University of Kwazulu-Natal

How To Read More Books In 2025 10 Tips To Help You To Read More Stay

Bonisiwe Shabane
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how to read more books in 2025 10 tips to help you to read more stay

Have you found yourself staring at your TBR pile, wanting to read… but just not feeling it? You’re not alone. Even as someone who loves books and talks about them daily, I’ve been in a serious reading slump lately. Between doomscrolling, life stress, and feeling overwhelmed, reading started to feel like a chore. But I’ve slowly found my way back—and today, I’m sharing 10 low-pressure, joyful ways you can do the same. Whether you’re trying to finish your first book of the year or get back into a daily habit, these tips will help you build a sustainable and fun reading life again.

Let’s start with the pressure point: reading goals. If you’ve been aiming to read 100 books a year and falling short, maybe it’s time to scale back. Start small: try one book a month, or even one book every two months. The goal is consistency, not volume. And if you’re having a great reading month? Celebrate it!

But don’t let a bad month derail you. Lots of articles are floating around right now about books read in 2024 and reading plans for 2025. I don’t believe in magic when it comes to habits, just diligence and good advice. I managed to finish 62 books in 2024 while writing my own and beginning three new jobs. Reading is part of my life, “as familar as my coat and shoes, as my body.”* I cannot go without. This is how I do it, no matter what happens to me and around me.

I share it as advice, for what it’s worth. Pay attention to what you feel like reading. Years ago, I realized that I preferred to read certain types of books at different times of the day or on different days of the week. When I realized this about myself, I intentionally started to structure my reading to match this rhythm. I leaned into it, rather than forcing it to be what it was not. For example, I read devotional books in the morning after prayer.

I read novels in the evening before bed. I read nonfiction or classic literature on Sunday afternoons as a part of my Sabbath rest. I try to read aloud to my family after dinner and to my daughters before bed, although that’s harder and harder to do. Have multiple books going at the same time. Once you have figured out your rhythm, match books to the type of reading you find easiest to do at different points of the day and at different points in the week. Having multiple books going at the same time helps you get more reading done, not less.

Choose your reading categories and then start a book in each category. When you finish a book in that category, pick up a new one to fill its place. Don’t wait to finish all categories before you start a new book. Just keep replacing the ones you finish in each category as you complete them. Each year I try to read 100 books or more. I don’t always make my goal — minor life events like pushing a whole human being out of my own body derailed my 2023 progress, for instance — but for the most part, I’m...

So, how am I able to avoid the pitfalls of endless Twitter doomscrolls or getting sucked into a TikTok binge? It’s not always easy, I’ll tell you that. But if one of your resolutions in 2025 is to read more books, I’ve found that there are a few (relatively simple) ways to help beef up your reading habits that don’t involve swearing... (Then again, Netflix subscriptions are outrageously expensive these days — your wallet is probably better off with that new thriller your got from the library, instead.) A little disclaimer: the following tricks aren’t rocket science, but then again, I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s always easy to consciously prioritize reading in your life if you don’t already. (Presumably that’s also why you’re reading this blog post.) For me, it helps that 1.) I love reading (love it), and 2.) that I’m a pretty fast reader, and always have been.

If that doesn’t sound like you, never fear — I’m here to help whether you want to increase how many books you read this year, or if you simply just want to be more... A post shared by Quinn📖 (@whatisquinnreading) One of the best things about a voracious reading habit is that it’s (mostly) free. You can obviously shell out for new hardcovers the day of their release as often as you please, but getting yourself a library card will open you up to a giant (and most importantly,... Access to the library doesn’t mean you have to hoof it to your local branch whenever you need a new book, either — libraries work in tandem with apps like Libby, which let you... Simply sign in, link your library card to your account, and voila — you’re well on your way to a growing TBR pile.

If you have extra cash to burn, you can also consider a subscription service on top of your library membership — I use Kindle Unlimited myself, and am a former Book of the Month... 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! In a world filled with streaming shows, social media, and busy schedules, it’s easy to let reading slip away. But setting a goal to read more books in 2025 can improve focus, reduce stress, and expand your imagination. Instead of aiming for 100 books, start small. Challenge yourself to read 1–2 books a month.

That’s 12–24 books a year—completely doable, even with a busy schedule. Don’t force yourself to finish a book you’re not enjoying. Reading should feel exciting, not like homework. Mix genres: fantasy, romance, non-fiction, thrillers—whatever keeps you turning pages. Being part of a community can keep you motivated. Online challenges like Goodreads or BookTok trends are great ways to stay inspired and discover new favorites.

Pair reading with comfort—tea, blankets, or your own cozy reading nook. The more enjoyable the atmosphere, the easier it is to make reading a daily habit. From books that changed the world to contemporary works that are certain to endure, these are your must-read classics from the Booker Library In between those New Year's Resolutions to eat healthier and exercise more, why not give your brain a bit of a workout too? Regular reading leads to positive impacts on your mental and emotional well-being, including slowing down cognitive decline, bolstering empathy and curiosity, improving your vocabulary and reducing stress. Reading can also help you get better sleep.

Like any habit or skill, you'll benefit from being consistent and prioritizing reading in your life. There’s no magic solution, but there are hacks to help you up your reading time in 2025. Between trying new formats, knowing when to put down the book and the best time to pick a new one up, these seven suggestions will benefit any reader – seasoned or rookie. For tips, I asked Al Woodworth, a senior editor at Amazon Books who reads hundreds of books a year, and Ryan Carr, a book influencer who read almost 70 books in 2024, almost double... Take a moment to reflect on why you want to read more in 2025. Is it because you want to join in on the BookTok fun?

Need to get off your phone more? Is there a subject you want to learn about? Discover how to build a sustainable reading habit using psychology-backed strategies, explore the biggest literary trends of 2025, and find the best new books to add to your shelf. If you’ve ever set a goal to read more, only to find yourself stuck on page 30 two months later, you’re not alone. In 2025, data shows a continuing decline in daily leisure reading, with U.S. adults spending less time with books and more time scrolling.

But there’s good news: reading is also experiencing a cultural revival, fueled by passionate online communities and more accessible reading tools than ever before. Whether you’re rebuilding a dormant habit or leveling up your literary life, this guide blends psychology, emerging trends, and real-world strategies to help you read more, enjoy it more, and remember what you read. Reading isn’t just a pastime, it’s a cognitive workout with long-term benefits. Studies show that consistent readers experience improved focus, reduced stress levels, and even delayed cognitive decline. But knowing why to read doesn’t help if you can’t seem to do it. 1.

Habit Stacking: Attach Reading to Existing RoutinesPsychologists推崇 (favor) “habit stacking”, linking a new behavior to an established one. For example:

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