Let’s be honest: we all want to read more, but life keeps throwing distractions our way.
Between TikTok scrolls, Netflix binges, and losing hours in the abyss of random Wikipedia articles (just me?), books sometimes take the back seat. But not this year! 2025 is your time to shine as the literary champion you’ve always wanted to be. Whether you’re aiming for 12 books or 100, these tips will help you squeeze more reading into your life—without sacrificing all the fun stuff.
Grab your favourite mug, settle in, and let’s turn those reading goals into reality!
10 Tips to Read More on 2025
Set Yourself a Bookish Goal (But Keep It Real)
Start with a number that excites you but doesn’t make you want to crawl under your desk in fear. If 12 books a year feels good, go for it. If 50 makes your palms sweat, scale it down.
But also, don’t stress about it! Some people read really fast, some of us read a lot slower. If you find that your goal was too big (or too small!) there’s no reason why you can’t back down a little bit. The point is: don’t suffer. Goals should be fun, not scary. The point is to read more because you enjoy it, not because you need to keep up with the programme!
Bonus tip: use Goodreads or StoryGraph to track your progress—it’s oddly satisfying watching that little bar fill up.
Carry a Book Everywhere—Yes, Even to the Pub
Books are the ultimate wingman. Keep one in your bag, car, or wherever it’s easy to grab. Waiting for your coffee? Read a page. On a train? Dive into a chapter. Even if you don’t end up reading it every time, having a book handy turns those odd moments of downtime into mini-reading sessions. Plus, it’s a great conversation starter (and far less awkward than scrolling your phone in silence).
(BUT, if you are a full-on introvert like me, it can also be the perfect way to avoid a conversation 😂)
Ditch the Guilt and Abandon Bad Books
Here’s a game-changer to read more this year: you don’t have to finish every book you start. Seriously.
I know, right? Who would have thought…
I tend to cling to books I don’t enjoy just because I feel I have to finish them—like I’d personally disappoint the author if I didn’t. And it’s even worse if someone gifted it to me or let me borrow it! But life’s too short for bad books! If a story isn’t grabbing you, put it down and pick up something that excites you. The more you let go of books that don’t work for you, the faster you’ll get to the ones that do. Trust me, your TBR pile will thank you. And you’ll be happier too (as someone who has had to read many books I didn’t like for work, I can promise you this!).
Make the Most of Little Pockets of Time
You don’t need hours of uninterrupted peace to get through a book. Those little pockets of time—waiting for your pasta to boil, standing in a queue, or even during your lunch break—are prime reading moments. If, just as I said in the previous tip, you keep a book (or an e-reader app) handy at all times, you can sneak in a few pages whenever you can. It’s amazing how those quick sessions add up to read more throughout the month! And honestly, who needs doom-scrolling when you could be diving into your next favourite chapter?
Audiobooks Are Books Too, Babe
Continuing with this idea, audiobooks are fantastic for fitting more reading into your day, especially during walks, commutes, or while tackling the laundry mountain. Personally, I’m not that into audiobooks (not a superfan of podcasts either) but I do like popping in my headphones from time to time and letting a good story keep me company on a stroll. It makes me feel like I’m using my time more wisely, because I’m a couch potato and leaving my house is not always my fave thing to do, especially during the long Scottish winters!
By the way, this is something habit experts like Charles Duhigg recommend: to pair something to want to do (a reward: hearing a book) with something you should be doing, but don’t love that much (go for a daily walk, wash the dishes, go to the gym), to create a new habit.
That being said, if you’re new to audiobooks, start with something light and engaging, like a bestselling thriller. Before you know it, those miles (or chores) will fly by.
Join a Book Club (Or Start Your Own Book Gang)
Having a bookish tribe can make all the difference. Me and my friends from Glyph Magazine started doing this a year ago and even if we don’t meet regularly, we read more just by encouraging each other and trying to keep up with the rest! It means you’ll have a steady stream of recommendations and regular discussions that make reading feel like a social activity rather than a solo task. And hey, it’s a perfect excuse to hang out with fellow bookworms! I honestly can’t imagine anything better!
The Book Club (2023) by C.L. Taylor, for example, dives into the mysterious world of a reading group—proof that book clubs can be thrilling, too!
Spice It Up with a Reading Challenge
Feeling stuck in a reading rut?
A reading challenge can give you a fresh direction. Whether it’s a “Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks” challenge, a genre-specific challenge (romance, fantasy, historical fiction), or even the #BookstagramReadingChallenge (yes, you can get involved), it adds a bit of excitement and accountability. Plus, it’s fun to tick things off and see your progress! Check out books like Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin, which was on many 2023 lists, to jump into your challenge with a book that’s both popular and thought-provoking.
Say Goodbye to Your Phone Before Bed (or in the Morning!)
We all know scrolling through your phone before bed is the real culprit when it comes to lost reading time. Swap those late-night Instagram sessions for some cosy reading instead. Light a candle, pour a cuppa, and get lost in a good book. Your mind will thank you in the morning. And, let’s face it, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid is probably more captivating than another meme, right?
Besides, reading before bed is a lot better for your sleep health. The blue light from your phone (despite the blue light filters) affects your brain, making it believe that it’s daytime (it plays with your circadian rhythms), which doesn’t help you sleep. But a beautiful book doesn’t emit any light, so this won’t happen ☺️
AND you can also read in the morning! What a surprise, eh? I started doing this instead of scrolling or catching up with messages as soon as I wake up. Reading a few pages before starting your day helps me come back to the world gently.
Turn Reading into Your Cosy Daily Ritual
Is reading starting to feel like a chore? Turn it into a daily ritual. Create a little reading nook in your home, choose a favourite hot drink, and set aside a little time each day (even if it’s just 10 minutes) to enjoy a book that you really like. Soon enough, it’ll feel as natural as brushing your teeth. Don’t forget to track your progress in a cute journal or app like Goodreads!
Read What You Actually Like, Not What Looks Cool on Instagram
Let’s be real: Instagram is full of beautifully staged books that seem must-reads, but not every book is your cup of tea. It’s tempting to follow trends, but the key to reading more is enjoying what you’re reading. Skip the hype when it doesn’t vibe with your style and find books that you truly want to dive into.
This is the same as when it comes to following book recommendations from your friends! If you follow bookfluencers who read the same type of literature you do, then you know there’s a better chance you’ll enjoy those books they talk about, no matter the hype. When it comes to your friends or family, I’d say do the same: I took Palm Trees on the Snow because my mum loved it, and it took me months and I hated it with my guts (I could talk about it for hours).
Now I’m trying to think of a book I loved that my mum would hate, and I don’t think it exists… But also, I read so little lately that I don’t really remember the last book I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVED apart from A Marvellous Light, which is so marvellous I don’t think anyone can hate it.
Reading more in 2025 doesn’t need to be some grand, unattainable goal. Keep it real, keep it fun, and follow what works for you. Whether you’re listening to audiobooks on your commute or making reading a cosy ritual before bed, the important thing is that you’re doing it. No pressure to keep up with everyone else’s reading lists—just make sure you’re enjoying yourself. So go ahead, grab your next book, and get started on the 2025 bookworm journey. Happy reading!