I’ve read more than 100 books so far this year (as of August 2026). That’s a major feat, even for me, and more than I’ve ever read in such a short span of time. Ranging from short reads, to audiobooks, to doorstoppers over 1,300 pages, there was no cheating or skimming involved.
In this post, I’m sharing my top tips for reading more.
Make it a hobby
Perhaps the most important tip of all: make it your hobby. If you don’t have time for it, make time. If you tend to watch a lot of TV or scroll a lot in the evenings, just cutting back on that and dedicating the time to reading instead can make a real difference. I like to read a few chapters before bed every night.
Bring a book with you
You can’t read if you don’t have a book with you, whether that’s a physical copy, an e-reader, or an audiobook. Those small pockets of downtime, like waiting for the bus, sitting on the train, or driving your car (audiobooks only, of course), add up quickly, and even a few quick pages here and there make a difference. I always have my Kobo with me, and since I do a lot of walking and driving, that’s when I listen to audiobooks.
Try audiobooks
I’ve mentioned it a few times already, but audiobooks are a real lifesaver when you don’t have time to sit on the couch and dive into a book. You can listen while doing chores, driving, walking, or working out. Some of my favorite audiobook options are Libro.fm, Audible, Spotify, and Libby.
Learn to quit
This one is hard, but if a book isn’t working for you, it’s okay to put it down and move on to something that holds your interest. A book you’re not into turns reading into a chore, and that’s exactly what you want to avoid.
Set a goal
This tip works especially well for me. Communities like Goodreads let you set a reading goal at the start of the year to help keep you motivated, and it really does help! Just be careful: make it ambitious but realistic, so you don’t end up panicking near year-end and padding your count with short books just to hit the number.
Enjoy it!
Maybe most important of all: enjoy the simple pleasure of reading. If your goal is five books a year, that’s still awesome. Don’t treat reading like a competition or a race. At the end of the day, it should be something that brings you joy or makes you think.