Need a few tips to build a reading life? I’ve experienced seasons where I longed to have more time to read, but I struggled to actually make it happen. I had a stack of books that stared at me from my bedside table. I had good intentions and even lots of excitement, but the reality was that reading time kept getting pushed aside.
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. And, you’re not doing anything wrong. Building a reading life isn’t about finding more time or more discipline. It’s about adapting small, simple rhythms that help you to shape a reading life over time.
So instead of giving you one more list of books, I want to walk you through what actually helps reading stick. This includes some of my favorite resources you can explore along the way.
*I use affiliate links to share products with you. If you use the link to make a purchase, the cost of the book doesn’t go up for you. However, I will receive a commission and I do appreciate your support.
Tip 1: Start Small (Even When You’re Busy)
This is where most of us get stuck because we think we need long stretches of time to read. Then, when we don’t have them, we don’t start at all. Even now, after feeling like I have a good “reading routine,” I still read in small chunks of time. Because, let’s face it, that’s what I’ve got as a mom of two crazy littles!
The key is to be consistent. Reading for ten minutes two or three times throughout the day can allow you to make some major headway through a book.
Start here:
These will help you find a rhythm that fits into your real life, not an ideal one.
Tip 2: Know What’s Worth Reading
Once you do find the time, the next question is: “What should I actually read?”
Having the right books makes all the difference because the right book pulls you in, and it makes you want to come back.
If you find yourself reading something you don’t enjoy, then STOP READING IT! Pick a different book because life is too short to read something you just don’t like.
Here are a few places to start:
- 50 Timeless Award-Winning Books
- Book Club Books Worth Talking About
- The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion
- 10 Quick Reads for Busy Moms
If you’re reading with your kids (or want to):
- Wish by Barbara O’Connor
- A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus
- The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
- Graphic Novel Adaptations of Classic Books
You don’t need to read all the books. You just need the right one for this season.
Tip 3: Make Reading Part of Your Real Life
Reading becomes easier (and more meaningful) when it’s not something you’re doing alone. Having some accountability, or someone to share what you love (or don’t love) while you read, really helps to make the practice stick.
You might try:
- Engaging Themes for Your Book Club
- How to Host a Book Swap Party
- Why a Book Club for Moms Is More Powerful Than Reading Alone
- A Book Club for Moms Who Are Longing for Beauty, Connection, and Meaning
If you are interested in easily starting a book club with your friends, I’d love to invite you to join The Literary Moms’ Book Club: an online membership that makes in-person book clubs easy. We offer all the resources you need for you to read with your friends, including what book to read, discussion questions, and other bonuses like author interviews! Come and read with us!
Reading doesn’t have to be one more thing on your to-do list. It can be an opportunity for connection, thoughtful conversation, and something you look forward to.
Tip 4: Bring Your Kids Into It
If you’re a mom, you likely have a desire for your kids to grow a love for reading. One of the best ways to do this is for your child to see you read, and to also experience stories right alongside you. I would encourage you to read aloud to your children through middle school!
Reading aloud will create a beautiful bond between your family, help to model the value of taking time to read, demonstrate good reading fluency, and help to improve their comprehension.
A few simple ways to make reading come alive:
These are the kinds of things that turn reading into something your kids ask for again and again.
One Final Note: Top Tips to Build a Reading Life
Please know that you don’t need to do all of these top tips to build a reading life. In fact, if you do it all, you will probably feel overwhelmed. Reading isn’t about creating a perfect routine. It’s about creating a consistent habit.
I hope these articles help you to find a place to begin, even if it’s helping you to choose one book, giving you an idea of how to set aside ten minutes tonight, or how to invite a friend to read alongside you.
You won’t build a reading routine all at once, but by working on it a little bit at a time, you’ll be surprised at how you can build something that fits your life.
