Remember the last time you really lost yourself in a book? Not skimming a page while scrolling your phone, but genuinely sinking into a story, a character’s voice, or a new idea? For a lot of us, that feels like a long‑lost luxury. With endless notifications, streaming binges, and life getting busier by the day, reading for pleasure can easily slip down the priority list.

But here’s some good news: it doesn’t have to stay that way. In fact, with just a few shifts in mindset and a sprinkle of playful curiosity, you can rediscover the joy of reading — and even make it fun again.

Why Reading for Pleasure Matters

First, let’s remind ourselves why books are worth our time. Leisure reading isn’t just a hobby for “bookish” people. It gives your brain a workout, helps you see the world through different lenses, and even lowers stress. People who read fiction, for example, often find their ability to empathize with others gets a little boost. And adult life can get pretty serious, so a bit of empathy and imagination can go a long way.

Books engage us in ways that social media and short videos just can’t. They invite you to pause, immerse, reflect, and laugh… sometimes all in one chapter. Sure, articles and TikToks are entertaining, but they rarely transport you somewhere new in the way a great story can.

The Rut Is Real, But You’re Not Alone

You’re not weird if you’ve fallen out of the reading habit. Tons of people do, especially during big life changes like starting a job, having kids, or moving house. Push notifications and endless digital distractions take up little pockets of time that might once have been filled with books, and before you know it, reading for fun has become reading for work or school… and that’s just not the same thing.

And sometimes the problem isn’t a lack of time, it’s that we try to read books that don’t actually grip us. Remember: reading for fun should feel fun. If a book isn’t sparking joy, enthusiasm, or curiosity, it’s perfectly okay to put it down and try something else. You’re not failing, you’re just choosing what fits your vibe.

Start Small and Sweet

Trying to dive straight into a 700‑page classic after months without leisure reading is like going from zero to marathon in a day. Maybe instead, try shorter books or collections of short stories, satisfying reads that give you a sense of progress and completion without the overwhelm. A quick novel can feel like finishing a favorite TV episode: rewarding, refreshing, and mood‑lifting.

Alternatively, you can try reading in five-minute bursts. Set a timer and just read for five minutes, anywhere, anytime. Before you know it, your brain will start associating reading with pleasure rather than effort.

Another top tip is to make sure you’ve got books around. Not just on your shelf, but within reach. On the coffee table, your vanity, in your bag. Then, when you’re bored, you might choose to pick it up rather than doomscroll.

Choose What You Actually Want to Read

One of the biggest mistakes people make is reading what they think they should, rather than what genuinely excites them. If romance novels make you smile, read romance. Thrillers keep you up at night? Bring on the tension. History, fantasy, essays, memoirs… there’s no shame in enjoying what you enjoy. You’re not being judged for your reading choices; you’re building a habit you like.

If you’re not sure what you like anymore, try visiting a library or bookstore and opening up a few different books. Read the first page or two of each. See what grabs you. It’s kind of like speed dating for books: delightful and without commitment.

Make Reading Social (Yes, Really!)

Reading doesn’t have to be a solitary activity. Book clubs, even tiny ones with one friend, give you something to look forward to. You can swap recommendations, geek out over plot twists, and share that “I finished it!” excitement. There are even walking book clubs where everyone listens to audiobooks and then chats about them!

Talking about what you’re reading helps reinforce the pleasure you get from a book. Hearing someone else gush about a character or moment reminds you why you picked up that book in the first place.

Let Go of “Finishing” as a Rule

Here’s a liberating little secret: you don’t have to finish every book you start. If something isn’t clicking with you by the 30‑page mark, it’s absolutely fine to set it aside. DNFing isn’t illegal.

Books are like clothes: some fit, and some don’t. And you wouldn’t keep wearing something uncomfortable just because it was expensive or someone else recommended it, right? Same principle.