How to beat a reading slump over the holidays

Dylan WardDecember 9, 2025

The holiday season is a wonderful, but often chaotic, time of year, which means our free time for reading can shrink.

Holiday reading tips from Dylan

If you’re committed to maintaining your daily reading habit and avoiding that dreaded reading slump, here are a few simple ways to keep your momentum going this December.

1. Leave the Phone, Bring a Book

Ditch the phone during unexpected downtime. Waiting for a flight, stuck in a line, or early for an appointment? Keep a book handy for those bonus reading minutes.

2. Go Digital

When carrying a physical book is inconvenient, switch to an e-book or an audiobook on Everand! Having a digital option on your phone or tablet makes it easier to sneak in reading time while multitasking, like during your commute or while doing chores.

3. Join a Fable Book Club

A little push goes a long way. Join a Fable Club or start a "buddy read" with a friend. Commit to reading a chapter a day or simply check in with each other to stay consistent.

4. Embrace the Mini-Read

You don't need to devour a hundred pages a day to keep your streak alive. Even a quick five to ten-minute break at home is enough time to get a few pages in. Any amount of reading is better than none.

Holiday reading hacks from Fable readers

Remember, reading should be a joy, not a chore or a competition. If you miss a day, don't let it discourage you. This season is about love and fun, and sometimes those priorities have to come first!I also asked the Fable community to share their suggestions as well. Here a few suggestions. Read more on the Fable app!Daly818Sullenbutterfly: "Audiobooks. Always listening to audiobooks while doing holiday things I don’t want to do. Usually horror / thriller books to keep me jolly."Mari: "I have a little book of daily meditations/reflections, there is one idea explained per page, so i read that every day, sometimes just one or two pages from it. Sometimes I can pair it with my other current reads, which is always an extra little win."Amanda: "Reading in the morning with a cup of coffee before getting ready for work and/or at night before bed (even if it’s a few pages, sometimes it helps relax my mind and helps me fall asleep)."Katuk: "I tap 'read today' even after reading only one paragraph 😂 I mean, life is life, it does life things so you don't always have time or even mood for reading. And it's okay!"

Keep reading on Fable!

You can also explore thousands of book lists on Fable, decoding your personal taste with our guided recommendations. It’s easy to make your own list as well!