How to (Actually) Read More Books in 2026

Lessons learned tripling the number of books I read last year

App callout note: This blog post is part of our...

This blog post is part of our 2022 Goals Series. Achieve your goals in the new year with an accompanying step-by-step Todoist template to help you read more. Achieve other aims like cooking at home, organizing your home, and disconnecting from technology (at least some of the time).

Find your motivation

Expand your knowledge

Improve your brain

De-stress and relax

Feel less alone

Spark creativity

Fall asleep

Reduce reading friction

To make it easier to start reading, have a go-to process for how you access a new book.

Library (& other borrowing)

Most public libraries let you borrow audiobook and e-books through an app like Overdrive.

App callout note: 🎁 📕 Tip: Have an affordable, eco-friendly,...

🎁 📕 Tip: Have an affordable, eco-friendly, and meaningful holiday gift exchange by swapping old books with family or friends.

Print books

E-books

App callout note: Tablet or e-reader? E-readers are designed just...

Tablet or e-reader? E-readers are designed just for reading. They are lighter, cheaper, use less battery, and induce less eye strain, but they aren’t great for much beyond reading.

Audiobooks

Curate your reading list

Discover what you like

Keep a book list

🖋 Get the <a href="https://www.todoist.com/templates/reading-list">Todoist Reading List template</a> to keep track of the list of books you want to read in 2024.

Choose books that match your mood

Sample before you read

Have multiple books at a time

Set reading goals

Set a numbers goal

...Or don’t set a numbers goal

Other types of goals

Build a reading habit

Make it easy to start

Start small

Create a <a href="https://www.todoist.com/help/articles/set-a-recurring-due-date">task with a recurring due date</a> in Todoist to remind you to read every day

Read at a certain time of day

Multi-task with audiobooks

Make time

App callout note: 🦮 Guide: Struggling to focus on what’s...

🦮 Guide: Struggling to focus on what’s most important in your life? Check out this guide on How to Prioritize When There's Always More to Do.

Create a distraction-free right environment

App callout note: 🦮 Guide: Learn how to minimize the...

🦮 Guide: Learn how to minimize the distraction in your life by trying a digital declutter.

App callout note: 📱 Template: Try the Todoist Digital Detox...

📱 Template: Try the Todoist Digital Detox Template to disconnect more from your technology.

Try visual cues

Take time to organize your books in a way that gives you a visible reminder of what you want to read. (Credit: <a href="https://yorkavenueblog.com/category/books-top-us-lifestyle-blog/">Jackie Clair</a>)

Take notes

Write reviews

Put down a book you’re not into

Make reading an enjoyment (not an obligation)

Elaine Meyer

Elaine is a writer, editor, and content strategist who is interested in tech, health, and the future of work.

Productivity