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Quick answer: To read more with a full-time job, build a small daily habit of 15 to 30 minutes, use pockets of time like commutes and lunch breaks, keep a book or e-reader with you, add audiobooks for chores and travel, and set realistic goals. Reading 20 minutes a day adds up to roughly 20 books a year.
Quick facts
20 minutes a day is about 20 books a year
Use commutes, lunch and waiting times
Audiobooks turn chores into reading time
Keep a book where you will see it
Set a flexible goal, not a punishing one
Work, family and chores leave little time for reading, but many busy people still manage. The secret is small habits and smart use of time. Here are strategies that fit around a full-time job.
Table of Contents
Find Your Pockets of Time
Look at your day for gaps: the commute, lunch break, waiting rooms, school pick-ups or time before bed. Even ten minutes here and there adds up. Track your time for a few days to see where reading could fit. Most people find at least 30 minutes.
Build a Daily Habit
Attach reading to an existing routine, such as after dinner or with morning coffee. Aim for 15 to 20 minutes and keep the bar low. A habit is easier to maintain than a big goal. Use a visible cue, like leaving a book on your pillow. Our guide on pages per day can help set a target.
Use Audiobooks
Audiobooks let you read while commuting, cooking, exercising or cleaning. Libraries offer free audiobooks on Libby, and services like Audible offer more. Speed up the narration slightly if you like. Many busy readers get half or more of their books through audio.
Keep Books With You
Carry a paperback or an e-reader such as the Kindle Paperwhite, or use a reading app on your phone. Having a book handy makes it easy to read in spare moments. Replace some social media scrolling with reading. Some readers keep books in the car, at the office and by the sofa.
Choose Books That Fit Your Life
When you are busy, pick books that are engaging and easy to read. Short chapters, novellas, essays and page-turners make it easier to start and stop. Save dense books for vacations or slower periods. If a book is not working, drop it.
Set Realistic Goals
Rather than aiming for 100 books, choose a number that fits, such as one book a month. Use a reading challenge on Goodreads or StoryGraph, or a bingo card. Don’t feel guilty if you miss a week. Track progress in a journal for motivation.
Protect Your Reading Time
Treat reading like an appointment. Tell family or roommates that you need 20 minutes. Put your phone in another room. Create a comfortable spot with a lamp and a chair. Some people join a book club for accountability or read with a partner.
Make Reading Social
Share what you read with colleagues, join a workplace book club or discuss books with friends. Social motivation keeps the habit alive. Online communities, from Goodreads to local library groups, offer encouragement.
Sample Weekly Schedule for a Busy Reader
Monday to Friday: 15 minutes before work or on the commute, 15 minutes at lunch and 20 minutes before bed. That is 50 minutes a day, or over four hours a week. Saturday: a longer session of an hour with coffee. Sunday: listen to an audiobook while cooking or walking. This plan adds up to roughly six to seven hours a week, enough for a 300-page book every week or two. Adjust to your own rhythm.
When Life Gets Too Busy
Some seasons are too hectic for much reading. Instead of giving up, scale down: read one page a day, listen to short stories or read a poem. Keep the habit alive so it is easy to restart. When life calms down, you can return to your normal routine. Reading is a lifelong pleasure, not a race, and a few pages still count.
Reading Habits That Survive Busy Weeks
The best habits are tiny and automatic. Leave a book on your desk, charge your e-reader at night, load audiobooks before leaving home. Pair reading with an existing routine such as waiting for coffee. Choose a small daily target and celebrate streaks. When you inevitably miss a day, return the next day without guilt.
Make a Reading Plan for the Year
Pick a total target, such as 24 books, and divide by month. Choose a mix of lengths and formats. Put holds on library books early so they arrive in time. Leave room for surprises and reading what you feel like. Review your list quarterly and adjust. A flexible plan is easier to keep than a rigid one.
One-Week Reading Challenge
For the next week, read for 15 minutes at the same time each day and track it on a calendar. Add one audiobook session during a chore. At the end of the week, count the pages or minutes and notice how you feel. Many people are surprised by how much they can read when they start small.
Related: how many pages you should read a day and how to get out of a reading slump.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I read more with a full-time job?
Use small pockets of time, build a daily habit and add audiobooks.
How many books can I read at 20 minutes a day?
Roughly 20 books a year.
Are audiobooks good for busy people?
Yes, they turn commutes and chores into reading time.
What if I don’t have time to read?
Start with five minutes a day and build up.
Should I set a reading goal?
A flexible goal helps, but avoid pressure.