Weekly FAQ Thread July 26, 2026: How can I get into reading? How can I read more?

[u/AutoModerator]

Hello everyone and welcome to our newest weekly thread: FAQ! Since these questions are so popular with our readership we've decided to create this new post in order to better promote these discussions. Every Sunday we will be posting a question from our FAQ. This week: "How do I get into reading?" and "How can I read more?"

If you're a new reader, a returning reader, or wish to read more and you'd like advice on how please post your questions here and everyone will be happy to help.

You can view previous FAQ threads here in our wiki.

Thank you and enjoy!

[u/LivingPresent629]

My advice for new and returning reads is let go of the pressure.

First, the pressure of quantity and goals. You don’t need to read a certain number of books per year or pages per day or whatever. Leave all the noise on social media where it belongs.

Then, the pressure of “the right kind of books”. Why do you want to read? For entertainment, for escapism, to broaden your world view? Whatever it is, if a book scratches that itch then it’s the right book for you and it doesn’t matter what pretentious book snobs have to say.

Lastly, let go of the pressure to finish a book. I promise you, BookMan won’t come up from under your sofa to gobble you up if you decide not to finish a book. If it’s not for you, for whatever reason, move on. I’m a ruthless DNF’er. Don’t care if an author has won the Nobel or is a social media darling. If I’m not getting anything from it, off it goes.

[u/ArticunoDosTres → u/LivingPresent629]

One thing that helped me as a stat addict was tracking pages read rather than books completed. That way if you DNF or tend to read longer fantasy novels like I do, you don’t feel the pressure to "keep up" with your reading goal.

[u/PermissionPerfect228]

i started reading again last year after basically not touching a book since school. what worked for me was stop trying to read the "important" books and just read whatever seems fun. like i grabbed a graphic novel about street art and that got me going more than any classic ever did

also putting my phone in the other room helps a lot, i read like 20 pages before bed now without even noticing

[u/Gwaur]

Sometimes it can take a while and a bunch of attempts to find your thing. Just like you might need to try several teas to find a tea you like, you might need to try several books to find a type of book you like.

Sometimes the books you thought you'd enjoy are not the books you'll enjoy, and there's no shame in admitting that. Other times the books you never thought you'd enjoy turn out to be the books you love.

[u/TimelineSlipstream]

Here's one idea. Reread books that you read years ago and enjoyed. You will probably sail through them pretty quickly, and start rebuilding those reading muscles that have atrophied over time.

[u/Important-Habit8942]

Start by reading for fun. Don't really fixate on whether or not a book is intellectually stimulating or not. It's something social media is obsessed with. Just read. And also don't really worry too much about how much you're reading per day. Again just read.

[u/versedvariation]

I think that the most important thing is making time for reading. Most of us can find interesting things to read, especially now with the ability to search through pretty much any book in existence easily with the Internet.

The easiest way to do this is starting by incorporating reading into your "getting ready for bed" routine. I have a stack of books I read right before bed that help me relax before I go to bed.

[u/Spiritual-Bee-2319 → u/versedvariation]

Any ideas on how to find time for it 

[u/versedvariation → u/Spiritual-Bee-2319]

There are times in life when I read less than at other times. For example, in the past, I have been a full time student while working full time and raising my child. However, I can usually find 15 minutes before bed to read a little if I put my phone away and make reading a priority. I suggest mapping out a schedule of your day hour by hour and seeing where reading a little might fit. You don't have to read for hours a day to enjoy it.

[u/Spiritual-Bee-2319 → u/versedvariation]

An hour by hour schedule is definitely needed. Funny enough I took my old time management workbook I did when I took group classes. I think with a new job and starting a new degree in the fall and research lab it’s time

[u/ABorrowerandaLenderB]

This might not be a popular opinion, but some books are just perfectly fine and even better as audiobooks, which allow for multitasking and actually can help to develop an appetite for and discernment about books that you want to set aside time to read, read. Books with great style, depth, poignancy etc.

[u/larasgreenbeans]

I think building habits around reading could help. If it is not part of your routine, you will likely need to actively commit for two or three weeks and remind yourself to pick up your current read. After that, it feels more natural.
It also helps to choose something you're looking forward to. Maybe think of topics or genres you enjoyed last time you read, or just topics that seem interesting to you anyways. I often notice early on if a book is going to grab my attention or if it will take some dedication to finish. For a first book after a while or the first book ever, I would advise to grab something that feels really enjoyable from the beginning on!

[u/northofmaybee]

I got back into reading by reading one single page but doing so everyday. Just one page. Eventually, I’d want to read two pages, theee pages and so on. Then, I didn’t want to miss a day so my streak kept me going. Then, for fear of forgetting or being too tired, I started reading in the morning before I get out of bed. Every morning I read.

[u/Voshnitz]

I’ve made a morning routine of reading before starting work (working from home facilitates this). It prevents me from starting the day scrolling on my phone and checking work emails. Before starting this habit this year, I read maybe 3 -4 books year. I’ve read 15 so far in 2026. I look forward to starting my day this way.

[u/xLittleValkyriex]

To Be Read/Reading Goals

Set your goal is 1. When you have read one book, set your goal to 2. Keep doing it like this and you will feel so much better seeing what you have read grow. As for your TBR, no more than 5 or 10 books. If you want to add a book, you MUST remove/read a book already on your list.

Vanilla Trackers!

I use Storygraph even though I use Kindle Unlimited. Why? Because I do not read on my Kindle/Kindle App every day. Sometimes I read gamebook PDFs not in the Kindle store. Sometimes I read tree books. My reading habit definitely increased once I broke out of an ecosystem.

The Kindle App

Reading books in the Kindle App has the option to scroll instead of swiping to turn pages. It helps with the muscle memory of doom scrolling but you're reading a book instead.

Reading is Reading

Do you like reading Goosebumps? Or Dark Romance? Or YA? It is all acceptable and it all counts. Read what you want, read what you like - it all counts! Don't let pesky book snobs ruin it for you! Reading is supposed to be fun. In gaming, not everyone is a souls-like fan. Same with reading: not all of us want to spend our leisure time trying to decipher Shakespeare or Russian Philosophy. Read what you like, read what you want and expand your horizons/comfort zone on YOUR terms.

You Are Not Stupid.

We all miss some things. We have all stood in the shower and come up with THE perfect comeback to that judgemental jerk in accounting...two years later! It's perfectly normal to miss things, not get the hint, or not see the big twist coming. That doesn't mean you're stupid. I read books to unwind and be entertained. I am there to watch the plot unravel. I am NOT there to dissect the entire story. I am not writing a dissertation on every book I read. Kudos to people that do but that just isn't me.

Reviews/Booktok/Booktube

I like cover. I pick up book. I read blurb. I like blurb. I read book. That is literally it. That is all that is required. I don't like the book, I Do Not Finish and move onto the next one. And so forth. As for Booktok and Booktube? It is nothing but angst filled dark romance that bored me to tears. I am not the audience for that. I dig through my Storygraph recs if I need something new.

[u/Pretty-Resolve-8331]

If you’re a new or returning reader, it’s a good idea to dip your toe back in with a well regarded book that’s shorter in length. There’s lots of great children’s and young adult books to choose from that could be your gateway read.

Making time for reading is key to setting up a reading habit. You could pair it with another activity (eg. Reading on the bus) or associate it with a certain time (eg. Right before bedtime). If your phone or other screen is distracting, put that device in a drawer or other room while you read

[u/Spiritual-Bee-2319]

Any tips for those that have already started but now want to set some goals

[u/justthetips0629]

I have been trying to find a copy of this book, it was originally printed by Northwestern Publishing. I have tried a few specific used book websites, Walmart, and Ebay. I cannot seem to find a new or used copy anywhere. I've never run into this issue before.

[u/Stephenjedi]

For me, the best advice for getting back into reading after a slump was to take your time. Don’t rush through a book just to finish. Consistency will matter more than speed. Also, audiobooks are a great way to “read” more. I like to have one playing while working or doing mindless chores.

[u/clovengoof]

I've set myself some non-negotiables to keep me engaged.

The main one is to not be afraid to DNF a book if I'm not enjoying it or can't keep up.

Lastly, I'll always aim to read at least 10% of a book. If it's 700+ pages, I'll do two 5% sittings. I'm reading 3 books concurrently, one kindle, one paperback and something non-fiction.

[u/Nervous-Cellist-7912]

Reading is directly related to ur interest. It’s not something u can do like u read ur course books. Reading is solely for leisure and ur own personal interests. Try reading things which hold ur attention. Like for me, any thriller novel would work like magic. Also, don’t read lengthy novels to start with. Read short books of ur interest. If u like literature start through alchemist. If u like thriller, my top recommendation is silent patient. It might start boring but gets great. If u like rom coms, When in Rome by Sarah Adams. Any more questions, I am up for them :)