Make Reading A Habit Here Are 11 Effective Ways To Do It

Bonisiwe Shabane

-Nov 1, 2025, 5:04 PM

make reading a habit here are 11 effective ways to do it

I am a very busy person, who can’t maintain schedules often. let alone reading books is almost impossible for me, but your article pointed out some important topics about building a reading habit. I think I will be able to spend some of my time reading books. Thanks to your article This post may contain affiliate links which means if you make a purchase through my links, I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend the products I love and trust.

Wondering how to cultivate a reading habit? Forget diving into lengthy classics or accumulating unread books. Setting aside specific daily time helps, but it’s not the sole secret. I embraced books at 27, despite a non-reader past. If you’re eager to start, here are my top tips for developing a reading habit. It’s not as challenging as it seems.

Let’s dive into effective ways, and check out the recommended reading list in the blog post. Instead of diving into your first book impulsively, establish a routine that suits your daily life. If you have a busy schedule, integrate reading during your commute. Orkeep a book by your study desk if you’re a student. Bedtime readers can place a book by their bed. Build a consistent habit by incorporating reading into your daily routine—find the time that fits best for you.

The key question to ask is why you want to get into the habit of reading. Is it family pressure or the influence of book communities like Bookstagram or BookTok? Identify your personal motivation. For me, reading was genuinely enjoyable, and I yearned to learn about diverse people, places, and cultures. Snuggling up with a book doesn’t require fancy furniture or expensive blankets. Find a comfy spot—mine’s the couch, and I recently added a reading chair for extra comfort.

Whether it’s music or scented candles, discover what makes reading enjoyable for you. Personalize your reading space to create the perfect ambiance. Need inspiration? Check out reading nook ideas on Amazon. Last Updated: March 21, 2025 Fact Checked This article was co-authored by Jai Flicker.

Jai Flicker is an Academic Tutor and the CEO and Founder of Lifeworks Learning Center, a San Francisco Bay Area-based business focused on providing tutoring, parental support, test preparation, college essay writing help, and... Jai has over 20 years of experience in the education management industry. He holds a BA in Philosophy from the University of California, San Diego. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 132,979 times.

Reading is a wonderful habit to develop. It's a terrific boredom-buster, can improve your memory, and is fun for the whole family.[1] X Research source Start small to develop the habit by reading for just a few minutes a day. Reading books that you enjoy and want to continue reading is a great way to maintain your habit and become a life-long reader. The Skills You Need Guide to Personal Development Subscribe to our FREE newsletter and start improving your life in just 5 minutes a day. You'll get our 5 free 'One Minute Life Skills' and our weekly newsletter.

We'll never share your email address and you can unsubscribe at any time. Do you want to start reading daily, but your schedule already looks packed as it is? We've all been there. The good news is that, in this article, we offer tried-and-true guidance on setting goals, finding time for reading, and choosing materials that resonate with you. This article was co-authored by Megan Callaghan, PhD. Megan Morgan is an Academic Advising and Writing expert based in Augusta, Georgia.

She has over 7 years of university teaching experience and more than 15 years of professional editing experience. She works as an intern for the Law Library of Congress, and is also a Professional Writing Center Consultant at Augusta University. Her key academic interests involve reference and subject librarianship, government information, and information organization. She provides personalized writing instruction, workshops, and support for AU students, faculty, and staff. Previously, she worked as a Graduate Program Administrator at the University of Georgia’s School of Public and International Affairs. She was a Graduate Advisor for three degrees in the departments of Political Science and International Affairs at the University of Georgia College of Arts and Sciences.

She earned her Master’s in Library and Information Science from Valdosta State University. She also received both a PhD and MA in English from The University of Georgia, and a BA in English and Creative Writing from the Mississippi University for Women. She wrote her PhD dissertation on narrative structure and social change in novels by 18th-century British women writers. There are 16 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 19 testimonials and 88% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status.

This article has been viewed 376,818 times. Reading is not just an important professional skill. It is also a way to enjoy informative, creative, and inspiring works of literature that enrich our life experiences. Like any skill worth mastering, a reading habit requires time and dedication to develop. It is, however, a lifelong source of enjoyment and entertainment and an affordable hobby for anyone who wants to pick up a book. To develop your reading habit, consider your interests and hobbies, since reading can be more satisfying if it addresses topics you care about.

Once you find good materials, improve your reading skills by looking up unfamiliar words, jotting down notes on key ideas, and taking your time to enjoy. To keep reading, make sure to have reading materials handy by frequenting the library, getting subscriptions to magazines, or using an E-reader. For ideas on how to make reading a life-long commitment, continue reading our Ph.D. reviewer’s advice! Somewhere after “lose weight”, “stop procrastinating”, and “fall in love”, “read more” is one of the top goals that many people set for themselves. And rightly so: A good book can be hugely satisfying, can teach you about things beyond your daily horizons, and can create characters so vivid you feel as if you really know them.

If reading is a habit you’d like to get into, there are a number of ways to cultivate it. First, realize that reading is highly enjoyable, if you have a good book. If you have a lousy book (or an extremely difficult one) and you are forcing yourself through it, it will seem like a chore. If this happens for several days in a row, consider abandoning the book and finding one that you’ll really love. Other than that, try these tips to cultivate a lifetime reading habit: You should have a few set times during every day when you’ll read for at least 5-10 minutes.

These are times that you will read no matter what — triggers that happen each day. For example, make it a habit to read during breakfast and lunch (and even dinner if you eat alone). And if you also read every time you’re sitting on the can, and when you go to bed, you now have four times a day when you read for 10 minutes each — or... That’s a great start, and by itself would be an excellent daily reading habit. But there’s more you can do. He learned spiritual principles to overcome drug addiction and began to have a relationship with God at the helm.

A clear, quiet voice during her drug addiction led her to a life of service. Modern pioneer Mary Bryant Shrader shares how changing her priorities and embracing the lessons her mother taught her helped prepare her for life’s ups and downs. 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.

Make Reading A Habit Here Are 11 Effective Ways To Do It

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