Read More Books—Without Feeling Overwhelmed
10 Ways to Read More (Even If You're Busy)
In this post:
🔥 Make reading a daily habit (without forcing it)
🎧 Sneak more books into your busy schedule
✍️ Use simple tricks to remember and enjoy what you read
So you want to read more books? Not just skim them or add them to an ever-growing TBR pile, but actually read them—and better yet, enjoy them.
I get it. Life is busy, distractions are everywhere, and some books (looking at you, James Joyce) feel like they were written just to test our patience. But I promise, reading more (and deeper) is doable with the right mindset and approach.
Here’s how:
1. Confusion Is a Sign You’re Doing It Right
Ever picked up a book and thought, I have no idea what’s going on? Good. That means you're growing.
Some of the greatest books—Ulysses, Gravity’s Rainbow, anything Shakespeare—weren’t meant to be understood in one go. Confusion isn’t failure; it’s part of the process. Keep going. Reread passages. Let the words sit with you. If a book is tough, that just means it has something valuable to teach you.
2. Curate Your Bedside Stack
Not all books are meant for bedtime. Some books (Blood Meridian, for example) will keep your brain buzzing long after you’ve turned out the lights. So, separate your books:
Upstairs books: The cozy, easy-to-slip-into worlds of Jane Austen or George Eliot—perfect for unwinding before bed.
Downstairs books: The dense, thought-provoking reads you tackle when your brain is fresh.
Being intentional about when and where you read certain books makes all the difference.
3. Take Yourself on Bookstore Dates
Secondhand bookstores are goldmines. Not only do they house affordable gems, but they’re filled with books that carry a history—sometimes with scribbled notes and underlined passages from past readers. (Bonus: Finding someone else's notes feels like having a secret conversation across time.)
Make a habit of wandering into one. You might just stumble upon a book you didn’t even know you needed.
4. Gift Books to People You Love
Here’s a sneaky trick: If you want to discuss books more, start gifting them.
The next time someone shows even mild interest in a book you love, buy them a copy. They’re far more likely to read it (and feel obligated to talk to you about it). Instant book club.
5. Set a One-Page Minimum
Instead of setting ambitious reading goals that might stress you out (“I must read 50 pages a day”), set a ridiculously easy one: one page per day.
Chances are, once you read one page, you’ll want to keep going. But even if you don’t, you’ve still read. No guilt. No pressure. Just progress.
6. Read Poetry Every Day
Sounds fancy, but hear me out. Poetry is the perfect micro-dose of deep reading. A single poem can shift your entire perspective in just a few lines. Ray Bradbury even recommended reading a poem, a short story, and an essay every day for 1,000 nights. (A challenge, yes, but a rewarding one.)
7. Listen While You Walk
Audiobooks aren’t cheating. They’re a hack.
Pair a daily walk with an audiobook—bonus points if it’s a classic like Ulysses or The Odyssey. Not only will you squeeze in more reading, but your brain will start associating certain books with physical places, making the experience even richer.
8. Make a “Books I Won’t Read (Yet)” List
Not all books are meant to be read right now. Some require life experience, the right mood, or just the right moment.
Instead of feeling guilty about books you haven’t read (War and Peace, anyone?), keep a list of books you’re intentionally saving for later. Anticipation makes them even sweeter.
9. Change the Way You Read
Read fiction like it’s non-fiction—underline, take notes, and pull lessons from it.
Read poems like they’re prayers—slowly and with intention.
Read as if the book in your hands might be the greatest work of your generation. (You never know.)
10. Read with Passion
If you’re bored, put the book down. If you’re struggling but intrigued, keep going. If a book excites you, chase that excitement. Reading isn’t about ticking books off a list—it’s about discovering new ideas, worlds, and perspectives.
So, what’s the first tip you’re going to try? And more importantly—what’s on your reading list right now? Let me know in the comments!
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Unlock the Magic of Classic Literature—Without the Overwhelm!
Classic literature can feel intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be! My free guide Unlocking the Classics: A Guide to Reading (and Loving) Classic Literature gives you simple strategies to tackle classics with confidence, understand key themes, and truly enjoy the experience.
