How to build a reading habit that lasts

If you’re not reading at all right now, don’t jump into a 300-page novel. That’s like signing up for a marathon when you’ve never jogged before. Instead, start with just 5-10 minutes a day or a single chapter. The goal isn’t to read a lot—it’s to read consistently. Try setting a timer for 5 minutes before bed or during your morning coffee. You’ll be surprised how quickly those minutes add up. For example, if you read just 10 pages a day, you’ll finish a 300-page book in a month. Small steps build momentum, and momentum is what keeps you going.

This might sound obvious, but so many people force themselves to read books they think they should read instead of books they want to read. If you’re not into classic literature, don’t start with War and Peace. If you love thrillers, pick up the latest Lee Child novel. If you’re into self-help, grab Atomic Habits or The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fck*. The point is to make reading something you look forward to, not a chore. Think of it like choosing a restaurant—you wouldn’t go to a place that serves food you hate, so why read books you don’t like?

Habits stick when they’re tied to existing routines. Do you drink coffee in the morning? Read for 10 minutes after your first sip. Do you wind down with tea at night? Swap 15 minutes of TV for a book. The key is to anchor reading to something you already do. For example, if you always take a lunch break at work, spend the last 10 minutes of it reading instead of scrolling. Over time, your brain will start to associate that time with reading, making it feel automatic. You can even pair it with something enjoyable, like reading in a cozy spot with a blanket or listening to soft music in the background.

There’s something satisfying about seeing your progress visually. Try using a habit tracker—either a simple notebook, an app like Goodreads, or even a sticky note on your fridge. Every time you read, mark it off. You could also set a small, achievable goal, like reading 12 books in a year (that’s just one book a month). When you see how far you’ve come, it’ll motivate you to keep going. For example, if you track your reading for a month, you might notice you’ve read 500 pages—that’s a whole book! Celebrate those small wins. They add up.

Reading doesn’t have to be a solo activity. Join a book club, either in person or online, or start one with friends. When you know you’ll be discussing a book with others, you’re more likely to finish it. Plus, hearing different perspectives can make reading even more enjoyable. If book clubs aren’t your thing, try following bookstagrammers or BookTok (TikTok’s book community) for recommendations and reviews. You could even buddy up with a friend and read the same book together, checking in weekly to chat about it. Sharing the experience makes it feel less like a task and more like a shared adventure.

Ever picked up a book, read a few pages, and put it down because it didn’t grab you? That’s totally normal, but it can derail your habit if you let it. Instead of giving up immediately, try the "two-page rule": If a book doesn’t hook you after two pages, you’re allowed to put it down guilt-free. This takes the pressure off and keeps you from forcing yourself to finish books you don’t enjoy. For example, I once abandoned a highly recommended novel after 20 pages because it felt like a chore. I swapped it for a mystery novel and couldn’t put it down. Life’s too short to read books you don’t love.

Your surroundings can make or break your reading habit. If your phone is always buzzing or your TV is on in the background, it’s easy to get distracted. Try creating a reading-friendly space: a comfy chair, good lighting, and minimal distractions. For example, I keep a book on my nightstand, another in my living room, and one in my bag for on-the-go reading. That way, I always have a book within reach. You could also try leaving your phone in another room or using an app like Forest to block distractions. The easier it is to pick up a book, the more likely you’ll do it.

Here’s the truth: You’re going to miss days. Life gets busy, you’ll forget, or you’ll just not feel like it. And that’s okay. The key to building a lasting habit isn’t perfection—it’s persistence. If you skip a day (or a week), don’t beat yourself up. Just pick up where you left off. For example, I once went a month without reading because I was swamped with work. Instead of giving up, I started again with a short, easy book and rebuilt my habit. Progress isn’t linear, and that’s normal. What matters is that you keep coming back to it.