How to Build a Reading Habit as an Adult (And Love It)

Remember when reading felt like homework? For many of us, school made books feel like an assignment rather than an escape. But somewhere along the way, we discovered that reading can be joyful, restorative, and even life-changing. If you’ve been meaning to fall back in love with books—or just want to carve out more time for stories—you can absolutely build a reading habit as an adult.

Why Reading as an Adult Feels Different

The biggest shift? Choice. As an adult, you get to read whatever you want. No essays due, no required classics, no guilt for skipping a book that doesn’t click.

You also have more tools at your fingertips: library cards (including digital ones), Kindle Unlimited, audiobooks, and e-readers that let you carry a whole library in your bag. Most importantly, the emotional resonance is deeper now. A story about love, loss, or reinvention hits differently at 30, 40, or 50 than it did at 13.

Reading becomes less about “what you should read” and more about “what feels good right now.”

What Gets in the Way

If you’ve ever sighed, “I wish I read more,” you’re not alone. Common blockers include:

• Overwhelm: Thousands of new releases every year—where do you start?
• Guilt: Feeling behind on buzzy books, or abandoning your book club pick halfway through.
• Time: Work, family, and endless to-do lists crowd out quiet moments.
• Distraction: Phones, social media, and constant notifications make it hard to sit still.
• Decision fatigue: Too many books on your TBR means you end up choosing none.

Recognizing these roadblocks is the first step to overcoming them.

How to Actually Build a Reading Habit

Here’s the good news: you don’t have to read a book a week—or even finish every book you start. A sustainable habit is built around small, joyful choices. Try these strategies:

• Start with what you love: Pick tropes, vibes, or authors you already know bring you joy.
• Experiment with formats: Audiobooks while folding laundry, graphic novels for a quick win, or novellas during your commute.
• Stack habits: Pair reading with something you already do—5 pages after your morning coffee, or a chapter before bed.
• Create rituals: A cozy blanket, your favorite tea, and 20 minutes with a book can become your new reset button.
• Try reading sprints: Set a 10-minute timer. You’ll be surprised how much progress you can make.
• Let go of perfection: It’s okay to “soft DNF” (set a book aside and maybe return later). Not every book is for every season of life.
• Follow your curiosity: If a cover grabs you or someone raves about a title, try it. Spontaneous picks often become favorites.
• Use accountability: Buddy reads, library due dates, or tracking apps can nudge you forward without pressure.

The point isn’t to hit a number—it’s to rediscover reading as something that fits your life.

Jason’s Reading Journey (And Why It’s So Relatable)

On a recent episode of What to Read Next, Jason from the Gays Reading podcast shared how he went from “not a reader” to a full-on book podcaster. His gateway moment came when he picked up a book that clicked for him—and later, when he received his very first advanced reader copy. That single experience reframed reading as pleasure, community, and connection rather than homework.

His story is proof that it’s never too late to start, and that one book really can spark a lifelong habit.

Book Recs to Kickstart Your Habit

If you’re not sure where to begin, here are a few starter packs you can explore:

• Romance Gateway Reads – Short, bingeable, happily-ever-afters.
• Thrillers & Mysteries – Fast-paced plots to keep you turning the pages.
• Audiobooks That Fly By – Perfect for chores, commutes, or walks.
• Literary Fiction Starter Pack – Emotional, thought-provoking reads that stick with you.

Final Thoughts

Reading doesn’t have to be a productivity flex. It doesn’t have to be measured in books per month or a perfectly curated Goodreads shelf. Reading can be play. It can be healing. It can be your soft escape after a long day.

Start with five minutes. Start with a novella. Start with an audiobook. Just start.

And if you’ve already begun your adult reading journey, I’d love to know: what was your gateway book?