It can be hard to make time for reading for pleasure, especially if you’re busy. It can be so easy to choose Netflix at the end of a long day – or maybe you tend to scroll on your phone instead of getting into a good book.
However, there are a few small ways to make time for reading in 2024. It’s all about prioritising the time you have – and finding small ways to bring reading back into your daily routine.
How to make time for reading for pleasure
There are lots of simple ways to fully appreciate reading for pleasure, including making the most of your reading time and getting involved in fun reading activities.
Let’s take a look at a few tips to make time for reading for pleasure – and my 20+ reading recommendations.
1. Make the most of your weekend
Make the most of your weekend or holiday time. Although it’s lovely to read before bed, for example, you may feel tired and your reading time is limited.
At the weekend, you can read for a good chunk of time. It gives you a chance to really get into your book – and reading becomes a fun activity that you look forward to at the end of the week.
If you’re a student, you might want to use your Summer holidays to catch up on your reading. Make reading into an activity. You could take yourself for a cosy coffee date or read outside when it’s sunny.
2. Don’t scroll – read
It’s so easy to scroll on your phone when you have a moment of downtime – but what if you read your book, instead?
Making time for reading for pleasure isn’t about adding more time to your day. It’s about using the time you already have. When you’d normally reach for your phone, try picking up a book.
You might be surprised how much of your book you can read while you’re waiting for the bus or enjoying your lunch break, for example.
Check out my blog post for more things to do instead of scrolling on your phone.
3. Join a book club
A book club is a great place to meet other readers. You can discuss what you’re reading and find a few new book recommendations, too.
If you don’t like book clubs, there are lots of other fun activities for readers and writers. Check out interesting newsletters about literature or attend a local author talk.
Engaging with other book lovers can motivate and inspire you to try out new novels – and it can give you a new perspective on the written word.
4. Visit your local library
Visiting your local library or bookshop is a great way to make time for reading for pleasure.
You can read your book in a cosy, peaceful place or browse the shelves for your next read. Just being around books and other readers can inspire you to get reading.
It’s so important to support your local library. These amazing institutions give us access to hundreds of books, all free of charge – so go out and spend a bit of time in a library today!
5. Take a book everywhere
Take a book everywhere! Author and professor Cal Newport calls this the ‘Rory Gilmore’ method. If you’re a fan of the show ‘Gilmore Girls’, you’ll know that Rory takes a book everywhere with her – and you should do the same.
Whether you’re going to the pub with your boyfriend or catching the train to London, take a book to read whenever you have a moment to yourself. It’s a great way to entertain yourself – and you can avoid screen time, too.
What should I read next?
If you’re just getting back into reading, you need to find fun and engaging novels that will keep you hooked from the first page.
You need books that help you escape real life, books that will inspire and surprise you – and maybe even make you think.
I’ve put together a list of 20+ easy-to-read books. From fast-paced thrillers to novels filled with beautiful prose, check out my list of reading recommendations.
- ‘Nine Perfect Strangers’ by Liane Moriarty
- ‘Fault Lines’ by Emily Itami
- ‘The Truants’ by Kate Weinburg
- ‘Idol’ by Louise O’Neill
- ‘The Girls’ by Emma Cline
- ‘Ghosts’ by Dolly Alderton – a modern dating story
- ‘Bonjour Tristesse’ by Francoise Sagan
- ‘Little Fires Everywhere’ by Celeste Ng
- ‘Sweetbitter’ by Stephanie Danler – an insight into restaurant life in New York
- ‘Keedie’ by Elle McNicoll
- ‘Such a Fun Age’ by Kiley Reid
- ‘Summer People’ by Julie Cohen – the perfect Summer read
- ‘Mrs Hemingway’ by Namoi Wood
- ‘The Bees’ by Laline Paull – a weird but wonderful dystopian tale
- ‘Summer Sisters’ by Judy Blume
- ‘Talking As Fast As I Can’ by Lauren Graham
- ‘New Boy’ by Tracy Chevalier
- ‘Free Love’ by Tessa Hadley
- ‘Happy Sexy Millionaire’ by Steven Bartlett – a great non-fiction read
- ‘Gone Girl’ by Gillian Flynn
- ‘Exciting Times’ by Naoise Dolan
Do you have any tips to make time for reading? Do you read for pleasure? Do you have any reading recommendations?
Let me know all your thoughts in the comments below 🙂
Happy reading x
Not-So-Modern Girl 
Fab tips, I never leave home without a book – some great recommendations here too.
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Thank you Sarah – that’s great 🙂
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Some wonderful recommendations there, I’ve read a lot of them. If you read a lot of books and have a blog, being a Netgalley reviewer is a great way to discover latest titles, free!
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Thank you! That’s a great tip – it might encourage people to read more, too 🙂
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This was a great post! I am trying to get my love back for reading and will definitely use these tips to help me.
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Thank you! Yes it can be tough sometimes with all the distractions we have, but reading is such a lovely way to spend your time 🙂 x
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You’re welcome :)!
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I love this post! It’s just what has been on my mind lately, especially as I just had a week off work and wanted to make the most of my reading time. I love your list of books! I’ve read quite a few of them. Emma Cline and Kiley Reid are especially great page turners. Something I have just this month decided to do is to ‘gift’ myself a ‘book budget’. I say I want to read more books, but then I end up spending time on other things. By making book buying a special treat, I’m hoping it will allow me to choose new books that I’m really desperate to read. Also, your title reminded me that there is a great podcast called ‘What should I read next?’!
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Thank you! I think a lot of them were recommendations from you haha – I tried to pick ones that are quick and easy to read 🙂 I love the idea of gifting yourself a book every so often. I think it will encourage you to buy books you actually want to read and you won’t have to wait for books to come into the library before you can read them. Ooh listening to book-ish podcasts is another great way to make time for reading for pleasure – that’s a great recommendation. Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment x
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I swapped scrolling for reading at bedtime and it’s honestly made the world of difference in terms of how quick I get through a book! Also, thank you for these book recommendations! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
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Oh that’s great Lucy! Thank you 🙂
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Love this! My favorite tip is READ NOT SCROLL. It’s so simple and yet it’s something most of us don’t do.. Good habit to get into.. I always have my backpack I need to start doing this!
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Thank you! Yes, it’s so simple but so hard sometimes haha, I think if you take a thin paperback it won’t even add much weight for you, too 🙂
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Great tips! I especially love the idea of a “cosy coffee date” on the weekends – what a perfect way to enjoy a good book. I also need to make a trip to my local library. Thanks for sharing your recommendations; Happy Sexy Millionaire sounds like a fun read!
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I love taking myself out for reading or writing time, thank you so much! Libraries are great spaces for finding books or just enjoying some reading time. It’s a great, thought-provoking read if you’re after non-fiction x
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Some excellent tips and recommendations here. Dolly Alderton writes some great stuff and your tip about not scrolling is spot on! Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you! 🙂
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I have fallen off the book reading wagon for some time now. This is a inspirational reminder for me to get back on. Your book recommendations seems interesting. I usually go for self-help books, but I will look into some of the ones you highlighted in this post.
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I have fallen off the book reading wagon for some time now. This is a inspirational reminder for me to get back on. Your book recommendations seems interesting. I usually go for self-help books, but I will look into some of the ones you highlighted in this post.
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Thank you Kevin! It’s easy to do – adult life can get busy. I recommend Happy Sexy Millionaire as a self-help book. It’s short and easy to read, with some great thoughts on work/life balance and success 🙂 thanks for reading and commenting
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I am currently making my way through The Stand by Stephen King, which is probably the biggest book I have ever read! It is great, and I always make time each day to read a little bit. Your tips for reading for pleasure are really great, and it reminded me to join a book club!
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That’s great Molly, I’ve not heard of that! I presume it’s scary haha? I’m glad you’ve managed to make time for reading everyday – that’s a good way to get through a lengthy book. Thank you so much 🙂
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A Great list! Have you tried a Celeste Ng book? Glad you included Liane Moriarty.
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Thank you! Yes, I loved Little Fires and Everything I Never Told You 🙂 they’ve got such a fast-paced feel too
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