Establishing a consistent reading habit can seem daunting, especially in a busy lifestyle. However, by taking small steps and making reading a part of your routine, it’s entirely possible. I’ve found that maintaining a reading streak—currently at 28 weeks and 174 days—has not only improved my focus but also made reading one of the most fulfilling parts of my day. Here are some tips to help you create your own reading habit, no matter how packed your schedule may be!
1. Set Manageable Reading Goals
- Start Small: Commit to reading for just 10-15 minutes daily. This manageable goal is a simple way to avoid becoming overwhelmed and develop consistency.
- If you can only give 5 minutes or a chapter that is still creating a habit that can grow bigger with time.
- Track Your Progress: Use apps like Goodreads, StoryGraph, and Kindle to set reading goals and monitor your streak. Tracking progress builds momentum, helping transform reading into a rewarding habit, just like achieving 28 weeks of consecutive reading.
- Personally, I love Kindle Unlimited. It has helped expand my genres and tracks my reading automatically, and gives me different achievement bookmarks for different challenges that I have completed.
2. Choose Your Format Wisely
- Embrace E-books and Audiobooks: With digital formats, you can “read” during your commute, workout, or while doing household tasks. Audiobooks, in particular, are great for those hectic days when you’re constantly on the go.
- While I love sitting down to read, there are times when I have to get things done. Audiobooks help me be more productive in my household chores and push me to do chores I do not want to do because I want to listen to my book. I use two different audiobook platforms: Audible and Apple Books.
- Mix It Up: Alternating between formats (e.g., e-books, audiobooks, or physical books) and genres keeps things interesting and prevents burnout.
- I typically have three books that I am always reading (I know what you’re thinking… who does that) I always have a physical book that I read, a audiobook that I will listen to, and a E-book that I have ready in my Kindle app. The reason I do this is because I need a audiobook to accomplish my chores, I need an E-book for when I want to read when I am not home, and I like a hard copy book because there is nothing better than an original hard copy book.
3. Find the Right Time for You
- Experiment with Timing: Try reading in the morning, on lunch breaks, or right before bed. Once you find the perfect time, integrate it into your routine for easy consistency.
- When I started my reading streak, I read before bed every night and set a goal of reading at least two chapters. For me, this was manageable, but for you, that may look different, and that is okay.
- Create Reminders: Set a daily alarm as a gentle nudge to read, especially when starting. Over time, this reminder becomes a welcome signal to unwind and read.
- Another reason I love the Kindle app is because it will send me notifications to continue my reading streak. There are a tone of apps where you can track your reading and have it send you reminders to help keep your reading streak going.
- Reading Tracking Apps
- Bookly
- Bookworm Reads
- Kindle
- Good Reads
- The story Graph
4. Build a Streak and Celebrate Milestones
- Start a Streak: Much like a 174-day reading streak, building up a consecutive reading habit can be very motivating. Celebrate each milestone, whether it’s a week, a month, or more, as each one reflects your dedication.
- One of the biggest reasons that I have kept my reading streak is the little celebrations that my Kindle app gives me every time that I achieve a milestone.
- Reward Yourself: Hit a certain milestone? Reward yourself with a new book or a cozy reading accessory. These rewards give you something tangible to look forward to and keep the habit exciting.
- I typically reward myself with a coffee, a trip to Target, or Barnes & Noble.
5. Engage with a Reading Community
- Join Book Clubs or Reading Groups: Whether online or in-person, book clubs provide both accountability and inspiration. Discussing your reads can deepen your engagement with the books and introduce you to new recommendations.
- I am apart of multiple Facebook groups that share their reading accomplishments, must-read books, discuss the books that they love.
- Share Your Progress: If tracking your reading streak, share it on social media or with friends for added motivation and a bit of friendly accountability.
- Having a community where you can share your accomplishments and they can be celebrated by people who know what it means is a big deal and a big reason as to how I have accomplished my reading streak so far.
6. Create a Comfortable Reading Space
- Design a Cozy Nook: Setting up a dedicated reading area at home can make the experience even more enjoyable. Opt for a comfortable chair or sofa, layered with blankets and pillows.
- I will be honest: I have a reading nook, and I rarely sit in it to read. My reading place is my bed. I have created a routine where I read when it is time to unwind because it helps me relax. You do not have to buy/ create a new space in your house. Be realistic with yourself, and if you are someone who needs a reading nook, you do you, but if you do not need a specific place to read, embrace that.
- Use the Right Lighting: Soft, warm lighting creates a relaxing ambiance and reduces eye strain during long reading sessions. A good reading lamp or a window with natural light can transform your reading spot into a personal retreat.
- I prefer a little to no lighting if I am reading on my Kindle but if I am reading a hard copy book I look the little book lights. They provide the perfect amount of lighting without having to use the big light.
- Minimize Distractions: Try putting your phone on silent or using noise-canceling headphones if you’re in a noisier environment, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the book.
- To help with distractions, I turn on my comfort TV show, so I will not get distracted by anything around me.
7. Curate a Reading List
- Make a “To-Read” List: Having a list of books you’re excited about prevents hesitation and makes it easy to dive into the next book. Examples could include classics like Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice or a thriller like The Creeping by Alexandra Sirowy.
- I do not like to create a reading list. They overwhelm me and make reading feel like a task when it should be something fun/relaxing. If I like a book I will typically screenshot the cover so that way it is in my camera roll and is there for when I am ready for it.
8. Reflect on the Long-Term Benefits of Reading
Beyond just forming a habit, reading enriches your life in countless ways. It expands knowledge, stimulates imagination, and provides a mental escape from the hustle and bustle. Knowing that your reading journey will benefit your well-being, knowledge, and mental clarity can help keep you motivated in the long run.
Even the busiest of people can take five minutes a day to read, and so can you; by integrating these steps into your life, you can build a sustainable reading habit, even during a busy schedule. A consistent reading habit helps you reach personal goals and enriches your life in unexpected ways. So start small, stick with it, and watch your love for reading grow!
Tell me your favorite book to read so I can have some recommendations for when I need them.
If you would like me to create a Facebook group to share our reading accomplishments let me know in the comments and I will! Happy reading.
The Kate Chronicles 
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