How To Fall In Love With Reading Again In Your 20's

Are you wondering how to fall in love with reading again in your 20’s? Well, you’re in the right place.

When you were a child, did you ever stay up far too late because you just had to finish the next chapter?

Maybe you were halfway through a book series and completely obsessed. You told yourself “just one more chapter” until suddenly it was 2am and you were still reading under the covers.

That kind of reading feels magical. Addictive.

But somewhere along the way, for many of us, reading stopped feeling like that. Instead of being something we wanted to do, it started to feel like something we should do.

A lot of adults want to get back into reading because they miss that feeling- the love of stories, the excitement of being pulled into another world. But between demanding jobs, busy evenings, and the constant noise of the digital world, it can feel like there’s simply no time.

You sit down after work planning to read… and suddenly you need to cook dinner, tidy the house, answer messages, and then somehow “relax”. Before you know it, the evening is gone.

The truth is, it doesn’t have to be like this.

In the digital age our attention is constantly divided. Social media, notifications, endless scrolling- everything is designed to capture our focus. It’s not surprising that sitting down with a book can feel difficult at first.

If you’ve been wanting to reconnect with reading but don’t know where to begin, you’re not alone. Falling back in love with books isn’t about discipline or forcing yourself through “important” novels.

It’s about rediscovering curiosity.

This post is all about how to fall in love with reading again as an adult.

How To Get Back Into Reading

1. Embark on a Book Series

One of the biggest barriers to reading in adulthood is the pressure to read the right books.

Classic literature.
Award winners.
Books everyone else seems to be talking about.

But reading isn’t a competition. The goal isn’t to impress anyone.

If the book that pulls you back into reading is fantasy, romance, or a thriller you picked up randomly in a bookshop, that’s completely valid. The best book to read is simply the one you want to pick up.

And honestly, one of the best ways to fall back into reading is by starting a series.

A good series pulls you into an entirely new world. You become attached to the characters, emotionally invested in what happens next, and suddenly you need to keep reading.

Fair warning though- you may also become emotionally attached and slightly emotionally damaged along the way.

But that’s part of the fun.

Here are some YA book series’ that had me in a chokehold-

The Winner’s Curse.
The Mortal Instruments
To All The Boys I Loved Before

2. Plan a Reading Weekend

A lot of advice about getting back into reading says to “start small”.

And sure, that works for some people.

But, personally? It doesn’t work for me.

I enjoy reading most when I can fully immerse myself in a book. If I stop and start constantly, I lose that emotional connection to the story. Give me the same book to read in a single day versus over two weeks, and I’ll rate the book completely differently.

Sometimes the best way to get back into reading is to binge a book.

Cancel your weekend plans. Make a cosy reading space. Grab snacks, tea, blankets, whatever makes it feel like an event.

You could even try a 24-hour readathon.

Spending a full day immersed in a story can remind you just how addictive reading can be.

3. Create Reading Moments (Not Reading Goals)

Many people set goals like reading 20 or 50 books a year.

But goals like that can sometimes make reading feel like another task on your to-do list.

Instead, try creating reading moments.

For example, reading in the morning can be surprisingly powerful. Starting your day with even a few pages helps build momentum, and it often makes you more excited to pick the book up again later.

I always read on my bus commute. But I also love incorporating audiobooks into my life when I am cleaning, or walking.

If you don’t read at all during the day, opening a book after work can sometimes feel like more effort than it’s worth.

But if you’ve already stepped into that world earlier, returning to it feels natural.

Reading on your commute, listening to an audiobook while getting ready, or reading with your morning coffee are all simple ways to create these moments.

Another thing I love to do is stop at a coffee shop on my way home from work, that always puts me in a good mind set to read over a coffee.

Over time, those small moments naturally turn into more.

4. Visit a Bookshop or Library Without a Plan

Algorithms tend to show us the same books over and over again.

But wandering around a real bookshop or library creates a completely different experience.

Pick books up randomly. Read the first page. Judge them by their covers.

Ignore the idea that you’re supposed to have a strategy.

Some of the best reading experiences come from completely unexpected choices.

I don’t personally rely on monthly TBR lists. Sticking to a schedule just isn’t fun to me. I loke to chose my book based on my mood.

5. Don’t Be Afraid to Quit a Book

Many of us grew up believing that once you start a book, you have to finish it.

But life is far too short for books you aren’t enjoying. Trust me, I’ve dedicated far too much time to books I hated.

If you reach page 50 and you’re bored, it’s okay to stop. Put it down and try something else.

Reading should feel engaging, not like an obligation.

Ironically, giving yourself permission to quit books often makes it much easier to keep reading overall.

6. Surround Yourself With Books

One simple way to read more is to make books part of your everyday environment.

Keep a book on your bedside table. Leave one in the living room. Carry one in your bag.

When books are visible and easy to reach, you’re far more likely to pick one up.

It’s a small change, but it makes a huge difference.

7. Talk About Books With Other People

Reading might technically be a solitary activity, but it becomes much more exciting when you share it with others.

Recommend books to friends. Join a book club. Talk about plot twists and characters you love (or hate).

Sometimes the excitement of discussing a story is exactly what motivates you to pick up the next book.

8. Watch BookTubers and Get Inspired

If you’re struggling to feel motivated, watching other people talk about books can be surprisingly inspiring.

BookTubers and online reading communities are full of passionate readers sharing recommendations, reviews, and reading vlogs.

Seeing someone else get excited about a book often reminds you why you loved reading in the first place.

And before you know it, your to-be-read list is growing again.

I personally LOVE watching 24 hour readathons. I find them so motivating.

9. Try Switching to Physical Books

If you’ve been trying to read on your phone, tablet, or even an e-reader, it might be worth experimenting with physical books instead.

For some people, digital reading works perfectly. But for many of us, reading on a screen makes it much easier to get distracted. Notifications pop up, messages appear, and suddenly you’re scrolling social media instead of reading the next chapter.

Physical books create a different kind of experience.

When you sit down with a real book, it feels more intentional. There are no notifications, no apps, and no temptation to switch tabs. It becomes easier to sink into the story and stay there.

There’s also something satisfying about the physical side of reading — turning pages, seeing your bookmark move further through the book, watching the stack of finished books slowly grow.

If you’ve been struggling to focus while reading digitally, switching to physical books might make all the difference.

Sometimes falling back in love with reading is as simple as changing the format.

This post was all about how to fall in love with reading again in your 20s.

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