I got back into reading about 8 years ago. I used to read a lot as a kid/teenager. At some point I realized how much time I was spending scrolling through things on the internet and decided to try and read books with that time instead.

At first I set a goal to read one book a month. I got a library card so it was free. I found the loan timeframe actually helped, since it had a due date. Audiobooks have been great too, since I can listen while doing things around the house. I made my goal the first year. Then each year after that, I try to match or surpass the previous. I’m currently at 38 books this year!

I like to read fiction but mix some nonfiction in there too. I mostly gravitate towards fantasy.

As for life stage, similar age, with a partner, and no kids, so I have quite a bit of leisure time.

For reading habits, I have tried to allow myself to put books down and not force myself to finish if I’m not enjoying it. I used to try and power through, but would end up dreading reading. So now, doesn’t matter how far into the book - if it’s no longer interesting, I’m done and move on to the next.

I practically don't read for fun. Not that I dislike reading, but it's generally rare to find books that interest me, and I simply don't have time to look for interesting books. Last I found an interesting book, I breezed through it in a couple days.

Anyways, most of my reading happens through academia, reading scientific papers and such. There's a lot of interesting scientific research going on that flies under the radar because it's not clickbaity enough for popsci websites to pick up on it. I have a feed set up on Pubmed to send me emails every day on new papers from different topics. Every day or two I glance through them and it there's something that catches my eye, I'll read it more thoroughly.

I wouldn't generally encourage people to read scientific papers, since they're really quite dense and requires a lot of practice to get good at reading, but it's an easy way to read something while being productive. And I've become increasingly convinced over time that the general population needs at least some experience with scientific literature, given how much of the science gets twisted in the game of Science Communication Telephone

I don't read as much as many people strive to, and that's by design. Growing up, books were all the rage, and in some ways still are. Reading one book a week was the kind of thing people bragged about. There's like this aura to books where people think they're these precious things which at most can be "imperfect" (cue flashbacks of school book report assignments), and what they don't tell you is how prone to being junk they can be depending on who someone is. How does someone think something like, say, the complete L Ron Hubbard collection is going to influence the experience? I read to map out the rabbit hole, not just because words exist, though the medium doesn't matter.

I know someone personally who can finish multiple thousand-page books in a single day, I’ve always been jealous. They are now a librarian, and I’ve asked them many of the same questions you’re asking.

I recommend getting:

• the Libby app (and several library cards)
• a Kindle (or similar device)
• purchase fresh paperbacks

Figure out which format works best for you.

For me, as I’ve gotten older I’ve found that audiobooks allow me to be the most productive, while consuming books. I still have books I will read on paperbacks, but they allow me to take risks on books I wouldn’t want to dedicate as much time and effort toward.

I am in my 40s, kids, office job, etc. I have read 114 books so far this year, and am aiming for 120. Every one of those books are books I enjoyed. If it doesn’t grab me, I put it down. I put one down yesterday after two chapters.

I have always been an avid reader. Buying an ereader (kobo) has been the biggest game changer for me. I carry it everywhere and use it constantly. I can check ebooks out from the library and they automatically load on my device. If I go for a walk, I’m reading while I do it. I read during my rest times during a workout. If I have 3 spare minutes, I’m reading a book. Are most of my books “fast food” from a literary perspective? Absolutely. Sci-fi, fantasy, and romance are my jam! I’ve never not been a reader. Books were an escape as a teenager and never stopped being a huge part of my life, even decades later. I listen to podcasts or audiobooks when mowing the lawn or doing dishes, but those 114 have been ebooks or paper books. However you consume them, finding what you love is huge for building the habit.

I occasionally read non-fiction, but it’s actually work to do it. The best way to read is to find a good story and let it sweep you away! Stuff that is harder to get through is going to create a little friction. That friction makes you hesitate to pick up the book. That next YouTube video or TikTok is going to be easier at that point. If reading is work, you’re less likely to do it. Trying to read “good” stuff has caused me to slow down.

Just like any hobby or leisure activity, my interest peaks and wanes. Marie Kondo said it best, "if it's not sparking joy, yeet it out the window".

Pretty sure that's exactly how she said it.

Personally, I tend to enjoy listening to audiobooks over reading. I keep a looooooong list of books that look interesting so I can pick a title when I feel like reading. Note, I don't call it a "to-read" list because I am not going to read them all. I will never read everything on the list unless I stop adding to it at least ten years before I die. And that approach to a to-read list does not spark joy. From the get to, recognize this is not a list to ever be "completed" by design.

I have always enjoyed reading, but for the first 40 years of my life I just didn’t do much of it. It felt like a slog; difficult to focus and stick with it, though I always felt gratified when competing a story.

Then I discovered audiobooks. Something about the way my brain and lifestyle are, it just works. I read tons of books now. All fiction. I’m not crazy.

I love it. One the walk to work or bus rides I listen constantly. I take several hour walks in the mountains and listen the whole time.

This year I read The Expanse Series, Dune (Frank’s), Snow Crash, The Bobiverse, and part of another trip around The Wheel of Time. Audiobooks bring me so much joy.

I'm reading when I'm traveling longish distances by train. Which isn't often but it makes the rides way better. Currently I'm reading up on some political/economical stuff.

I'm out of university for ~3 years and I noticed I have regained my appetite for learning new stuff. So I'm reading stuff that I want to know more about.

I tried to have a more regular routine of reading but similar to you it made me read less because it felt like a chore. And I realized that it's for entertainment and personal growth, which I'm fine with going at its own pace.

I never got how people read more than one book at once but if it works for you that's great! I feel like I'd just forget what the other books are about while I read one of them.

What are your reading habits like?

Reading for work related issue and for leisure daily from waking up to going to bed. light article reading to complex peer reviewed journals. That said, I let my mind guide what i am inerested in reading for the day or week. I usuallu would not force myself else everything gets fuzzy and it becomes a waste of time.

What do you like to read?

• Autobiographies of people that cut across all walks of life across the globe. Politics, law, finance, Medicine and Agriculture. Amazon cart is constantly getting added to.

• Journals like Lancet, AVJMR, etc. Once in a while if a caselaw in a country interest me i source it out to review. Daily journal or Justia can be helpful for US related ones.

What kind of stage of life are you in, and how does that affect it?

Mid-30's, same leaning for books or materials of interest to read since i was a teenager. Not a fan of fiction since Harry potter and Otherworld series.

Have you made any changes, positive or negative, to your reading habits?

I have included audiovisuals to my repository . I listen to Podcast (Wondery Plus is the Goat!!!) and documentaries (History Channel) if the material i am trying to read or study is in that form.

My sleep-routine is that I read (usually my kindle) in bed at night.

It's kind of great both because I like reading, but also because it makes me fall asleep.