How to Build a Reading Habit Effortlessly: 13 Simple Strategies

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Reading can be both entertaining and helpful. That's why many individuals try to make it a daily habit.

Reading can improve people's academic achievement. It's correlated with having long-term vision, brain development, and rational thinking. Children who read for pleasure increase their vocabulary and improve their spelling. [Source]

Despite these benefits, many people find it hard to stay consistent with reading. Because we live in a fast-paced world and due to the emergence of short content, many people's attention spans have declined. Since reading requires patience and is considered a relatively slow activity, it might be really hard to maintain this habit or enjoy it altogether. In this blog post, I want to discuss a couple of techniques that help me enjoy reading and not view it as a chore.

1. Make it Fun:

If you view anything as something you have to do and see it as an obligation, you will probably have a hard time enjoying it or even staying consistent.

Books have several genres, making it almost impossible not to find a book that suits you. If you're new to reading, you might hear people criticise a certain genre, but what's important while reading is enjoying the book. Every book can teach you something, even if it's just one new word. So, it's important not to force yourself to read a certain book.

2. Start Small:

Setting goals is definitely important, but when you're new to something the type of goal is crucial. Your goal as someone new to reading should be clear and small.

Having a vague goal like ''I'll read more'' or an unrealistic one will set you back and make reading feel like homework. So, instead of ''I'll read more'' try, ''I'll read for ten minutes'' or ''I'll read five pages every day.'' Habits are built slowly, as you need to repeat them for several months in the same context. [source]

3. Stop Reading:

Reading is a hobby people should enjoy. If you find yourself stuck with the same fifty pages for an entire week, this might be a sign to put it aside. You can always come back to it later so no need to feel guilty.

4. Habit Stacking:

Habit stacking is a term popularized by Dr. James Clear in his book Atomic Habits. It simply means adding a new habit to an already established one.

We all have things we need to do every day, tasks that we perform automatically. When a person tries to build a new habit like reading, it might feel quite overwhelming, or you might think to yourself that you don't have time for it. However, habit stacking solves this problem.

For example, if you drive to work every day for thirty minutes, you can listen to an audiobook, during breakfast read an e-book, and so on. This way it'll be much easier for you to build that new habit, as you won't need to find separate time or circumstances to read.

5. Join a book club:

Book clubs make it much easier to pick a book and read. It allows you to discuss books you enjoy with like-minded people. Sharing your ideas and thoughts on a book is quite fun and listening to other readers' perspectives on the same book is intellectually stimulating.

There are app-based and website-based book clubs. You can also choose between paid ones and free ones. Some are based on genre, theme, or even author.

6. Find a Book Buddy:

If you couldn't find a book club that suits you, you can find a book buddy. You don't have to find an avid reader, you can suggest a book to one of your friends and ask them to read it at the same time and even have a book discussion later.

In case people around you aren't interested in reading, there are subreddits dedicated to finding book buddies.

7. How to Find a Book You Enjoy:

There are many book reviewers online. Whether it's YouTube or Instagram, many enjoy sharing their reads there. Search for books for beginners in what interests you.

If you enjoy science-fiction movies, you can look up books in the same genre. Visit a library and just walk around, looking at book covers and browsing different genres. If a cover catches your eye, read through the book before deciding whether it's for you or not. Before starting a new book, you can check what people think of it on Goodreads or Reddit.

8. Explore:

Books are a huge industry. You can always try different genres from fiction to non-fiction. Explore local libraries, used book shops, and online libraries.

Also, reading in today's world isn't limited to paper books. There are also audiobooks and e-books. If you're not sure which one to choose between audiobooks and e-books, you can read this article [E-books VS Audiobooks]. This way you'll definitely find what suits you best.

9. Create a Reading Spot:

As a new reader you might find it overwhelming to start reading. You could be lying in bed and decide to pick a book, but you're used to scrolling on your bed. So, you naturally stop reading as your brain has associated the bed with scrolling.

Having a special place for reading could be a huge motivation to build this habit. Make this place screen-free, so your brain only associates it with reading unless you read e-books. It doesn't have to be elaborate, just a chair with a bookshelf nearby is enough.

10. Make a Reading List:

Each time someone recommends a book that fits your interest, add it to a reading list. Since you'll already have a list of options that you know you'll enjoy, it'll be less overwhelming to start a new book after finishing one.

Also, categorizing your list by genre or author would make it easier to choose your next book.

11. Write:

While reading, hold a pencil and write your thoughts on the author's ideas even when it's a fiction book. Hold a highlighter and mark quotes or ideas you might want to come back to.

As you advance you can start writing short summaries or reviews. If you want to hold yourself more accountable or make reading more engaging, start a blog or share your reviews on platforms like Goodreads.

12. Reading Tracker:

Tracking your reads could be a huge motivator to stay consistent with reading. It allows you to track the books you read and future books you want to read.

There are apps and free spreadsheets online that help readers organise their reads. You can merge both your reading tracker and your review or summary of the book in one place.

13. Immerse Yourself:

One of the main things that helps me maintain any habit is surrounding myself with it. This works for everything, not just reading. Immersing yourself in things related to reading shifts it from something you have to do to a part of your identity.

So, how can you do this with reading?

Go to bookshops more often. Not necessarily to buy a new book, but to explore. Buy a small bookshelf, and fill it with a couple of books. You can subscribe to an audiobook platform or buy a Kindle, so you have books wherever you go. Follow book reviewers online, or subscribe to a book newsletter.

Conclusion:

Reading helps people improve many aspects of their lives. At the start of building your habit, it might feel a bit boring or overwhelming, but starting small and knowing which books suit you makes reading a fun activity that you'll enjoy. What's important is simply starting today. Even reading five pages counts.