Some days it’s tricky – even for dedicated bookworms – to find a few minutes to read. I’m not talking about those glorious, all-consuming books that seize you by the collar and drag you through chapters until you reach the end. Those books somehow create their own time and momentum. You sneak them in between meetings, abandon everything, and pretend you didn’t hear someone call your name. Their gravitational pull is powerful. I’m mostly talking about the times when books don’t demand the same level of urgency, but wait to welcome you back whenever you have a moment.

To squeeze more reading time into your day, why not consider these five underrated habits from the perspective of two reader modes: Do-Not-Disturb readers (who devour pages faster than they breathe in oxygen) and Slow-and-Steady readers who read in small snatches of time. To clarify, we’re not one or the other, but slip between modes depending on book, mood, circumstances and current capacity.

1. “Five more minutes please…”

This doesn’t apply too much to readers in Do-Not-Disturb mode, since five minutes barely registers. You have to know what happens next, so don’t be surprised if five becomes 55 minutes. In Slow-and-Steady mode, however, five minutes is a solid doorway to drop back into the story.

Why it’s underrated: Five minutes a day adds up to roughly 30 hours and 25 minutes a year. The secret here is how many five-minute gaps you can slot into your day.

2. “Give me my space”

Do-Not-Disturb readers have zero spatial awareness. They’ll read standing up without any discomfort. They don’t need space either.

The Slow-and-Steady crowd often benefits from creating a tiny sanctuary: a soft blanket, a scented candle, a mug of tea, or a pet to cuddle – anything that suggests: It’s reading time now.

Why it’s underrated: Your body remembers rituals even on days when your brain feels way too overwhelmed with life.

3. A nudge in the right direction

Let’s be clear. Do-Not-Disturb readers do not need nudges, but those in Slow-and-Steady mode sometimes appreciate a reminder – such as a bookmark left across a computer keyboard – to return to the story.

Why it’s underrated: Even the most devoted reader can benefit from a cue to take some time out of the day for reading pleasure.

 4. The one-page promise

For readers in Do-Not-Disturb, this is laughable. One page? Unthinkable. Stressful, even. You do not rest until you finish the book. Simple.

For those in the Slow-and-Steady lane, the one-page promise removes any pressure of ‘making good progress’. Before your day begins, choose a manageable reading intention, like one page. This shifts your reading into a promise to yourself: honourable and achievable. Some days you fly through a page and then a chapter or two. On others, you read eight lines. Either way, your connection to the book stays alive.

Why it’s underrated: Slow and steady often does win the proverbial race, and you get the satisfaction of showing up for yourself.

5. Reflect and recover

Readers in Do-Not-Disturb mode will reach the ending unnaturally soon and be left reeling because the book is now finished. They are bereft, lost, and already reaching for a rebound book to survive the loss. They embark upon a road to recovery. Here I’d recommend they reflect on what captivated them so completely, all while working through a survival kit that often includes tracking down every other book by the same author.

When Slow-and-Steady readers close a book, it’s not uncommon for them to pause. They savour the moment. They may work through a reading journal, or even leave the book to rest on the bedside table for a few days while they process things.

Why it’s underrated: A moment of reflection deepens the pleasure and helps the story linger longer.

Last point to ponder

Even on chaotic days, reading can thrive in the periphery of life. You don’t need long, empty afternoons or perfect lighting to set the scene. Don’t get me wrong – while that is blissful, there is a lot to be gained by gifting yourself a few minutes, some space, and a nudge in the right direction on those days when you need it most.

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez  on Unsplash