Januread 2025: Restarting the reading habit

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Book reading is on the decline, and yet there is accumulating research demonstrating a wide range ofbenefits associated with reading books. These benefits are much more likely to be attained when we engage deeply with the books that we read – that is, when we read books which are personally enjoyable, meaningful and enriching.

If you have not read a book recently, don’t know how to choose a book you will enjoy, or have found it difficult to develop or sustain a reading habit, you are not alone.

This article shares four key ideas to restart your reading habit in 2025, and find books you will enjoy.

Choice

Our reading choices are personal, and dependent upon our interests and the types of experiences we want from the books we read.

For those who haven’t read recently, think about the types of experiences you want from books. Do you want something gripping? An easy read, or something to make you laugh? Or would you prefer something thought-provoking?

Books offer an abundance of different experiences. They can enhance our understanding of the world, ourselves and others, and can provide a wide range of personally enjoyable, meaningful and enriching experiences.

By thinking about the experience you want, you will give yourself a better chance of finding books you are most likely to enjoy, based on different genres, recommendations, existing knowledge, and so on. It can take some time to develop skills in book choice but once learnt, it can have a transformative effect on our reading habits and experiences.

Access

Developing or restarting a reading habit is dependent on having access to books which reflect your interests and preferences.

Registering with and/or visiting your local library, popping into bookshops or intentionally searching for books on social media and online will give you all the options you need to restart your reading habit. Think about the different ways you can access books and how you like to receive recommendations about other forms of entertainment to look for routes towards good sources of reading material.

Time

Creating a reading routine that fits easily into your daily life is essential to developing and maintaining a reading habit.

This could involve always having a book (digital or print) with you to fit into pockets of time within your day whilst commuting, taking a break, or waiting for a late-arriving friend! It could involve putting your digital device aside later in the evening and intentionally choosing to read a book before you fall asleep. Indeed, there is a considerable body of research demonstrating the importance of sleep for memory consolidation – so what better time to reap the benefits of book reading!

Social

For some, talking about books, and sharing book recommendations, can support and enhance reading habits and experiences. There are many ways to initiate and/or become part of existing reading communities – and many libraries and bookshops now offer book groups in-person and online.

Think about the types of reading experiences you are seeking, and how you want to share these, before considering different ways to connect with others in the online and real world.

I hope you find these ideas helpful to restart your reading habit in 2025!

For more tips and guidance on kickstarting a reading habit, join Scottish Book Trust's four-week coaching plan, Januread.