How to Read for Fun (and Make New Friends!) 

In today’s fast-paced world, reading for fun is more important than ever. It’s a chance to escape your everyday routines and reconnect with yourself and others. Reading fosters compassion and expands your wisdom, boosting your cognition. Of course, for some people, the question is less about why you should pick up a book and more about how to get back into reading.

Whether you’re interested in building a new reading habit, revisiting your favorite novel or hoping to connect with new friends, this guide will help you rediscover your joy for books.

Why Do People Stop Reading for Fun?

According to a 2022 report from the National Endowment for the Arts, 131 million people read books or literature over a 12-month period, a 17% decline over the previous 10 years. The rates are alarming if you’re a bookworm. 

So, why are people putting their books down? The rise of the digital age and the continuous stream of bite-sized content could make reading for fun less enjoyable and more like a chore. Other reasons include having less time for leisure activities, economic strains, and little access to libraries and bookstores. 

In 2021, the bookstore industry was trending downward at a 5.7% rate annually since 2016. This was primarily due to increasing competition, the growing popularity of e-books and the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns. 

Despite dire predictions, print book unit sales increased 1% yearly to 782.7 million in 2024. Barnes & Noble also announced its plans to open 60 new stores in 2025 in an unlikely revival of the brick-and-mortar bookstore chain. 

How to Get Back Into Reading

You can’t control certain things, like work, home and family obligations. At the end of the day, you may not feel as though you have the attention span or brain capacity to pick up a novel. If you’re wondering how to get back into reading, the following tips can help reignite your enthusiasm.

Start Small and Easy

If you haven’t read for pleasure in a long time, starting with something quick and easy is best. Don’t pressure yourself into reading a classic literary work or historical fiction — unless that’s what you love. Pursue something that doesn’t force you to think too much about the plot and has a manageable number of pages.

Short stories, novellas or graphic novels are an excellent option for a satisfying reading experience. You could also look for a “chick lit” novel that reads more like a Hallmark movie — these plots are usually a bit predictable but easy to follow.

Match whatever book you choose to your mood, whether a thrilling mystery or something cheery and lighthearted.

Create a Reading Sanctuary

A comfortable reading sanctuary may be the perfect incentive to immerse yourself in a good story. Carve out a few minutes in the morning and evening to escape in a novel while curled up in your favorite chair next to a window.

Add lush blankets and pillows to enhance its coziness, and use a small table lamp so you can see the text. Warm lighting is much easier on your eyes than brighter LED bulbs and increases the room’s relaxation. 

Remember that if you aren’t enjoying a book or it hasn’t captured your attention, it’s perfectly OK to move on to something that does. 

Finding Your Reading Community

Making friends as an adult can be hard, especially when responsibilities begin piling on your plate. Fortunately, you can find a diverse group of fellow book lovers in your community. Here’s how to turn your solitary reading hobby into a way to connect with like-minded people. 

Traditional Reading Clubs and Book Clubs

Traditional book clubs deliver a structured way to explore great literature. These groups usually pre-select a book and meet regularly to discuss its themes, plot and characters. 

Reading clubs are a great way to share your perspective, hear from others and build new connections. It also lets you explore authors or genres you may not have heard of before. 

You can find local book clubs through your local library, community center or bookstore. Many of these locations also host the club. Online platforms provide resources for finding a welcoming community of nearby readers.

The Rise of Silent Book Clubs

Silent book clubs are all the rage, increasing 223% across the country, from Chicago to New York and Seattle. These events are a unique twist on traditional reading groups, providing somewhere to read quietly together in a shared space. 

This may be an even better option if you’re an introvert or feel shy speaking up in a meet-up group. They are a unique experience, allowing you to engage with a story alongside others, even if you’re all silent. Silent book clubs can also hold you accountable if you’re trying to build a reading habit.

Finding these events is similar to searching for a traditional social reading group. If there isn’t one nearby, consider starting your own at a local bookstore or coffee shop.

Exploring Online Social Reading Groups

You can find virtual reading communities online if you’re looking for something less traditional or a group that doesn’t meet in person. The meet-ups are flexible and convenient, allowing you to connect with readers worldwide within your schedule. 

You can also find reading forums and social media communities focused on reading for fun. Look up the #readingcommunity, #booklovers and #bookstagram hashtags on Instagram and TikTok for in-depth discussions, recommendations and aesthetically pleasing photos to expand your literary horizons. 

How to Be an Awesome Member of Your Reading Group

The art of a great book discussion entails preparation and engaging, respectful discourse. Attend meetings after a thorough reading and thoughtful reflection on its plot, characters and concepts. 

It doesn’t mean you need to have written an entire thesis on the book, but jotting down a few notes about what you took away from the story or what surprised or confused you is a good starting point.

Additional tips for being an awesome book club member are:

• Practice active listening, paying careful attention to when other people speak.
• Don’t be shy when sharing your opinion — you may have had a unique reading experience that differs from others in the group.
• Ask questions to deepen discussions. 
• Respectfully disagree with people’s opinions, but seek to understand their point of view.
• Make space for everyone to participate. 

You should also connect beyond the social reading group, building genuine connections over shared interests. Share your contact details and suggest seeing a film adaptation of the book you’re reading or plan a themed outing.

Fall in Love With Reading for Fun Again

Reading should be a pleasurable experience, not something you feel you must do. Fall in love with reading again by starting slow. Then connect with the reading community at large to make new friends.