How to Read More Books: 12 Habits That Turn Scrolling Time Into Reading Time
Most people who say "I don't have time to read" do have the time — it's just going somewhere else. Twenty minutes of scrolling on the commute, half an hour in bed, a few minutes in every queue. Redirect even part of that and you can read a book or more a month. Here's how to read more books, without turning reading into a chore.
The short answer
To read more: read books you actually enjoy, keep a book where you usually scroll, attach reading to an existing habit (commute, coffee, bedtime), start with 10 pages or 10 minutes a day, allow yourself to quit books you don't like, and track your progress. Consistency beats reading speed every time.
Where the time comes from
| Usual scrolling moment | Reading swap | Pages (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Commute (20 min each way) | Book or e-reader | 20–30 a day |
| Before bed (20 min) | Paper book | 10–20 a day |
| Lunch break (15 min) | Book or audiobook | 10 a day |
| Waiting rooms, queues | Paperback in your bag | A few pages |
Twenty pages a day is roughly a 300-page book every two weeks.
12 habits to read more books
1. Read what you enjoy
The fastest way to stop reading is to force yourself through something you find boring. Choose books you're genuinely curious about — any genre counts.
2. Keep a book where you scroll
On the sofa, by the bed, in your bag. Make the book as easy to reach as your phone.
3. Stack reading onto a habit
"After I get into bed, I read." "After I sit on the train, I open my book." Habit stacking makes reading automatic.
4. Start small
Ten pages or ten minutes a day. Small daily reading adds up far faster than occasional long sessions.
5. Put your phone away
Reading with your phone next to you invites interruptions. Put it in another room or out of reach.
6. Quit books freely
If a book isn't working after 50 pages, move on. There are too many good books to finish one you don't enjoy.
Replacify helps you swap a bad habit for a better one — with structured paths, an SOS button for cravings, a focus timer, and streaks that keep you going.
7. Have the next book ready
Momentum dies between books. Keep a short list — or a small stack — of what you'll read next.
8. Mix formats
Paper, e-reader, audiobooks: they all count. Audiobooks are great for commutes, walks and chores.
9. Read in bed instead of scrolling
Replacing bedtime scrolling with reading also helps you wind down. A paper book or an e-ink reader with a warm light works best.
10. Set a realistic goal
"12 books this year" or "one book a month" gives direction without pressure. Adjust if it becomes a chore.
11. Track your reading
Seeing your pages, books or reading streak build up is motivating. Why streaks work.
12. Talk about books
Join a book club, share recommendations with friends or keep a short note about each book. Reading becomes more rewarding when it's social.
What if I can't focus when I read?
If your attention drifts after a page or two, you're not alone — heavy scrolling can make sustained focus feel harder. Start with shorter sessions (five to ten minutes), choose engaging books, and read somewhere without your phone. Most people find their reading focus improves within a couple of weeks. Brain rot and how to recover your focus.
Reading as a replacement habit
Reading is one of the best replacements for scrolling, binge-watching or late-night snacking. It fills the same idle moments, gives you something to think about, and builds a sense of progress. Hobbies to replace bad habits.
The bottom line
You probably have time to read more — it's just going to your phone. Choose books you enjoy, keep one where you usually scroll, attach reading to an existing habit, start small, quit books freely and track your progress.
Replacify's 10-Book Reading path turns this into a structured challenge, with phases, steps, tips and checkpoint badges as you work through your books. Use the focus timer for phone-free reading sessions and watch your reading streak grow on the heatmap calendar.
Frequently asked questions
How can I read more books?
Read books you enjoy, keep a book where you usually scroll, attach reading to an existing habit like bedtime or your commute, start with 10 pages a day, quit books you don't like and track your progress.
How many pages a day should I read?
Even 10–20 pages a day adds up: 20 pages a day is roughly a 300-page book every two weeks.
Do audiobooks count as reading?
For building a reading habit and enjoying books, yes. They're especially useful for commutes, walks and chores.
Why can't I focus when I read?
Heavy scrolling and distractions can make sustained focus feel harder. Start with short sessions, pick engaging books and keep your phone out of reach.
Replace the habit. Not yourself.
Replacify helps you swap a bad habit for a better one — with structured paths, an SOS button for cravings, a focus timer, and streaks that keep you going.