Remember the last time you got completely lost in a book? That moment when the world around you fades, and all that matters is what’s waiting on the next page. It’s one of life’s greatest pleasures – yet sometimes, even for seasoned readers, it can feel like an uphill struggle.

Distractions, endless to-do lists, the siren call of screens – and that ever-growing to-be-read pile – can make it hard to know where to turn. But reconnecting with reading doesn’t need to feel like a challenge.

Whether you’re longing for the joy of uninterrupted reading time or looking to shake up your routine, these tips will help reignite your love for books. From smart ways to fit them into a busy schedule to inspiration for your next great read, here’s how to make 2026 your best reading year yet – one page at a time.

Start small

The idea of diving into a 500-page tome can be daunting to even the most devoted reader. When trying to build a new habit, there’s no shame in aiming low, rather than high. Start with just five or 10 minutes a day and build from there. A novella, a short story collection, or even a work of poetry can be the perfect way to build your stamina for something a little more ambitious.

The key is to make your reading goal manageable, but also consistent. Short daily reading sessions can gradually turn into longer, more immersive moments. You might find yourself naturally reaching for your book more often and, before you know it, you’ll be carving out extra time to indulge in a new novel or two. 

Always carry a book, and make books compete for your time 

The Booker Prize 2025 judges learned a thing or two this year about how to squeeze more reading into already busy lives. Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀’s tip is to always carry a book or e-reader and to make use of every spare moment to read a few pages: ‘Those small chunks of reading time really do add up and within a few weeks, you’d be surprised by how many books you are able to finish.’ 

Sarah Jessica Parker agrees about making use of every spare moment, including the time between calls and appointments: ‘The perfunctory tasks we do every day always present windows. I take full advantage of them and I never leave home without a book.’ Kiley Reid suggests reading more than one book at a time: ‘I like to make books compete against one another. My feelings for them become clear very quickly this way.’

Find your perfect match

Reading for pleasure is all about finding the perfect book, genre or author for you. Yet regardless of status, not every book will capture your imagination. Thankfully, there are plenty of options for every type of reader – whether you’re a fan of blood-soaked crime novels, post-apocalyptic fiction, steamy romances, or even the classics, there’s a book for everyone in the Booker Library.

Martin MacInnes, longlisted for the Booker Prize 2023 for In Ascension, is an advocate for genre fiction, particularly sci-fi: ‘An SF novel can be as high-brow as any other genre, can have strong characters and be filled with beautiful writing,’ he says. 

The key is finding what excites you as a reader: maybe it’s a gripping mystery for the darker nights, thought-provoking non-fiction for your commute, or the perfect page-turner for those quieter moments. When you find the right book, reading will become a pleasure, not a chore. 

Turn reading into a ritual

Hey, we all love a good ritual, don’t we? Whether it’s your morning coffee routine or your evening skincare regime, these moments give life a comforting rhythm. Reading can be the same. Maybe you’re an early bird, thumbing pages in the quiet calm of morning. Or perhaps you’re more of a night owl, unwinding with a cup of tea and a good book before bed.

Nitin Sawhney, Booker Prize 2024 judge, advocates for finding a time of day that suits you to make reading part of your routine. ‘I find that, as much as possible, adhering to a schedule of reading is the best way to work through so many books’.

So why not add some mood lighting and transform reading into an act of self-care – it’ll feel less like a task and more of an indulgence.

Give yourself permission, and consider calendaring it 

Do you ever feel guilty about taking time out of your day to read? Booker Prize 2025 shortlisted author Susan Choi’s top tip for finding time to read more is to put it in your calendar.

Inking reading time into your diary can feel like you finally have permission to immerse yourself in a book. Choi says, ‘I decide in advance, this afternoon between three and five, I’m just going to read. I calendar it.’

Find a reading buddy or join a book club

Reading doesn’t have to be a solo endeavour. Finding a reading buddy to share the experience with can help you stay motivated – you can swap recommendations, discuss the latest twist, or simply cheer each other on.

Author Sarah Bernstein, who was shortlisted the Booker Prize 2023 for Study for Obedience, practices this with her nearest and dearest. ‘I’ve not stopped thinking, talking, preaching about The Bee Sting. Several hours’ worth of voice notes have been sent around to my friends’. 

If you’d prefer a larger group to motivate you, joining a book group or club is the perfect way to meet like-minded book lovers. From the joys of shared reading to how to read like a Booker Prize judge, via some excellent reading recommendations, discover our collection of articles about and for book clubs.

Whether you’re joining in with lively debates or simply enjoying the camaraderie, a book club can keep you inspired and offer new perspectives on what you are reading.

Mix it up with different formats

Books, glorious books. We love them, in all shapes and sizes. But while a dog-eared paperback offers a comforting weight and timeless charm, why not experiment with format to see what fits your lifestyle? Ebooks are ideal for holidays, allowing you to carry an entire library in your hand luggage. Audiobooks are perfect for a hands-free commute or multitasking during chores. 

‘I, like everyone else, often read in the morning before getting up, then at breakfast and lunch, when alone, and on train rides. I listen to audiobooks while driving, and, if not too tired, I read at night in bed,’ says Jenny Erpenbeck, winner of the International Booker Prize 2024 for Kairos.

Sarah Timmer Harvey, longlisted for the International Booker Prize 2024 for What I’d Rather Not Think About, takes a similar approach. ‘I alternate between regular books and audiobooks, so I can “read” even when I’m cooking or driving’. 

So, if you’ve never tried switching formats, give it a shot. Listening to a novel or reading on a tablet might open new possibilities. Variety is the spice of life, after all!

Create a distraction-free zone

Let’s face it: in today’s busy, high-demand world, it’s often hard to focus on reading. Your email is pinging, your phone is buzzing, and your mind is racing through to-do lists. To truly concentrate on that great story, try silencing notifications or even putting your phone in another room.

‘I have always advocated for slow and steady reading,’ says Yiyun Li, Booker Prize 2024 judge. ‘I don’t suppose we live in a busier time than people in the past, but we live in a time with many more distractions. I always tell my students that instead of getting online or looking at their phone first thing in the morning, they can spend 15 to 20 minutes reading a chapter of War and Peace. If they do that, by the end of a 12-week semester, they can finish reading the entire book.’

Why not designate an area as a distraction-free zone for reading – and treat it as sacred. Whether it’s a quiet corner of your home or your favourite coffee shop, you’ll be surprised how many pages you can turn when interruptions are kept at bay.

Track progress, celebrate wins

Tracking your reading is a great way to make it stick. A simple reading diary can do the trick – note what you’ve read and when, along with detail on what you loved or found thought-provoking.

Setting goals is another useful tool. Maybe you want to read one book a month, try a new genre, or finally tackle that classic that’s been side-eyeing you from your TBR pile for far too long. Whatever your target, make it realistic and rewarding. 

Try something new

We all get stuck in a rut sometimes. Shake things up by picking up a genre you’ve never explored or by trying an author outside your wheelhouse. Take a chance on a book in translation or dive into an experimental narrative that breaks the mould.

Annie McDermott, longlisted for the International Booker Prize 2024 for Not a River, told us that ‘since having a baby two years ago, I’ve particularly loved reading graphic novels,’ adding that ‘when you don’t have much energy or the ability to focus on a lot of text, it’s wonderful how a good comic can draw you in’.

For fresh inspiration, why not explore our ‘where to start’ guides featuring Booker Prize-nominated authors, old and new. From Elena Ferrante to Margaret Atwood, Doris Lessing to Kazuo Ishiguro, your next favourite book might be waiting for you in an unexpected corner.

This article was first published in January 2025. It was updated in December 2025 to include a few extra tips for 2026.