For many years, I wanted to read books but never actually took action. Maybe because I found it time consuming, or because other hobbies of mine (like playing League of Legends) were too addictive to let go of.
Anyhow, I have become an avid reader over the last 6 years. For the past 2 years, I have read at least 2 books every single month.
Some might think this isn’t much, but I would say reading 2 books a month alongside work, family and various other commitments is pretty good.
My opinion on why I read has changed, and I want to document that here. Who knows, my thoughts and feelings might change even further over the next 6 years. It’s nice to document and share these thoughts.
Here we go.
Year: 2020 | Total books read: 4
I wanted to read more books because there were so many good stories out there.
I also thought reading books would make me smarter and help me articulate myself better. I felt like I should read because it was a “productive” activity. It was better than playing games or wasting time through other means.
Reading was something I felt like I should do.
Year: 2024 | Total books read: 47
Reading books had become like any other hobby. I read simply because I enjoyed it.
Everyone says you should read because it’s better than other hobbies like playing games or listening to music. People say you should read if you want to become “smart.”
I used to believe this too, but I stopped caring about it. That was no longer my aim. I no longer felt that reading was a hobby that was superior to other hobbies.
There was no hierarchy. Reading was simply something I enjoyed doing.
Year: 2026 | Total books read: 70
My reasons for reading have not changed much since 2024. I still do not read books in the hope of becoming smarter. The main reason is still enjoyment.
But I have noticed a difference in how I see things and how I think about things. Is that because of reading, or is it just a natural part of growing up? I’m not sure.
I enjoy nonfiction just as much as fiction.
When I say nonfiction, I almost entirely mean books in the self-help, improvement, business and productivity space. There’s sometimes a negative connotation around these genres among people who mostly read fiction. I think some people assume that if you read these books, you’re not doing it for enjoyment. You’re only doing it for utility.
I disagree with that sentiment.
A self-help book may never give me the same feeling as a really good fantasy story like The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson. But that does not mean those books are not enjoyable in a different way.
The practical system behind my reading is now very simple. I always have an audiobook and a physical book on the go. Whenever I finish a book, I already have the next one ready.
There is never a point where I have to restart the habit or find the motivation to begin reading again. There is always something waiting for me.
I’m confident that reading is not just a hobby anymore. It is a lifestyle habit now, and I can’t imagine ever letting it go.
In fact, I sometimes get this sad feeling when I realise that there are literally thousands of amazing pieces of literature out there, and I will never get to take in all of them.
It’s okay though.
I’m grateful to have built this habit.
I’m grateful that I find so much enjoyment in reading words on a page.
I’m grateful to be able to read the thoughts and stories of people who lived decades, or even centuries, before me.
Tracking how much I read and which days I read has helped me stick with the habit for years.
I started with simple tick boxes in a notebook, then moved to an app. I use Three Cells because it has journaling and habits combined. But you can use whichever app that fits you best.
Has anyone else found that a habit became easier to maintain once you stopped treating it as self-improvement?
