How to Find Time to Read More, While Having a Busy Life

Updated: Jul 31, 2024

Introduction

As a child, I used to read a lot. During my elementary school years, my mom and I would go to the library and check out a handful of books for us to read that week. They were mostly picture books, but they helped my reading and English skills exponentially. As I grew up, I read more and more, solidifying my love and habit for reading. In 6th grade, I read the Harry Potter series, leaving behind my fear of long-chapter books, and allowing me to read more now that I had abandoned this fear

However, things changed. I had more exciting and fun entertainment: the internet. Instead of reading like I used to, I began playing more games on the computer and watching more YouTube videos.

And then, to make matters worse, I entered high school. This abruptly diminished my reading. Because of the amount of schoolwork I had and my access to more entertaining mediums (like social media), I shifted away from reading.

I am now a junior in high school and have re-learned how to read more books. Here are a few tips I have learned to make reading a habit and read more!

Tips for Reading More

Reading more takes two components: motivation and time. Time is something we all struggle with, and because I am an AP, Dual Enrollment, and Honors student, I completely understand the struggle; that is why I have incorporated this into my tips! Because you clicked on this, I am assuming you already have a little bit of motivation.

Set a certain number of pages as your goal

Writer of Atomic Habits, James Clear, recommends reading twenty pages in the morning. He says, “Here’s why I think this pattern works: 20 pages is small enough that it’s not intimidating. Most people can finish reading 20 pages within 30 minutes. And if you do it first thing in the morning, then the urgencies of the day don’t get in the way.”

Read books you enjoy

This is such a big one. Most people want to read books because everyone else is reading them; however, it is perfectly okay to put down a popular book you don't enjoy. Also, if you bought a book and feel bad for “wasting” your money on it, here are some suggestions for what you can do:

Keep it on display or on a coffee table if it has a pretty cover
Give it to a friend (that you think will enjoy it) as a gift
sell it at a garage sale
trade it for another book in a little free library
donate it

Track your books

Tracking my books has motivated me a lot! Seeing the percentage of books I read go up makes me feel super productive. Websites like Storygraph (my personal favorite) and Goodreads allow you to not only track books but also find new books that you might enjoy.

Read multiple books at the same time

If you finally get into the habit of reading and read for two hours every day, the same book, eventually you might burn out because you have no variety and the same book can get boring. That is why I recommend reading multiple books, preferably in different genres, so that you avoid getting burned out or bored. If you would like to see an example on how I read multiple books, check out my summer TBR!

Surround yourself with book content

As a part of human nature, we do what others around us are doing (for the most part), and this can be applied to reading. I suggest following people who promote and have dedicated their social media to reading. Whenever I see someone reading while I'm scrolling, I get the urge to also read.

Put away your phone!!!

This is the most important tip of all. Our phones constantly distract us, and when you're trying to create a habit of reading, having your phone around can be a major hindrance. Put your phone in another room or turn off notifications so that you can fully immerse yourself in the book you're reading. By eliminating this distraction, you'll find it much easier to stay focused and engaged in the story. Give yourself dedicated reading time each day, even if it's just 15-20 minutes, to help make reading a regular part of your routine. This consistency will help you avoid burnout and keep your interest in reading alive.

Conclusion

Creating a habit of reading takes time and effort, but by removing distractions and setting aside dedicated time each day, you can make it a seamless part of your routine. Remember that the more you read, the more enjoyable and rewarding it will become. If you want to see an example on how I used these techniques check out my summer TBR where I give a plan on how I plan on achieving my reading goal!

Sources, Credits & Links

How to read more by James Clear Article

Goodreads website: link here

Storyboard website: link here