19+ Reading Tips For Turning into a Bookworm In No Time

Whether due to time constraints, daily errands, or even laziness and lack of motivation, we often lose the habit of reading, and we end up placing books on the shelves for what seems like forever.

However, we all agree that reading is a beneficial habit, providing us with a thousand lives to live.

Here are the easiest tips that will get you back to reading in no time.

PART 1 – Reading For Adults

1. Make A Plan & Set Your Purpose

As with any habit you want to form, it helps to have a plan, David Leonhardt from THGM Writers mentions.

Simply saying “I want to read more” won’t usually work. You need a plan.

In this plan, Avil Beckford, Founder & CEO of The Invisible Mentor says you need, before you read any book, to ask yourself:

What’s your one-sentence purpose for reading it?
After reading, what do you expect to do that you cannot do now?
What knowledge do you expect to have that you don’t have now?
What questions do you want books to answer?

Another goal for this plan can be improving skills, Cara Vandermey, Executive Director at Community Literacy of Ontario hints at.

She adds: “Focus on the specific reading skills you want to improve, such as comprehension or vocabulary. Set clear goals to guide your progress.”

Setting a goal provides direction, motivation, and purpose, Donna, a Montessori teacher turned blogger reflects.

2. Realize The Importance Of Reading

Being in the right mindset is a game changer.

In this sense, Head Content Writer at Sales TQ Sophie Fennelly – suggests you think of reading as the following:

“Transforming the realm of pages into a daily adventure can be as thrilling as decoding a secret map to a hidden treasure. Imagine books as your ticket to a global, time-traveling safari.”

Realizing the importance of reading will make the act itself more meaningful to you.

3. Start With Small Goals

Juan R. Smith, CEO of Last Net Worth, shares his insightful experience after acquiring the habit of reading.

He advises you to start with small, attainable goals. Don’t set yourself up for failure with daunting reading challenges.

Start at your current reading level and gradually challenge yourself with more complex texts or add more time to your routine.

4. Allocate A Specific Time For Reading

Each day, set aside a specific time for reading. Consistency, whether in the morning, during breaks, or before bed, is essential for establishing a habit, Samar Pahwa, Lifestyle Blogger for Findhealthtips emphasizes.

As a real-life example, Anita Gajula, a College Counselor at Collegewise tells her students that it doesn’t matter what they read, as long as they read something every day.

However, as much as consistency is essential, it is important not to force it.

“I like to read each day, that’s my goal. But I don’t force myself to read OR make myself feel guilty when I skip a day (or two). The more pressure we put on ourselves, the less fun the activity is, and the likelihood of us engaging in it plummets!”

This is the experience of Katie Bingner, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), which emphasizes the importance of finding a balance between being consistent and flexible at the same time.

Part of being flexible includes also trying different reading times until you find which one is suitable for you.

Find the time that works best for you and keep to it, as per the words of Jack Williams, CEO and founder of Handyman Reviewed.

5. Create A Reading Space

Timing is important, but what about space?

Samar Pahwa, Lifestyle Blogger for Findhealthtips says you need to create a pleasant environment for reading.

Designate a comfortable, well-lit, reading space. Whether it’s a cozy nook in your bedroom or a quiet corner in a coffee shop, make sure it’s a space where you feel comfortable and can focus.

In addition, make sure this space is noise-free. Craig Selinger, CEO & Owner of Brooklyn Letters, notes that you must remove distractions from your reading spot.

Minimize distractions during reading time, turn off electronic devices, or find a quiet space where one can focus solely on reading.

6. Find Books You Enjoy

Let yourself read whatever you like. Whether it is the news, comic books, manga, literature, non-fiction, or a host of other things of interest to them personally.

In a nutshell, follow Aneela Canty from Fueled’s principle: there are no banned books.

Read things that you want to read and not books that you think society wants you to read.

You can even go for short books for a good fresh start. It’s ok to start small and then gradually get bigger books once comfortable, Izar Olivares, a Social Media Manager in Fig Factor Media Publishing cites.

7. Find a Trigger To Build A Reading Habit

A method that is often overlooked is the book trigger method, presented by Patri Hernandez, founder of Oh Mighty Health.

The method says you need to select a specific activity that you encounter regularly in your daily life, but may not initially associate with reading, such as waiting for your coffee to brew.

Associate the chosen trigger with the action of reading by intentionally pairing them together.

Repeat this pairing consistently over time, and then expand it to introduce additional book triggers into your day-to-day life.

For example, associate reading with specific meal times, before going to bed, or even during your lunch break.

This will also help you make use of lost time, as Yeonsil K. from Home Spritz adds.

He says: “I read during my lunchtime every day and it has become a habit for me to do this for the last number of years. Every lunch hour, I reach for my food, as well as my book.”

Just find your perfect way of incorporating cozy rituals into your reading routine. John Harris, a Content Writer for The Small Business Blog proposes.

8. Pair Reading With Pleasure, Not Pressure

Literacy is such a gift, one we all too often take for granted, Chrissy Bernal, a PR at Be a Better Brand adds.

‘I HAVE to read this book for school…’ ‘This document HAS to be read by tonight…’ Granted, there is the Business Side to reading, but we should never lose sight of the fact there is also a pleasant side.

The solution is to do reading joyfully by pairing it with activities you like, such as sipping a cup of coffee in the morning sunshine.

Pick an activity that you already do and pair it with reading. Therefore, when you add reading to it, it doesn’t feel like you’re taking additional time out of your schedule, Margaret Wang, Therapist at Thrive and Feel says.

9. Reward Yourself

Tom Greenspan, the CEO of VS Mattress advises you to adopt a rewarding system: Set aside enough time to relax and reward yourself for achieving daily reading goals until reading itself becomes a rewarding habit.

People often underestimate how powerful positive reinforcement can be in shaping habits.

For example, after finishing a chapter each night, reward yourself by watching an episode from your favorite show or indulging in a snack you enjoy, Rhys Charles, CEO of LawnMowers and Tractors explains.

10. Place Books Around The House

As author, crafter, and photographer Laura Radniecki recommends, the key to being a reader is to make books accessible.

Have the books placed out on the kitchen table or on your nightstand – wherever you’ll see them.

This can be also applied to children. Patti Wood, an expert in nonverbal communication, says parents can put books in placement that may communicate honor and respect for the books, such as organized placement on shelves and placement that indicates easy accessibility like low-level coffee tables, low-level side tables, and low-level bookshelves for children.

11. Use Technology In Your Favor

Derek Vitiello, creator of the Know Nothing Nomads platform, suggests a life-changing tip:

Replace a frequently used app on your phone, like Instagram, with a reading app like Kindle.

The familiar location triggers your instinct to tap, turning a moment of distraction into an opportunity for learning.

In addition, Caroline Reidy, Managing Director of The HR Suite, suggests you start adjusting your online habits.

For instance, start by setting screen locks on social media apps. Once you reach this limit, every time you reach for your phone instead choose a book.

However, Certified Therapist Andreah Evans from Learning Differentiated points out my personal favorite: Audiobooks.

She says: “Audiobooks are a great resource for children who are intimidated by books or have learning differences. The key is to have them listen to an audiobook while following along with the text.”

This magically works for grown-ups who love depending on their hearing sense!

Audiobook listeners will hear the text being read fluently, with expression, and can savor the cadence of language as they listen, Seema Tejura, Founder of The Literacy Architects mentions.

As Muhammad Usman, Founder, and CEO of Calculatorhomes.com notes, incorporating technology can also help make reading more accessible and engaging.

In addition to audiobooks and limiting screen time, using gamification techniques, such as reading challenges and rewards, can help make reading more fun and interactive.

12. Find A Reading Partner to Make It More Engaging

A great way to stay consistent with reading is by having an accountability partner.

You and your book buddy can pick a book each month, then meet online or in person for a friendly chat. Discussing the twists, turns, and golden nuggets of the book, Tyler Lowe from LovingLifeCo points out.

However, if time has passed and you still do not feel thrilled by the book, do not hesitate from abandoning it.

As Sanam Ghaneeian, co-founder of Blosm Brands puts it into words: “I used to abandon a book if I’m not engaged by at least 10% the way through”.

13. Socialize Reading By Joining Reading Communities

Depending on your personality, it can be beneficial to socialize the habit of reading.

Join reading challenges or book clubs!

Participating in these activities fosters a sense of community and provides opportunities for discussions and recommendations, Josh Petrawski, CEO of Sports & Fitness Exchange cites.

PART 2 – Reading For Children

Daily reading improves our ability to read quickly, generate fresh ideas, expand our vocabulary, improve our writing, and foster empathy for others.

Here is another set of tips in case you want to encourage a child to read.

1. Be A Role Model

For young readers, it is important to model reading to the child.

If young children see adults reading for pleasure, they will more likely choose to read a book for themselves, Director of Instruction at The Highlands School Janice Lloyd mentions.

Ally Bush, marketing and communications associate at Reading Partners, also says teachers can play a vital role in the process

Teachers can model good reading habits. Make sure your young readers not only see you read every day but also talk about reading and engage in conversations about it.

2. Make It A Family Activity

Jennifer Johnson, Founder of HugATeen, suggests a seamless way to make reading a family activity, which is discussing books at the dinner table or during drives to stimulate interest.

She also advises you to be patient: Remember that fostering a reading habit doesn’t happen overnight. It requires patience, encouragement, and consistency.

If children are younger, Tiffany, Owner of Sugar Cookie Books publishing imprints suggests you read before their naps and before their bedtimes.

3. Fit Reading Into Their Lifestyle

Every kid has something they are passionate about whether it’s sports, video games, or a particular tv show, Eric Kim, Co-owner of LA Tutors notes.

Relate reading to what they have already included in their lifestyles: this can be through an article in a sports magazine, an online tutorial about how to beat a particular video game level, or a review of a previously watched show.

Help children see the relevance of books to their own lives. Explore books that touch on their hobbies, interests, or upcoming experiences. For example, if they’re going on a vacation, read books related to the destination, as Sohaib Hasan, founder of OhMyClassroom, recommends.

If the child is younger, Teacher at Moving Little Minds Melissa McCall advises you to follow the same approach but with different steps.

Perhaps your child can sit at the kitchen table and read to you while you are preparing dinner. Bring a book and encourage your child to read in the car.

4. Hook Their Interest

Author Bracha Goetz mentions that it takes about 400 repetitions to form new synapses in the brain that create new habit patterns.

But if done playfully and joyfully, it takes only 10-20 repetitions to form these improved circuits, according to research by Dr. Karyn Purvis.

That is why it is important for interest to take place in forming a reading habit.

Encouragement also is a huge factor. Jim Wambach, executive director of Children Rising adds that encouraging students to explore different genres, authors, and topics can expand their horizons and keep their reading habits alive and thriving.