How to Create a Reading Habit: Practical Guide to Reading More
GuideDec 23, 2025•10 min reading
Do you want to read more books but don't know where to start? Have you tried to create a reading habit several times without success? You are not alone. Many people want to read more, but find it difficult to stay consistent. The good news is that creating a reading habit is simpler than it seems: you just need the right strategies and a little patience.
In this practical guide, you will discover how to create a reading habit in a sustainable way, how to stay motivated and how to really enjoy the process. It's not about reading faster or reading more books: it's about reading consistently and enjoying every page.
Why is it so difficult to create the habit of reading?
Before learning how to create a reading habit, it is important to understand why it is so difficult for us. The main obstacles are:
Lack of time: We feel like we don't have enough time to read, especially with the current pace of life.
Digital distractions: Social networks, mobile phones and notifications constantly compete for our attention.
Unrealistic expectations: We try to read too much from the beginning, which leads to frustration and abandonment.
Books that don't hook us: Choosing books that don't really interest us makes reading feel like an obligation.
Lack of routine: We do not have a specific time of day dedicated to reading.
The good news is that all these obstacles have a solution. With the right strategies, you can create the reading habit in a natural and sustainable way.
10 Practical Strategies to Create a Reading Habit
1. Start small: the 5 minute rule
One of the most common mistakes when trying to create a reading habit is wanting to read for hours from the first day. This creates pressure and frustration. Instead, start with just 5 minutes a day.
Why it works: 5 minutes is such a small time that it does not generate mental resistance. It is easier to commit to reading for 5 minutes than to read for an hour. Once you start, you'll often want to keep reading, but if you don't, that's okay: you accomplished your goal.
How to apply it: Commit to reading just 5 minutes each day for a week. Use a timer if necessary. After a week, increase to 10 minutes, then 15, and so on. The goal is to create the habit, not to read a lot from the beginning.
2. Create a reading ritual
Habits are strengthened when they are associated with specific signals. Create a reading ritual that your brain automatically associates with the moment of reading.
Examples of rituals:
Always read after breakfast with a cup of coffee
Read before going to sleep (turn off your phone 30 minutes before)
Read during the commute to work (if you use public transportation)
Read on Sunday mornings on the couch
The ritual doesn't have to be elaborate: it can be as simple as "I always read in the same place" or "I always read after dinner." The important thing is consistency.
3. Choose books that really interest you
Many people try to create a reading habit by reading books they "should" read instead of books they really want to read. This is a mistake.
If you get bored with a book, there is no problem putting it down. Reading should be pleasurable, not an obligation. Choose genres you like: romance, thriller, science fiction, fantasy, non-fiction... There are no "better" or "worse" genres. The important thing is that you enjoy.
Tip: If you don't know what to read, try our smart book recommender. Answer a few questions and get personalized recommendations adapted to your tastes and current situation.
4. Always carry a book with you
One of the most effective ways to read more is to take advantage of the dead moments of the day: waiting at the doctor, lines, commutes, breaks at work.
Always carry a book with you (or use an e-reader or reading app on your mobile). When you have 5-10 minutes free, instead of opening social media, open your book. Those minutes add up and can add up to hours of reading per week.
5. Reduce digital distractions
The mobile phone is the number one enemy of the reading habit. Every notification breaks your concentration and makes it harder to immerse yourself in a book.
Practical solutions:
Put your phone in airplane mode or in another room while reading
Use apps like "Forest" or "Freedom" to block distractions
Read in physical format if your cell phone distracts you too much
Create a reading space without electronic devices
6. Join a community of readers
Reading can be a solitary activity, but it doesn't have to be. Joining a community of readers can increase your motivation and make the reading habit more social and fun.
Options:
Local or online book clubs (Goodreads, Discord, etc.)
Share your readings on social networks (BookTok, Bookstagram)
Talk about books with friends or family
Participate in reading challenges (such as reading 12 books a year)
Positive social pressure can be a great motivation to maintain your reading habit.
7. Track your progress
Seeing your progress visually can be very motivating. Keep track of:
How many books have you read
How many minutes/pages do you read per day
What books have you enjoyed the most
You can use apps like Goodreads, StoryGraph or just a notebook. Seeing your readings stack up will give you a sense of accomplishment and motivate you to keep going.
8. Don't feel guilty about abandoning a book
Many people feel obligated to finish every book they start, even if they don't like it. This can kill your reading habit.
Rule of thumb: If after 50-100 pages a book isn't hooking you, leave it. Your time is valuable, and there are millions of books waiting for you. There is nothing wrong with abandoning a book you don't like.
9. Combine formats depending on the moment
You don't have to read only physical books. Combine different formats depending on the moment:
Physical books: For reading at home, when you want to disconnect completely
E-books: To read on public transport or when traveling
Audiobooks: To listen to while exercising, cooking or driving
All of these formats "count" as reading. The important thing is that you are consuming literary content constantly.
10. Be patient and compassionate with yourself
Creating any habit takes time. Studies suggest that it takes between 18 and 254 days for a habit to become automated, with an average of 66 days.
If one day you don't read, nothing happens. Don't beat yourself up or give up. Just come back the next day. The reading habit is not built on perfect days, but on consistent days.
Remember: The goal is not to read 100 books a year. The goal is to read constantly and enjoy the process. If you read 12 books a year (one a month) and enjoy them, that's huge success.
Common Errors When Creating a Reading Habit
To avoid frustration, here are the most common mistakes you should avoid:
Setting unrealistic goals: Saying "I'm going to read 50 books this year" when you've never read more than 5 is a recipe for failure. Start small.
Read only "important books": There is nothing wrong with reading for pleasure. Bestsellers, romance, fantasy... everything counts.
Compare yourself with others: It doesn't matter if someone reads faster or more books than you. Your rhythm is perfect for you.
Read when you are exhausted: If you are very tired, it is better to rest than force yourself to read. Reading should be pleasant.
Not having a plan: Without a specific time of day to read, it's easy for time to pass without you reading anything.
How to Maintain a Long-Term Reading Habit
Creating the habit is just the first step. Maintaining it is just as important. Here are strategies to maintain your reading habit in the long term:
Vary your readings: Alternate between genres, authors and formats to maintain interest.
Review and adjust: If your reading routine isn't working, change it. There is no "correct" way to read.
Celebrate your achievements: When you finish a book or reach a goal, celebrate it. Share it with others or simply recognize your achievement.
Always have a next book prepared: When you finish a book, you know what to read next. This avoids "decision paralysis" and maintains momentum.
Important tip: If you want to find your next book in a personalized way, try our smart book recommender. It will help you discover books that will really engage you, which is essential for maintaining your reading habit.
Benefits of Creating a Reading Habit
To stay motivated, remember all the benefits of read more:
Improves concentration: Deep reading trains your ability to focus.
Reduces stress: Reading can reduce stress by up to 68%, according to studies.
Expand your vocabulary: The more you read, the more words you learn.
Improves empathy: Reading fiction helps you better understand the perspectives of others.
Exercise your brain: Reading keeps your mind active and can help prevent cognitive decline.
Entertains you: Books are a cheap and accessible form of entertainment.
Additional Resources
If you want to delve deeper into the topic, here are some useful resources:
The secret to maintaining the reading habit is to read books that you really like. Answer a few quick questions and get personalized recommendations tailored to your tastes and current situation.