The Reading Habit Problem

Almost everyone wants to read more. Yet between phone notifications, streaming services, and a packed schedule, books tend to lose the battle for attention. The solution isn't more discipline — it's smarter habit design. Here's how to make reading feel natural rather than like another item on your to-do list.

Step 1: Remove Friction, Add Convenience

The book you'll actually read is the one within arm's reach. Keep a book on your nightstand, beside your coffee maker, on your work desk. The less effort it takes to pick it up, the more likely you are to do it. Meanwhile, put your phone in a different room during your intended reading time — not to punish yourself, but to remove the competition.

Step 2: Attach Reading to an Existing Habit

Habit stacking works brilliantly for reading. Consider attaching it to moments you already have:

  • Reading 10 pages with your morning coffee
  • Reading on your commute (audiobooks count)
  • Reading for 20 minutes before sleep instead of scrolling
  • Keeping a book at your desk for lunch breaks

You don't need a dedicated "reading hour" — you need consistent pockets of time.

Step 3: Give Yourself Permission to Quit

One of the biggest barriers to reading more is being stuck on a book you're not enjoying. Give any book 50 pages. If it hasn't grabbed you, put it down without guilt. Life is too short for books you're forcing yourself through, and there are too many great ones waiting. Quitting a bad-fit book frees you to find one you'll devour.

Step 4: Read Multiple Books at Once

This sounds counterintuitive, but keeping 2–3 books on the go for different moods can actually increase your overall reading. Try:

  • One non-fiction book for focused, alert moments
  • One novel for evenings or relaxation
  • One audiobook for commutes or household tasks

Matching the book to the moment makes reading feel like a pleasure, not a chore.

Step 5: Track Progress (But Keep It Light)

Many readers find that a simple reading log — even just a list of books finished — creates satisfying momentum. Apps like Goodreads let you set annual reading goals and track your progress. The key is to treat the goal as a guide, not a deadline. If you set a goal of 20 books and read 14, you read 14 more than if you'd set no goal at all.

What Actually Counts as Reading?

Audiobooks, e-readers, and physical books all "count." The format matters far less than the engagement with ideas, stories, and perspectives. If audiobooks are the only way you can fit reading into your life right now, that is a completely valid and valuable way to read.

Start Tonight

You don't need a perfect system before you begin. Pick up whatever book is most interesting to you right now, set a modest goal — say, 10 pages tonight — and see how it feels. That's the entire first step. The rest builds from there.