I’ve always wanted to be someone who goes to parks, cafes to read. Read on the plane, commutes and at home for relief.

How did you build a reading habit? I can easily make time for other things but setting out time to read feels unproductive (?) or doesn’t click for me.

For me, it took finding a subject that I was actually interested in and enjoyed. Started 15 minutes a day, even put it on a timer. Then I increased it to like 30 minutes after a few weeks. Now I don't even use a timer, I just read till I'm tired or something comes up.

You're not going to start a habit by reading something that you're not necessarily interested in. Just because someone says "_ is a good book, you should read it," doesn't mean you'll find it interesting.

Pick a topic that interests you, select a book on it then dedicate 10-15 minutes daily to reading, preferably when you wake up. Then build from there and increase the duration and time as you wish

Agree, just download a bunch of books on your phone and go through the first few pages. If your’e not interested after the first 10 pages pick something else, feel like the main problem often is that people set out to read a certain book they got recommended but don’t actually like it and will never finish it. Go to the last read book thread on here, goodreads.com or ask ChatGPT for recommendations. Then go to a site like libgen where you can find most books for free epub/pdf download, import them into your books app and try them out, if you prefer physical books, just buy the paperback if any of the books you downloaded grabbed you after the first few pages.

I never used to read until I got interested in things I actually wanted to read about

pretty much all the comments above

I never used to read until I got interested in things I actually wanted to read about

This is probably the best approach to this question that I ever saw

Literally just read 10 minutes a day before bed. You’d be surprised how much books you can get through in a year just doing that + added benefit of naturally getting you sleepy.

Also remember that reading should be pleasurable so literally pick novels based on what you’d think you’d like

Also carry a book with you at all times so in those moments of downtimes in the day where you’d pull your phone you could get a couple minutes of reading in.

I think in the beginning you really have to force yourself to start reading.

I mean it first starts with finding a book you Really REALLY want to read. I’d suggest something easy and quick. Then it just comes down to carving out time in your day to actually reading the book.

Removing all the distractions, perhaps setting a timer for 30 minutes. If that’s too long then 15 minutes and just take it one page at a time. You make 30-50 pages into a book and you find yourself not wanting to come back to it, maybe find a new book.

The goal, ultimately, is to be reading something daily. To engage your mind in a way that is not watching TV, or movies, or YouTube or tik tok. It’s not playing a video game or listening to music. It is sitting with yourself, in your mind, engaging with a book.

Through consistency and practice, the habit of reading will become more natural for you. But even for consistent readers, you can hit reading slumps and that’s okay too

Pick a time like an hour before bed or whenever your free time is and read a chapter a day

You don’t gotta spend hours reading. Give yourself 20-30 minutes. Everyday. One chapter. That adds up even among a busy schedule

great advice in this thread, but like all things in life it's much simpler than you think

just do it

15 mins in the morn

15 in the afternoon

through another 15 in there when u feel like/have time

Set achievable goals.

Anyone can read 1-2 pages a day. Then gradually increase it to 1 chapter a day .

You don’t have to read the whole book a day or in 1-3 days ,

That’s how you build a habit with anything really. You have to enjoy the process too

Pomodoro method

I usually wake up early have a coffee and read for hours