How To Read More Books Tips For Busy People

Bonisiwe Shabane

-Nov 1, 2025, 11:49 AM

how to read more books tips for busy people

Some of the busiest people on our planet are also avid readers. Reading sparks your creativity, helps you grow your understanding of complex problems and grows you intellectually, while at the same time, reading is a very relaxing activity. But how do we make time to read? News articles report that we are reading less and less. A study in 2004 found that the average number of books read in the US per year is 12, while the median value is only five books. If you want to beat this sad statistic and increase the number of books you read per year and make time to read, then keep reading.

The year in which I finished my PhD, moved across the globe, and attended conferences in every single continent of the world to present my research (except Antarctica), I logged 69 books into my... Many people have wondered how I managed to find the time to read so many books while having such a busy year. If you want to increase the number of books you read each year, I have gathered 11 of my best tips for reading: If you enjoy borrowing books from the library, borrow more than you think you’ll actually read. Having physical books piled up in your house that you know need to be returned will encourage you to read more than you might initially have planned to. If you are a digital reader, make sure you download a stockpile of books onto your e-reader,so you always have a wealth of choices right at your fingertips that you are eager to read.

“‘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. Life moves fast. Between work, school, family, and endless to-do lists, it can feel impossible to find time to sit down with a good book. But if you’ve been wanting to get back into reading or just want to fit more books into your schedule, you’re not alone. Here are some easy, practical tips to help you read more—no matter how busy your days are. 1.

Save Time with the Library’s Online Resources When you’re busy, making time to visit the library might feel impossible. That’s where our online resources come in handy. You can borrow e-books and audiobooks without leaving home—saving time and making reading more convenient. Whether you’re grabbing an audiobook to listen to during your commute or an e-book to read in those random free moments, apps like Libby and Hoopla (among others) let you instantly access a huge...

No need to worry about returning physical copies either—everything’s just a tap away! Who says you have to sit down with a book in hand to count it as reading? Audiobooks are a game-changer for busy schedules. You can listen while commuting, cooking dinner, cleaning the house, or exercising. Suddenly, that time spent in traffic or doing chores turns into productive reading time. With the library’s audiobook and e-audiobook collection, you’ll always have something good to listen to.

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.”

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! I’ll get into a bit more later, but before I get into my tips to read more books, I want to make it clear: reading is not a competition or a race. But, if you are someone who wants to read more but feels like there’s never enough time, you’re not alone. Life gets hectic. Work, family, travel, screens, and that never-ending to-do list can all get in the way of something as simple—and joyful—as picking up a book. But I’m here to tell you: you can read more without having to overhaul your life.

You don’t have to give up TV, cancel plans, or wake up at 4am (though you can if you want to—there’s something special about that quiet time with a cup of coffee and a... With a few small habits, the right tools, and a slight shift in mindset, you’ll be turning pages (or tapping screens) in no time. I say this as someone who has read over 100 books a year while juggling a full-time job, travel, blogging, and major life changes—including a recent cross-continental move to Italy. I love books, and I love helping people rediscover their love of reading. If that’s you? You’re my kind of people.

Here’s how to read more, enjoy it, and make it a lasting part of your life. 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. 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.

How To Read More Books Tips For Busy People

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