I don’t know about you, but I love reading. It is by far my favorite hobby and how I spend most of my time off. I read for fun, I read to learn, and I read to change how I see the world. If you follow me on any social media or try to have a normal conversation with me, you best believe I will find a way to mention a book – or five.

Over the years, I have realized that most people actually really like to read but don’t do it often. I think this is such a shame. Most people complain about a lack of time and motivation, so I decided to put together a list of a few tips to sneak in more reading time and get excited about reading.

1. Bring a book EVERYWHERE

And I mean literally everywhere. I always carry large bags just so I can sneak a book in there. When you carry a book with you everywhere, either a printed edition or on your tablet or phone (just use the Kindle app if you are like me and don’t want to commit to buying the real thing), you are always reminded of your decision to read more, and have everything you need readily accessible.

2. Read instead of being on your phone

When we have a few minutes to kill we tend to pick up our phones. It is a habit I think most of us have, and although it is not inherently bad, you could spend that time doing something else - like reading! You’d be surprised how those seemingly insignificant minutes here and there add up. If you’re waiting for class to start or are have a few minutes before a friend shows up, pull out a book instead of opening Instagram. I moved the Kindle app on my phone the homepage and put all my social media apps tucked in folders on my third screen page, so it’s way easier to open the Kindle app than Twitter. Now opening my phone and immediately reading had become a habit that has replaced my Instagram scrolling.

3. Make reading a priority

This can be hard, especially if you haven’t been reading in a while. After a long day of studying, it doesn’t always seem appealing to go home and read more. Most of us just want to turn on Netflix and not think too hard for an hour or two while we recover our brainpower. These habits are hard to break, however, if you really want to read more, you just have to make it a priority in your life. Just make reading more accessible and set aside a certain time every day to read, and soon enough it will replace other less beneficial habits.

4. Pick up books you are excited to read

Reading is boring if you don’t like what you read. Simple as that. If you find yourself dreading to pick up a book you’re reading, move on to something else. There are so many genres out there with hundreds of thousands of books, and I am positive that you will find something that completely swipes you off your feet. The internet is full of recommendations and reviews, so take a few moments to find something that appeals to you. There are few better feelings than being completely absorbed in a great book, you just have to figure out what that looks like for you.

5. Make your reading time a time for you

Make reading time a time you actually enjoy. I like to grab a blanket, light some candles, make some book-inspired tea (yes, it’s a thing), and put on some relaxing background music. That’s when I can totally relax and just read for hours. How you set up your reading time is totally up to you, but make sure it feels like a treat and a time for you. If you feel stressed or uncomfortable when you read, you’re just not going to like it as much. The whole point is to enjoy your reading time, and enjoy reading.

6. Use audiobooks

For some people and in some situations, audiobooks just work better. Although I prefer to read over listen to books, I love having the option available to me. Audiobooks allow you to do other things while you ‘read,’ which fits more of our lifestyles better. I always listen to audiobooks on my commute, when I work out, and when I run errands and do chores around my apartment. You can find audiobooks on CDs in stores or at your library, or turn to apps like Audible or Storytel. Some audiobooks are even available on Spotify or Youtube, so look around for what you want to listen to.

7. Find a network that inspires you

It is usually easier to get inspired when you are surrounded by people who do what you want to do. This is also true for reading. Many of us, however, lack that network of people who love to read. That’s why the internet is awesome. Through Goodreads (essentially a poorly designed Facebook for books), Booktube (the part of Youtube where people talk about books), and Bookstagram (a hashtag for posts and users on Instagram that talk about books), there is an unlimited network of people who talk about and review books. It truly is inspiring and helpful for those of us who need that extra motivation and inspiration to sit down at the end of a long day and read.

I hope some of these tips helped, and that you all get to read all the books you want this fall. Good luck!