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Quick answer: The best time of day to read is whenever you can do it consistently. That said, mornings are great for focused, challenging reading like nonfiction, while evenings are ideal for relaxing fiction. If you read in bed, a printed book or an e-ink reader is a better choice than a bright phone or tablet.
Quick facts
Morning: best for focus and learning-heavy books
Lunch or commute: great for audiobooks and short sessions
Evening: best for relaxation and fiction
Before bed: choose print or e-ink over backlit screens
There’s no single perfect reading hour that works for everyone. Your energy levels, schedule and reading goals all matter. A night owl with a quiet house after 10 p.m. will have a very different ideal time than a parent whose only free moment is a 6 a.m. coffee. The key is to match the type of book to the time of day and to protect that time like any other appointment.
Table of Contents
Reading in the Morning
Pros
- Fresh focus: Many people find it easier to concentrate early, before the day’s demands pile up.
- Fewer interruptions: Early hours are often the quietest in a busy household.
- A calm start: Reading instead of scrolling can set a more thoughtful tone for the day.
Best for
Nonfiction, self-improvement books, classics and anything that requires concentration.
Reading During the Day
Lunch breaks, commutes and waiting rooms add up. Ten minutes here and there can add up to a book every few weeks. Audiobooks and ebooks on your phone are perfect for these moments.
Best for
Audiobooks, short stories, essays and easy-to-pick-up novels.
Reading in the Evening and Before Bed
Pros
- Relaxation: Reading can help you unwind and shift away from work stress.
- A healthier wind-down: A book can replace late-night scrolling, which tends to keep the mind active.
- Immersion: Evenings often allow longer, uninterrupted sessions.
What About Screens?
A 2015 study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, led by Anne-Marie Chang, found that people who read on a light-emitting tablet before bed took longer to fall asleep and had less melatonin than when they read printed books. E-ink readers without bright backlighting behave more like paper. If you read on a device at night, use a warm light setting and lower brightness.
Best for
Fiction, comforting rereads and lighter books that won’t keep your brain racing.
How to Find Your Best Reading Time
- Notice your energy. Read challenging books when you’re most alert.
- Attach reading to an existing habit. Pair it with morning coffee, lunch or brushing your teeth at night.
- Start small. Ten minutes a day is enough to build the habit.
- Keep a book within reach. A book on the nightstand or in your bag makes reading the easy choice.
- Use a reading light. A warm clip-on book light lets you read in bed without disturbing a partner.
- Try an e-ink reader. The Kindle Paperwhite has an adjustable warm light that’s easier on the eyes at night.
Related: how many pages should you read a day and is it okay to read multiple books at once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to read in the morning or at night?
Both work. Morning is better for focused, challenging reading, while night is better for relaxing with fiction. The best time is the one you can stick to.
Is reading before bed good for sleep?
Reading a printed book or an e-ink reader before bed can be a relaxing wind-down routine. Bright backlit screens may delay sleep, so lower the brightness or choose print.
How long should I read each day?
Even 10 to 20 minutes a day is enough to build a strong habit and finish many books over a year.