Why Most People Don't Read as Much as They'd Like

The most common reason people give for not reading more is time. But time is rarely the real issue — it's habit, environment, and priority. The average person spends several hours a day on their phone. Reclaiming even a fraction of that time for reading is entirely achievable with the right approach.

This guide won't tell you to wake up at 5am or give up television. Instead, it offers practical, sustainable strategies to genuinely increase how much you read.

1. Always Have a Book Within Reach

The single most effective reading habit is simple: never be without something to read. Keep a book on your nightstand, in your bag, and on your phone (via an e-reader app). Reading happens in pockets of time — waiting rooms, commutes, lunch breaks, queues. If a book is always there, you'll fill those pockets naturally.

2. Set a Specific Reading Time

Vague intentions ("I'll read more") fail. Specific times succeed. Try one of these anchor points:

  • Before bed: 20–30 minutes of reading is a proven wind-down ritual and replaces phone scrolling effectively.
  • Morning coffee: Pair your first coffee with a chapter rather than social media.
  • Lunch break: Even 15 minutes daily adds up to several books a year.

3. Use the "Two-Book" System

Many readers stall because they're only reading one book and it doesn't always match their mood. Try keeping two books on the go simultaneously: one fiction and one non-fiction. When you're not in the mood for one, switch to the other. You'll find yourself reading far more consistently.

4. Audiobooks Count

Don't be a reading snob. Audiobooks are an excellent way to consume books during activities that don't demand full cognitive attention: commuting, cooking, cleaning, exercising. Many people double their annual "reading" simply by adding audiobooks to their commute.

5. Give Yourself Permission to Quit

One of the biggest reading-killers is feeling obligated to finish books you're not enjoying. Life is too short for books that don't grip you. If a book hasn't engaged you by page 50, set it down. Reading should feel like a pleasure, not a chore. Finishing a bad book costs you the time you could spend finding a great one.

6. Track What You Read

Using a reading tracker — a simple notebook, a spreadsheet, or an app like Goodreads — adds a satisfying sense of progress. Seeing your list grow is motivating. You don't need a formal goal; even just recording titles keeps you engaged.

7. Curate Your Reading Environment

Where you read matters. A comfortable chair, good lighting, and minimal distractions make reading easier and more enjoyable. If your phone is nearby, put it face-down or in another room. Environmental design is more powerful than willpower.

Realistic Expectations

You don't need to read 52 books a year to be a reader. Even reading six or twelve genuinely great books a year is a deeply enriching habit. Focus on quality of experience over quantity of titles. The goal is a reading life you actually enjoy — not a scoreboard to impress people.