When I was growing up, I didn’t read much.
I was into video games.
But in college, a mild shift happened, and I slowly started reading about 5-10 books a year.
However, the main turning point came when my mum lost her battle with cancer. It was in the middle of the pandemic lockdown, and I was locked inside an apartment in a different city. I had 45 days to kill.
I didn’t have cable. And I was desperate for some sort of distraction. So I started reading.
I began with books that would give me hope, like Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning, and slowly moved on from there.
That year, I finished about 50 books.
Now, in 2025, I read every day.
And this year, I’ll probably finish about 200.
But this habit has developed over a decade.
It didn’t happen immediately. And because a lot of people at my book club ask me how I read so much, I thought I’d write this post. =)
Please note that the goal is to start somewhere, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t read every single day. It’s to fall in love with reading.
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Somewhere along the way, I feel like we stopped reading for joy.
Maybe it was school that made it feel like a chore. Maybe life got too busy.
Or maybe you just forgot what it felt like to disappear into a story.
But reading? It’s not just a hobby.
It’s a way to come home to yourself.
If you’re trying to fall in love with reading again, or for the very first time, this post is your gentle invitation.
Here’s how to ease back in, one cozy step at a time:
1. Start with short, cozy books
The biggest mistake I see many people doing is picking up a massive novel all at once.
Forget the 700-page classics.
The goal isn’t to impress anyone, it’s to fall in love again.
Start with novellas, illustrated books, or cozy fiction that’s between 100-200 pages.
Something you can finish in a weekend with tea by your side. Reading should feel like a treat, not a test.
For example, The Tea Dragon Society by Katie O’Neill is short, sweet, and absolutely adorable.
Or try Welcome to the Hyunam Dong Bookshop, a magical little book about books, coffee and slow living.
When the finish line is near, your motivation goes up, and your attention stays locked in.
2. Create a reading nook that feels like a hug
Read in a comfortable place.
You don’t need a giant window seat.
Just a corner with a soft blanket, a reading lamp, and maybe a plant or two.
Make it a place your body associates with calm.
You want your brain to go, “Oh, we’re safe here. Let’s read.”
You can even add a little ritual, light a candle before you open your book.
Sip on something warm. Let this space feel like a tiny escape.
A nook with a soft chair, a cushion for your back, and a basket with 2–3 books you’re excited about is more than enough.
Try this: Comfy Floor Reading Pillow with Back Support
3. Read what you want, not what you think you should
Pick up something that excites you.
I love middle grade novels once in a while because they’re so full of heart and they’re books I wish I’d read when I was younger.
This particular book (very similar to the setting of Chronicles of Narnia) A Place to Hang the Moon is one such example.
Adults have fallen in love with the book because it’s about 3 siblings who are in love with reading and take comfort in books during the 2nd World War.
So many people stop reading because they force themselves to read things they don’t enjoy.
Just because a book is famous or everyone on Instagram is reading it doesn’t mean it’s for you.
And that’s okay.
Maybe you love YA fantasy with talking cats.
Or memoirs about nature walks.
Or slow novels where nothing much happens except people drinking tea and thinking.
That counts. It all counts.
Reading should be like dessert, personal and pleasurable. Give yourself full permission to quit books that bore you and chase the ones that spark joy.
4. Make reading part of your wind-down routine
Instead of seeing reading as another item on your to-do list, weave it into your quiet moments.
Maybe 15 minutes before bed. Or during lunch breaks.
Or while waiting at the doctor’s office. Keep a book nearby, on your desk, in your bag, or next to the kettle.
Set the scene with low lighting, soft pajamas, and background music (if you like that sort of thing).
Reading before bed especially, can help signal to your body that it’s time to unwind.
My partner got me this book light because he felt I was straining my eyes: Book Light with Warm Glow
5. Try audiobooks during low-energy tasks
If you find it hard to sit still and read, audiobooks can be magical.
You can “read” while folding laundry, walking, cooking, or commuting. And yes — it still counts.
You’re still absorbing a story, letting your imagination play.
Start with memoirs read by the authors themselves.
They tend to be more engaging. Or full-cast audio dramas for fiction lovers. Some apps even let you change the speed so you can go at your own pace.
Try this: Audible Free Trial – Includes 2 Audiobooks
6. Romanticize the experience
Add rituals. Make tea in a delicate cup.
Choose bookmarks that make you smile. Sniff the pages. Read in the park under a tree. Take your book on a coffee date. Post about your cozy setup if that excites you.
You’re allowed to make this fun.
The more you associate reading with joy, the easier it becomes to reach for your book again.
Reading doesn’t have to be serious. It can be soft, slow, and playful.
Currently using these as bookmarks: Aesthetic Ghibli Post Card Set
7. Track your reads (but gently)
Use a reading journal or an app like Goodreads or StoryGraph to jot down what you’re reading and how it made you feel.
It’s satisfying to look back and realize — wow, I actually finished 4 books this month.
But don’t make it competitive.
This isn’t about numbers. It’s about noticing what you love.
Maybe you’ll discover you adore magical realism or books with maps in the front.
I love Goodreads because it helps me see more similar books and I’m able to add a lot of books to my To Be Read pile.
Try this: Cozy Reading Journal – Track Your Books & Thoughts
8. Visit bookstores or libraries for the vibes
There’s something magical about being surrounded by books.
Visit your local library or indie bookstore, even if you don’t buy anything. Let yourself wander. Pick up covers that call to you.
Flip through pages. Let your curiosity guide you.
This reawakens your sense of wonder.
You’ll find books you didn’t even know existed. And when you buy or borrow one that excites you? You’re more likely to actually read it.
Try this: Library Tote Bag
9. Reread books you used to love
There’s comfort in familiarity.
Maybe it’s a childhood favorite.
Maybe it’s a book you read in college that made you cry. Rereading can feel like meeting an old friend.
You already know the plot, now you get to feel the feelings again.
It’s a soft re-entry into reading.
No pressure to stay engaged. Just pure nostalgia and warmth.
Try this: Anne of Green Gables Graphic Novel
10. Read like nobody’s watching
You don’t have to be smart, fast, or literary.
You don’t need to annotate, highlight, or discuss the symbolism unless you want to. Just… read. Let the story carry you.
Let the author hold your hand. Let your brain relax into the world they’ve created.
Because the truth is — reading isn’t about productivity. It’s about presence. It’s one of the few things that slows time down and fills it with something soft.
And that, in this loud, fast world, is a little bit magical.
11. Join a cozy book club
Sometimes the joy of reading grows when it’s shared.
If you want to stay motivated, discover books you might never have picked on your own, and connect with other gentle souls who love stories, join a book club.
I found mine via a friend. But you can also check google or Facebook groups or even the Meetup app.
Final thoughts
Falling in love with reading isn’t about being perfect.
It’s about remembering what stories can do for your heart.
It’s about making space for joy, softness, and imagination in a world that asks so much from us.
Whether you read 3 pages or 300, it counts.
Whether it’s a graphic novel, a romance, or a nature memoir, it counts. Your reading life is yours to reclaim. Onechapter at a time.
You’re not too late. You’re right on time.
