Reading Is a Skill, Not a Personality Trait
A lot of people tell me they "used to read a lot" but somehow fell out of the habit. Life got busier, screens got more compelling, and sitting down with a book started to feel like a luxury rather than a default. I've been there too.
But here's what I've come to believe: reading is less about having the right temperament and more about building the right conditions. It's a skill — or more accurately, a habit — and habits are buildable.
Start Embarrassingly Small
The most common mistake people make when trying to read more is setting an ambitious target: a book a week, thirty minutes a day, fifty books a year. These goals feel motivating at the start and demoralising by February.
Instead, commit to something laughably small. Five pages a day. Two pages, if that feels more honest. The goal at the beginning isn't reading a lot — it's building the identity of someone who reads. Consistency at a tiny scale beats ambition at an inconsistent one.
Design Your Environment
Your environment shapes your behaviour more than willpower does. Try these changes:
- Put a book on your pillow — You'll read before sleeping almost automatically.
- Keep a book on the kitchen table — For those ten minutes while waiting for water to boil.
- Remove friction — Use an e-reader if carrying books is inconvenient; use your phone's Kindle app if needed.
- Create a reading corner — A specific chair or space your brain associates with reading.
Choose Books You Actually Want to Read
This sounds obvious, but many people feel obligated to read books they "should" read — dense classics, business bestsellers, whatever is trending. If you're trying to rebuild a habit, read what genuinely interests you, whether that's sci-fi, biographies, Japanese literature, or popular science.
Engagement matters far more than prestige. A book you finish enthusiastically is worth ten you abandon out of obligation.
What to Do When You're Stuck in a Book
Give yourself permission to quit. Not every book deserves your full attention, and finishing a book you dislike doesn't make you a better reader — it just makes reading feel like a chore. Try the "50 pages minus your age" rule: if you haven't connected with a book by that point, put it down without guilt.
Tracking Progress (Without Obsessing)
A simple reading log — even just a list of books you've read this year — creates a satisfying sense of momentum. Apps like Goodreads or a plain notebook both work well. The point isn't to compete with anyone; it's to make progress visible and to reflect on what you've read.
A Simple Weekly Reading Plan
- Choose one book at a time (avoid the "currently reading" pile of shame).
- Set a daily page target — small and achievable.
- Find two or three natural reading windows in your day.
- Review what you've read briefly on Sunday evenings.
Reading is one of the most rewarding investments you can make in yourself. Start small, stay consistent, and let curiosity be your compass.