How to Make Reading Enjoyable Again: Your Guide to Finding Fun in Fiction
Life in the modern world is a constant barrage of screens… If you’ve been looking for a quiet reprieve, you’ve likely entertained the idea of getting into (or back into) reading books, which leads to the crucial question: how to make reading enjoyable again and engaging enough to compete with all the noise?
But fear not, brave traveler. The Paperbound Realms are waiting, and they are worth the journey. We’re here to show you that fiction isn’t something you just read—it’s something you experience, explore, and have fun with.
On this journey, my goal is to help you shift your mindset… Let’s begin this journey back to the Paperbound Realms.
Once you hone the practice of choosing books that kindle your joy, you will discover why reading has become a hobby for millions of people just like you all over the world. (And yes, while this guide is mainly focused on Fiction, the rules still apply to non-fiction.)
Shifting Your Mindset: How to Make Reading Enjoyable Again
The Anti-Guilt Rule: Embrace the Quit Clause
The first and arguably most important lesson for learning how to make reading enjoyable again is this: It is okay to stop reading a book.
This feeling of guilt has a way of hitting even the most seasoned readers in the bookish community. No matter the level of dedication, not every book will resonate with you—and that is perfectly okay!
Reading is a personal endeavor; it should be pleasurable, not homework (unless it is actual homework—then bookmark this page, do your homework, and come back later). Taking away the pressure of feeling like you need to finish Every. Single. Book. can make the overall experience of reading more enjoyable and lighter.
I call it the “50-Page Escape Clause.” While I personally don’t hold myself to a hard 50-page limit—it usually depends on the size and pacing of the novel—it’s a useful rule of thumb. Some of the best books I have consumed took a good number of pages to pick up steam, and when they did, I couldn’t put them down.
Fuel Your Fiction: Focus on the Experience
Framing reading as a simple pleasure of life is also immensely beneficial. You aren’t reading for nothing; you are reading to find escape, to engage in a form of active meditation, and/or to adventure in a different world. Many studies have shown that reading fiction can boost empathy and reduce stress.
Furthermore, a journey into the Paperbound Realms can also contribute to learning more about yourself. This mindset, backed by studies showing that reading fiction boosts empathy and reduces stress, enhances the activity from just a relaxing pastime to an essential act of self-care.
Simple Steps to Consistency: How to Make Reading Enjoyable Again Through Habit
Creating Your Reading Ritual (The “Escape Pod” Method)
One word: Immersion.
It is hard to focus and immerse yourself in a good book if you are surrounded by distractions. One of the best ways to answer the question of how to make reading enjoyable again is to stop treating it like a casual activity…
Prepare your favorite drink, light a candle, find a comfortable chair—create your escape pod from reality. Dedicating the time and creating your space helps signal to the brain that it’s time to relax and shift gears. This is how you train yourself to enjoy reading!
The 5-Minute Transition: Starting Quietly
While creating your physical “Escape Pod” is key, you must also prepare your mental space. If you jump straight from an active screen (work, texting, browsing) to reading, your mind is still racing, making the book feel slow and tedious.
This is why I use a 5-Minute Transition. Before you even pick up your book:
- Close all high-stimulation inputs. Put your phone on ‘Do Not Disturb’ and turn off the TV.
- Focus on your ritual. Use the first three minutes of your reading window. Make your tea (or coffee), clear your space, and sit down without the book.
- Engage passive focus. For the last two minutes, listen only to your chosen ambient sound. Allow your mind to settle and de-clutter.
This tiny, non-reading warm-up is the secret sauce to full immersion. It gently shifts your brain from reactive mode to receptive mode, drastically improving your focus from the very first page and solidifying how to make reading enjoyable again by eliminating the initial struggle of concentration.
Tune Out Distractions with Ambient Sounds
Speaking of distractions, many readers find complete silence can be as distracting as actual noise. Don’t shy away from trying to enhance the experience with ambient sounds to help build atmosphere and enhance your fiction reading.
You can try white noise/rain apps, instrumental movie scores (that fit the mood of your book), or even just reading in a quiet place outdoors. This will help create a focused bubble and ultimately help you become fully immersed in the story without the pressure of complete silence.
Build Consistency: Establish a Non-Negotiable Routine
Consistency is the key to creating a reading habit… …I recommend 10–30 minutes, or roughly 3–5 pages of your book per day. The more you stick to your reading goals, you will find that eventually the habit will “click,” and you will start to genuinely look forward to it—a clear sign that you’ve rediscovered how to enjoy reading again.
I recommend 10–30 minutes, or roughly 3–5 pages of your book per day. The more you stick to your reading goals, you will find that eventually the habit will “click,” and you will start to genuinely look forward to it.
The Actionable Tactics to Engage with the World on the Page
Destroy the Book: Engaging Kinetically with Your Fiction
This is controversial in the book community, but I pride myself on being a reading renegade. I dog-ear pages, highlight my favorite quotes, use those Post-it flags to remember my favorite sections, annotate margins, and make the process of reading physical and active—and so should you.
Don’t be afraid to destroy the book (in the best way possible). This kinetic engagement with your book turns reading into a creative process and makes reading fun. I also find it helps me remember the stories, ideas, and concepts better.
Shared Journeys are More Fun: How to Enjoy Reading Again With Friends
Every adventure is better with friends – including reading!
Don’t go the reading journey alone! Reading can be a social endeavor and can have a profound impact on your enjoyment. You can join a book club online or in your local community for discussions.
Better yet, get a friend or two involved and read together. You can text back and forth, meet weekly or monthly, and forge bonds through books. Sharing in the experience of reading and the discovery of great novels, complaining about plot twists, characters you love and those you would dropkick into the mouth of an active volcano, and trading insights are all great ways to make reading more enjoyable, memorable, and even fun!
The Secret Weapon: Choosing the Right Fiction to Start
If you are trying to start (or restart) your reading habit, you don’t want to start with a massive, twelve-hundred-page “doorstopper.” Your secret weapon is making sure you choose the “right” fiction for you. My suggestion is to start with something fast-paced, action-packed, and with a thrilling edge.
Contemporary Young Adult (YA), or engaging, short genre-fiction is a great place to start. These books are written to build momentum, and the writing/language is accessible.
I would also like to note that this section does not only apply to regular books. Do not be afraid to try out comic books, graphic novels, manga, and audiobooks. You may find you go through seasons of reading different types of books—which is a great way to keep things fresh!
Final Thought: How to Make Reading Enjoyable Again (The Frigate)
At Paperbound Realms, we believe fiction isn’t just something you read—it’s something you experience… It is my greatest hope that we have inspired you and given you some good ideas of how to make reading more enjoyable.
In a world filled with flickering screens, an endless cacophony of noise, and distraction, we hope that you may find a moment of reprieve and adventure in the worlds that lie in between the pages of a good book.
More importantly, it is our greatest wish that if you do cultivate a love for reading in due time—to pass the magic of reading on to others. While reading can be fun and enjoyable, it is one of the greatest skills a person can possess. It is a medium of learning, reflection, and is a vehicle that aids the free flow of ideas.
As Emily Dickinson once said:
“There is no frigate like a book to take us lands away…”
So go boldly, dear reader – many worlds and their inhabitants await your arrival.