how to make reading feel like comfort instead of a chore
a curated reading list and practical tips to help you get into reading
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“You can't skip chapters, that's not how life works. You have to read every line, meet every character. You won't enjoy all of it. Hell, some chapters will make you cry for weeks. You will read things you don't want to read, you will have moments when you don't want the pages to end. But you have to keep going. Stories keep the world revolving. Live yours, don't miss out.” ― Courtney Peppernell, Healing the Heart
Earlier this month, I shared a collection of books everyone should read at least once in their life —a mix of my personal favourites and thoughtful recommendations from this community. This week, I wanted to follow it up with something just as important: how to fall back in love with reading.
I know many of us go through phases where reading feels hard to start, or harder to enjoy. Whether you’re stuck in a reading slump or struggling to find the motivation, know that you’re not alone. I’ve been there too.
Only recently have I found myself in a place where reading feels natural again—something I reach for without thinking, like a familiar ritual. But just a few years ago, the habit had nearly disappeared. Between constant notifications and the addictive rhythm of scrolling, my books sat untouched. I’d try to read, only to feel a twitchy urge to check my phone, as if I’d forgotten how to sit still.
These days, I’ve been working on reclaiming reading not as a productivity goal, but as a quiet act of care. A way to replace the noise with something gentler. A way to be alone without feeling lonely. And in those slower moments—especially in the early mornings or quiet evenings—I’ve noticed something shift. The overwhelm softens. My thoughts feel less scattered. And the stories feel like home again.
So if you’re trying to return to reading—or just want it to feel like comfort instead of a chore—this is for you. Here are a few tips to help you rediscover the joy of reading, one page at a time.
If you missed out, here are a few of my popular posts from the past few weeks:
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17 practical tips to help you get into reading
15 hyper-specific book recommendations for different types of moods!
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