Too busy for books? Here’s how to develop a daily reading habit

Expert tips for swapping your bedtime Instagram scroll for a riveting read
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When you’re a child and young adult, it seems you have all the time in the world to sit down and read a good book.

But when you get to university, reading for pleasure is swapped with reading text books. And once you reach the work force, Netflix and socialising often trumps reading.

According to a poll conducted late last year, ‘read more books’ was the fifth most common New Year’s resolution in the UK, yet many people still claim they are ‘too busy’ to read.

To help get us back into reading, we spoke to Lija Kresowaty, Head of International Publishing at Bookchoice for tips to help us develop a daily reading habit.

1. Use technology to compliment your reading

Technology used in the right way can actually help you read more.

Kresowaty told the Standard: “Make sure you have a selection of books downloaded onto your ereader or phone, to ensure you have access to a good read wherever you go. This is extremely useful for filling dead-time during the day, including travel delays, queues and waiting for appointments.

“Flight mode is a reader’s best friend for resisting the temptation of social media and emails.”

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2. Find your ideal reading time

Reading just before bed can be a great way to unwind but if your eyelids are drooping, then it might be time to find another space in the day to read.

Kresowaty recommended setting your alarm half an hour earlier in the morning and starting off your day with a book, or make time on your lunch break to get away from the office – in the summer perhaps go to the park nearby – and spend a half hour reading.

For Londoners or anyone with lengthy public transport commutes, this can also be the prime opportunity to fit in some reading time.

3. Listen to audiobooks

Over two thirds of Brits say they have never tried an audio book and yet many people also say they don’t have time to read.

You can swap your podcast or playlist you listen to during your commute for an audiobook as you don’t need a seat or even a free hand.

Kresowaty said: “You can also cut down on your to-do list by simultaneously taking in a great novel while completing other activities and chores, such as exercising or cooking.”

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4. Set realistic reading goals

Look, you’re probably not going to get through a book a week but a book a month is much more realistic.

Kresowaty added: “Set a sustainable goal to read (or listen) for at least 15 to 20 minutes a day, every day. This will seem far more achievable and will help you develop a consistent habit that integrates into your daily life.

“You’ll probably find that most days you end up getting hooked and surpassing your target time, but if on the busiest days you only manage the minimum, it’s a good way to ensure that reading remains a priority.”

5. Enlist a book buddy

If you find the prospect of joining a book club daunting, grab yourself a book buddy in the form of a friend who also wants to get back into reading and take turns choosing a book you will both read. Set a deadline of when it needs to be finished and discuss it over a glass of wine.

6. Step out of your genre-comfort zone

Algorithms are everywhere, deciding what TV shows we should watch next and what music we will like and while we all have genres of books we generally stick to, it’s easy to find yourself in a genre rut.

Kresowaty advised: “If you’re finding your reading ambitions flagging, it could be time to mix it up a bit and try some different genres or writers. So if you’re a period classics fan, for example, perhaps a modern thriller could be just what you need to get some momentum back into your reading routine.”

Bookchoice is a membership service for book lovers and those who’d love to read more, enabling them to receive a curated selection of eight ebooks and audiobooks each month, carefully hand-picked by a team of industry experts.

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