So you want to start reading, or maybe you are trying to get back into it after years away. That is genuinely great. But here is something no one really says out loud. You do not need to start with a 500 page novel. In fact, that is often the fastest way to convince yourself that you hate reading.
Let’s talk about how to build a reading habit that actually sticks.
Start Small and Keep It Easy
Start with the news. Articles. Short stories. Blog posts. Anything that takes about five to fifteen minutes to read.
This does two important things. First, it gets you used to sitting down and reading without the pressure of a huge commitment. Second, it helps you figure out what actually holds your attention.
Pay attention to what you keep clicking on. True crime. Celebrity gossip. Deep dives into niche hobbies. Political analysis. None of that is accidental. It is data. Your brain is telling you what it enjoys, so listen to it.
Watch a Lot of Shows and Movies Yes Really
This sounds counterintuitive, but it works. What you love watching is often exactly what you will love reading.
If you love cozy mystery shows, you will probably enjoy cozy mystery novels. If you cannot get enough of dramatic period pieces, historical fiction might be perfect for you. If you are obsessed with one specific show, fanfiction for that world can be an easy and fun way in.
The stories that hook you on screen are pointing you toward the stories that will hook you on the page.
Fanfiction and Graphic Novels Absolutely Count
Let’s be clear. Fanfiction is reading. Graphic novels are reading. Webtoons are reading. Anyone who tells you otherwise is wrong.
These formats can actually be ideal starting points. Fanfiction already comes with characters and worlds you care about, which removes the effort of getting invested from scratch.
Graphic novels combine visuals and text in a way that can make reading feel more natural and engaging.
If this ends up being your main type of reading, that is completely fine. There is no rule saying you have to move on to anything else.
Build Up at Your Own Pace
Consistency matters more than difficulty. If you start with short fanfics or short comics, slowly work your way up. Read a five thousand word story. Then a ten thousand word one. Then maybe a much longer fic.
Your attention span for reading works like a muscle. It grows with use.
At some point, something shifts. You start thinking about characters when you are not reading. You get antsy when you have not read in a few days. Stories start living in your head. That is when you know the habit has stuck.
From there, moving into published novels, if you even want to, feels natural. You are already in love with stories. You are just finding them in new places.
The Most Important Part
If none of this works for you, that is okay.
Not everyone has to love reading. Not everyone connects with books in the same way. Some people prefer visual storytelling. Some people prefer audio. Some brains just do not click with text, and that says nothing about intelligence or creativity.
The moment reading feels like something you should do instead of something you want to do, it stops being fun. And leisure activities are supposed to be enjoyable.
Make Reading Work for You
If you do want to read, make it comfortable and enjoyable.
Reading is not a competition and it is not a moral achievement. Whether you read one book a year or one hundred, whether you read romance, literary fiction, fanfiction, or nothing at all, the only rule that matters is this.
