I’ve been a bookworm since I could read basically. Literally, growing up, I’d always have my nose in a book! However, it’s something that I’ve not always made time for as an adult. That’s why I’ve created this guide on how to build a reading routine.
Go through your collection first
Before I start buying new books, I always look through my existing collection, both physical copies and eBooks on my Kindle. It’s a great time to have a bit of a declutter and/or make a wishlist to fill any gaps. If you’re anything like me, you’ll have quite a long TBR list on your shelves already. You probably don’t need to buy anything new just yet!
Implement it into your daily life
Jot down a few pockets of time when you could squeeze in some reading. Maybe it’s first thing in the morning before you even start your morning routine. Perhaps it could be whilst you’re waiting for dinner/tea to be ready. I usually read before bed following my evening routine as it’s a great way to wind down for the evening and it makes me sleepy! You can try to find small pockets of time where you can, such as commuting. If I’m travelling and don’t have any work to do, I love to read on the train with my headphones in. It’s like I’m in another world!
Prep beforehand
If there’s one thing I need to read more, it’s to create a cosy environment. When I have my own place, I’d love to create a little reading nook but for now, my bed has to do or the sofa if it’s daytime. Get cosy with a blanket and cushions, put on do not disturb on your phone (or a sign on the door in a busy household) and have some quiet time. You might only get half an hour a week but it’s better than nothing. For me personally, I try to read five days out of seven as sometimes, I’m just ready to sleep if it’s been a long day.
Read what you like
With the rise of bookstagrammers and BookTokers, there’s all these trending books and people telling you that you should read a specific book or series. I’m here to tell you to read whatever you like and enjoy. For me, it’s always self-help books on productivity or chick lit but mostly chick lit. I like cheesy romances with some humour thrown in. I see everyone reading fantasy stuff and ACOTAR and whilst they might be great, I have no desire to read them at all! They’re just not my cup of tea and that’s okay.
Challenge yourself
If you’re someone who thrives on motivation, how about challenging yourself to read more? Whether it’s tracking your reading habits (such as pages you read daily or number of books read in a month), trying a new genre, or sharing your reads on social media and setting up a book account, it’s yours to try. Personally, I set myself a yearly and monthly book goal and also track the pages I read every day in the Notes app in my phone. I also started a TikTok account where I share my book hauls and could definitely utilise that a lot more!
Change your medium
If you usually gravitate towards one medium (by this I mean paperback, Kindle, or audiobook) but you’re bored right now, could you try another medium? I’ll admit I just can’t get into audiobooks so I tend to go between my Kindle and a paperback. However, I’m definitely reaching for physical books right now more than eBooks. Maybe it’s because I’ve just got a library card and want to make the most of it or that I need to get around to reading everything from my The Works hauls? When I travel, I tend to take my Kindle so I always make sure to have plenty of choices downloaded. If you plan to use your Kindle a lot, I’d recommend paying for Kindle Unlimited as it has such an amazing selection on there for less than £10 a month.
Start a new series
Is there a series that you’ve always wanted to read or simply been putting off? I just read the Chestnut Springs series in just over a month because I got addicted! Whether it’s a new genre or something you’ve not read in years, a series will entice you to read a few books to finish it. Maybe trying something fun and easy to begin with will get you back into a rhythm of reading regularly.
And that’s my guide on how to build a reading routine. I’d always recommend starting small by reading a few pages every day. Making reading a habit will allow you to build a routine up!
If you enjoyed this post all about how to build a reading routine, you can read my other bookish posts here. Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.
