A Gentle Guide to Reading More in a Noisy World
Not so long ago, reading books was a normal part of everyday life. But today, something has shifted.
Studies show that fewer Americans are reading books for pleasure than ever before. In fact, research tracking high school seniors found that the number who read six or more books a year for fun dropped from nearly 40% in the 1970s to about 13% in recent years. At the same time, the number who don’t read a single book for pleasure has risen dramatically.
As cheap mass market paperbacks disappear, reading risks becoming even less accessible for working-class readers. These small, low-cost books were often the easiest way to grab a story at a grocery store, pharmacy, or airport without spending $20+ on a single title. But by the end of 2025, ReaderLink—the major supplier for airport and retail book racks—announced it would no longer carry mass market paperbacks, reflecting a broader shift toward pricier formats and digital reading. When affordable books get harder to find, reading can start to feel like a luxury instead of an everyday habit—and over time, fewer people reading for pleasure can mean reading confidence and overall reading levels dip even more.
So reading is taking a nosedive! The reason isn’t that people stopped loving stories. It’s also that our attention is constantly pulled away — by social media feeds, notifications, and the endless pull of screens designed to keep us scrolling.
But here’s the hopeful truth:
Reading hasn’t disappeared. It’s simply waiting for a gentler way back into our lives.
Over the past year, I found myself reading more again—not by forcing discipline, but by changing a few small habits that made reading easier to return to. If you’ve been wanting to read more but feel like life is simply too busy or distracting, these five small shifts can make a surprising difference.
1. Start Smaller Than You Think
One of the biggest mistakes people make when trying to read more is setting goals that feel overwhelming.
“Read for an hour a day.”
“Finish a book every week.”
Instead, start with something beautifully small: 1 page.
One pages is approachable. It doesn’t feel like work. It’s something you can do before bed, with your morning coffee, or during a quiet moment in the afternoon.
And the funny thing about 1 page is this:
Once you start, it often turns into ten... twenty… or thirty… without trying.
Reading is like a muscle. The more gently you practice, the easier it becomes.
2. Choose Stories You Actually Enjoy
Reading shouldn’t feel like homework.
Many people stop reading because they think they should read certain books—classics, business books, or whatever is trending online.
But the best way to rebuild a reading habit is simple: read what you genuinely love.
For some people that’s cozy mysteries.
For others it’s fantasy, horror, romance, or thrillers.
Fiction, especially, can be incredibly powerful. It gives your mind a break from the constant noise of the world and invites you into a story instead.
Joy is what keeps readers coming back.
3. Let Technology Work For You
There’s a lot of conversation right now about living a more “analog” life. And while that can be a beautiful goal, it doesn’t mean we have to abandon technology entirely.
Instead, the goal is to use technology intentionally.
Some technology drains us — endless scrolling, algorithm-driven feeds, and online arguments.
But some technology supports deeper living.
E-readers and audiobooks are wonderful examples.
Reading on an e-reader like a Kindle or Kobo can actually make reading easier and more comfortable. Adjustable fonts reduce eye strain, the device is easy to carry everywhere, and having a book available anytime makes it much easier to pick up reading in small moments.
Audiobooks are another helpful tool. They allow stories to accompany you during walks, chores, commutes, or quiet evenings.
When used thoughtfully, technology can actually help us return to slower, richer habits.
4. Let Other Readers Help You Choose
Another common reason people stop reading is surprisingly simple:
they don’t know what to read next.
Decision fatigue is real.
One of the easiest solutions is to follow a book creator whose tastes match yours. Many readers share thoughtful recommendations through YouTube, Instagram, or blogs, and their suggestions can become a wonderful source of new books to add to your reading list.
Instead of endlessly browsing or overthinking your next pick, you can simply choose from a list of books that already sound exciting.
Sometimes a great reading year begins with one good recommendation.
5. Track Your Reading Journey
There is something deeply satisfying about recording what you’ve read.
A reading tracker or planner can turn reading from a vague intention into a quiet ritual. Writing down the books you finish, the months you read them, or even small reflections about them creates a visual reminder of your progress.
It’s not about competition or hitting big numbers.
It’s about noticing the journey.
A tracker gently reminds you that reading doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. Even a few books a year can bring beauty, imagination, and calm back into your life.
Returning to Stories, One Page at a Time
In a world that constantly demands our attention, reading offers something rare: depth.
It invites us to slow down.
To focus on one story instead of a thousand scattered posts.
To spend time with ideas that last longer than a few seconds on a screen.
If you’ve been missing reading, you don’t need to overhaul your life.
Just begin with one small step.
One page.
One story you’re excited about.
A quiet moment with a cup of coffee and a book in your hands.
Reading doesn’t have to be another task on your list.
It can simply be a place to rest.
And sometimes, the most meaningful habits return not through pressure—but through peace.