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How to Read More Books: Realistic Habits That Actually Work in 2026

Almost everyone says they want to read more — and then a year slips by with three half-finished books on the nightstand. The good news: reading more is far less about finding free time and far more about removing friction. Here are the habits that actually work, none of which require you to become a different person.

Why reading more feels hard

It is rarely about wanting to read. It is about competition for your attention — a phone that is always one tap away, a tired brain at the end of the day, and books chosen out of obligation rather than excitement. Once you see reading as a habit to make easy rather than a discipline to force, everything gets simpler.

Set a goal you will actually hit

A reading goal gives you direction, but only if it is realistic. Pick a number you could hit in your busiest month, not your best one. Twelve books a year — one a month — is a steady, satisfying target for most readers. Read more than that already? Try twenty-four, or the classic fifty-two.

If a number ever starts to feel like a quota, lower it without guilt. Finishing a small goal beats stalling on a huge one. A flexible reading challenge is a gentle way to give the year some shape without the pressure.

The habits that work

  • Always have a book on you. Print, ebook or phone app — when a book is within reach, the small gaps in your day fill themselves.
  • Use the time you already have. Ten minutes before bed, a commute, a coffee break, time spent waiting. Ten minutes a day adds up to several books a year.
  • Lean on audiobooks. They unlock time you cannot use for print — driving, cooking, walking, cleaning. It all counts.
  • Quit books you are not enjoying. The "did not finish" pile is a sign of a healthy reader, not a failed one. One slog can cost you weeks.
  • Keep a tempting to-be-read pile. Always know what is next, so you never lose momentum staring at the shelf.
  • Protect one consistent slot. The ten minutes before sleep is the most reliable reading time most people have. Guard it.
  • Read what excites you. "Unserious" fun reads build the habit faster than worthy books you feel you should read.

Make it stick

Once the habit is rolling, three things keep it going. First, track your reading so the progress is visible — a reading journal or a simple list works. Second, read with others: a book club or a buddy read adds easy accountability and someone to talk to. Third, be kind to slumps — they happen to every reader, and our reading-slump guide has the resets that work.

Put these together and "I want to read more" quietly turns into a reading life. Need somewhere to start? The best books to read this year are full of momentum-builders.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I read more books in a year?

Build small, repeatable habits rather than relying on willpower: carry a book everywhere, read in the small pockets of time you already have, use audiobooks for commutes and chores, and quit books you are not enjoying. Reading more is mostly about removing friction, not finding hours of free time.

How many books should I aim to read in a year?

Pick a goal you can hit in a busy month, not your best one. Twelve books — one a month — is realistic for most readers. If you already read often, twenty-four or fifty-two stretches you. The right number is the one you will actually finish without it becoming a chore.

How do I find time to read?

You probably already have the time in small pieces — ten minutes before bed, a commute, a coffee break, time spent waiting. Reading just ten minutes a day adds up to several books a year. Audiobooks unlock time you cannot use for print, like driving, cooking or walking.

Should I set a reading goal or will it ruin the fun?

A goal helps as long as it is gentle. A small, flexible target gives you direction without pressure. If hitting a number starts to feel like homework, lower it. The aim is to read more and enjoy it more, not to win a quota.

Do audiobooks count as reading?

Yes. The story is the same whether you read it with your eyes or your ears, and audiobooks let you "read" during time you could not otherwise use. Many of the most prolific readers mix print, ebooks and audio freely.

Should I finish every book I start?

No. Giving yourself permission to put down a book you are not enjoying is one of the best things you can do for your reading life. One slog can stall you for weeks. Set it aside and pick something you actually want to read.

How do I stay motivated to keep reading?

Track your progress so you can see it add up, read books you are genuinely excited about, and read with others through a book club or buddy read. A flexible reading challenge gives you fresh prompts and gentle momentum without pressure.

What is the best way to read more if I have a busy schedule?

Default to short books and audiobooks, keep a book on every device and in every bag, and protect a single consistent reading slot — most often the ten minutes before sleep. Consistency beats long sessions you can never seem to find time for.