If you want to read more books this year, the first question is simple: how much time do you actually need to set aside each day? The answer might surprise you. Even 15 to 20 minutes of daily reading practice can add up to a remarkable number of books over the course of a year.
Let's break it down so you can find the reading habit that fits your life.
The Short Answer
Most adults read about 200 to 250 words per minute. An average book has roughly 60,000 to 80,000 words. That means you can finish a full book in about 5 to 6 hours of reading time.
Here's what that looks like in practice:
- 15 minutes a day — about 18 to 24 books per year
- 30 minutes a day — about 36 to 48 books per year
- 1 hour a day — about 73 to 96 books per year
Those numbers add up fast. Even a small daily commitment can turn you into a consistent reader.
Want to see your personal numbers? Try our free reading pace calculator to find out exactly how many books you can read based on your daily reading time.
Why Daily Practice Matters More Than Long Sessions
Reading for 20 minutes every single day is more effective than reading for two hours on the weekend. Here's why.
You build a habit. Daily repetition turns reading from something you plan into something you just do. It becomes automatic, like brushing your teeth.
You retain more. When you read every day, you stay connected to the story or the ideas in a book. Long gaps between sessions mean you forget characters, arguments, or where you left off.
You reduce resistance. Twenty minutes feels easy. An hour can feel like a commitment you'll keep postponing. Low-effort habits are the ones that stick.
How to Find Your Ideal Daily Reading Time
There's no universal rule for how much reading practice is "enough." It depends on your goal.
If you want to read more for pleasure, start with 15 to 20 minutes before bed or during your lunch break. That's enough to finish one to two books a month without any pressure.
If you want to hit a specific goal like 52 books a year, you'll need about 25 to 30 minutes a day, assuming average reading speed and average book length.
If you're working on reading speed or comprehension, aim for 30 minutes of focused, uninterrupted reading. Consistency is more important than duration. Your speed will naturally improve with regular practice.
Tips to Make Daily Reading Practice Stick
Starting is easy. Keeping it going is where most people struggle. These strategies help:
Attach it to an existing habit. Read right after your morning coffee, during your commute, or before you go to sleep. Linking reading to something you already do makes it easier to remember.
Keep a book within reach. If your book is on the nightstand, in your bag, or on your phone, you're more likely to pick it up during small pockets of free time.
Track your progress. Seeing your reading time add up is motivating. Use a simple reading log or an app to keep yourself accountable.
Don't force a book you're not enjoying. Life is too short for books that bore you. If a book isn't working, move on. The goal is to build a reading habit you actually enjoy.
Start smaller than you think. Even 10 minutes counts. Once you sit down and start reading, you'll often keep going longer than planned.
Does Reading Speed Matter?
It helps, but it's not the main factor. A slow reader who reads every day will finish far more books than a fast reader who only picks up a book once a month.
That said, your reading speed does naturally increase the more you read. Daily practice is the best way to improve your pace without any special technique or training.
Find Out How Much You Can Read
The exact number of books you can finish in a year depends on three things: your reading speed, how long you read each day, and the length of the books you choose.
Our reading pace calculator does the math for you. Enter your daily reading time and see how many books you can realistically finish this year. It takes less than a minute and might just change how you think about your reading goals.
The bottom line? You don't need hours of free time to become a regular reader. A small, consistent daily habit is all it takes.