If one of your New Year resolutions is to start a reading habit or perhaps just read more books, we have a few tips and suggestions to guide you.

1. Set Realistic Goals

Start small with achievable goals, such as reading for 10-15 minutes daily or finishing a book each month. Gradually increase your target as you develop the habit. Setting a clear target helps keep you motivated and on track.

2. Create a Reading Schedule

Incorporate reading into your daily routine. Choose a time of day when you are least distracted—perhaps in the morning with your coffee, during lunch breaks, or before bed. Consistency is key, so stick to your chosen time to make reading a regular habit.

3. Make Reading Enjoyable

Choose books that genuinely interest you. It’s important you choose reading material that that appeals to you in order to reduce friction. Don’t feel pressured to read books based on popularity or genre trends. Explore genres you enjoy, whether it’s fiction, self-help, or biographies, and make sure to select books that excite or intrigue you. NB: Graphic novels and comics also count as reading! If they appeal to you, our library has a large collection for all ages, just search the catalogue or ask the staff for help.

4. Reduce Distractions

Create a comfortable reading environment free from distractions. Turn off your phone or put it on silent mode to avoid interruptions. A quiet, cozy spot, such as a corner in the library or a comfortable chair at home, can make reading more enjoyable.

5. Join a Reading Community

Joining a book club, online reading group, or following a reading challenge can provide a sense of accountability. Sharing books, discussing plot twists, and participating in group discussions can further motivate you to keep reading. All three branches at Cockburn Libraries host Book Clubs – Cockburn Libraries. The free library app Libby also runs monthly online book clubs.

6. Track Your Progress

Keep a reading journal or use apps and websites like Goodreads and StoryGraph to track your progress and celebrate the books you’ve finished. Looking back on your achievements will motivate you to read more. Also, you can discuss the books you read and get suggestions from other users.

7.  Titbits

Listening to audiobooks counts as reading. Cockburn Libraries have a large collection of audiobooks on CD and thousands of e-audiobooks via the free library apps Libby, BorrowBox, and Hoopla.

Starting a reading habit is about finding joy in the process and making time for it every day or every other day. With consistent effort and a bit of patience, reading can become a fulfilling, long-term part of your life. With so many genres and subgenres of fiction and non-fiction, graphic novels and comics and with a variety of ways to consume books, we feel confident you’ll find something to satisfy and turn you into a reader for life.

As Dr Seuss said “You can find magic wherever you look. Sit back and relax, all you need is a book.”

You’ve got this!