How to read more books: simple habits that actually stick
Almost everyone who walks into the shop says some version of the same thing: “I wish I read more.” The good news is that reading more has almost nothing to do with willpower and almost everything to do with friction. Make it easy, make it pleasant, and the pages add up faster than you’d think.
Set a goal so small it feels silly
Forget “a book a week.” Aim for ten pages a day, or ten minutes before bed. A small, daily target beats a heroic, occasional one because it survives busy weeks. Most nights you’ll read past ten pages anyway — but on the bad days, ten still counts, and the streak stays alive.
Always carry a book
The reading happens in the cracks: the waiting room, the bus, the ten minutes before a meeting starts. If a book (or your phone’s reading app) is already in your bag, those minutes turn into chapters. A slim paperback you can stuff in a coat pocket is worth more than the gorgeous hardback that stays home.
Let audiobooks count
Some readers feel like listening is cheating. It isn’t. Audiobooks turn dishes, commutes, and dog walks into reading time, and they’re a lifeline for anyone whose eyes are tired by the end of the day. Pair a print book with its audio version and you can pick up the same story whether your hands are free or not.
Give yourself permission to DNF
Nothing stalls a reading habit like slogging through a book you don’t like out of obligation. “Did not finish” is not a moral failing — it’s good taste. If a book isn’t working by page 50, set it down and reach for something that pulls you forward. The shelves are long and life is short.
Beat the slump with something easy
Every reader hits a stretch where nothing sticks. The cure usually isn’t a worthier book — it’s a more fun one. Break a slump with a fast, propulsive read: a thriller, a cozy mystery, or a short book you can finish in a weekend. One quick win reminds you why you loved reading in the first place.
Build a habit, not a pile of pressure
Stacking unread books into a tower of guilt is its own kind of slump. For more on keeping your stack joyful, see our guide to building a reading habit and a TBR pile worth the name. And when you’re ready for a fresh challenge, our reading-challenge ideas can give the year a little structure.
When your stack runs low, come restock in Milwaukie or browse online— and if you’re not sure what to grab next, let the Next Read Matchmaker point you somewhere good.