How To Read More Books This Year Tips And Tricks For Busy Readers

Bonisiwe Shabane

-Nov 1, 2025, 5:17 AM

how to read more books this year tips and tricks for busy readers

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 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?

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.”

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. So many books, so little time!

With these simple tips from BookTokkers, librarians and other literary experts, you can read more books without completely rearranging your life. Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.Learn more. While we all know the benefits of reading, the reality is that life gets hectic. There’s a reason “read more” is such a common New Year’s resolution. As work piles on top of chores and social and family responsibilities, reading for pleasure can often take a backseat.

When I was an English major in college, I happily read two books a week, but when I was at my first full-time job, I was lucky if I was able to read two... It was only once I realized how much I missed being engrossed in a juicy page-turner that I decided to readjust my approach and learn how to read more without taking time away from... We talked to big-time book lovers—book reviewers, librarians, book influencers on social media and Reader’s Digest Book Club members—to gather their tried-and-true tips for reading more books. From finding the best books for your taste and schedule to selecting shorter books for your limited attention span, this attainable, sustainable and judgment-free advice will get you to read every day. Join the free Reader’s Digest Book Club for great reads, monthly discussions, author Q&As and a community of book lovers. Home » Bookish Lifestyle » How to Read More Books in a Year (Plus 8 Best Tips!)

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from purchases made through the affiliate links included in this post. This means if you click on the link and make a purchase, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. See the Privacy Policy for more information. Ever wondered how to read 100 books in a year, or maybe even more? I’ve got you covered! Reading more new books in a year might seem like a daunting task, but trust me, it’s completely doable.

As a seasoned book lover who’s managed to conquer over a hundred titles annually, I’ve picked up some valuable insights along the way. With years of experience weaving through countless genres and authors, I’ve developed strategies that maximize reading time without feeling overwhelmed. I used to be the girl who would read at least a hundred books a year. However, the last two years have been busier than usual as I have made several huge life changes, so I had to come up with a strategy to help keep me reading despite my... If you’re like me, where between work, family, and daily responsibilities, finding time to read can feel impossible, don’t worry—I’ve got you covered! The truth is, you don’t need endless free time to read more books.

You just need a strategy that fits into your lifestyle. Here are some practical tips to help you read more this year, no matter how hectic life gets. Aiming to read 50 books this year? That’s great! But if you only read 10 books last year, try setting a goal that challenges you without feeling overwhelming—maybe one book a month or a total of 20 books. Last year, I read 30 books and my reading goal this year is 50 books.

I hope to meet this goal but to be honest it’s not about the numbers at the end of the day but enjoying the journey and stories. Pro tip: Use apps like Goodreads or StoryGraph to track your progress and stay motivated! You don’t need hours to read—just 15-20 minutes a day can make a big difference! “‘Classic’ – a book which people praise and don’t read.” Finding time to read more books isn’t easy when your schedule is rammed full of work, family, and never-ending to-do lists. If you’ve ever wished you could find a way of sneaking in a few more pages a day but don’t know how, we feel you.

Many busy people struggle with making reading a consistent habit. The good news? With the right strategies, you can read more books, even with a hectic schedule. Today at What We Reading, we’re sharing practical tips on how to read more books, stay motivated, and find more time for reading, regardless of how stacked your schedule is. Whether you’re a newcomer or someone looking to rediscover their love of reading, these tips are guaranteed to help you turn reading from a wish into a rewarding daily habit. Reading more books isn’t just about finishing your TBR list.

It’s about enriching your life in meaningful ways. Studies show that regularly reading can reduce stress, improve mental health, and boost both your focus and creativity. Whether it’s fiction or non-fiction, books have the potential to broaden our knowledge, widen our perspectives, and present a badly-needed escape from the daily grind. Even with a busy lifestyle, carving out time to read can help you recharge, sharpen your mind, and find moments of calm in the chaos. Remember, reading doesn’t have to be a chore; it’s a gift you give to yourself. That may sound cheesy, but there’s real evidence that making reading a priority can have a big impact on your overall well-being, no matter how small the amount of time you spend.

Trying to get through a book a week may feel overwhelming when your calendar is already looking full. Instead, focus on achievable goals such as reading a chapter a day or getting through a book a month. For context, our goal this year is to read twenty books by the end of the year. Realistic goals help busy readers remain consistent without the added pressure. Does your New Year’s resolution involve reading more books? Whether you need to catch up on your required reading for school or you simply want to build a new productive habit, there are many things you can start doing today to help you...

How To Read More Books This Year Tips And Tricks For Busy Readers

People Also Search

If You’re Anything Like Us Here At Once Upon A

This Is The Kind Of Math You’ll Actually Enjoy. For

You Overachiever, You! In Between Those New Year's Resolutions To

Between Trying New Formats, Knowing When To Put Down The

Want To Read More Books But Can’t Find The Time?