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Quick answer: To start reading books, choose a short, enjoyable book on a topic you already like, read for 15 to 20 minutes at the same time every day and give yourself permission to quit any book that is not working. Library cards, audiobooks and a simple habit tracker make the first month easier.
Quick facts
Start with 15–20 minutes a day, not a heavy goal
Choose short books (150–300 pages) with fast pacing at first
Use a free library card for print, e-books and audiobooks
Quit a book after 50 pages if it is not working
A reading habit usually takes about a month to feel natural
Starting to read books as an adult can feel harder than it should. Maybe you loved reading as a kid and drifted away, maybe school made books feel like homework, or maybe your phone has eaten the quiet minutes where reading used to fit. The good news is that reading is a skill and a habit, and both come back quickly with small, steady practice. You do not need to read the classics, finish a hundred books a year or like what other people like. You only need a book you want to open and a daily slot where you can. This guide walks through exactly how to begin, from choosing a first book and building a routine to dealing with distraction and tracking your progress.
Table of Contents
Step One: Decide Why You Want to Read
Your reason shapes everything. Some people want to relax, others want to learn, escape stress or simply keep up with friends who read. Write one sentence about what you hope to get from reading, such as ‘I want to unwind before bed’ or ‘I want to understand history better.’ That sentence guides what you pick and how much pressure you put on yourself. If your reason is to relax, choose comforting fiction. If it is to learn, pick narrative nonfiction with a story. If it is to feel more focused, start with short sessions and a quiet space. Without a reason, reading can feel like a chore, and chores are easy to skip.
Step Two: Pick an Easy First Book
Your first book should be short, fast and interesting enough that you want to keep going. Aim for 150 to 300 pages, short chapters and a plot or topic that matches your tastes. Thrillers, light mysteries, memoirs, funny essays and young adult novels are all good choices, and there is no shame in any of them. Good first books include The Hunger Games, The Martian, Born a Crime and Of Mice and Men. Avoid starting with a famous 800-page classic because you feel you should. A first book is about momentum, and you can read the big ones later.
Step Three: Make Reading Easy to Do
Habits form when the action is easy and obvious. Keep your book where you will see it, such as on your pillow, next to the couch or in your bag. Put your phone in another room or switch it to do-not-disturb during your reading time. Choose a consistent slot: ten minutes after breakfast, fifteen at lunch, twenty before bed. Attach it to something you already do, like pouring coffee or brushing your teeth. A book light or a comfortable chair can help, and a Kindle Paperwhite makes reading in bed simple. Start with 15 minutes and add time only when it feels natural.
Step Four: Use Libraries, E-Books and Audiobooks
You do not need to spend money. A free library card gives you access to print books, e-books and audiobooks, often through apps like Libby and Hoopla. Borrowing lowers the stakes, because you can return a book that does not click. Audiobooks are real reading, and they are perfect for commutes, chores and walks. Many people who struggle to sit still find that listening while doing something simple helps them finish books. Try pairing an audiobook with a print copy and switch between them. Library staff are also happy to recommend books if you describe what you liked in a movie or show.
Step Five: Give Yourself Permission to Quit
One of the biggest myths is that you must finish every book. Life is too short for books that bore you. A common rule is to give a book 50 pages, or about 10 percent, and stop if you are not curious. Quitting is not failing; it is finding the right book. Many new readers abandon the habit because they got stuck on one slow book and decided they were not readers. Keep a short list of backup titles so you can switch immediately. If you find yourself abandoning several books in a row, try a different format, such as an audiobook or a graphic novel, or a different genre.
How to Handle Distraction and Slow Reading
If your mind wanders, you are normal. Attention is a muscle that weakens when we scroll constantly. Start with a short timer, even ten minutes, and gradually extend it. Read in a quiet place, silence notifications and keep a pencil nearby to note any stray thoughts so you can return to the page. If you read slowly, that is fine; speed matters less than enjoyment. Reading aloud softly, using your finger or a bookmark and choosing books with short paragraphs can help. If you suspect you have dyslexia or another reading difficulty, ask your doctor or a specialist, and consider audiobooks and large-print editions.
Tracking Your Progress Without Pressure
Tracking can motivate, but it can also stress. A simple notebook or reading journal with the title, date and one line about how the book felt is enough. Apps like Goodreads or StoryGraph let you set a goal, but be realistic. Reading ten books in a year is a fine start, and twenty is wonderful. Celebrate finishing, and notice how your attention and mood change. After a month, look back and ask what you enjoyed. That information will guide your next picks and show you that the habit is working.
Sample Plan for Your First 30 Days
Week one: choose a short, fun book and read ten minutes a day. Week two: increase to fifteen minutes and try one audiobook during a chore. Week three: finish your first book and write a one-line review. Week four: choose a second book from a different genre or from a friend’s recommendation, and aim for twenty minutes. By the end of the month you will have a routine, a finished book and a better sense of your taste. Repeat the cycle, and you will find that you are reading regularly without forcing it.
Which Genres Are Easiest to Start With
Some genres are naturally easier to fall into. Thrillers and mysteries have short chapters and cliffhangers that pull you along. Romance and contemporary fiction focus on feelings and relationships and are quick to read. Memoirs and narrative nonfiction read like stories and often come with funny or surprising details. Young adult novels have clear prose and fast plots, and many adults love them. Graphic novels offer pictures to support the text, and they are a legitimate way to read. Science fiction and fantasy are wonderful, but their invented worlds can slow a beginner, so start with a gentle one. Try three genres in your first three books and see which feels like candy.
A Starter List by Mood
If you want to laugh, try Where’d You Go, Bernadette or Born a Crime. If you want a page-turner, try The Girl on the Train or Gone Girl. If you want something heartwarming, try A Man Called Ove or The Rosie Project. If you want to feel inspired, try Educated or Atomic Habits. If you want to escape, try Project Hail Mary or The Hobbit. Pick one, borrow it from the library and begin tonight.
What to Do When Reading Feels Boring
Almost every reader hits a dull patch. If a book drags, skim ahead a chapter to see if it improves, or switch to the audiobook version. If your whole reading life feels flat, change something: a new genre, a short story collection, a reread of a childhood favorite or a book recommended by someone you trust. Reading with a friend or in a book club adds fun. Some people find that reading in a different place, such as a park or cafe, refreshes the habit. Remember that boredom is feedback. It tells you what you do not like, which brings you closer to what you do.
Fitting Reading Into a Busy Day
If your schedule is packed, look for pockets of time. Ten minutes in a waiting room, fifteen on a train, a few pages while the kettle boils and twenty before sleep add up to over an hour a day. Keep a book on your phone or e-reader so it is always with you. Replace a portion of social media time with reading, even just one scroll session a day. Audiobooks turn commutes and chores into reading. If you share a home, create a quiet corner or agree on a reading hour. The goal is not a perfect schedule but a habit that fits your real life.
Common Mistakes New Readers Make
The first mistake is choosing a book because it is famous instead of because it excites you. The second is setting an unrealistic goal, such as a book a week, which quickly feels like pressure. The third is finishing every book out of guilt. The fourth is reading only when you feel motivated, instead of attaching it to a routine. The fifth is comparing yourself with people who read a hundred books a year. Read at your own pace, enjoy what you pick and remember that every page counts. The habit grows through pleasure, not discipline alone.
Setting Up a Reading Space That Invites You
A small change in your environment can make reading feel inviting. Choose one chair, corner of the sofa or spot in bed that is comfortable and has good light. A lamp with warm light, a throw blanket and a side table for tea create a ritual. Keep the current book on the table, so picking it up takes no effort. If you read on a device, use a dedicated e-reader or turn on a reading mode to avoid notifications. Some people like background music without lyrics, others prefer silence. The point is to make the starting line short, because once you have read ten pages the book usually takes over.
Reading Goals and Challenges That Actually Help
Goals can motivate or discourage, depending on how you set them. A good first goal is a small, steady one: read ten minutes every day for two weeks. After that, aim for one book a month. Reading challenges, such as picking a book from a different genre each month, can add variety, and apps like StoryGraph and Goodreads let you track them. Avoid goals based on page counts or comparisons with others. If you miss a day, simply start again the next day. A reading habit is flexible, and flexible habits last.
Related: How to Start a Reading Journal and The Bell Jar Book Club Discussion Questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many pages should a beginner read per day?
Ten to twenty pages, or 15 to 20 minutes, is a good start. Consistency matters more than quantity.
What should I read if I haven’t read in years?
Pick something short and fun, such as a thriller, a memoir or a young adult novel, and read what you enjoy rather than what you think you should.
Are audiobooks real reading?
Yes. Research shows comprehension is similar for listening and reading for most books, and audiobooks are a great way to build the habit.
How long does it take to build a reading habit?
Most people feel it settle in after about four weeks of reading most days, though it varies.
What if I can’t focus on books?
Start with shorter sessions, remove your phone from the room and choose faster-paced books. Focus improves with practice.
What kind of books are easiest for beginners?
Short, fast-paced books such as thrillers, memoirs, contemporary fiction and young adult novels.
Is it okay to read the same genre forever?
Yes. Enjoyment matters most, though trying other genres can be fun.