Reading More Is About Systems, Not Willpower
Most people who want to read more don't have a motivation problem — they have a friction problem. The good news is that digital reading removes many of the traditional barriers to books. Here's how to take full advantage of that.
1. Always Have Your Book With You
The single most powerful habit change: never be without something to read. Digital readers make this trivially easy.
- Keep your e-reader charged and in your bag or on your nightstand.
- Install a reading app (Kindle, Kobo, Apple Books) on your phone as a backup.
- Enable sync so you can switch between your e-reader and phone seamlessly.
Waiting rooms, commutes, lunch breaks, and queues are all reading opportunities that add up to hours each week.
2. Use the "One More Chapter" Rule
Instead of setting ambitious reading-time goals, commit to just one more chapter before you stop. Chapters in most novels are short — often 5 to 15 minutes. This low-pressure approach tends to result in much longer sessions naturally.
3. Manage Your Reading List Ruthlessly
Digital libraries make it easy to hoard books. A to-read pile of 300 titles is paralyzing, not motivating.
- Keep your active reading list to 5–10 books maximum.
- Use a dedicated list in Goodreads, StoryGraph, or a simple note to track what's next.
- Give yourself permission to abandon books that aren't working. Life is short; your reading list should excite you.
4. Read Multiple Books at Once (Strategically)
Many avid readers keep 2–3 books going simultaneously — one for different moods or contexts.
- A novel for evenings and leisure reading.
- A non-fiction or self-improvement book for mornings or focused time.
- A lighter read (essays, short stories) for short windows.
E-readers and apps make switching between books instant, so there's no friction to this approach.
5. Adjust Your Reading Environment
E-readers are built for comfort, but small tweaks make a big difference:
- Set your font size and line spacing to a comfortable level — don't use defaults if they strain your eyes.
- Use warm light mode in the evenings to reduce sleep disruption.
- Enable airplane mode to eliminate notification distractions.
6. Set a Reading Streak, Not a Page Count
Daily reading streaks (even just 10–15 minutes) build habit more effectively than ambitious page-count goals. Apps like Goodreads track your reading streaks. Even Kindle shows your daily reading time in its stats section.
7. Use Audiobooks as a Complement
Audiobooks aren't cheating — they're a different medium. Consider using them for:
- Commuting by car or public transport.
- Exercise and walks.
- Household chores.
Services like Libby provide free audiobook access through your library card alongside e-books.
The Bottom Line
Reading more isn't about finding hours you don't have — it's about removing obstacles and creating small, consistent habits. Your e-reader is already the most frictionless reading device ever made. Use it strategically, and your annual reading total will surprise you.