In the rush of everyday life, it’s easy for the little joys to slip quietly out of view. Reading is something that once felt natural and nourishing but often ends up at the bottom of the list. We know that feeling well. That’s why we want to help you gently steal back small, meaningful pockets of time that are perfect for reading. In this blog, we’re sharing the simple tips and habits we use to make reading a priority again, even in the midst of busy, full lives so books can find their way back into your everyday moments and regain their place as your lifelong companion.

 

Here are the little tips we have found which have helped us keep reading:

 

Read over breakfast

Grab yourself a coffee, a bowl of cereal and the book you have been dying to start. Wake up to adventures in a different universe before starting your day.

 

 

Commuting

If you commute to work on public transport, this is the perfect time to steal a few pages of a book, as long as you can find a seat!

 

 

Add it to your bedtime routine

Try and add 15 minutes of reading into your bedtime routine. This will allow you a guaranteed pocket of time every day to relax and lose yourself in a new story after a long day.

 

 

Try an eBook

There is no denying the convenience of an eBook, you can bring hundreds with you on just one device, but you don’t NEED a Kindle to read eBooks. With the Kindle app, you can read on your phone too.

 

 

Try a Novella

If the thought of a 700-page epic is too much of a commitment, try starting out with a novella. These short books are most often between 50-150 pages and can be the perfect read for small amounts of time. Short, sweet, easy to carry around, and available in every genre, they are perfect to ease back into the habit of reading, especially when you have limited time to do so.

 

 

Re-read an old favourite

If you want to get back into reading but are just struggling to find the motivation, try revisiting an old favourite. Getting back into a book you know you are going to love takes the apprehension away from committing time to a book you don’t know if you’re going to enjoy or not, until you can start giving more time to reading and start to feel more confident in your book choices.

 

 

Café (book) date

Head out to a café to get a peaceful moment to yourself. Make a stop at your local bookshop to pick up the perfect partner… a new book.

 

 

Try a new genre

Immersing yourself in a new genre will either help you discover a whole new world of books to reinvigorate your love of books, or it will remind you what it is exactly you love about your favourite genres. Either way, you will be trying new books and expanding your reading experiences.

 

 

Join a Book Club

Many bookshops and cafes have book clubs that will meet monthly to discuss books they have read and choose a new book for the month. Having a community to meet with and discuss the books you have been reading can be a really encouraging way to keep reading as well as the joy of making new friends and bonding over books you love (or hate!).

 

 

Start a Book Club

If you don’t have any local book clubs, or the ones around you are full, start your own! You can start this with your friends or advertise it to the public and arrange to meet up to introduce yourselves and choose your first book. This is a great way to find new perspectives, or just share your favourite books with your friends.

 

 

 

Above all, it is important to remember that reading should be enjoyable. When it begins to feel like a chore, it may be helpful to pause and reflect on what is affecting your experience. Taking the time to reassess can help you reconnect with the pleasure of a good book. There are no strict rules when it comes to reading, and personal taste is inherently subjective so read what you enjoy and take pride in the fact that you are reading.

 

 

Let us know what you have found most helpful to find time to truly enjoy reading!