How to make time for reading books in a busy world

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Most people want to read more, but struggle to find the right moment. Days fill quickly, screens claim attention and books slip to the bottom of the list.

But reading doesn’t require big pockets of time. By reframing when and how we read, it can become an enjoyable activity that fits inside daily life rather than something that competes with it.

Here are some top tips to make time for books in your busy schedule.

Set up reading triggers

One of the simplest shifts is to build reading triggers into familiar habits. These tiny cues remove the burden of deciding when to read.

A short rule works best. For example: after the first sip of coffee in the morning, read two pages; after loading the dishwasher, read a poem; after plugging in your phone at night, open a book for ten minutes. Once the association forms, reading becomes as automatic as the task that precedes it.

You can also try “scattering” books across different areas of your home: a paperback in the bathroom, a coffee table book in the lounge, or a graphic novel in the kitchen creates friction‑free opportunities to read when you might otherwise reach for your smartphone.

Rethink where reading happens

Many people still picture reading as something that needs a quiet chair or a tidy desk, but small bursts in queues, corridors and waiting rooms can be just as absorbing.

With an e-reader you can use your commute as reliable space for a few extra pages (Image: Getty Images)

Keeping an e-book app on the home screen of your smartphone helps turn these empty minutes into useful ones. A slim novel or e‑reader in a pocket or bag can fill unexpected gaps between appointments.

Even gentle movement – a treadmill walk or exercise bike – can pair with large‑font e-books or audiobooks.

Make audio part of your routine

Speaking of which, audiobooks offer a fantastic way to read while doing other things. They suit people who want stories but are always on the move.

Everyday tasks become more appealing when paired with a good narrator. Chores like cooking, washing up or folding laundry can double as listening time. Once the book becomes tied to the task, the task becomes a reason to continue the story.

Turn household tasks into easy listening time with an audiobook (Image: Getty Images)

Commuters often find this approach helpful, too. Treating an audiobook as a weekday ritual creates a predictable rhythm. Switching between audio and e-book versions of the same title allows the story to travel across the day – audio in the kitchen or car, text in bed – keeping everything connected without losing the thread.

Switching between print, e-books and audio depending on mood can also help to make reading feel approachable rather than rigid.

Lower the bar

Much of the pressure around reading comes from expectations that don’t match real life. Letting go of those expectations can transform the experience and unlock new powers of concentration.

Try setting a one‑page minimum before bed. This habit will keep reading alive even on tiring days. You’ll crack the spine knowing you only need to read a few paragraphs, but the low-pressure habit nudges you into reading more.

Shorter forms also have their place. Essays, novellas, short stories and graphic novels allow meaningful reading in small stretches. Keeping a few books on the go can support this flexibility, offering choices that match energy levels which wax and wane across the week.

Finally, stick to a ruthless “do not finish” rule! Think about the pressure we put on ourselves to finish every book we’ve started. When a title isn’t working, the sense of obligation can halt reading altogether.

If you don’t like it, move on. This frees you from dragging yourself through joyless chapters. Allowing unfinished books makes space for titles that actually spark interest.

RWE is funding a wide range of community initiatives across Norfolk (Image: RWE RENEWABLES UK)

Powering the future

We are delighted to announce that RWE is headline sponsor for Born & Read in Norfolk.

RWE is the largest producer of energy in the UK and is building three offshore wind farms in Norfolk: Vanguard West, Vanguard East and Boreas.

The three wind farms will produce enough energy to power more than four million homes, while bringing long-term economic benefits to the region.

Thanks to the scale of these projects, RWE is supporting thousands of jobs locally and will maintain a significant workforce here throughout the 35-year lifespan of the wind farms.

The RWE Community Fund, managed by Norfolk Community Foundation, is funding a wide range of community initiatives across Norfolk, including those involving sustainability, transport, green spaces and social groups.

This support helps strengthen local neighbourhoods and enables organisations to deliver projects that matter to residents.

Edward Robb, RWE stakeholder manager (Image: RWE RENEWABLES UK)

RWE delivers a programme of skills and employment activities. These are designed to prepare the local workforce for the jobs required during the renewable energy transition, including school initiatives, careers events, apprenticeships, work experience and much more.

Commenting on the sponsorship, stakeholder manager Edward Robb said: “Reading is a fantastic way to further your education and understanding of the world.

“Literacy is incredibly important from both a personal and professional perspective. Professionally, it unlocks a wealth of education and understanding that can lead to successful careers in renewable energy and other industries.

“The UK – and East Anglia in particular – has a shortage in its clean energy workforce, with more than 6,000 jobs being created in the region in the next five years,” Edward added.

“Literacy is at the foundation of most of these careers and can unlock a whole host of career opportunities.”

Programmes like this form part of a broader effort to support learning, opportunity and development of skills in the communities RWE works with, including its newly opened offshore wind turbine technician apprenticeships in Norfolk.

For more information about careers with RWE, including how to apply for this year’s intake of apprentices, visit norfolkwind.me/Apprentices26

This article has been published as part of Born & Read in Norfolk – a year-long initiative highlighting the importance of reading and writing, delivered in partnership with the National Centre for Writing, headline sponsor RWE and sponsor YouGarden. Follow the campaign throughout the year in our coverage and on social media using #BornAndRead2026 or get in touch at [email protected]