This post will tell you all about developing a habit of reading and turning it into a hobby that you actually enjoy!
I read my first full book in ninth grade for an English assignment.
It was ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’, and the world of magic sucked me in so hard, that I kept reading the whole series. Finished it in two weeks, I kid you not.
The next book I picked up was ‘Twilight’. Then I went on to discover more and more books, and I’ve been reading ever since.
It has become a dear hobby that has introduced me to wonderful worlds, lessons, and helped me through my lonely hours.
Through books, I’ve been to parallel worlds where animals talk. I’ve met heroes who make me swoon and heroines who inspire me to be feisty and kind at the same time.
I’ve absorbed deep words of motivation from renowned authors and used them to do well in my life.
The more I read, the more I grow. It’s a wonderful feeling, and everyone deserves to experience this great joy.
You should read because:
- It makes you smarter without trying too hard
- You get to live a thousand lives in one
- It kills boredom way better than online scrolling
- You’ll never run out of stuff to talk about
- It sharpens your focus and attention span (trust me, it’s like brain gym)
- It’s free therapy if you find the right book
- It builds empathy like nothing else
- You get cool quotes to drop in convos randomly
- It’s a flex to say “I read the book before the movie”
- You start seeing the world through better eyes
If you’ve been meaning to start reading but keep getting stuck, then this post is for you.
I’ll be sharing some practical and fun ways to start reading and make it stick as a hobby.
Let’s dive right in!
How To Start Reading and Make It a Hobby
1. Don’t Start With Serious Books
A big mistake I see people make is trying to force themselves into reading books they think they should read, like classics, heavy non-fiction, and autobiographies.
That’s like deciding to get into movies by watching a 4-hour war documentary. Unless you’re really really into it, you just won’t be able to enjoy.
So, please don’t do that to yourself.
Start with what actually pulls you in. It could be romance, thrillers, fantasy, true crime, graphic novels, or maybe manga?
Literally anything that makes you curious or makes your brain go, “Wait, what happens next?”
That’s the kind of spark you want. That’s what makes you come back. That’s even the whole freaking point of reading!
What pulled me into reading in the first place was magic and vampires. For you, it might be murder mysteries or spicy romance or books with dragons and found families.
Reading for fun is valid, so do not gatekeep yourself from the fun. This is how you’ll actually start reading.
2. Make Reading Easy, Physically And Mentally
Alright, this tip is all about making reading easy for you in whatever way possible.
I have seen many people complaining about not being able to read when they don’t even have a single book around them.
They keep their books stashed away like something to store instead of something to utilize. Of course that makes reading difficult.
Keep your current book somewhere you see it often. On your bed, on your des, in your bag, or wherever it’s just one glance away from being picked up.
Another thing that makes reading difficult for people is trying to cram in too much at once, even when they’re not really into it.
You need to give yourself permission to read a little at a time. Read just five pages, one chapter, or for ten minutes.
You really don’t have to power through 50 pages a day, especially when you’re just starting out. Your interest has to build naturally and slowly.
Once you stop seeing reading as a chore, it’ll become something you look forward to instead of something that weighs on you.
Oh, and btw, reading on your phone or Kindle totally counts too, and so do audiobooks, web books, and manga. Whatever format works for you is the right one!
3. Create a Reading List
Trying to read without a reading list is like preparing for an exam without a syllabus in hand.
Every reader needs a reading list. This can be on Goodreads, Notion, a notes app, or just a list in your journal.
Add books that sound cool, ones your friends rave about, or ones you see recommended online.
Just don’t add books that you’re not even a little hyped to read, because you’re not gonna read them, ever.
When you finish a book and don’t know what to pick next, this list will be your treasure chest.
And crossing books off your reading list will be so very satisfying, trust me.
4. Join Bookish Communities and Be Active
One thing that kept me hooked on reading was sharing it with others. I love updating my reading status on Goodreads and sharing my thoughts on my current reads there.
Reading other people’s stories is fun too, and I often find new books to read in my Goodreads feeds.
Here are some other ways to join bookish communities:
- Scroll BookTok for spicy book recs
- Post quick reading updates on Insta like “Just finished this book and omg!”
- Join an online or a local book club
- Form a two-member club with your bestie and read at least one book a month with them
- Find a book club on Discord
- Join a reading group on Facebook
All these tips will make reading feel less like a solo activity and more like being a part of something bigger.
Because books are even better when you can scream about them with someone else. Facts!t
5. Track Your Reading
Keeping track of the books you’ve read isn’t just satisfying; it’s also super motivating. It shows your progress, your taste, and your journey.
Use Goodreads, StoryGraph, a reading journal, or just a private list to track your reading.
You can add your ratings and share your thoughts on each book you finish. Over time, your reading record will be this cool archive of all the worlds you’ve visited.
At the start of every year, I set a reading goal on Goodreads, and then I enjoy adding books to my ‘read’ list as I finish them.
It’s super fun to watch myself inching closer to my goal, and getting to rate books and write something about them.
Oh, and yes, when you finish a book, do celebrate it. Whether it took you two days or two months, that’s a win, so treat it like one!
6. Let Yourself Quit Books You’re Not Enjoying
This one took me a while to learn, but after wasting my time reading boring books, I’ve realized that you don’t have to finish every book you start.
If a book is dragging and you’re not vibing with it after a fair shot, it’s okay to DNF (Did Not Finish). No guilt needed.
Life’s too short to slog through books that bore you. So, let that boring book go and move on to something you find interesting.
Reading isn’t a race. You don’t have to read 100 books a year. You don’t have to love every book. You don’t even have to read every day.
What you need to do is read books that you genuinely enjoy, at your own pace. After all, reading is supposed to be joyful.
If you find the right book, at the right time, in the right vibe, it can light something in you.
And once that spark catches, reading becomes more than a hobby. It becomes a part of who you are.
So go ahead, dear reader. Pick a book you’ve been meaning to try. Get comfy, turn the page, and let the adventure begin!
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