesn't happen overnight or even in a week.

It takes a while and it takes different types of effort. But let me assure you of one thing: this post is all you need to start building a reading habit. Whether you're a new reader or a returning reader, this post will help you. The main problem we face while trying to develop a habit is remembering to do the habit. In the beginning, there needs to be a conscious effort to choose to do this action instead of whatever other action you generally do. That effort is more challenging when you also need to remember that you're trying to build a reading habit.

Did you know that most people want to read more books but struggle to build the habit? Have you ever told yourself, “I really want to read more, but I just don’t have the time”? You’re not alone. Studies show that about 1 in 4 adults don’t read any books in a year. The problem isn’t a lack of interest—it’s about finding time and building a simple, enjoyable routine. If you’ve ever felt stuck or distracted, you’re not alone.

The good news? You don’t need to read for hours each day to call yourself a reader. In this blog post, you’ll find 15 practical, easy-to-follow tips that will help you develop a reading habit, one small step at a time. Now let’s talk about how we can fall in love with books:- Want to read more books but can’t find the time? Discover 30 practical, real-life tips to help you read more books—even on the busiest days.

I know how it feels—your TBR’s exploding, life’s nonstop, and you can’t remember the last time you finished a book you loved. Over the years, I’ve tried every trick in the book (pun intended!) to carve out reading time, stay motivated, and actually finish what I start. Here are 30 practical reading tips—from tiny habit tweaks to social hacks—that helped me read more books. Let’s dive in! Block 15–30 minutes on your calendar—just like a meeting. Morning coffee, lunch break, bedtime: pick a sweet spot and stick to it.

Stash one in your bag, car, and nightstand. When life pauses—waiting in line, a delayed train—you’re ready to read. I power through chores, commutes, and workouts by listening on Libby or Audible. Suddenly, “busy” becomes “bookish.” Hey friends! Have you ever felt like your book pile is growing faster than you can read it?

You’re not alone. Let’s be real — in today’s busy world, finding time to read more books can seem daunting. But trust me, with some simple strategies and a dash of commitment, you can turn reading from a hobby into a daily ritual. In this guide, I’ll show you how to read more books effectively, keeping it practical, fun, and totally doable. Before diving into the how-to, let’s talk about why reading more is worth the effort. Knowing these benefits can boost your motivation.

After all, who wouldn’t want to gain all these advantages in just a few extra pages a day? The first step to reading more books is setting achievable targets. Goals keep you motivated and provide clear direction. Tip: Use a journal or an app to track your progress. Seeing your achievements can be very motivating. I used to tell myself I just wasn't a "reader."

It felt like a permanent part of my identity. I saw friends devouring books while my nightstand collected a dusty pile of good intentions. I wanted to be that person who could get lost in a story but my phone was always more appealing. My brain, wired for the instant dopamine hits of video games and endless scrolling, just didn't have the patience. Sound familiar? If you're anything like I was, you probably want to read more.

You buy the books. You make the plans. But life gets in the way. It feels like another chore on an already endless to-do list. I get it. I’ve been there.

I had to completely rewire my brain to break free from addictions to gaming, overeating, and just plain laziness. Building a reading habit felt just as impossible as losing 110 pounds did at the start. But here’s the secret I learned: it’s not about finding huge, uninterrupted blocks of time. It’s about small, consistent steps that build on each other. If you’re ready to finally become the reader you want to be, here are 20 simple tips that actually work. When was the last time you finished a book that truly inspired you?

25 Tips To Build A Reading Habit And Finish More Books

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Disclosure: We Are Part Of The Amazon Affiliate/LTK Creator Programs.

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