How to Make Reading Feel Fun Again?

I used to be a passionate reader. Reading was my favourite way to spend an evening, my escape. My schedule became increasingly busy, and reading became a chore rather than something I looked forward to. And the happiness was gone. I started more books than I finished and each unfinished book added to my guilt.
A few years ago I decided to correct this. Not by forcing myself to read more, but by rediscovering the joy of reading. I made simple tweaks that made a huge difference in my relationship with books. What proved advantageous to me, the following is.
“Break Away from the Stress”
The most important first step was to stop thinking of reading as a task or a productivity contest. I stopped setting big numerical goals for a long time and just enjoyed the experience. I didn't feel guilty about dropping a book that didn't interest me. That one authorisation changed everything.
Reading was suddenly more fun. I wasn't reading for a number, I was reading because I wanted to.
Reconnect with what really interests you
I spent some time trying to remember what kinds of books used to make me happy. I loved character-driven stories, quiet literary fiction, and the occasional fun thriller. I’d been made to read “important” or “trending” books that didn’t seem to suit my taste.
So I allowed myself to read the books I really liked, whether they were "impressive" or not. Joy returned in an instant.
Create little moments of happiness
I started to develop little rituals around reading:
A good chair and a little light
Choice of beverage
Silence or soft background music
No phone nearby.
These little things have made reading something I do, rather than something I have to do.
Follow Your Mood Mix It Up
I don't force myself to finish one book before starting another. I have three or four books going at the same time, one nonfiction, one fiction, one light and one heavier. When I feel like a short story, I choose that option. If I want depth I choose the heavier book.
The 'mood matching' approach brought a playful, not a rigid, dimension to the reading experience.
Recover the bodily sense of joy
For a while I read just about everything on my Kindle. It was convenient, but I missed the feel of actual books. And so I started buying the best hard copies of the books I loved. It’s a special experience to have a beautiful edition, turn real pages and see your bookshelf grow with books you’ve actually enjoyed.
The sensory experience brought back much of the old magic.
Be kind to yourself on days when you have low energy.
There are days when I only read a few pages. There are weeks when I read hardly anything. I’m not beating myself up. I recognise it as a fact of life. The habit of reading continues, and it moves in the same rhythms as all other activities.
This was strange, but this kindness helped me to read more consistently.
My Reading Habits, at Present
It is a pleasure to read again today. I look forward to reading in the evening. I usually finish most of the books I start. And I don’t feel guilty about the ones I don’t do anymore.
The biggest lesson learned is that reading should enhance your life, not stress you. Often the quantity will take care of itself when the pressure is off and the emphasis is on what feels good.
Reading has become a burden for you? Allow yourself to re-enjoy reading. Start with a little bit. Find a book you really like. Make a little happy ritual out of it. See how it goes.
You may be surprised how your passion for reading has suddenly reawakened.