How to Start Reading Again When You Haven't Picked Up a Book in Years
Want to start reading again but don't know where to begin? Here are 10 simple ways to get back into books, build a reading habit, and actually enjoy the process.
When was the last time you finished an entire book?
Not an article on your phone, a social media post, or a few pages of something you started and never returned to. I'm talking about sitting down with a book, getting interested in what you're reading, and actually making it to the final page.
For some people, that might have been last week. For others, it might have been five, ten, or even twenty years ago.
And if you're in that second group, you're certainly not alone.
Between work, family, social media, streaming services, and everything else competing for our attention, reading has become something many people say they want to do but rarely make time for. It's easy to convince yourself that you'll start reading again when life slows down, but the reality is that life rarely slows down on its own.
The good news is that you don't need hours of free time, an expensive reading setup, or a list of fifty books to become a reader again.
You just need to start.
1. Stop Thinking You Have to Be a Reader to Enjoy Reading
One of the biggest mistakes people make is convincing themselves that reading simply isn't for them.
Maybe you struggled with reading in school. Maybe you found most of the books you were assigned boring. Or maybe you just preferred spending your time playing sports, watching television, or hanging out with friends.
I can relate to that.
Growing up, I was much more interested in sports than books. Reading wasn't something I naturally gravitated toward, and I certainly wasn't the guy walking around with a book in his backpack.
That changed when my grandmother gave me a copy of Quiet Strength by Tony Dungy.
As someone who loved football, I was immediately interested in learning more about a successful NFL coach. I started reading, got hooked on his story, and finished the book that weekend.
I remember heading to Barnes & Noble afterward because I wanted to find something else to read.
That experience taught me something I've carried with me ever since: Sometimes you don't dislike reading. You just haven't found the right book yet.
You don't have to read Shakespeare, tackle a 700-page biography, or pretend to enjoy something simply because other people consider it important.
Start with something you genuinely care about.
2. Choose a Book Based on Your Interests, Not Someone Else's Expectations
If you haven't read a book in years, your first choice matters.
Picking something because it's popular, critically acclaimed, or sitting at the top of a bestseller list doesn't necessarily mean you'll enjoy it.
Think about what you're naturally interested in.
Do you love sports? Try a biography about an athlete or coach you admire. Interested in business? Pick up a book about someone who built a successful company. Love history? Find a story about a person or event that fascinates you.
Maybe you're interested in fitness, psychology, true crime, personal finance, relationships, or adventure. There are great books covering every one of those subjects.
The goal isn't to impress anyone with what you're reading. The goal is to find something interesting enough that you actually want to turn the page.
One of the reasons I started Books4Guys was to help people discover books they might never have found on their own. After interviewing authors from all kinds of backgrounds, I've become even more convinced that there's a book out there for just about everyone.
You simply have to find the subjects and stories that grab your attention.
3. Start Small Instead of Setting an Unrealistic Reading Goal
It's easy to get excited about becoming a reader again and immediately decide you're going to finish a book every week.
That sounds great until the first busy week hits.
You miss a couple of days, fall behind your goal, and suddenly reading feels like another obligation you aren't keeping up with.
Instead, make your first goal almost ridiculously easy.
Read for ten minutes a day.
That's it.
Ten minutes might mean five pages, ten pages, or an entire chapter, depending on the book and your reading speed. What matters is that you're consistently making time to read.
If you read ten pages a day, that's approximately 300 pages in a month. For many books, that's enough to finish an entire title.
And if you find yourself reading for thirty minutes because you're enjoying the story? Even better.
The point is to build momentum without putting unnecessary pressure on yourself.
Consistency matters more than the number of books you finish.
4. Connect Reading to Something You Already Do Every Day
One of the easiest ways to build a new habit is to attach it to something that's already part of your routine.
Instead of telling yourself you'll read whenever you find time, decide when reading is going to happen.
Maybe you enjoy drinking coffee before work. Keep a book next to your favorite chair and read for ten minutes while you drink it.
If you spend time scrolling through your phone before bed, try replacing a few minutes of that habit with reading.
You could also read during your lunch break, while waiting for an appointment, or on a quiet weekend morning.
The specific time doesn't matter nearly as much as finding something that works for your schedule.
I think one of the biggest challenges people face is treating reading like something they have to squeeze into whatever time remains after everything else gets done.
But if reading matters to you, it deserves a small place in your routine.
You don't need to reorganize your entire life. Just give reading a little space to become part of it.
5. Put Your Phone Away and Give the Book Your Attention
We live in a world where something is constantly competing for our attention.
Emails, text messages, news alerts, social media notifications, and endless entertainment are always within reach. Even when we sit down intending to focus, it's incredibly easy to get distracted.
I've experienced this myself.
There have been times when I've read several pages of a book only to realize I barely remembered what I had just read. My eyes were moving across the words, but my mind was somewhere else.
When that happens, I know I need to change something.
One of the simplest solutions is putting your phone in another room or switching it to Do Not Disturb.
Give yourself ten or fifteen minutes when the only thing you're trying to accomplish is reading.
You might be surprised how much more enjoyable a book becomes when you're actually giving it your attention.
And there's another benefit here that I think is worth mentioning. In a world where we're constantly jumping between tasks, reading gives us an opportunity to slow down and think.
That alone makes it a habit worth developing.
6. Don't Be Afraid to Quit a Book You're Not Enjoying
This might be one of the most important pieces of advice in the entire article.
You do not have to finish every book you start.
Somewhere along the way, many of us developed the idea that putting down a book before finishing it means we failed.
I don't agree with that.
There are millions of books in the world. You're not going to love every one of them, and that's perfectly fine.
If you've given a book a fair chance and still aren't enjoying it, move on to something else.
Maybe the subject isn't what you expected. Maybe the writing style doesn't connect with you. Or maybe it's simply not the right book for this particular season of your life.
That doesn't mean it's a bad book. It just means it's not the right book for you right now.
This is especially important when you're trying to get back into reading.
The last thing you want is to turn reading into a punishment by forcing yourself through something you don't enjoy.
Find another book. Give yourself permission to explore.
Reading should be something you look forward to, not something you dread.
7. Audiobooks Count, Too
I know some people have strong opinions about whether listening to an audiobook counts as reading.
Personally, I think we're missing the bigger picture when we get caught up in that debate.
The goal is to learn, enjoy stories, discover new ideas, and expose ourselves to different perspectives. Audiobooks can absolutely help accomplish those things.
If you're someone who spends a lot of time driving, walking, exercising, or commuting, listening to a book might be the easiest way to get started.
Some people absorb information better by listening. Others prefer a physical book or an e-reader. Some enjoy switching between formats depending on what they're reading.
There's no reason you can't experiment with all three.
I still love sitting down with a physical book, but I also understand why audiobooks have become such a popular option.
Find the format that works for you.
The important thing is that you're engaging with books again.
8. Talk About What You're Reading
One of the things I've enjoyed most about building Books4Guys is discovering how much more meaningful reading becomes when you share it with other people.
A great book can introduce you to an idea, but a conversation about that idea can help you see it from a completely different perspective.
You don't need to join a formal book club or write detailed reviews.
Start by telling a friend about something interesting you read. Share a book recommendation with a coworker. Ask someone what they're reading or what book has had the biggest impact on their life.
You might be surprised by the conversations that follow.
Through the Books4Guys Podcast, I've had the opportunity to speak with authors, entrepreneurs, athletes, and leaders about books that have influenced their lives.
One thing that consistently stands out is how often a single book helped someone approach a problem differently, make a decision, or discover an entirely new interest.
That's what makes reading so valuable.
The book itself is just the beginning. What you learn and do with those ideas is where things get interesting.
9. Start With Something Short, Simple, and Impactful
If you haven't finished a book in years, my advice is pretty simple: Don't start with a 500-page biography or a complicated novel.
Start with something you can realistically finish in a few days.
There's something encouraging about finishing a book, especially when it's been years since you've done it. That small accomplishment can give you the motivation to pick up another one.
And just because a book is short doesn't mean it can't make a lasting impact.
Here are five books I'd recommend to anyone trying to get back into reading.
Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson
Approximately 96 pages
Who Moved My Cheese? is a short, entertaining story about dealing with change in your career and personal life. Through a simple parable involving four characters searching for cheese in a maze, Spencer Johnson explores why people resist change and how learning to adapt can make life easier.
It's an incredibly approachable book that doesn't require much time or effort to follow, but the lessons can stick with you long after you've finished.
Why Read It: You can finish this book in one or two sittings and walk away with a valuable lesson about adapting to life's challenges.
The Dip by Seth Godin
Approximately 96 pages
We've all heard the advice to never give up, but is quitting always a bad thing?
In The Dip, Seth Godin challenges that idea by explaining why knowing when to push through a difficult situation and when to walk away can make a major difference in your success.
It's a quick, straightforward read that applies to business, career decisions, relationships, and personal goals.
Why Read It: It's short, punchy, and practical. You'll finish it with a different perspective on persistence, priorities, and knowing where to focus your energy.
The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann
Approximately 144 pages
The Go-Giver follows a young professional named Joe who is determined to achieve greater success in his career. Along the way, he meets a series of people who teach him that success isn't just about what you can get, but about the value you create for others.
Instead of presenting a long list of business principles, the authors share their lessons through an entertaining story.
Why Read It: It reads more like a novel than a traditional business book, making it an excellent option for someone who wants an enjoyable story with meaningful lessons.
The Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino
Approximately 128 pages
Don't let the title fool you. This isn't simply a book about becoming a better salesperson.
Og Mandino tells the story of a young man who discovers lessons about discipline, persistence, confidence, and developing better habits. The story is simple, but its message reaches well beyond sales.
It's the kind of book that can encourage you to think differently about your daily actions and the person you're working to become.
Why Read It: The storytelling is easy to follow, and the lessons are practical enough to apply to your everyday life.
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch with Jeffrey Zaslow
Approximately 224 pages
When Carnegie Mellon professor Randy Pausch learned he had terminal cancer, he delivered a lecture about pursuing childhood dreams and making the most of the time we have.
The Last Lecture expands on those ideas, sharing personal stories and lessons about relationships, perseverance, gratitude, and what really matters in life.
It's a little longer than the other books on this list, but the short chapters and conversational writing make it approachable.
Why Read It: It's a moving, personal story that reminds us to appreciate life, pursue meaningful goals, and focus on the things that matter most.
These five books are very different, but they have something important in common. They're approachable, engaging, and capable of leaving you with something valuable to think about.
And if none of them sounds interesting? That's perfectly fine, too.
Find something that does.
The best book to start with is the one you're actually excited to read.
10. Remember Why You Wanted to Start Reading Again
I think this is where people sometimes lose sight of what matters.
Reading isn't supposed to be a competition.
You don't need to finish fifty books a year, post pictures of everything you're reading, or keep up with someone who seems to finish a new book every three days.
If reading one book this month helps you learn something useful, enjoy a great story, or spend a little less time staring at your phone, that's a win.
If you finish three books this year after going a decade without reading one, that's progress worth celebrating.
The goal is to build a habit that adds something positive to your life.
And over time, you may discover that reading becomes more than something you do occasionally. It becomes something you genuinely enjoy.
Final Thought: Your Next Chapter Starts With One Book
When I think back to that weekend reading Quiet Strength, I realize how easily things could have gone differently.
If my grandmother had given me a book about a subject I wasn't interested in, maybe I would have put it on a shelf and forgotten about it.
Instead, she gave me something that connected with who I was at the time. I loved football, I wanted to learn more about successful coaches, and that book gave me a reason to keep reading.
I didn't know that experience would eventually lead me to start Books4Guys, interview authors, and build a community centered around books and personal growth.
I was just a guy who found a book he enjoyed.
That's why I encourage anyone who hasn't read in years to give it another shot.
Don't worry about how many books you've missed or how many you think you should read. Find something that interests you, give yourself a few minutes each day, and see where it takes you.
You never know where one good book might lead.
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