How to Read More Books in 2026 (Without Turning It Into Another Failed Resolution)

Introduction: Reading More in 2026 (Without Burning Out)

Every January, you tell yourself the same thing: This year, I’ll read more.

And you mean it.

But 2026 is loud. Screens are always within reach. Work spills into evenings. Streaming is effortless. Your brain is tired before you even open a book.

So if you want to know how to read more books in 2026, you don’t need a bigger goal.

You need a smaller system.

Not perfection. Not a “50 books or you failed” vibe. Just a design that helps books fit back into your real life—one small return at a time.

In this guide, you’ll get:

• A simple, repeatable method for how to read more books in 2026

• A curated list of good books to read (approachable, not intimidating)

• A flexible plan that works even when life gets busy

• A gentle tracker that helps you stay consistent without turning reading into homework

And yes—there’s a book list, but not the overwhelming kind. You’ll have a short set of books for reading that match how you actually feel in 2026.

Why It’s So Hard to Read More Books Now

You’re not failing. Your environment is noisy.

1) Your phone is built to win your attention

Books are slower. Phones are instant. That doesn’t mean you’re “weak.” It means your brain is responding normally to constant triggers.

A helpful way to think about this is habit formation: repeated cues + small rewards = automatic behavior over time. If you want a clear, science-backed explanation in plain language, this overview of how habits are formed is genuinely useful.

2) Decision fatigue makes you avoid choosing

You look up “best books to read,” save 37 tabs, then… read none.

Too many options creates the same result as no options: you freeze.

3) All-or-nothing thinking kills consistency

“If I can’t read for an hour, it’s not worth it.” That belief is sneaky—and very common.

But reading more doesn’t come from occasional big sessions. It comes from tiny, repeatable sessions that happen even on busy days.

Common Mistake

Setting an ambitious goal (like 50 books) without changing your daily routine at all.

A big number doesn’t create a new habit. A new default creates a new habit.

If your current routine has zero “book space,” your goal will keep collapsing by February—no matter how motivated you feel in January.

A Simple 3-Part System: How to Read More Books in 2026

If you’re trying to figure out how to read more books in 2026, think in three moves:

1) Shrink the goal (so it survives real life)

Pick a minimum that’s almost too easy:

• 10 pages a day, or

• 15 minutes a day, or

• One chapter a day (only if chapters are short)

This is your minimum, not your maximum. It’s the “keep the habit alive” dose.

When people ask how to read more books in 2026, this is the answer they don’t want (because it’s small)… and the one that works (because it’s repeatable).

2) Anchor reading to a routine you already have

Don’t “find time.” Assign a home.

Pick one anchor:

• Morning coffee / tea

• Commute (ebook or audiobook counts)

• After dinner (10 minutes before streaming)

• Right before bed (phone out of reach)

Your reading habit becomes easier when it’s attached to a predictable moment—because you don’t have to decide every day.

3) Make books the easy option (remove friction)

You’ll read more when the path is smoother than scrolling.

Try:

• Put a book where your phone usually lives

• Keep your current book open on your nightstand

• Download 1–2 ebooks in advance (so you can read in “waiting time”)

• Keep a short list of good books to read visible (Notes app works)

This is how to read more books in 2026 without relying on willpower: you make reading the easiest next step.

Quick Tip

Use a simple timer: 10 minutes of reading before you open any social app.

Not forever. Not a detox. Just a small “book first” moment that protects your attention—especially on tired days.

A Curated 2026 Reading List: Good Books to Read When You’re Restarting

You don’t need 100 recommendations. You need a small set of books for reading that feel welcoming.

Below are categories based on real 2026 moods: tired evenings, screen burnout, anxious brains, and “I want growth but not overwhelm.”

Each title is here because it’s approachable—clear writing, strong pull, and easy entry.

Short, Gripping Books for Reading on Tired Evenings

If your brain feels cooked by 8 PM, these keep you turning pages.

1) The Alchemist — Paulo Coelho One-line hook: A simple story that feels like a calm reset. Why it’s accessible: Clear language, short chapters, steady momentum. Best for: Adults who want meaning without heaviness. This is one of the best books to read when you’re trying to rebuild consistency gently.

2) And Then There Were None — Agatha Christie One-line hook: A mystery that makes “just one more chapter” effortless. Why it’s accessible: Fast pacing and constant curiosity—your focus doesn’t have to work so hard. Best for: Busy readers who struggle to stay engaged.

3) Animal Farm — George Orwell One-line hook: A short classic with a sharp message and simple prose. Why it’s accessible: It’s brief and straightforward—no long warm-up. Best for: Adults who want a classic that doesn’t feel like homework.

Light Nonfiction When You Want to Learn Without Overloading

These are good books to read when you want growth—but your attention span is fragile.

4) Atomic Habits — James Clear One-line hook: Small changes, explained in a way you can actually apply. Why it’s accessible: Short sections, clear takeaways, easy to read in small bites. Best for: Adults building a system for how to read more books in 2026 (and everything else).

5) The Comfort Book — Matt Haig One-line hook: Little reminders that life is allowed to be human. Why it’s accessible: Bite-sized entries you can read in minutes. Best for: Screen-tired readers who want calm, not intensity.

6) Man’s Search for Meaning — Viktor E. Frankl One-line hook: A profound book that’s surprisingly readable. Why it’s accessible: Direct writing, strong message, not overly long. Best for: Adults who want depth and perspective without academic language.

If you need a gentle reminder that reading supports wellbeing (not just “productivity”), explore research on how regular reading supports mental health and wellbeing—it’s reassuring to see the benefits reflected beyond personal experience.

Quiet, Reflective Books That Stay With You

These are the best books to read when you want something meaningful—but still approachable.

7) A Man Called Ove — Fredrik Backman One-line hook: Warm, funny, and unexpectedly tender. Why it’s accessible: Easy prose, strong emotional pull, very readable pace. Best for: Adults who want to fall in love with reading again.

8) The Little Prince — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry One-line hook: Simple on the surface, quietly deep underneath. Why it’s accessible: Short, gentle, and perfect for slower readers. Best for: Adults who want reflection without heaviness.

9) The Giver — Lois Lowry One-line hook: A quick, thoughtful story that pulls you in fast. Why it’s accessible: Clear writing, short chapters, strong “what happens next?” energy. Best for: Readers who want a meaningful story without a big time commitment.

Relationship & Mindset Shifts: The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read (and more)

Sometimes reading more isn’t just about time—it’s about emotional patterns.

If you’re choosing books for reading in 2026 that help you grow as a person (and relate better), start here.

10) The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read — Philippa Perry One-line hook: A compassionate look at how we’re shaped—and how we can relate differently. Why it’s accessible: Clear, practical writing with real emotional insight. Best for: Adults reflecting on family dynamics, emotional habits, and how they show up in relationships (and parenting, if that’s part of your life). This is one of those good books to read slowly—because it helps you notice patterns without blaming yourself.

11) Attached — Amir Levine & Rachel Heller One-line hook: Understand your attachment style and why relationships feel the way they do. Why it’s accessible: Clear explanations, practical language, relatable examples. Best for: Overthinkers and anyone tired of repeating the same emotional cycles.

12) The Gifts of Imperfection — Brené Brown One-line hook: Let go of perfection and come back to what’s real. Why it’s accessible: Short chapters, warm tone, practical reflection. Best for: Adults who feel stuck in “I should be better” pressure.

Notice what we just did: we didn’t chase the loudest “best books to read” list online. We chose books that match real life—and that’s how you actually read more.

Designing a 2026 Reading Plan You Can Actually Keep

Now you’ve got the system and a shortlist of good books to read.

Next step: pick a track that fits your life.

Not your fantasy life. Your real one.

Track A: “One book a month” (12 books in 2026)

This is perfect if you want steady progress with minimal stress.

What it looks like:

• About 10–15 minutes a day, most days

• One book at a time

• You’re allowed to switch if the book is wrong for you

This track works because it’s sustainable—and sustainability is how to read more books in 2026.

Track B: “One short book every two weeks” (24 books in 2026)

Best for: People who love quick wins and momentum.

What it looks like:

• Choose shorter titles (novellas, short classics, bite-sized nonfiction)

• Read 10 pages a day

• Keep your list of books for reading short (3 options max)

Track C: “Seasonal reading” (4 seasons, 3 books each)

Best for: Busy adults whose year is uneven (work peaks, family seasons, travel).

What it looks like:

• 3 books per season (12 total)

• One “easy” book, one “growth” book, one “wildcard” book

• Flexible pacing without guilt

No matter which track you choose, your real job is simple: protect the minimum.

That’s how to read more books in 2026 without burning out.

Using a Gentle Reading Tracker (Without Turning It Into Punishment)

A tracker helps you see progress. Not perfection.

If you’ve struggled to stay consistent, this part matters.

What to track (keep it simple)

In a notebook, notes app, or calendar, track:

• Date

• Minutes or pages

• Current book

• One word about how it felt (calm, slow, fun, heavy, focused)

That last line is the secret. It builds positive feedback. Your brain learns: “Reading feels good.”

A visual you can copy in 2 minutes

Imagine a 30-day grid (like a mini calendar). Each day you read—even 5 pages—you color in the box or add a ✅.

That’s it.

No streak anxiety. No punishment.

If you miss days, you don’t “catch up.” You just continue.

This is how to read more books in 2026: micro-consistency beats occasional binge-reading every time.

Bringing It Together: Your First Step Today

You don’t need a dramatic reading transformation.

You need a small start you’ll repeat.

You now have:

• A 3-part system for how to read more books in 2026

• A curated list of good books to read (not overwhelming, actually approachable)

• A flexible yearly plan

• A gentle tracker that keeps you encouraged

Your first step today: Pick one book from the list, set a 10–15 minute timer, and read. No pressure. No deadline.

If you want to keep the momentum going, explore LiberoReads’ Digital Storytelling Playbook for Authors & Creators and our curated guide to the best classic literature starter pack for readers who want timeless stories without overwhelm. And if you’re a writer too, LiberoReads supports authors with editing, publishing, and consultations—so your ideas can become books readers genuinely finish.