We all want to be a reader. We picture ourselves, a cozy blanket and a cup of tea in hand, completely lost in a different world, our minds expanding with every turn of the page.
The reality? We pick up a book with the best of intentions, read the same paragraph four times because a notification just buzzed on our phone, and then give up, defeated by our own distractible brains.
In a world of endless, bite-sized scrolling, the quiet, focused act of reading a book can feel like a superpower. It’s a workout for your empathy, a spa day for your imagination, and a quiet rebellion against the constant noise of modern life.
If you’ve fallen out of the habit or never quite caught the bug, don’t worry. You haven’t failed. You just need a better strategy. Falling in love with reading isn’t about forcing yourself to do a chore; it’s about playfully discovering a source of immense joy. Ready to join the resistance?
1. Ditch the Shoulds and Forgive Yourself
The number one killer of a reading habit is the word “should.” You should read the classics. You should read that important non-fiction book everyone is talking about. This turns reading into a test you feel you’re already failing.
The Love Story Payoff: By releasing the guilt and the “shoulds,” you transform reading from a stressful obligation into a personal pleasure. You give yourself permission to read for joy, not for a gold star.
Actionable Step: Look at that intimidating classic on your shelf. Verbally forgive yourself for not reading it. Put it away. You can come back to it later (or never!).
2. Find Your Book Candy
To build a habit, you need to make it rewarding. This is not the time to tackle a dense, literary masterpiece. This is the time to find your “book candy”—the genre that is so fun, so gripping, and so effortless for you to read that it feels like an indulgence.
The Love Story Payoff: Binge-reading a fast-paced thriller or a swoon-worthy romance rebuilds your “reading muscle.” It reminds your brain that books are a source of easy, delightful entertainment.
Actionable Step: What kind of movies or TV shows do you love? Go to a bookstore or library and find the book equivalent. Do you love a good mystery? Grab a thriller. A rom-com fan? Try a romance novel.
3. Use the Guilt-Free Quit Rule
Life is too short to read a book you’re not enjoying. The fear of having to slog through a boring book is a major reason people don’t start one. So, create an escape hatch.
The Love Story Payoff: This rule removes all the pressure. It turns picking up a new book into a low-stakes experiment, not a lifelong commitment. You’ll be more adventurous in your choices when you know you can bail at any time.
Actionable Step: Adopt the “50-Page Rule.” Give any new book 50 pages to hook you. If you’re not invested by then, you are free to quit, no guilt allowed, and move on to the next one.
4. Try a Different Format
“Reading” doesn’t just mean a 400-page hardback. Your brain might connect better with a different format, especially when you’re getting back into the habit.
The Love Story Payoff: Audiobooks can turn a boring commute or a session of chores into storytime. E-books on your phone mean you always have a book with you. Short stories provide the satisfaction of a complete narrative in one sitting.
Actionable Step: Download a free library app like Libby or a free short story podcast. Try listening to a story on your next walk or drive.
5. Create a Reading Sanctuary
Make the act of reading a special, cozy ritual. Create an environment that your brain begins to associate with the calm, focused pleasure of a good book.
The Love Story Payoff: By pairing reading with other sensory pleasures, you build a powerful positive association. You’ll start to crave the entire ritual, not just the reading itself.
Actionable Step: Designate one chair as your “reading chair.” Add a soft blanket and good lighting. Before you sit down to read, make a cup of your favorite tea or coffee.
6. Schedule a Reading Date
Vague intentions like “I want to read more” are where habits go to die. If it’s important to you, it deserves a spot on your calendar.
The Love Story Payoff: An appointment on your calendar is a real commitment. It protects that time from being swallowed up by other, less important things (like scrolling). It’s a date with a different world.
Actionable Step: Look at your calendar for tomorrow. Find one 15-minute slot. Block it out and label it “Reading Break.”
7. Always Be Ready for Found Time
The best reading time isn’t always the time you schedule. It’s the “found time”—the 10 minutes in the waiting room, the 15 minutes on the bus, the 5 minutes in line for coffee.
The Love Story Payoff: This habit transforms boring “waiting” time into exciting “reading” time. You’ll be shocked at how much you can read in these small, stolen pockets throughout your day.
Actionable Step: Make sure you always have a book with you. This could be a light paperback in your bag or the Kindle app on your phone, always loaded with your next read.
Falling in love with reading isn’t a test of your intelligence; it’s a journey of personal discovery. It’s about finding the right stories that speak to your soul. Be patient, be playful, and let go of the pressure.
Your next great adventure is waiting for you between the pages of a book.