A friend says they want to read more but never manage to. What advice would you give them?

B Natural answer

I'd probably tell them to make reading more realistic. People often say they want to read more, but they leave it for some perfect moment that never comes. A better approach is to read in short bursts during times that are already free, like on the commute, while waiting for dinner, or before sleep. I’d also suggest they make it part of your routine by attaching it to something they already do every day, such as coffee in the morning or five minutes in bed. And they should pick books you actually enjoy instead of reading what they think they are supposed to read. If the book feels heavy or boring, it is much harder to come back to it. Small, enjoyable sessions build consistency better than ambitious plans that collapse after a week.

Key phrases in this answer

• read in short bursts — Read for brief periods instead of waiting for a long stretch of free time.“I read in short bursts on the train and before sleep.”
• make it part of your routine — Turn reading into a regular daily habit linked to something you already do.“If you make it part of your routine, it becomes much easier to stick with.”
• pick books you actually enjoy — Choose books that genuinely interest you, not just ones that seem impressive.“Pick books you actually enjoy, and you'll be more likely to finish them.”
• set a tiny goal — Choose a very small target so it feels easy to begin and finish.“Set a tiny goal, like ten pages a day, and build from there.”
• keep a book nearby — Have a book within reach so you can read during spare moments.“I keep a book nearby on the sofa so I can read whenever I have a minute.”
• stop waiting for the perfect mood — Stop relying on the right feeling before starting something.“If you want to read more, stop waiting for the perfect mood and just start.”