How To Get into Reading

In a world filled with distractions, finding the time and motivation to read can feel like a daunting task. However, the benefits of reading are proven – from reducing stress and improving your mental health to expanding your knowledge and imagination.

If you’re someone who has always wanted to get into reading but didn’t know where to start, you’re in the right place! Read our tips to unlock the joy of reading.

Understanding the Benefits of Reading

• Studies have shown that those who read for pleasure have higher levels of self-esteem and a greater ability to cope with difficult situations. Reading for pleasure was also associated with better sleeping patterns. ¹
• Adults who read for just 30 minutes a week are 20% more likely to report greater life satisfaction.²
• In 2021, we found that shorter format books provided emerging readers with a more accessible route into reading, whilst some lapsed and avid readers indicated that they found it easier to find time to pick up a Quick Read whilst juggling other responsibilities.
• By reading just one Quick Read, 3 in 4 people report enjoying reading more and said they’d like to read more often, whilst 1 in 3 feel more confident about reading and felt they were a better reader as a result. ³
• Read more about the benefits of reading here.

Creating a Reading Routine

• Start small by setting achievable reading goals, such as reading for 10 minutes a day or finishing one short book per month.
• Track your progress with a book tracking app such as The StoryGraph
• Find a time and place that works best for you to read consistently, whether it’s during your morning commute or before bed.
• Incorporate reading into your daily routine by replacing screen time with a good book.
• Audiobooks can be an ideal route into reading, particularly if you find it difficult to focus on words on a page, or are looking for something to listen to while doing other things. Podcast fans, audiobooks are for you!
• Set some time aside this World Book Day for our annual #ReadingHour. You can read a print book, e-book, or listen to an audiobook. It doesn’t matter what, how, or where you read, as long as you enjoy it.
  Find out more here

Choosing the Right Books

• Getting book recommendations from social media, YouTube, book tracking apps or from your friends can help you find books you love and get you excited about your next reads.
• Experiment with different genres and authors to discover what resonates with you.
• Quick Reads are a great place to start. Because they’re short, you can try lots of different genres and authors to find what fits you best. From thrillers, to contemporary romance, to literary fiction, we have a wide range of Quick Reads to suit everybody.
  Browse our Quick Reads here.
• You can also find your next read from our selection of booklists – from books about sport to LGBTQ+ stories.
  Explore our booklists here.
• Libraries are a great place to get reading recommendations. Browse the shelves or ask your librarian for their ideas. Find your local library here.

Share your reading with others

• Joining book clubs or online reading communities is a great way to connect with other readers, share recommendations and stay motivated.
• We know that reading groups and book clubs are a great way to make friends, feel connected and empowered to try books you’d never have come across otherwise. 94% of people asked read more widely and felt more connected to others thanks to their reading group.
  Read more about the benefits of reading groups here

Beginning your reading journey is not just about reading a book – it’s about discovering new worlds, perspectives, and possibilities. Since 2006, over 5.3 million Quick Reads have been distributed, with over 6.14 million loaned from public libraries.

So why not join other readers and unlock the joy of reading today.

1. [Billington, J, (2015) Reading between the Lines: the Benefits of Reading for Pleasure Quick Reads, University of Liverpool]  ↩︎
2. Billington, J, (2015) Reading between the Lines: the Benefits of Reading for Pleasure Quick Reads, University of Liverpool p. 7]  ↩︎
3. The Reading Agency (2022) Quick Reads Evaluation Report 2021-22  ↩︎