For the majority of my life, I averaged reading one book every one to two years. I told myself things like, “I don’t have time to read,” and “I don’t really ‘do’ nonfiction,” and had the world’s saddest bookshelf.
But one day, I decided to shift gears. Rather than reading strictly self-help books, I decided to read for…get this…fun.
In fact, I decided to make a whole routine out of it. Every night, I made myself a cup of honey chamomile tea in a fancy teacup, placed a few squares of dark chocolate on a matching plate, and read in bed for 15 minutes before I went to sleep.
Soon, 15 minutes became 30…then 60. Then, I decided to turn my daughter’s school car line into another reading routine…iced coffee and fiction. Suddenly, I found myself reading one to two books a month…then three to four!
It turned out I was a voracious reader all along! I just hadn’t found the right book or learned how to work it into my daily routine yet.
If you’ve struggled to learn how to become an avid reader, I have some ideas for you!
Become an Avid Reader by Finding the Right Books and Authors
The fact is, it’s hard to get motivated to read if the book, genre, or writing style just isn’t doing it for you!
Choose the Right Book for You
You’re more likely to finish a book that you actually enjoy reading.
Peep the back cover to see if the short summary there draws you in. Some people even like to read the first few pages to see if the author’s writing style connects with them.
Not sure where to start in the first place? Consider what topics or themes you enjoy in movies or TV shows.
Mystery? Fantasy? Real-life stories? Your reading preferences are likely going to be similar.
Visit your local library or bookstore to find popular new books on display, or to pick the staff’s brains.
Google “top XYZ books” for inspiration. (For example, searching “top Indiana Jones style books” led me to discover a series of archaeological adventure books by Andy McDermott).
If you’re still feeling overwhelmed, start with a bestselling author or a book that’s popular within your peer group.
Don’t read something that makes you feel like reading it is a chore. Choosing a good book you enjoy right from the start will help make reading the highlight of your day rather than a task to check off your to-do list.
Explore New Authors and Genres
With that said, don’t tie yourself down to any one genre or author too much.
I believed for the longest time that I could only enjoy self-help and faith-based nonfiction. Imagine my surprise when I realized how absolutely delightful Pride and Prejudice was…or learned that yes, I actually did enjoy romance if it was done subtly and paired with adventure. Who knew a whole new world was waiting for me there?!
Experimenting with new authors and genres can help keep your reading interesting, even if you only deviate from your go-to genre every once in a while.
Poll family, friends, and websites like Reddit’s r/books for good book recommendations, then make a list of books, genres, or topics that catch your attention. Aim to read one or two new books from that list every few months.
Curate Your Personal Library
You know yourself better than anyone, which is why many people like to keep track of what they’ve read, what they want to read next, which authors they love, and why, to help inform their next read.
You can organize these details in a journal, a notebook, or a digital app. Some people prefer to use websites like Goodreads to create and manage a list of books and to find inspiration for new reads from others’ recommendations.
Having a personal list of books on hand makes it easier to pick your next read based on your own tastes. Plus, it gives you a crazy sense of achievement as your list grows!
Become an Avid Reader by Building a Consistent Reading Habit
Once you find books you love, how can you help turn reading those books on a daily basis into a habit that sticks?
Set an Achievable Reading Goal
You set goals for weight loss, job promotions, and vacation destinations. Why not set a reading goal while you’re at it?
Some people set a goal to read a set number of books every year or month. While that can be a great way to pump up the excitement, it can also trash your motivation when you’re only halfway through a 600-page book.
That’s why I prefer to set a reading goal based on pages/chapters read (“I will read 20 pages a day.”) or time invested (“I will read for 30 minutes every day.”). Try starting small with a reading goal you know you can meet (for example, reading 15 minutes 5 days a week), then slowly increase your goal once you’ve established a habit of reading.
Write your goal down somewhere you’ll see it often and add checks or stickers to mark your daily progress. Seeing a visual reminder of your reading goal and progress towards it will help keep you focused and motivated.
Incorporate the Habit of Reading Into Your Daily Routine
I am a creature of habit. In fact, most of us are!
That’s why incorporating reading into your existing daily routine is so darn effective…because it stacks your reading goal on top of things you’re already doing every day.
You might choose to read a good book during breakfast, on your daily bus or train ride, right after school or work, after dinner, or before going to bed. Bonus: Habit science says that if you “sandwich” your reading between two daily routine events (such as eating dinner and going to bed), you’ll be even more likely to become a voracious reader!
With that said, incorporating reading into your daily routine might require a little planning, like keeping a good book handy on your bedside table or packing it for work if you plan on reading over your lunch break.
Up the Ante
This is what really sealed the deal for me! Making reading an experience is a great way to make sure it happens on a daily basis.
Turn off the TV and leave your phone out of reach to minimize distractions. Kick off your shoes and curl up with your favorite drink, snack, fuzzy blanket, or any little thing you adore.
Play lo-fi, classical, or jazz music in the background to add to the ambience without distracting from the story. Or play music that fits your genre – like classical piano with Pride and Prejudice – to feel more immersed in the story!
The more you enjoy the “extras” in your reading routine (I love my honey chamomile tea with valerian root, dark chocolate, and occasional red wine!), the more likely you’ll keep coming back to an avid reading routine.
Become an Avid Reader by Making Reading Social
Introverts and extroverts alike will finish a book and say, “Wow…I need to talk to someone about this!” (It turns out if you run out of your bath to tell your family the surprise ending of Till We Have Faces, their confused looks and underwhelming reactions will be a real bummer.)
That’s why connecting with other readers is not only more fun but in many ways, essential.
Join a Book Club
Joining a book club is a great way to make avid reading more fun and interactive. It’ll give you the opportunity to discuss what you’ve read, ask questions, and hear different opinions. (It’s amazing how different a take two people can have on the same exact words!)
While book clubs obviously choose your book for you, the assignment aspect can help force you to try new authors and genres, and to step out of your comfort zone.
A local book club will offer an opportunity to make IRL (in real life) friends and eat themed snacks. (Who doesn’t love snacks?!)
But an online book club has its perks too, allowing you to meet and interact with people around the world and discuss the book on your own timeline in online forums.
Engage with Book Reviews
Book reviews can make reading more fun both before and after you read a book!
Reading book reviews before picking up a book can help you decide if you’d enjoy reading it, and even ramp up your excitement to get started.
On the other hand, writing your own book reviews after reading a book offers a fun and more thoughtful way of reflecting over what you just read. By posting your reviews to your own website, social media pages, or book review sites like Goodreads, you can invite other readers to comment, ask questions, and share their own thoughts.
Balancing Social Media and Reading
Many readers enjoy following book communities on platforms like Instagram or TikTok to find book reviews, reading challenges, and new releases.
Following these pages can be super motivating to your reading journey and help you discover new books and authors. However, once you’re on social media, it’s sometimes difficult to peel yourself away from it to actually read those books!
Your social media habits will either make or break your reading habit.
Try setting limits as to how much time you spend on social media each day. And when you’re reading, put your device in another room to avoid the temptation of “checking one thing super quick” and getting sucked back in.
Share the Joy of Reading with Others
Keep in mind, though, that your reading experience doesn’t have to be as structured as a book club or as popular as a social media page. You can invite your friends or family members to read a book with you!
This could look like reading a chapter or two a week with your best friend or sibling and sharing your thoughts together, or reading a fun chapter book with your child that you liked to read as a kid (I’m looking at you, Little Women!). The act of sharing your favorite book with your loved ones will not only enhance your reading journey, but also deepen your relationship.
Become an Avid Reader by Expanding Your Reading Horizons
Already have an established habit of reading, but looking to shake things up?
Sometimes the right book for you is in the place you’d least expect! New worlds are just waiting to be discovered out there if…you’re willing to explore different book styles and formats.
Trying Shorter Books and Different Formats
Sure, long books offer loads of space for character and world-building but shorter books offer more than you can shake a stick at! The best shorter books manage to cover a plot or concept succinctly, making them perfect when you’re crunched for time or just want the confidence boost that comes from a quick win.
You’ll also want to remember that a truly voracious reader reads everything, including magazines, essays, and short story collections. Following up a classic book with your favorite magazine can help to keep things fresh and interesting.
And while I prefer holding a physical book in my hands, you’ve got a lot of different options when it comes to book format.
E-books offer the convenience of adjusting print size and contrast, highlighting your favorite parts, and sometimes even offering bonus content. Plus, you can pack a million books into one super-slim Kindle instead of juggling bulkier books in your bag.
And while I feel a little less classy listening versus reading, audiobooks have saved my life through busier seasons. (Hey, they’re part of the reading family!)
They allow me to listen to books while I’m folding laundry or running errands and frankly, the audiobook readers make stories sound way more exciting, with different voices and dramatic inflections.
Exploring Graphic Novels and Comic Books
Now…I don’t personally love comic books or graphic novels. (I prefer to imagine the scenes in my own head.) But…these are books worth considering!
Graphic novels and comic books open up a whole new world by fusing together both words and pictures. Unlike regular novels, these lean into images to demonstrate action and emotion, making stories easier and sometimes more exciting to follow.
While we often associate this genre with young children and teens, there are graphic novels and comic books for all ages in the genres of superheroes, mysteries, history, classic literature, and more! Whether you’re a more visual person, want a faster-paced read, or are just looking for a break from long chapters or heavy text, graphic novels and comic books may offer the right book to make reading feel less like work and more like play.
Bonus: How to Help Your Child Become an Avid Reader
Ready to make avid reading a family affair? Or maybe you’re wanting to help your young children shift from good readers to better readers?
Then you need to create a positive and engaging reading environment for your kids!
Here are a few ways to do that…
Read Aloud Together
Make reading a shared activity by reading aloud to your child. Or, if you’re a boring reader with zero voice acting skills (like me), listen to an audiobook together!
This will help build their interest in reading and stories. Plus, modeling fluent reading is a great way to help children become better readers.
As young children get older, shift from picture books to longer, more mature books to help introduce more complex storylines and new words.
Make Reading Convenient with More, More, and Even More Reading Options
Keep a variety of books easily accessible at home, whether you’re purchasing them or checking them out from your local library. Literacy experts claim that having lots of books around encourages spontaneous reading and exploration, which are both essential for establishing a healthy reading habit.
Let Them Choose
This isn’t the time to insist on a classic book, or one jam-packed with new words and concepts, if it doesn’t pique your child’s interest.
Why? Because nothing kills off “book lover” potential faster than being assigned every book you read.
Allow your child to create their own official reading list, even if the books that interest them seem “too easy” or are graphic novels, comic books, or magazines. Remember that all reading is “real” reading, and the more they enjoy the topic, the more likely they’ll be to develop a lifelong habit of reading.
Model What It Looks Like to Be a Book Lover
Allow your kids to witness you reading and sincerely enjoying new books. This sets an example for them and ensures them that avid reading isn’t just another “do as I say, not as I do” chore.
Make Reading Special
It seems like a little thing (Just read, for crying out loud, am I right?!) but the smallest details surrounding your child’s reading habit can make the biggest difference!
So create a cozy reading nook for them, set them up with a favorite snack or drink, or schedule a special time for reading together. Just like creating an enjoyable routine can help make you an avid reader, your kids are more likely to pick up a reading habit if reading feels like a special treat.
Talk About Books Together
Ask them how their book is coming along, and if anything in particular struck them about the story. Or ask them which title is up next in their list of books and why they’re looking forward to reading it.
Share your own thoughts about the book you’re reading and ask their opinion.
Literary experts claim these discussions will not only help to build comprehension, but will also help to transition avid reading from a solitary event into more of a lifestyle.
Celebrate Their Progress
I have a friend who throws themed parties (think: The Hobbit and Harry Potter spreads) whenever she and her kids finish reading a book together. If you have the time, energy, and interest, this can be an impressively great way to enhance your kids’ reading journey.
But, if you’re like me and have no cooking, baking, or design skills, you can also celebrate by going out for froyo to celebrate finishing a long novel or reaching a reading goal.
By making reading enjoyable, accessible, and part of your daily routine, you’ll help your children become better readers and develop a lifelong love of books.
And there you have it…how to become an avid reader.
Do you have any tips I missed? Please, please, please be sure to share in the comments!
And however you go about your personal reading journey…happy reading, friend.
P.S. Ready to enhance your reading journey? This super cheap Etsy download that will help you keep track of the books you’ve read, write your own book reviews, and create a list of books you want to read in the future! Your reading journey has never looked so pretty!! ❤️
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