Read more books this summer: 5 easy habits that actually work

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• Turn small pockets of time into reliable reading moments
• Make books part of your environment so you pick them up without thinking
• Protect focus: why paper books still have an edge
• Match the book to the time you have
  • Simple pairing ideas
• Give yourself permission to quit a book
• Practical habits to make reading stick
• When distraction wins: quick fixes to get back on track

I picture a perfect afternoon: a shady tree, a cool breeze, a novel in my lap and no distractions. In real life, the sun is too bright, my back is stiff, snacks are missing, and fifteen minutes later I’m scrolling on my phone. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Restarting a reading habit often fails because we wait for ideal conditions that rarely arrive.

Turn small pockets of time into reliable reading moments

Big reading sessions are rare. Instead, mine the small, often-overlooked windows in your day.

• Stand in line? Read a page or two.
• Waiting for laundry or a pickup? Open the book.
• Commuting on transit? Carry a paperback.
• Driving to work? Choose audiobooks.

Consistently using short gaps builds momentum. Over weeks, those five-minute reads add up to chapters and then to books.

Make books part of your environment so you pick them up without thinking

Out of sight often means out of mind. The easier it is to reach a book, the more likely you’ll read it.

• Keep a book by your bedside and another by the couch.
• Leave a slim paperback in your bag or car.
• Create a dedicated reading nook with a cozy chair and good light.

Juanita Giles, who runs a children’s book festival, uses this tactic. She keeps multiple books at hand so grabbing one becomes automatic.

Protect focus: why paper books still have an edge

Screens are designed to pull your attention in many directions. Notifications and tabs tempt you away from sustained reading.

Maryanne Wolf, a cognitive neuroscientist, warns that the habits we form on screens can disrupt deep reading. If concentration matters, a printed book often works better.

• Paper reduces the urge to multitask.
• Physical pages limit the quick-scan behavior many screens encourage.
• Turn off alerts when you read digitally to reduce interruptions.

Choose the format that protects your attention. For demanding fiction or essays, pick paper when possible.

Match the book to the time you have

Not all books suit every moment. Some require quiet focus. Others are breezy and perfect for short breaks.

• Busy waits: pick light reads or short stories.
• Long commutes: try audiobooks or compact novels.
• Deep evenings: schedule heavier novels or nonfiction.

Wolf notes that books vary in pace and density. A quick, plain-text novel reads faster than layered literary works or dense poetry.

Simple pairing ideas

• Short nonfiction or essays for coffee breaks.
• Serialized fiction for daily fifteen-minute chunks.
• Audio memoirs while exercising or driving.

Give yourself permission to quit a book

Reading should feel engaging. If a book bores you, it may not be the right match for your mood or goals.

Traci Thomas, host of The Stacks podcast, frames this as curating your taste. Sticking with something that drains you wastes time.

• Recognize the signs: yawning, habitually checking your phone, or rolling your eyes.
• Try a different genre or a shorter book instead.
• Use a five-chapter rule: if it’s not working after a bit, move on.

Letting go is a strategy, not a failure. There are thousands of books waiting for your attention.

Practical habits to make reading stick

• Set a tiny daily goal, like 10 pages or 15 minutes.
• Track progress in a simple list or app.
• Swap screen time for reading before bed.
• Join a low-pressure book club or a buddy read for accountability.
• Rotate formats: paperback for focus, audiobook for chores and travel.

Kevin Nguyen popularized the idea of flexible reading routines. His suggestion: treat reading as an activity to fit into life, not a rare ceremonial event.

When distraction wins: quick fixes to get back on track

• Put your phone in another room for set reading blocks.
• Use a timer to make short, focused sprints.
• Carry a small book or e-reader so you always have one to hand.
• Create a habit anchor: read after a daily routine like breakfast.

Small, repeatable actions beat grand gestures. The goal is consistency, not perfection.