Overview
"I want to read more" is one of the most common aspirations. Yet most people read fewer books per year than they intend. The issue isn't desire—it's consistency.
Reading Rhythm solves this by making reading a non-negotiable daily ritual. Not 50 pages. Not a chapter. Just 10 pages. Every single day. No exceptions.
The 10-Page Rule
Ten pages is the magic number. Short enough you can always find time. Long enough to make real progress. 10 pages daily = 18 books per year. That's more than most people read in five years.
The Practice
Minimum: 10 pages daily, physical books only
Time: Same time each day (before bed recommended)
Place: Same reading spot if possible
Tracking: Simple tally or bookmark position
Rule: Can read more, never less
Why Physical Books?
Screens fragment attention. Notifications pull you away. E-readers are better than phones, but physical books create the deepest reading state. The tactile experience. The visual progress. The complete disconnection from digital interruption.
This isn't rigid—just optimal. If e-readers work for you, use them. But try physical first.
The 90-Day Journey
Month 1: Building the Habit
10 pages daily. Track every day. The goal is consistency, not completion. Some days you'll read 10 pages. Some days 50. Both count as success.
Month 2: Finding Your Rhythm
Your reading time becomes automatic. You start choosing books more carefully. You notice how different genres require different energy. You develop preferences for reading time.
Month 3: Integration
Reading is just what you do now. Like brushing teeth. The habit is established. You're probably reading more than 10 pages most days. That's natural growth from consistent practice.
Book Selection Guide
- Start Easy: Begin with books you're genuinely excited about, not what you "should" read
- Mix Genres: Alternate between fiction and non-fiction to prevent burnout
- Have a Backup: Always have your next book ready. Don't let finishing create a gap
- Abandon Freely: Life's too short for books you don't enjoy. 50-page rule: if you're not interested by page 50, move on
"I hadn't read a book in five years. Too busy, too tired, too distracted. The 10-page minimum was so small I couldn't fail. Three months in, I've read six books. Six! I'm a reader again. That identity shift changed everything." — David, 45
Beyond Books
The benefits extend far beyond knowledge gained:
- Improved focus and attention span
- Better sleep (especially when reading before bed)
- Enhanced empathy and emotional intelligence
- Vocabulary expansion and communication skills
- Stress reduction and mental escape
- Cognitive health and memory retention
Common Obstacles
"I'm too tired at night:" Start with 10 pages. If truly too tired, read in morning instead.
"I fall asleep reading:" Perfect. Reading before sleep is ideal. You still got your 10 pages.
"I don't have time:" 10 pages takes 10-15 minutes. You have time. You're choosing other things. That's fine—just be honest about it.