How to Develop A Reading Habit – 15 Tips

How to develop a reading habit to sharpen your brain, memory, communication

Just the knowledge that a good book is awaiting one at the end of a long day makes that day happier. —Kathleen Norris

Books not only equip us with knowledge but they also give us wings to soar above the ordinary and explore new worlds, possibilities and shared experiences. However, in our race against time and daily rigmarole, we forget to rest easy and read. We may participate in ambitious reading challenges every year but often end up forgetting about them as soon as the drudgery of life kicks in.

Well, if you haven’t been reading regularly, now is the time. The following are some practical tips on how to develop a reading habit.

The benefits are obvious. Reading provides us with mental stimulation while sharpening our memory and communication skills. It nudges us to dive in and bring to the surface our own creativity. It opens us up to new ideas and possible realities that could be ours if we tried.

Tip: Keep in mind that so-called bad reading habits refer to a different topic and issue. Please read our tutorial on how to overcome the obstacles that will hinder you to read faster. Ok, let’s get started.

1. Approach reading as an enjoyable activity 

Reading is not a chore or an arduous challenge that you have to force upon yourself. It is not something that you have to strenuously subject yourself to because people around you also like to read. Think of it as a fun and enjoyable activity that’s also doing you good in every which way.

To develop a reading habit, it is best to open yourself to the idea of growth and learning. Once you have done that, understand that enjoyment is the fundamental force driving you to read. Choose a book that you enjoy. Only then will you feel encouraged to read more.

If you love adventurous high-fantasy stories of magic and mythical creatures, don’t coerce yourself into reading historical non-fiction that you dread because quitting feels wrong. The goal is to enjoy and continue reading. 

2. Set reading goals

Setting goals backed up by sound reason and purpose is essential to approach any aspect of life, be it spiritual, fitness, personal or professional. To develop a reading habit, set realistic goals to broaden your perspective and perpetual growth.

Reading goals could be monthly or yearly. Yearly goals sometimes are prone to be forgotten about or deferred until a later time. Break them into smaller monthly goals for building a consistent pattern and reaching the bigger yearly goal. 

Make sure they are not too ambitious either. Start with a modest goal of reading 12 books a year. To achieve this goal, read at least one book per month and don’t forget to make the process enjoyable.  

3. Schedule a reading time

Developing a reading habit also requires discipline. If you don’t incorporate reading into your daily or weekly routine, you might soon completely forget about it. Set a specific time of the day to take a break and indulge in reading a book of your choice. Some people like to start their day with a cup of coffee and the articles they bookmarked, while others find it more relaxing to read before going to bed.

No matter what time you feel the most comfortable with, make sure to read for at least 30 – 40 minutes a day to build and develop a reading habit. After a week or month of religiously practicing this routine, you will find yourself naturally reaching out for a book. 

4. Always carry a book

Whether you read on Kindle or prefer hardcopies, always carry a book with you. Put it in your bag and take it with you almost everywhere. To work, meetings, dentist appointments, road trips, and basically everywhere unless it’s somewhere you are positively sure you won’t get to read, for example, a movie theater. If you are traveling or waiting for your turn at the dentist’s office, take out your book and indulge in an activity that does much more than just passing your time. 

5. Aim to read 10—20 pages a day

After setting reading goals and scheduling a specific time for books, don’t forget to set a daily target of the number of pages to read. 10 – 20 pages a day seems like a reasonable number if you have a crushing routine. Aim higher if you have ample time on your hands. No matter how small or big the number is, consistency is the key. Read daily to achieve your yearly goal and watch reading become a ritual you can’t function without.  

6. Track your reading

Another effective source of motivation to read more is the apps that track books and document your reading experience. Looking at how much one has progressed and evolved is guaranteed to encourage one to do even better. 

Several apps such as Goodreads, Litsy, Libib, and LibraryThing offer readers an interactive experience of tracking the books they’ve read. Book tracking apps can efficiently catalog the books users have finished reading and the ones they would like to read in the future. Rating, reviewing, and recommending features of these apps also encourage the users to read more.

Once you stick to your schedule and achieve your goals, these tools give you an overview of your progress. You can identify your patterns, strive to fill the gaps, and compete against your own goals from previous years. An alternative is an online speed reading course that will teach you how to track but also how to review books effectively after a period of time.

7. Invest in reading tools and a conducive environment

The goal is to make the process enjoyable, and who doesn’t want to indulge in something that pleases them? Some people prefer paperbacks, while others feel eBook readers or tablets are much more comfortable to read from. Whatever your preference may be, consider investing in it. 

The space you read in matters too. Get yourself a comfortable chair and a table to build an inviting environment conducive to reading. Add little decorative items and accessories to keep up the spirit. In no time, you will settle into the routine and cling to that reading corner of yours. 

8. Pick up a pencil 

Another way to make reading more enjoyable, engaging, and satisfying is to pick up a pencil while reading. Highlight your favorite parts, underline the ones you’d like to go back to later or add notes against the lines that resonate with you the most. This practice helps readers remember and retain information while feeling more connected to the story. With this little notation system, reviewing the book after you have finished it will be straightforward and easy.

9. Join a book club

Whether online or otherwise, joining a book club substantially helps develop a reading habit. Book clubs connect you to other book enthusiasts and keep you motivated at times when you’re about to give up. Such communities comfort you, inspire you to do better, and offer countless learning opportunities. You are invited to engage in discussions about what you liked and disliked about the books you read, ultimately cultivating a healthy reading culture. 

10. Get a book buddy 

While you may be determined to achieve your goals alone, there comes a time when everyone feels demotivated. A reading partner not only holds you accountable but also encourages you to read when you don’t feel like it. 

They could be anyone. Your mom who likes to read. A friend who shares similar literary taste or a colleague who’s newly acquainted with reading. You and your reading buddy don’t have to be sitting side by side holding the same books. Plan out your goals with them and meet regularly to discuss current reads. Getting a reading partner who shares your interest to read and engage in intellectually stimulating discussions will be more beneficial than you think. 

11. Limit the distractions 

In today’s fast-paced world where everything is digital and distractions are limitless, it’s hard to concentrate on an activity like reading that demands attention and calls your intelligence into action. You will never be able to read a book properly, let alone finish it, if you are constantly distracted by all the commotion surrounding you.

Distance yourself from all the hysteria for a little while. Turn off the TV. Remove your headphones. Put your phone away. Find yourself a nonchalant environment where activities like reading a book can truly thrive. Developing a regular habit for reading is not easy unless you come to terms with the proper conditions prerequisite for it to foster.

12. Find a quiet spot 

Concentration is the key to reading a book. You won’t get a lot of reading accomplished if distraction surrounds you or a source of imminent disturbance is always around the corner. Find a reading zone, a safe and quiet spot that remains untroubled by the clutter and clamor of the world.

Set up a reading corner on your balcony. Grab a book and take a walk to the park. Indulging in a mentally stimulating activity like reading while being close to nature is nothing short of transporting yourself to a realm of tranquility. Once you start doing that every now and then, you might find yourself looking forward to it, making reading a regular habit.   

13. Discover a discount book store

Books aren’t cheap. They are, in many ways, priceless. The knowledge, wisdom, and experience you stand to gain from them is immeasurable and can’t be quantified. If you are looking to make reading a regular habit, you will have to invest in a small home library, especially if you prefer paperbacks.

Instead of dishing out cash on new copies, keep a vigilant lookout for discount book stores. They usually offer a massive variety of used copies of bestselling and popular award-winning books at surprisingly low prices. Keep stacking them up and fuelling your reading habit without spending too much. In case you’re inclined towards eBooks, many online services also offer affordable deals to satisfy your literary cravings.

14. Schedule a library day

Making and sticking to a schedule is guaranteed to instill discipline into your life and develop a reading habit. Marking your week with one special day dedicated to visiting the library is going to pay dividends in the not so distant future.

The library will help you develop a reading habit because the atmosphere matters a lot, and you’ll definitely find something to read that’s catered to your literary palate. They offer an extensive collection of reading material. Your schedule will slowly but surely integrate and ingrain itself into your daily routine, and that routine eventually becomes a lifelong and incredibly gratifying habit. 

15. Blog about it 

Blogging is popular in today’s world, arguably, one of the greatest gifts for readers and writers alike. Think of it as an online journal. Foraying into the world of blogging has a plethora of benefits. It will help you express yourself, unclutter your thoughts and bring forth a wordsmith within you.

Blogging about the books you’ve been reading is not only going to be a gratifying experience but it’s also going to help you develop a proclivity to read consistently. While you document your reading experience, you also get the chance to connect to fellow readers, eventually building a community that motivates you to read more. Finally, if you build a loyal audience, you can always monetize your blog, which has been executed successfully by bloggers all around the world.

How to Develop a Reading Habit – Conclusion

Reading books can, undeniably, have a profound impact on our lives. One learns and grows while accumulating oodles of knowledge. The first step to making this transformational activity a regular habit is reading as a fun and enjoyable exercise.

Setting monthly goals, scheduling reading time, tracking the books you read, joining a book club, and eliminating distractions are some practical ways to cultivate a healthy reading habit. Follow these tips and instead of constantly having your eyes glued to the screen and clinging to superficial distractions, pick up a book, sit back and read.

What are the tips and strategies you would suggest on how to develop a regular reading habit? Please share them in the comments.