I don’t think people talk enough about how uncomfortable it feels to get back into reading.
Like… you want to be a reader again. You miss it. You miss getting lost in a story, having a book in your bag, feeling like your brain is doing something other than scrolling.
But when you actually sit down to read?
It feels slow. Your attention drifts. Your phone buzzes. You reread the same paragraph three times. And suddenly you’re like… maybe I’m just not a reader anymore because why is this so hard.
That’s usually the point where people stop trying.
So if you’re here because you’re trying to figure out how to become a reader again, I just want to say this upfront: nothing is wrong with you. You’re just out of practice.
Reading isn’t something you either are or aren’t. It’s something you ease back into.
And it’s probably going to feel a little unnatural at first.
That’s okay.
It’s Not Going to Feel Natural at First
I think this is the part that throws people off the most.
We expect reading to feel the way it used to. Easy. Immersive. Effortless.
But if you haven’t been reading consistently, your brain has adjusted to faster forms of content. Social media, short videos, constant stimulation, all of that changes how you focus. You’re used to entertainment coming in the form of bright engaging colors and fast talking, and swiping until you find something engaging.
So when you pick up a book again, it’s not that the book is boring.
It’s that your attention span is trying to catch up. It’s not used to sitting with a static piece of media and following a plot over 300+ pages for long periods of time.
That doesn’t mean you’ve “lost” your ability to read. It just means you need to rebuild it a little.
And once you accept that, everything feels less frustrating.
Start Small (Like… Actually Small)
If you’re trying to figure out how to become a reader again, this is probably the most important shift:
You don’t need to read for hours. You just need to read consistently.
I always tell people to start with 20 minutes a day.
That’s it.
Not three hours. Not “I’m going to finish this whole book this weekend.” You don’t need to finish books like it’s a race.
Just 20 minutes a day. And FYI if you complete just 5 books a year, that puts you well above that average adult American.
Because the goal right now isn’t speed or volume. It’s rebuilding the habit.
Reading is a muscle. The more you use it, the easier it gets.
So instead of overwhelming yourself, just create a small, repeatable moment in your day where reading fits naturally.
Maybe that’s:
- Before bed
- During your morning coffee
- Right after work instead of immediately grabbing your phone
It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to happen. For me, I like to listen to audiobooks during walks and when I’m getting ready in the morning. I like to read physical books/ kindle books at night as I wine down.
If you’re interested in learning more about my reading journey check out, My Reader Journey: How Reading Helped Me Grow.
Don’t Worry About How Fast You’re Reading
This one matters more than people think.
When you’re getting back into reading, you are probably going to read slower.
You might pause more. You might reread things. You might not finish books as quickly as you used to.
That is completely normal. And it also depends on the type of book you’re reading, books with a lot of prose and figurative language may take a little longer to complete. Same with High fantasy novels.
They’re denser and have a ton of info you have to know and understand in order to get the book. It’s okay if you take longer to read it.
But a lot of people turn that into pressure.
They start comparing themselves to other readers. Or they feel like they’re “behind.” Or they think they need to push through faster to prove something.
You don’t.
If anything, trying to rush is what makes reading feel like work again.
The pace will come back naturally. You don’t have to force it.
So if you’re in this phase of figuring out how to become a reader again, let yourself read slowly without turning it into a problem.
Read What You Actually Like (Not What You Think You Should Like)
This is where most people get stuck. They pick up books they feel like they should read. Like classical novels or contemporary fiction that are trending.
“Important” books. Books everyone else is talking about.
And then they wonder why they can’t get into reading again. You don’t need to impress anyone right now. You need to enjoy yourself.
If that means reading romance, read romance.
If that means fantasy, read fantasy.
Or it could mean something a little chaotic and dramatic and very hard to put down… honestly, even better.
For a lot of people, especially women, that entry point back into reading ends up being spicy or highly engaging books.
And that’s more than okay.
Those books hold your attention. They make you want to keep reading. They remind you what it feels like to be invested in a story.
When I was figuring out how to become a reader again, I leaned heavily into fantasy and romance. I got heavily into romantasy, I actually have a post titled, Best Romantasy Books That Will Ruin You (In the Best Way). It’s a list of highly engaging books that are sure to keep your attention.
That’s what kept me consistent when I first got back to reading.
Now that I’ve been reading pretty consistently for the past 3 years, I’m starting to gain interest in reading books of different genres. But at first, I just read to be entertained and shut off my brain. Everything else came later.
If You Don’t Know What to Read, Start Here
One thing I’ve done on the blog is build out different book lists depending on your vibe, because finding the right book is half the battle.
If you’re trying to get back into reading, don’t overthink it, just pick something that sounds interesting to you.
Here are a few directions you can go:
- If you loved Percy Jackson: I have a full list of Greek mythology-inspired reads
- If you like emotional, slower love stories: I have historical romance recommendations
- If you want something cozy and immersive: I have books that feel like a Studio Ghibli movie
- If you like intense, dramatic fantasy: I have romantasy book lists (including books like Fourth Wing)
- If you want something lighter: I have holiday romance
- If you prefer nonfiction: there are options for that too
I also have:
So if you’re feeling stuck, don’t sit there trying to figure it out alone. Just pick a list and start somewhere.
Also You’re Allowed to DNF Books
This might be one of the most underrated tips.
If you’re not enjoying a book, you can stop reading it. Period.
You don’t have to push through just because you started. When you’re rebuilding your reading habit, every bad reading experience matters more. It can make you feel like reading just isn’t for you anymore.
So protect your momentum.
If a book feels boring, confusing, or just not your vibe right now, put it down and try something else.
You can always come back to it later.
Make Reading Feel Easy to Reach
Sometimes the issue isn’t motivation. It’s access.
If your book is across the room, in your bag, or something you have to “set time aside for,” you’re less likely to pick it up.
Try making reading the easier option.
That could look like:
- Keeping a book on your nightstand
- Carrying one in your bag
- Using a reading app on your phone
- Replacing one scrolling session a day with reading
You’re not trying to create this perfect, aesthetic reading routine.
You’re just making it easier to choose reading when the moment comes.
Lastly, Let Your Reading Identity Change
Something I had to accept was that I don’t read the same way I used to.
And that’s not a bad thing.
When I was in HS, I could tear down a Harry Potter book in 9 hours. Like I wouldn’t move until I finished it. Nowadays, my attention span isn’t the same and I have other priorities and my life has opened up. I’ve changed and so has my reader identity.
This was hard at first but I had to let go of the old me and accept that as life changes, your taste changes. Your attention shifts. The types of stories that resonate with you evolve.
So instead of trying to go back to your “old reading self,” let yourself build a new one.
Maybe you used to love heavy fantasy, but now you want something softer.
Maybe you used to read constantly, but now you read in smaller pockets of time.
That still counts.
If you’re learning how to become a reader again, it’s less about returning to who you were and more about meeting yourself where you are now.
Final Thoughts
Getting back into reading isn’t about discipline.
It’s about consistency, curiosity, and giving yourself a little bit of patience.
It might feel slow at first. It might feel unfamiliar.
But that doesn’t mean it’s not working.
It just means you’re starting again.
And honestly, that’s kind of the best part.
Because you get to rediscover what you like, what holds your attention, and what reading looks like for you now.
This is something I’m still figuring out too.
Take what fits. Leave the rest.
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