Noa Rabits is completing her MA in Publishing at Kingston University and working with The Reading Agency as their Marketing and Communications Intern. In this blog Noa shares some reflections on different ways to start a reading habit.
It’s no secret that reading has several benefits and why it is good for us. It can reduce stress, stimulate brainpower and even help us fight bad sleeping patterns. But with our packed schedules, busy work lives and countless distractions, finding the time and motivation to read frequently can feel like trying to finish a novel in one sitting. Don’t worry! Whether you’re a total book beginner or someone looking to rekindle your love for reading, this guide will help you start your reading journey. Read our tips to help you start reading and build a routine that works for you.
Why Reading Matters
Reading Facts:
⚫ About 7% of all adults report feeling lonely ’often’ or ’always’
⚫ 1 in 4 adults in the UK are affected by a common health disorder
⚫ Non-readers are 28% more likely to report feelings of depression
⚫ 44% of regular readers said reading had improved their mental health and wellbeing, compared with 23% of lapsed and non-readers.
Studies have shown that those who read for pleasure have higher levels of self-esteem and a greater ability to cope with difficult situations
Adults who read for just 30 minutes a week are 20% more likely to report greater life satisfaction
Reading isn’t just a fun way to pass the time. Studies show that reading books improves empathy, mental wellbeing, and even life expectancy. So, if you’re looking to live longer, feel calmer, and flex your imagination muscles, picking up a book is a great place to start. Read more of our reading facts here.
1. Don’t overachieve and start in small steps
At The Reading Agency, we’re trying to redefine what it means to be a reader. You don’t need to read for hours a day to be a real reader. Start small! Set a timer for 5 or 10 minutes a day. Read while your tea steeps or while you’re commuting – what a better way to pass time when you feel bored, right? – or as a screen-free wind-down before bed. The goal? Create moments where reading naturally fits into your day. Finished your first book in a while? Amazing! Read a paragraph on your lunch break? That counts. Every bit of reading is worth celebrating. Don’t worry about how much or how fast, just enjoy the process.
If you need some support to get you started, join the Road to Reading. Pledge to read every week and see what a difference it makes. Each week we’ll share advice, reading recommendations and more, while keeping an eye on your progress to help you along the way. Last year, 73% of Road to Reading participants said that it helped them to feel more relaxed, and 76% said that it added purpose to their week.
2. Set Goals That Feel Good
Some people love tracking the number of books they read. Others prefer taking it slow. Whether it’s a book a month or a chapter a day, setting realistic, pressure-free goals helps create a sense of progress without making reading feel like a chore. You can set goals on book tracking apps if it helps you stay motivated.
3. Choose Books That Excite You
You don’t have to finish that famous Oscar Wilde classic or the new BookTok sensation everyone talks about. Choose books that make you want to turn the page – thrillers, romances, short stories, poetry or even comic books and graphic novels. Not loving it? Drop it and pick another! Don’t give up on reading, life’s too short for books you don’t enjoy and there’s plenty to choose from.
Find out how the reading landscape is changing and explore how diverse reading really is.
4. Explore Different Formats
Books don’t only come in printed form- audiobooks and e-books are a great way to read. You can listen to audiobooks when you’re on a walk, in the gym or cleaning the house. E-books are great on the go and really convenient to carry if you don’t have much space in your bag. They are also accessible as you can increase the size of the writing on an e-reader. Some people love the tactile joy of a physical book, others prefer to swipe and some simply love to listen. A YouGov Survey revealed that amongst those who have read in the last 12 months, 40% had read digital or e-books and 30% listened to audiobooks. Even so, 38% of respondents said their main way for reading was digital or e-books and 19% of readers primarily listened to audiobooks. So try different formats and see what you prefer, you may like a particular format for different locations as well.
5. Create your own reading space
Set up a little reading space if you can to make the process of reading feel special for you. Do you prefer a comfy chair, warm lighting with a blanket and your favourite drink? Do you like cuddling your pet while listening to a good fiction or autobiography? Or you can carry a book with you so you’re always ready to read on the move if you are someone who best reads on a public transport. In fact, the YouGov survey found that while most people prone to read before bed (57%) or in their free time during the day (56%), others enjoy their book while on holiday (54%), during their commute (19%) or even on breaks at work (11%). A welcoming environment – whether at home or on the go – can make a big difference.
6. Try and make reading part of your day
Habit-stacking is a proven method: link a new habit to something you already do. For example:
⚫ Start your day by reading before making your bed in the morning.
⚫ Read for 15 minutes after brushing your teeth.
⚫ Bring a book with you on your coffee break.
⚫ Listen to an audiobook while cooking dinner.
⚫Swap 10 minutes of scrolling for 10 minutes of story.
7. Take a Cue from Celebrity Bookworms
Famous readers often make time to read, no matter how busy they are. Barack Obama is known for his annual reading lists and uses evenings for reading reflection. Reese Witherspoon runs a hugely popular book club and regularly shares what she’s reading. Emma Watson and Emma Roberts have shared how having a reading goal helped improve their lives. If they can do it, so can we! Of course, there are unorthodox habits as well. Bill Gates sits down at least for an hour daily to read 150 pages while taking notes. Warren Buffett was the most successful investor in the 20th century and he owes it to the books! He spends 80% of his day reading, turning between 600 to 1000 pages when he started his investing career.
And these were just some examples. Look up your favourite celebrity’s reading routine and see if you can try it!
8. Read with Others
Finding the right book club might take some time so just be patient until you find your perfect match. Some celebrities even have their own book clubs: Reese Witherspoon’s book club focuses on books with women in the centre. Similarly, Emma Watson has a feminist book club called ‘Our Shared Shelf’. Emma Roberts’ ‘Belletrist’ is dedicated to books and people who love them.
Read our article on The Benefits of Joining a Book Club and use our Book Club Hub website to discover book clubs near you.
You can also follow #BookClubHub, #BookTok or #ReadWithMe hashtags, or just simply chat with friends about what you’re reading. You’ll get new recommendations and a little social motivation to keep going.
9. There’s no wrong way to read
Reading is personal. Whether it’s one book a year or one a week, thrillers or graphic novels, poems or cookbooks… it all counts! At The Reading Agency, we believe it doesn’t matter what you read, or how regularly you read, just that you read.
So, start where you are. Pick a story that speaks to you. And remember: every reader starts with just one page.
Have your say!
Let us know in the comments any other suggestions you have to help someone become a regular reader.
