7 Realistic Ways to Read More (Even When You’re Busy)

I’ll get into a bit more later, but before I get into my tips to read more books, I want to make it clear: reading is not a competition or a race.

But, if you are someone who wants to read more but feels like there’s never enough time, you’re not alone. Life gets hectic. Work, family, travel, screens, and that never-ending to-do list can all get in the way of something as simple—and joyful—as picking up a book.

But I’m here to tell you: you can read more without having to overhaul your life. You don’t have to give up TV, cancel plans, or wake up at 4am (though you can if you want to—there’s something special about that quiet time with a cup of coffee and a book before anyone else is awake). With a few small habits, the right tools, and a slight shift in mindset, you’ll be turning pages (or tapping screens) in no time.

I say this as someone who has read over 100 books a year while juggling a full-time job, travel, blogging, and major life changes—including a recent cross-continental move to Italy. I love books, and I love helping people rediscover their love of reading. If that’s you? You’re my kind of people.

Here’s how to read more, enjoy it, and make it a lasting part of your life.

1. Always Have a Book With You

This one’s simple but powerful: never leave the house without a book.

Seriously—get into the habit of bringing a paperback, Kindle, or even just ensuring you have books downloaded to a reading app on your phone. Whether you’re stuck in traffic, waiting at the doctor’s office, riding the subway in New York, or in line for coffee, you’ll be surprised how often a few extra minutes appear.

It might sound silly, but I actually won’t even consider buying a travel bag unless it’s big enough to hold a book. (Find out more about my favorite bag and other travel necessities.) Whether I’m heading to a wine tasting in Tuscany or wandering a new city solo, I always have something to read.

Don’t underestimate those small windows of time—they add up.

2. Don’t Hesitate to Pause (or Quit) a Book

This one can be a challenge for some people, but it’s also really important if you’re trying to read more: if you’re not loving a book, put it down.

Reading should be fun, not a chore. If I’m not liking a book, I find I come up with other things to do when I would usually be reading, so I want to spend my time reading things I enjoy.  (I mean, thankfully book reports are no longer required in my life.)

If a book’s not clicking, I give myself permission to pause—or stop altogether. I might come back later (I am a mood reader after all). Or I might not. There are too many great books in the world to spend time with one that feels like a slog.

3. Try Audiobooks (They Totally Count)

If you’re not using audiobooks yet, let me introduce you to your new secret weapon. I am a HUGE fan and usually about half of what I read each year are audiobooks.

You can read while you drive, do dishes, fold laundry, go for a walk, or even get ready in the morning. Audiobooks turn passive time into powerful reading time.

Some people feel like audiobooks “don’t count,” but I strongly disagree. They are books. You are reading. Your brain is engaging with language, stories, and ideas. (The science backs this up, too.)

Bonus tip: Try gradually increasing the playback speed of the audiobook. Start at 1.0x, then 1.1x, then 1.2x—until it still feels natural but saves you time. I usually land around 1.7x for nonfiction and a little slower for fiction, but that all depends on the narrator and the subject matter.

4. Create a Daily Reading Habit

Want to read more? Make it part of your daily rhythm.

You don’t need an hour. Even 10–15 minutes makes a difference if you do it consistently. Try pairing your reading time with something you already do:

• While drinking your morning coffee
• During lunch breaks
• Right before bed
• While commuting (again, audiobooks are the best)

Reading becomes easier when it’s a habit—not something you have to plan or debate.

Personally, I read most nights before bed and I love my morning weekend time on my couch or in my yard with a cup of coffee. Even when I travel or life is chaotic, that tiny ritual helps me stay grounded. It’s a built-in joy at the end (or beginning) of the day.

5. Set Reading Goals That Work for You

Some people thrive on goals; others find them stressful. The key is choosing what you find motiv5ating.

Reading goals could be:

• A certain number of books per year
• A challenge (like reading a book from every continent)
• A daily page or time goal
• A theme or genre focus (i.e. travel memoirs about solo travel written by women)

Of course, you know I like to read books set in the places I’m about to travel to, but there are plenty of challenges available online that will keep you reading–alphabet ones where you read a book that starts with each letter of the alphabet, themes around under-represented authors, and more!

Tracking can help, too. I use StoryGraph (I love how it tracks my genres) and Goodreads to log what I’ve read and want to read. It keeps me inspired—and helps me see how far I’ve come.

6. Don’t Compare Your Reading Life to Anyone Else’s

Whether you read one book a year or one hundred, you are a reader. Let me say that again:

Reading is not a competition.

The number of books you read doesn’t define you. Life seasons vary. Reading speed varies. Priorities change. Some years you may fly through books, others may be slower—and that’s okay.

What matters is that you’re enjoying the experience, learning, reflecting, escaping, or connecting. Reading is about you, not about meeting a quota.

That said, if you want to read more and are trying to make more space for it in your life? Welcome. You’re exactly who this blog is for.

7. Redefine what Counts as “Reading”

We sometimes limit ourselves by thinking reading has to mean sitting down with a long novel in silence. But there are many ways to engage with books and stories:

• Audiobooks (yes, again—they’re that good)
• Graphic novels or comics
• Short story collections
• Nonfiction chapters you can read out of order
• Essays or long-form journalism

If you’re tired or stressed or distracted, it doesn’t mean you’ve failed as a reader. It just means your reading style might shift for a bit.

Be flexible. Read what makes you happy and keeps your attention. That’s how to make reading sustainable.

A Final Word on Why Reading Matters

Reading is more than just entertainment (though there’s nothing wrong with that). It also gives us empathy, knowledge, connection, escape, clarity, and perspective.

In a noisy, fast-moving world, sitting down with a book can actually be considered to be a radical act of care—for yourself and your mind. It isn’t only about finishing another title. It’s about who you become when you read.

So if your goal is to read more, I hope these tips help you find time, joy, and space for books again. You don’t have to overhaul your life—just make room for a few pages each day.

And if you ever feel like you’re in a slump (it happens to all of us) and you’re looking for suggestions, encouragement, or a fellow reader who gets it—join our Facebook group for Travel, Book, and Movie lovers or send me a note (I love sharing my opinions and book recommendations.)