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Reading (and having fun doing it) looks different for all of us – and whether you read zero books last year or 50, it’s literally the perfect time to rebrand your routine. Here’s what actually makes our brains want to pick up a book, including our fave little hacks and cozy reading goodies. 

For us, starting is the hardest part. We don’t know our fave characters or have a plot to get into yet. But that’s where everything starts. Remember when Belly Conklin was just a girl arriving on a beach?

Our First Pages challenge is all about getting past that hurdle. If something sounds cool, read the first five pages – that’s it. Think of it as a low-stakes trailer. And if you’re not into it after that, there are unlimited options to try! 

And speaking of options, if the classics you’re assigned in English class aren’t your thing, it doesn’t mean you don’t like reading – it means you just haven’t found books you like yet. The good news: there are so many books out there – you’re bound to find ones that feel like you! 

Start by thinking about TV shows and movies you like, and write down why you like them. Do they have strong friendships? Fast-paced plots? Small town drama? Beachy vibes? Then head to a bookstore or library to find a read that feels similar – or look online. And to expand your horizons, ask your friends and family what they love, scroll BookTok for recs, and, obviously, check out our Sunnie Selects. 

The idea of reading “until you’re done” can be a lot. Instead, give yourself a time limit. Start with 10 minutes. Or if you’re already in your reader era, think about how many minutes feel doable for you. Is it thirty? Forty-five?

We give ourselves a deadline and turn on our timers (or, if we’re feeling extra, flip our hourglasses). 

The key is to lock in for that time – no homework (this is way more fun anyway), no TV, and def no doomscrolling. TikTok will still be there when you’re done, we promise.

We do the same thing when we craft, too!

POV: You’re super sleepy, scrolling in bed, but want a 15-minute decompress. What are you actually going to do? Dig through your closet for the perfect book and curate a whole reading moment, or grab the book on your nightstand and read until you fall asleep? There’s a reason the second option feels easier: Research shows that when you’re tired, you’re more likely to fall back on habits, not new plans (even if the ideas sound super Pinterest-friendly). 

Your future self is going to be tired, so make it easy. Keep a book on your nightstand, put your Books app on the first page of your home screen, or toss your Kindle in your bag. 

But that doesn’t mean we can’t have our cute, Pinterest-y space, too. Our brains love shortcuts. If you always read in the same cozy spot, that space starts reminding you to read without any effort. It’s the same way your bathroom sink reminds you to brush your teeth. A cute little reading nook is the perfect hack. Start with a comfy chair, an aesthetic lamp, and a bookshelf of your favorite reads. And if you’re feeling extra, try a candle warmer and a scent that matches your book’s vibe. 

Would you rather read while you midnight snack or waiting for your first class to start? Your brain has a preferred time of day – it’s literally science. If you try to read when your energy is naturally low, you’re more likely to procrastinate — not because you’re lazy, but because your internal clock is working against you. At off-peak times, your brain has a harder time focusing and initiating tasks, which can make even low-stakes reading feel like more effort than it should. 

If you were totally into your reading logs in elementary school, there’s a grown-up (and way cuter) version of that: reading journals. And no, this one doesn’t require your parents’ signature (IYKYK).

These come in three different aesthetics (coquette, light academia, and cottage core), with activities like “Book Bingo” and book brackets that make reading feel more like a game. There’s also this one that gives Love Shack Fancy and another with a retro library card for the girls who are already besties with their local librarian.

 They’re perfect for the ultra-organized reader, but no pressure if it’s not your thing!

“Consistency beats perfection” may just sound like an Instagrammable inspo quote, but it’s backed by real-world research. Studies show that missing days while forming a habit is normal, and those skips don’t mean you’re failing or giving up on your goals. Reading isn’t all or nothing. You can still reach your reading goals and make time to hang out with friends, and yes, occasionally binge a full season of Emily in Paris in one night. What matters most is picking the book back up after the break. For more reading inspo, follow along on our Instagram and TikTok, and meet us on the first page of our January Sunnie Select, Beth is Dead!