Reading is one of the most enriching habits you can develop, yet it’s easy to let it slip when life gets busy. Whether you're trying to read more books or simply want to enjoy the act of reading for the personal benefits it brings, building a regular reading habit can be rewarding. To create a lasting reading habit, it helps to set realistic reading goals. Setting goals that are too ambitious can leave you feeling overwhelmed, so it’s better to start small. Aiming for a chapter a day or 15-20 minutes of reading each day is a great way to ease into it. By breaking things down into manageable chunks, you can make consistent progress and feel motivated to keep going.
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It’s also important to choose books that excite you. Many people struggle to read more because they’re not reading books that truly interest them. While it’s great to challenge yourself with genres outside your comfort zone, make sure that the reading experience is something you enjoy. Whether it’s fiction, memoirs, or self-help books, choose material that sparks your curiosity. This will help make reading feel more like a rewarding activity rather than a chore, which can be motivating.

Incorporating reading into your daily routine is one of the best ways to ensure you stick to it. Try dedicating specific times during your day to read. Whether it’s during your commute, before bed, or during lunch breaks, find a time slot that works for you. Creating a routine where reading becomes as natural as any other habit, like brushing your teeth, makes it much easier to stick with it in the long term. If mornings work better for you, try waking up 10 minutes earlier to read a chapter before starting your day. If evenings suit you better, reading before bed can be a relaxing way to wind down.

Distractions can also be a major barrier when trying to establish a reading habit. Whether it’s social media, TV, or other demands on your time, distractions can make it hard to focus. To make reading more effective, try to limit these distractions. Create a quiet reading space, turn off your phone or put it on airplane mode, and dedicate that time solely to reading. Even just 20 minutes of uninterrupted reading can make a significant difference and help you form the habit.

Tracking your progress is another great way to stay motivated. Use a journal, or apps like Goodreads or StoryGraph, to track the books you’ve finished and the ones you’re currently reading. Some apps even allow you to set goals for how many books you want to read in a year. Watching your progress can help maintain motivation and remind you of the positive impact reading is having on your life. Celebrating small wins, such as completing a chapter or finishing a book, can provide a sense of accomplishment and boost your confidence to continue.

Sometimes, you might start reading a book and realise it’s just not for you. That’s completely fine! One of the biggest myths about building a reading habit is that you must finish every book you start. If a book isn’t grabbing your attention, don’t feel bad about putting it down and trying something else. Reading should be an enjoyable experience, not a task you feel pressured to complete. Trust your instincts, and don’t be afraid to pick up a different book that piques your interest more.

If you find yourself struggling to stay engaged with one book, consider reading multiple books at once. Switching between genres or different types of books—like a non-fiction book for education and a light novel for relaxation—can keep things fresh and prevent boredom. Having a variety of books to choose from allows you to read depending on your mood, which makes it easier to maintain the habit.

Finally, if you’re finding it difficult to sit down with a physical book, consider incorporating audiobooks into your routine. Audiobooks allow you to ‘read’ while you’re doing other tasks like driving, exercising, or cleaning. They’re a great option for staying on track with your reading goals without needing to dedicate extra time. Audiobooks make it possible to enjoy books while staying on the go, and they can be just as engaging as reading the traditional way.

Building a reading habit takes time, patience, and consistency. By setting realistic goals, choosing books that genuinely interest you, and carving out time in your day to read, you’ll be well on your way to developing a lasting reading habit. Don’t stress about reading quickly or finishing every book—just enjoy the process and let your love for reading grow naturally. Happy reading!

I’ve just finished watching all six episodes of Years and Years tonight, in one sitting—which is honestly rare for me. Normally, I’m not one to binge-watch a series in a single evening, but this show completely pulled me in. I couldn’t help myself; I had to keep watching.
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If you’re a fan of shows like Black Mirror, Years and Years might be right up your alley. It has that same sense of unsettling futurism—though it’s not as dystopian, it’s still a sharp, thought-provoking look at where our world could be heading. The series blends current-day politics, social change, and technological advances with a dose of emotional family drama, and it does so in such a way that it feels both alarmingly real and eerily close to what might be just around the corner.

The show follows the Lyons, an ordinary British family, over the course of 15 years. You watch as their lives unfold against the backdrop of an ever-changing world—a world that’s shaped by political shifts, advances in technology, and mounting societal pressures. What I loved about Years and Years is how it centres on this one family but somehow manages to make the story feel so much bigger. It’s not just about their personal struggles, but how these are mirrored in the larger global landscape.

What really struck me were the performances. The cast is fantastic—especially Emma Thompson, who plays a controversial, outspoken politician that becomes the driving force of much of the narrative. But it’s also the small, intimate moments between the family members that really make this show stand out. It’s a mix of the personal and the political, showing how the choices we make affect not only our own lives but the world around us.

I’ll admit, I didn’t expect the emotional depth. There were times when I found myself genuinely moved by the characters’ journeys. It’s easy to forget that behind all the global headlines, we’re all just people trying to navigate a world that’s rapidly changing. And Years and Years does an incredible job of reminding you of that.

If you’re someone who likes thought-provoking television that isn’t afraid to make you uncomfortable, Years and Years is definitely worth a watch. It’s not just a show about the future—it’s about how the decisions we make today could shape the world tomorrow. It’s relevant, it’s emotional, and it’s a little bit terrifying in the best way possible.

For me, it was one of those rare shows that had me hooked from start to finish, and I’m definitely glad I took the time to watch it all in one go.