Want to Read More in 2026? How Adults Are Relearning the Reading Habit

Reading for pleasure often fades in adulthood, crowded out by work, family demands, and digital distractions. But librarians and researchers say the habit can be revived at any stage of life, particularly when expectations are realistic and routines are flexible.

A recent analysis of U.S. government data shows that just 16% of Americans read for pleasure on an average day in 2023, down from 28% in 2004. The measure includes books, audiobooks, e-books, and periodicals such as magazines. The decline has drawn concern from educators and libraries, even as evidence continues to link reading with reduced stress, improved focus, and stronger empathy.

Many adults cite years of compulsory reading at school as a reason they stopped reading later in life. Others point to limited time, fatigue, or a preference for scrolling through social media as an easier form of relaxation. For some, reading simply fell out of routine.

“It’s difficult for people who are really tired and busy to think about getting into reading if it’s not something they’re used to,” said Jacqueline Rammer, director of the Menomonee Falls Public Library in Wisconsin.

As people set personal goals for 2026, librarians and researchers say returning to reading does not require ambitious targets or literary endurance. Instead, they recommend small, practical adjustments.

Choosing a book that invites rather than intimidates

Experts consistently advise against starting with material that feels demanding. Lengthy novels or dense nonfiction can quickly discourage readers who are trying to rebuild the habit.

“Your first book should be something that you think will be joyful,” said Jocelyn Luizzi, a software engineer from Chicago who writes about books online.

Taste varies widely, and librarians stress that there is no universal reading list. Recommendations can come from friends, booksellers, or online reading communities, including social media platforms where readers share short reviews and suggestions.

At Menomonee Falls Public Library, staff often begin by asking visitors about the last book, television series, or film they enjoyed. From there, they suggest titles with similar themes, genres, or pacing. Many libraries also offer access to NoveList, a widely used service that provides “read-alike” recommendations for books and authors.

Building reading into everyday routines

Research on attention and habits suggests that consistency matters more than duration. Gloria Mark, an attention span expert at the University of California, Irvine, recommends setting aside brief, predictable periods for reading.

“Start by scheduling reading into your day,” Mark said. That might mean a few pages during a lunch break or a short session before sleep.

For those reading physical books, Mark advises reducing distractions by keeping phones and laptops out of sight. Others find that changing formats makes reading easier to fit into daily life. E-books allow people to read while traveling or waiting, while audiobooks can accompany commuting or household tasks.

Public libraries increasingly provide free access to both formats through digital platforms such as Libby, which allows users to borrow e-books and audiobooks using a library card.

While some readers prefer quiet environments, others find motivation in shared spaces. Silent book clubs—where participants read their own books together without discussion—have emerged in cities across the United States and in other countries, offering a low-pressure way to combine reading with social time.

Motivation without obligation

Reading challenges and annual goals can help some readers maintain momentum, particularly when they are framed as optional rather than competitive. Librarians caution that rigid targets can turn reading into another task to complete.

Shannon Whitehead Smith, a book blogger from the Atlanta area who works in marketing, says social reading trackers and online lists encourage her to read more, not less.

“Seeing all these other people reading motivates me to put my phone down and pick up this book that’s sitting beside me,” she said.

Researchers note that such tools can be helpful if they inspire curiosity, but counterproductive if they create pressure or comparison.

Knowing when to stop

One of the strongest predictors of sustained reading, researchers say, is the willingness to abandon a book that does not hold attention. Jess Bone, a researcher at University College London who analyzed U.S. reading data, says many adults feel unnecessary guilt about unfinished books.

Reading, Bone said, “shouldn’t feel like a burden.”

Regular readers often describe the habit as a way to decompress and remain mentally engaged. Rammer, the Wisconsin library director, gravitates toward mystery novels and romance, genres she says provide emotional release and narrative reassurance.

Above all, she values books that resolve their conflicts.

“I think the guarantee of knowing that things are going to end up OK is really reassuring,” Rammer said.