How to Read More Books in 2026 (Realistic Tips That Work)
Okay, let's be real for a second. Every January I tell myself "this is the year I read 100 books" and by March I've read maybe four and a half (the half being a book I rage-quit because the love interest had the personality of a wet napkin). Sound familiar? Yeah, I thought so.
But here's the thing ‚ I actually DID figure out how to read more in 2026. Not by becoming some productivity robot, but by making tiny changes that stuck. No "wake up at 5 AM" nonsense. No guilt. Just actual, realistic tips from someone who's been in the BookTok trenches and came out the other side holding a Fourth Wing copy with tears on the pages.
So whether you want to hit 12 books this year or 120, here are the tips that actually work.
1. Set a Reading Goal That Doesn't Make You Want to Cry
I know, I know ‚Goodreads makes it SO tempting to put 100 books as your goal. But if you read 5 books last year, aiming for 100 is just self-sabotage with extra steps. Start with something that feels almost too easy. 12 books? That's one a month. 24? Two a month. You can always raise it later and feel like a CHAMPION when you do.
And honestly, tracking your progress makes a huge difference. I keep my Books Read This Year Counter right on my desk where I can see it. Every time I finish a book and move that number up? Serotonin hit. Better than any app notification.
Shop the Books Read This Year Counter Here
2. Always Have Your Current Read Within Arm's Reach
This sounds so basic but it changed EVERYTHING for me. I used to leave my book on my nightstand and only read before bed (for approximately 3 pages before falling asleep). Now? I keep a book in my bag, one on the couch, and my Kindle basically everywhere else.
Speaking of Kindles ‚ if you haven't tried the Kindle in Matcha, you're sleeping on it. It's SO light, the battery lasts forever, and yes, it comes in matcha green which is aesthetically *chef's kiss*.
3. Replace One Scroll Session With Reading
I'm not going to tell you to delete TikTok. That's where I get ALL my book recommendations (and where I found out about ACOTAR, which... changed my life, honestly). But you know that 45-minute scroll session before bed? What if 20 of those minutes were reading instead?
That alone could get you through a book every two weeks. That's 26 books a year. From one tiny swap. Math is mathing, friends.
4. DNF Without Guilt ‚Seriously
This was the single biggest game-changer for me. I used to force myself through books I hated because "I already started it." NO. Life is too short and there are too many incredible romantasy books waiting for you to waste time on one that's giving nothing.
My rule: if I'm not hooked by page 50 (or 20% on Kindle), I move on. No shame. The DNF pile is not a failure pile ‚ it's a "I respect my time" pile.
5. Create a Reading Nook That Actually Makes You Want to Read
Environment matters SO much. You don't need a whole room ‚a cozy corner with good lighting works. I wrote a whole post about creating a dark academia reading nook if you want the full breakdown.
But the basics: a comfortable seat, a good light (my LED Wooden Book Lamp is genuinely one of my favorite purchases ever ‚it looks like a piece of art AND lights up perfectly for reading), and a little table or shelf for your TBR stack.
Shop the LED Wooden Book Lamp Here
6. Audiobooks COUNT (Yes, They Do)
If anyone tells you audiobooks "don't count," you have my permission to ignore them forever. Audiobooks are how I doubled my reading count. Commuting? Audiobook. Cooking? Audiobook. Walking the dog? You guessed it — audiobook. The narration for Fourth Wing is genuinely incredible. I screamed in my car during the bridge scene. Multiple times.
7. Use a Thumb Holder So Your Hands Don't Cramp
Okay this sounds so niche but hear me out. If you read physical books (which, same — there's nothing like the feeling of actual pages), your hand starts cramping after like 30 minutes of holding a book open. Enter the "Spread Those Pages" Thumb Book Holder. It keeps your book open with one hand and it says something cheeky on it because we're BookTok, that's what we do.
Shop the Thumb Book Holder Here
8. Join BookTok (If You Haven't Already)
Nothing motivates you to read more than seeing someone ugly-cry over a book and thinking "I need to experience that." BookTok recommendations are how I found A Little Life (emotionally destroyed me), Circe (made me feel powerful), and literally every spicy book I've ever loved.
9. Annotate as You Go
Annotating makes reading more active and engaging. You're not just passively absorbing — you're having a conversation with the book. Use transparent sticky notes if you don't want to write in the actual pages (check out our guide on marking books without ink for more ideas).
10. Reward Yourself (With More Book Stuff, Obviously)
Finished 5 books? Treat yourself to a Custom Book Embosser to stamp every book in your growing collection. Hit 10? Get yourself the Cat Themed Bookstand for hands-free reading with your favorite mug of tea. Making reading feel like an event — with cute accessories and cozy vibes — is what keeps you coming back.
Shop the Custom Book Embosser Here
Why Reading More Books in 2026 Is Easier Than You Think
The reading community in 2026 is thriving like never before. Between BookTok, Bookstagram, and the explosion of romantasy, cozy fantasy, and spicy fiction, there's genuinely never been a better time to be a reader. The key to reading more books isn't about grinding through pages — it's about making reading a joyful, integrated part of your life. With the right reading accessories, a comfortable setup, and a community cheering you on, hitting your 2026 reading goal is absolutely within reach.
Whether you're into dark academia aesthetics, enemies-to-lovers romance, or epic fantasy series, the important thing is that you're reading what makes you happy. No gatekeeping. No judgment. Just books, vibes, and the occasional happy sob when a fictional character proposes.
Everything mentioned in this post is available at WhereBookShines and Amazon. Use code BOOK10 at WhereBookShines for 10% off your first order.