You love the idea of reading. You see new books, you get excited, you buy them. And then… they sit on your shelf, gathering dust. Between work, exploring a new country, and maintaining a social life, finding the time (and energy) to actually read can feel impossible. That growing pile of unread books can start to feel less like a source of joy and more like a source of guilt.
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. But building a fulfilling reading habit isn’t about finding huge, uninterrupted blocks of time; it’s about making small, sustainable changes. Here is a practical, no-guilt guide to help you read more.
1. Redefine "Reading Time": The 15-Minute Rule
The biggest mistake we make is thinking we need an hour or more to “properly” read. Forget that! The key is to find small pockets of time that already exist in your day. Aim for just 15 minutes. That could be during your morning coffee, on your Grab ride to work, while waiting for a friend to arrive for dinner, or just before you go to sleep. These small sessions add up surprisingly fast.
2. Always Be Prepared: Your "Go-Book"
You can’t seize those 15-minute opportunities if your book is at home on your nightstand. Choose one book to be your “Go-Book” and take it with you everywhere. Keep it in your tote bag or backpack. Having a book on hand makes it just as easy to pull out as your phone, turning “dead time” scrolling through social media into productive reading time.
3. Create a Ritual, Not a Chore
Link your reading time to an existing daily habit. This is called “habit stacking.” Do you have a coffee every morning? That’s your “coffee and a chapter” time. Do you like to unwind before bed? Swap your phone for a book for the last 20 minutes of the day. By pairing reading with something you already do, it becomes an automatic and enjoyable ritual, not another item on your to-do list.
4. Join the Conversation: The Power of Community
Reading can be a solitary activity, but it doesn’t have to be. Knowing you have to discuss a book with others is a powerful motivator to get it finished. Consider starting a book club with friends or colleagues. It’s a fantastic way to stay accountable and discover new books you might not have picked on your own. A great place to start is by picking one of the most talked-about books of the summer so you have plenty to discuss.
5. Match Your Book to Your Mood
Don’t force it! There’s nothing that kills a reading habit faster than slogging through a book you’re not enjoying. It’s perfectly fine to have a few books on the go at once. Maybe you need a light, fun read for a stressful work week or a deep, immersive story for a quiet weekend. If a book isn’t grabbing you, put it down and pick up something else. The goal is enjoyment.
For example, if you need a page-turner for a day at the beach, grab one of our recommended beach reads. If you want to better understand your new home, try a book from our Vietnam culture list.
Your Reading Journey Starts Now
Building a habit is a marathon, not a sprint. Be kind to yourself, start small, and focus on the pleasure of reading. The books will be waiting.