I used to buy books, put them on my nightstand, and never open them. The pile grew to about 15 before I admitted I had a problem. It wasn't that I didn't want to read – I just kept waiting for the "right time" that never came. Three years later, I hit 40 books in a year. The secret had nothing to do with willpower.
Stop forcing yourself to read – here's what worked for me
Quick Answer
Start with 5 minutes a day of something you actually enjoy, ditch guilt about finishing books, and stack reading onto an existing habit like morning coffee.
former reluctant reader turned book club host
"My turning point was a rainy Tuesday in March 2019. I was scrolling Instagram for the 50th time that day, and my thumb actually hurt. I grabbed a thin paperback my sister had left at my place – 'The Ocean at the End of the Lane' by Neil Gaiman – and read ten pages. The next day I read ten more. I didn't finish the book for three weeks, but I finished it."
🔍 Why This Happens
Most advice says 'read 20 pages a day' or 'carry a book everywhere' – but that ignores why we don't read in the first place. We're tired, our phones are designed to be addictive, and we've built up reading as this serious chore. The real problem isn't time – it's that we've forgotten reading can be pure pleasure. Standard advice fails because it treats reading like a workout routine, not a leisure activity.
🔧 5 Solutions
1
Start with the 5-minute rule
Commit to reading for just 5 minutes daily, no more, to build momentum without pressure.
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Pick a tiny book — Grab something under 200 pages – novellas, graphic novels, or essay collections. I started with 'We Should All Be Feminists' by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (64 pages).
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2
Set a 5-minute timer — Use your phone timer or a kitchen timer. Read until it goes off. If you want to keep going, fine – but you're allowed to stop.
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3
Anchor it to an existing habit — Read right after your morning coffee or before brushing your teeth at night. For me, it was during my lunch break at work – I'd eat first, then read for 5 minutes.
Use a physical book for this – no Kindle or phone. The physical act of turning pages helps your brain switch into reading mode faster.
Recommended Tool
Kemei 5-Minute Timer
Why this helps: A simple, non-digital timer keeps you off your phone and focused on the timer, not notifications.
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2
Ditch the guilt about finishing books
Stop forcing yourself to finish books you hate – it kills the habit faster than anything.
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Apply the 50-page rule — If a book hasn't hooked you by page 50, put it down. I once forced myself through 300 pages of a novel I hated and didn't touch another book for two months.
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Create a 'did not finish' shelf — On Goodreads or a physical list, mark books you stopped reading. It's not failure – it's curation. I have 12 books on my DNF shelf this year.
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3
Replace guilt with curiosity — Ask yourself: 'What do I feel like reading right now?' Not what you should read. I keep 3-4 books going at once – a novel, a non-fiction, a short story collection – and pick whichever matches my mood.
If you're struggling to let go, remind yourself: every minute spent on a book you don't enjoy is a minute stolen from a book you'll love. Life's too short for bad books.
Recommended Tool
Book Darts Page Markers
Why this helps: These thin metal markers let you mark multiple pages without damaging the book, perfect for juggling several reads at once.
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3
Track your reading with a simple log
Keep a minimalist log of what you read and how you felt – it builds accountability and shows progress.
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Get a small notebook or use an app — I use a Moleskine cahier that lives on my desk. Every time I finish a book, I write the title, author, date finished, and a one-sentence rating. That's it.
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Note your reading mood — Add a quick emoji or word: 'loved it', 'meh', 'couldn't put down'. After 10 books, patterns emerge. I realized I hate thrillers but love character-driven sci-fi.
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3
Set a low-stakes goal — Aim for 12 books a year (one a month). Not 50. When I hit 12 by June, I felt great – not pressured to read more. The goal is to keep reading, not to break records.
If you prefer digital, use the StoryGraph app – it tracks your moods and genres better than Goodreads and has no social pressure.
Recommended Tool
Moleskine Cahier Journal, Ruled, Large
Why this helps: The thin, flexible cover makes it easy to slip into a bag, and the 64 pages are perfect for a year's worth of reading logs.
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4
Make reading physically accessible
Place books in every room where you usually sit – remove friction between you and reading.
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Create reading nooks — Put a book on your nightstand, one by the couch, one in the bathroom, one in your bag. I have a stack on my coffee table that I rotate monthly.
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Use a book stand or holder — I got a cheap acrylic book stand for my kitchen counter. Now I read while eating breakfast or waiting for water to boil. It's surprisingly effective.
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Keep a book in your car or commute bag — Even if you don't commute, you'll find pockets of time – waiting at the doctor's office, picking up kids, charging your phone. I read 20 pages of 'Project Hail Mary' in a single grocery store pickup line.
If you read on your phone, use the Kindle app with the 'open book' lock screen – it shows your current book cover and reminds you to read instead of scrolling.
Recommended Tool
Mighty Bright Book Stand
Why this helps: This portable, foldable stand holds books open hands-free, perfect for reading while eating or cooking.
We may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you.
5
Join a low-pressure book club
Find or create a book club that meets casually – social accountability without the shame of unfinished books.
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Find a group that reads what you like — Search Meetup or Facebook for genre-specific clubs. I joined a sci-fi book club that meets at a pub every third Thursday. No homework required – just show up and chat.
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Suggest a flexible reading schedule — Instead of 'finish by next meeting', try 'read as much as you want'. Our club does 'read at least 50 pages' – it's low enough that everyone can manage, even during busy weeks.
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Use the club as a recommendation engine — Let other members do the curation. I've discovered 15 books I'd never have picked up because someone in the club raved about them. It takes the guesswork out of 'what to read next'.
If you can't find a club, start one with 3 friends. Meet at a bar or café, pick a short book (under 250 pages), and don't enforce strict rules. The goal is connection, not homework.
Recommended Tool
Book Club Discussion Cards (52 Cards)
Why this helps: These cards provide conversation starters that go beyond 'did you like it?' – perfect for keeping the discussion flowing even if not everyone finished the book.
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⚠️ When to Seek Professional Help
If you've tried multiple approaches and still can't sustain any reading after 3 months, or if you feel intense anxiety or shame around reading, it might be worth talking to a therapist. Sometimes reading difficulties link to undiagnosed ADHD, dyslexia, or depression. A professional can help uncover the root cause – and no, that's not 'giving up', it's being smart about your brain.
Look, I'm not going to pretend I read every single day. Some weeks I go back to scrolling Twitter. But the difference now is that reading isn't a chore – it's something I look forward to because I stopped forcing it. The 5-minute rule, the permission to quit bad books, the book stand in my kitchen – these tiny changes added up over months, not overnight. You don't need a library card and a strict schedule. You just need one book you actually want to read, and five minutes of peace. Try it tonight. Leave your phone in another room. See what happens.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How do I start reading when I'm always tired?
Read in the morning instead of evening. I used to try reading before bed and would fall asleep after two pages. Now I read for 10 minutes with my morning coffee – I'm more alert and actually retain what I read.
How many pages should I read a day to build a habit?
Start with 5 pages. Seriously. It's laughably small, but that's the point. After a week, you'll naturally want to read more. I went from 5 pages to 20 pages in about a month without any pressure.
What should I read to get into reading?
Pick something you'd read for fun as a kid. For me, it was thrillers and sci-fi. If you loved Harry Potter, try 'The Name of the Wind' by Patrick Rothfuss. If you liked non-fiction, start with a memoir about a topic you're obsessed with – I started with 'Born a Crime' by Trevor Noah.
How do I stop getting distracted by my phone while reading?
Put your phone in another room or a drawer. I use a $20 timer lockbox – I drop my phone in, set 20 minutes, and read. Knowing I literally can't reach my phone removes the temptation.
Is it okay to read multiple books at once?
Absolutely. I usually have 3 books going – one fiction, one non-fiction, one short stories. It keeps reading fresh. If I'm bored with one, I switch to another. The key is to never force yourself through a slog.
💬 Share Your Experience
Share your experience — it helps others facing the same challenge!