How to read more in 2025
My top tips for fitting reading into your life
Before I say anything else, let me say this: reading is not a competitive sport. I am a huge believer in reading for joy and without any sense of pressure. Reading isn’t homework.
That said, I often hear people say they want to read more but don’t know where to start. Plenty of studies have shown that reading can improve wellbeing and combat feelings of loneliness.
One study suggested that reading for as little as six minutes a day can reduce stress levels by 60%.
So if you want to make more time for reading - and relaxing - in 2025 but don’t know where to start, here are some tips that helped me read 100 books in 2024.
How to read more in 2025
Dedicate a specific time to reading - and pick a time that works for you
Are you a morning person or a night-owl? Some people love reading before they go to bed, while others fall asleep before making it through a single page. Choose a reading time that works for you.
I’m better in the mornings so one of my favourite times to read is before my family wakes. I like getting up early, making myself a cup of tea and curling up in a quiet corner of the house with a book. Even ten minutes spent like this improves my mood for the rest of the day.
Turn ‘dead time’ into reading time
I like to read while I eat my lunch, or leaning against the kitchen counter while waiting for the pasta to boil. Think about moments in your day when you have ‘dead time’ that could be filled with a few minutes of reading.
Swap scrolling for reading
Every time I catch myself scrolling on social media, I try to swap my phone for a book.
If you have time to scroll, you have time to read.
And reading will be much more productive for your mental health.
Swap Netflix for reading
I feel hesitant sharing this one because I am a big fan of a cosy evening re-watching Gilmore Girls on the sofa. But the number one way I’ve managed to fit more reading into my life is to swap TV for reading.
How many hours go into binge-watching a series? Even if you spent some of those reading you might surprise yourself with how quickly you whizz through books…
Don’t leave the house without a book
One of the reasons we so often reach for our phones is because they’re right there in our pockets. But what if you reached for a book instead?
I never leave the house without a paperback or my e-reader in my handbag.
It’s a pretty frequent occurrence that I’ll be meeting a friend and they’ll message to say they’re running a few minutes late and I’ll reply with a cheery, ‘Don’t worry, take your time, I have a book!’.
Dive into audiobooks
YES AUDIOBOOKS COUNT AS READING.
I try to always have an audiobook cued up on my phone to dip into when I’m walking or doing chores.
I love how accessible audiobooks make reading. If reading print or ebooks doesn’t work for you have a go with audiobooks, and remember that you can borrow audiobooks from your local library via the Borrowbox or Libby app (yes, I love that I share a name with a library app).
And if an illness, disability or mental health condition impacts on reading for you, you can access audiobooks for free through the charity Listening Books.
Set a reading timer
If you struggle to focus when you’re reading, try setting a timer for ten minutes of reading, gradually increasing the time. And put your phone in another room when you read so you can’t get distracted.
Go on a reading date
I like to take myself on solo reading dates, taking my book to a local café for half an hour of reading. But you could make this a social thing too with a friend or partner. Both bring your books and agree how long you want to read for before chatting!
Start a reading journal
I think of my reading journal like the FitBit of reading.
Knowing that I’ll get to add a new book to my ‘books I’ve read this year’ list motivates me to dedicate time to reading. It’s also a great way to reflect on what I’m reading and what I might want to read next.
If you like the idea of a reading journal, check out my article on how to start one.
Don’t feel bad about abandoning a book you’re not enjoying
I used to force myself to persevere with books but I’ve now become much more ruthless. Forcing myself to read a book I’m just not vibing with can send me into a reading rut.
If I’m not enjoying a book by 25% of the way through, it’s time to move on to something new.
Pick books you actually want to read, not the books you think you should read
If you’re struggling to get through books it might be that you’re picking books you feel you should read rather than books you actually want to read. It takes me AGES to finish a book that I’m not particularly enjoying. But if I love a book, I fly through it.
Sign up to a book subscription service
If you need recommendations and want a reminder to read, why not sign up to a box box subscription or ask your local bookshop whether they offer a book subscription service?
Try joining a book group or (or start your own)
There are so many different kinds of book clubs out there and they can be a great way to up your reading. You could join an online club, one in your local town or even try a silent book club (I went to one recently that was an incredibly relaxing night out).
And if you can’t find a book club that speaks to you, why not start your own?
Buddy read with a friend
If you don’t like the idea of a full-blown book group, you could try a buddy read with a friend. Both of you read the same book at the same time, then set a time to chat about it.
If one of your barriers to not reading is not knowing what to read, remember that I have lots of curated shoppable lists over at Bookshop.org. Here are some to get you started:
Bookish books (books featuring books and bookshops)
Do you want to read more in 2025? Do you have any particular reading goals? Let me know!
I'm not a resolutions person, but made two for this year: reading and walking.
I've started the new year with fifteen minutes of reading a day. With a timer it's a manageable amount of time for me. So far so good, also with the walking.
And... reading while you're eating, is not so good as studies have shown :)
Really good ideas. One I've started, and I think I learnt it from another substacker, was to download books to your phone (from borrowbox for me), then when you pick it up to go on social media etc, you can go to the book instead. Kinda like your idea of always having a book with you. I've downloaded a couple that i can easily dip in and out of.