We’ve all been there. Life gets busy—work meetings, family commitments, social events, errands that never end—and suddenly, your To Be Read pile is growing faster than you can say “just one more chapter.” If you’re anything like me, reading is a form of escape, joy, and self-care. But what happens when it feels like there’s simply no time to do it?

The good news: you do have time—you just need to get a little creative with how you fit reading into your life. Here are my favorite tips and mindset shifts that have helped me keep turning pages, even in the busiest seasons of life.

Many of us have a picture-perfect idea of what reading should look like: curled up on the couch with a hot drink and hours of uninterrupted silence. While that sounds lovely (and yes, please!), it’s not always realistic. Reading doesn’t have to be an event—it can be a few pages between meetings, a chapter on your lunch break, or 10 minutes before bed. Once you stop waiting for the “perfect” reading moment, you’ll start noticing all the little windows of opportunity throughout your day.

This is a game-changer. Whether it’s a physical book in your bag, an e-reader in your tote, or a reading app on your phone—always have something to read within reach. Those unexpected pockets of downtime (waiting at the doctor’s office, standing in line, or commuting) can quickly add up to a solid chunk of reading time.

Bonus tip: Load shorter books or novellas onto your phone or Kindle—they feel less intimidating and are perfect for reading on the go.

Audiobooks are an incredible way to keep “reading” even when your hands and eyes are busy. You can listen while driving, cooking, cleaning, working out, or even during your morning walk. It’s one of the easiest ways to reclaim time for stories and sneak in extra “reading” hours.

Apps like Libby, Audible, or Scribd make it super easy to borrow or buy audiobooks, and many libraries offer them for free. Try listening at 1.25x or 1.5x speed—you’ll be surprised how quickly you can finish a book.

Just like you schedule workouts or meetings, try scheduling your reading time—even if it’s just 10–15 minutes a day. That consistency makes a difference. Whether it’s reading first thing in the morning, during lunch, or before bed, turning it into a habit helps it stick.

Pro tip: Pair your reading time with another habit. For example, read while you sip your morning coffee or listen to an audiobook while folding laundry. Habit-stacking works wonders.

Sometimes the problem isn’t time—it’s motivation. If you’re slogging through a book you’re not enjoying, you’re more likely to avoid reading altogether. Give yourself permission to DNF (did not finish) books that aren’t working for you. Life’s too short for reading to feel like a chore.

Choose books that excite you, energize you, or offer comfort depending on your season. There’s no such thing as “guilty pleasure” reads—whatever keeps you turning pages is a good book.

You don’t need to read five books a week to be a “real” reader. Maybe your goal is 10 pages a day, one audiobook a month, or finishing a book over a weekend. Small, consistent steps are more sustainable—and often more satisfying—than lofty goals that feel out of reach.

Celebrate those little wins. Reading one chapter while waiting for your pasta to boil? That’s a win. Listening to 20 minutes of a novel on your walk? Another win.

Reading is meant to be enjoyable, not another task on your to-do list. Some weeks you’ll read more, some less. That’s okay. It’s not a competition or a race—it’s about finding joy in stories, learning new things, and giving your mind a moment of calm.

So even if you’re reading in short bursts, on your phone, or listening in your car—guess what? You’re still a reader. And every page, every minute, every chapter counts.

If you’ve been waiting for life to slow down so you can read more… maybe it’s time to stop waiting and start reading differently. Books are patient—they’ll always be there when you’re ready to come back to them. And with these little tweaks, you might just find you’ve got more reading time than you thought.