How to build a reading habit that actually sticks

We’ve all been there—you buy a beautiful new book with the best intentions, only to find it gathering dust on your bedside table weeks later. Building a reading habit that actually sticks isn’t about willpower or finding more hours in the day. It’s about making small, sustainable changes that fit seamlessly into your existing routine. Whether you’re hoping to read more for pleasure, personal growth, or simply to unwind, these practical strategies will help you become the reader you’ve always wanted to be.

Start Smaller Than You Think

One of the biggest mistakes people make when trying to build a reading habit is setting overly ambitious goals. Committing to read for an hour every evening sounds wonderful in theory, but it’s rarely realistic when life gets busy. Instead, start with just ten minutes a day—or even five. The goal isn’t to finish books quickly; it’s to make reading a natural part of your daily rhythm. Once the habit is established, you’ll find yourself naturally reaching for your book more often, and those ten minutes will organically stretch into longer sessions.

Attach Reading to an Existing Habit

Habit stacking is a powerful technique that involves linking a new behaviour to something you already do automatically. Perhaps you could read a few pages with your morning coffee, during your commute, or just before bed instead of scrolling through your phone. By anchoring reading to an established routine, you remove the mental effort of deciding when to read. It simply becomes part of your day, like brushing your teeth. Many readers find that exploring topics in our Health & Wellbeing collection helps them create calming evening rituals that naturally wind down the mind before sleep.

Choose Books That Genuinely Excite You

There’s no rule that says you must finish every book you start, nor should you force yourself through titles that don’t hold your interest. Life is far too short for books that feel like homework. Give yourself permission to abandon anything that isn’t working and pick up something that genuinely excites you. When you’re eager to find out what happens next, making time to read becomes effortless. Browse the Calibre Books catalogue to discover titles across a wide range of genres—you might be surprised by what captures your imagination.

Track Your Progress and Celebrate Wins

There’s something deeply satisfying about recording your reading journey. Whether you use a simple notebook, a reading journal, or an app, tracking the books you’ve read creates a sense of accomplishment that reinforces your habit. You might note down favourite quotes, reflections, or simply tick off completed titles. Our Journaling & Gratitude ebooks offer wonderful guidance if you’d like to combine your reading practice with reflective writing—a combination that many find particularly rewarding for personal development.

Make Books Accessible Everywhere

One of the greatest advantages of ebooks is that your entire library travels with you. Keep your e-reader or reading app on your phone so you can dip into a book during unexpected pockets of free time—waiting for appointments, queuing at the shops, or during a lunch break. Removing barriers to access makes it far easier to read consistently. When a book is always within reach, you’re far more likely to choose it over mindless scrolling.

Building a reading habit that actually sticks isn’t about dramatic lifestyle changes or iron discipline. It’s about making reading easy, enjoyable, and woven into the fabric of your everyday life. Start small, choose books you love, and be patient with yourself. Before long, you’ll find that reading isn’t something you have to make time for—it’s simply something you do. Your future self, with a growing list of wonderful books behind you, will thank you for starting today.

Browse related titles in our catalogue: Health & Wellbeing and Journaling & Gratitude — all available as instant downloads at Calibre Books.