Reading is a firm hobby of mine, and people often ask me how I find so much time to dedicate to it. But it's not all reading sprints and sitting down with no other plans at weekends...09:25, 05 Jul 2026Reading is my favourite hobby, and therefore, I dedicate a lot of time to it. But it's not all sitting down for 12-hour reading sprints and timing myself for hours in cafes. In fact, most of my reading is done in the sneaky little moments where most people opt to scroll on their phones.‌Contrary to what most people assume, I don't just spend my whole weekends in the garden devouring books. While I do like to dedicate a few hours to reading each weekend, 24-hour readathons do not sound like my thing, and I think I'd get far too antsy to be able to commit to it.‌Subscribe to my award-winning newsletter below:‌That being said, so far this year, I've read 134 books. The most books I've finished in one day is three, but that's a very rare occasion. And just because I had a lot of free time, I'm sharing my tips on how I manage to enjoy so many books each year, because I'm feeling kind as it's the National Year of Reading!1. Read when you're waiting aroundIf I'm waiting around for my friends to meet me at a restaurant and they're running late, one of my favourite things to do, rather than scroll or stare into space, is get my book out.‌Even if they're five minutes late, I'll probably be able to squeeze a chapter in, maybe two. And if they're running even later, it's absolutely no problem, because I'll have made 10% progress before I clock them walking into the restaurant. I won't be texting you every two seconds to ask you where you are right now, because I'm too busy with my head in a fictional world! Plus, we can read the menu together because I haven't taken a sneak peek yet and decided what I want...2. Read in bed before you go to sleepRather than scrolling endlessly on TikTok before bed, which isn't good for you for many reasons (blue light, anyone?) I read. Usually on my Kindle, unless I'm reading a particularly unputdownable paperback. Hardbacks in bed are an absolute no-go because you just can't get comfortable lying down with them.However, something else I like to utilise when I can is the Spotify page match, which can pick up where you left off in the book with audio. Absolutely genius if you ask me! Because, yes, contrary to what many naysayers reckon, listening to audio definitely does count as reading, and I'll argue forever with anyone who denies this.‌But reading in bed before you go to sleep has actual, real-life health benefits.A well-known study from the University of Sussex found that reading for just 6 minutes can reduce stress levels by up to 68%. It works faster and more effectively than other relaxation methods, such as listening to music or drinking a hot cup of tea. Distracting your mind eases muscle tension and lowers your heart rate.Also, if you get into the habit of reading before you go to sleep, your brain signals to your body that it's wind-down time. When you open a book under a soft bedside light, you are signalling to your body that it is time to transition into sleep mode.‌However, beyond the immediate sleep benefits, a nightly reading habit keeps your brain sharp over time. It is linked to better cognitive function as you age, improved empathy as you step into characters' shoes, and a broader vocabulary.3. Read on public transportIf you have to take a train or a bus to where you're going, don't waste your time staring into space if you want to get better at reading more. The best thing that you can do, again, is take your e-reader with you, or a light physical copy of a book, and just block the world out while you're there.Even the readers with a slow pace will be able to read a decent amount of a book in a half-hour journey. I used to commute around five hours on the train every day in 2020 (I know), and before I got back into reading, I used to spend my time playing Mario Kart...‌But one day, I just decided to take a book with me from home, and I finished it by the time I was halfway through my journey home. So I had to pop into WHSmith, pick myself a book up (I remember it was Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams, pre the proper BookTok boom) and by the time I'd done the short walk home from the train station, I'd almost finished it.You can completely zone out while still being aware of your surroundings, which is perfect for me!4. Take your book or Kindle everywhere with youThere are always going to be moments in your life where you wish you just packed your book or Kindle because you've found yourself waiting in a line longer than you anticipated or something similar. I've never once regretted taking something to read with me, and I've only been caught without a book a couple of times.‌Even when I'm being a passenger princess for a short journey, I'll make sure I have some reading material with me... you never know when there's going to be major traffic!Whether it's a paperback or an e-reader you're opting for, it basically weighs nothing, so there's no real reason you can't just shove it in your bag and be on your way! If you've got a smaller Kindle, it might even fit in your pocket! Or, alternatively, take your headphones and whack on an audiobook if you'd prefer!5. Read on your break at workIf you've got half an hour or an hour at work to chill, you can squeeze in some reading time. If you've got a half an hour lunch, I'd say maybe eat your lunch at your desk and then dedicate the timed half an hour to just reading the novel you're on at the moment.‌Whereas, if you've got an hour, you can eat, and then read for the rest of the time. Much like reading on public transport, the time will go so quickly, and before you know it, you'll have read a good portion of your book in no time at all. In around 30 minutes, I can read anywhere between 40 and 70 pages, depending on how locked in I get, so it's well worth a go.Final thoughts...So, remember: it's not just about being a bookworm; it's upgrading your downtime. If you implement all of these tiny little changes, you'll notice that each year, you're setting an even higher Goodreads goal for you to achieve.Of course, reading isn't about being a high achiever. Whether you read three books in a year or 300, it doesn't matter, as long as you're enjoying the process and feel like you're actually getting something from it.Article continues belowWill you be implementing any of these reading techniques? Let us know in the comments...