How to build a reading habit that actually sticks

Plenty of us say we'd love to read more. We buy the books, stack them by the bed and then spend the evening scrolling instead. A reading habit isn't about discipline. It's about removing friction and giving yourself permission to enjoy it.

Quit books you don't like

This is the most freeing rule in reading: you're allowed to stop. If a book hasn't pulled you in after fifty pages, put it down. Life is short and there are far more good books than you'll ever have time for. Forcing your way through a dull one is the quickest way to stop reading altogether.

Keep a book within reach

Put a book wherever your phone usually tempts you: on the couch, by the bed, in your bag. When there's a spare five minutes, the book is right there. E-readers and reading apps help too, since your book is always on hand.

Set a tiny daily target

Ten pages a day sounds modest. It adds up to more than a dozen average-length books a year. Tie it to a moment that already exists, such as the first ten pages with your morning coffee or the last ten before lights out.

Mix it up

Alternate between something light and something meaty. A gripping thriller after a dense history keeps reading feeling like a treat rather than a chore. Audiobooks count too. They're perfect for commutes, walks and chores.

Use your library

Public libraries are one of the great bargains of modern life. Most let you borrow e-books and audiobooks from your phone at no cost, and librarians are excellent at recommending your next favourite book.

Talk about what you read

Join a book club, start one with a few friends or simply tell someone about a book you're enjoying. Sharing ideas makes them stick, and it gives you a reason to finish the next one.

The goal isn't to finish more books. It's to enjoy more of the time you spend reading.

Start tonight with ten pages of something you actually want to read. That's the whole plan.