With the information boom and the current rate of technological expansion, it feels like we are all in a race to consume, produce and grow. Between work deadlines, family commitments, and the endless scroll of social media, it feels exasperatingly like “no one has time to read anymore” (heard that one before?). But what if you could finish more books without dramatically changing your schedule?

The secret isn’t about finding large blocks of time; it’s about maximizing the moments you already have. Here are three powerful strategies that can transform your reading life:

⏱️ The “Open Book” Strategy

Keep your current read accessible in your favourite reading app at all times. Bonus points if that app is cross-platform like your Kindle app, or BookFusion. Those seemingly insignificant 3-minute windows scattered throughout your day while waiting for your coffee, queuing at the supermarket, or before a meeting starts are actually golden opportunities for reading.

These micro-reading sessions might seem trivial individually, but they accumulate quickly. Reading just a few pages here and there can add up to several chapters by day’s end. The key is eliminating friction between you and your book.

For example, if you read on your phone with BookFusion, your progress automatically syncs across all your devices. This means you can start reading on your phone while waiting in line for lunch, continue on your tablet during your evening commute, and pick up exactly where you left off on your Boox tablet before bed, no bookmarks or page-flipping required.

This seamless experience transforms those “dead” moments in your day into productive reading time without requiring you to schedule dedicated reading blocks.

🧠 Bookmark Everything

Digital reading offers advantages that physical books simply can’t match, particularly when it comes to retention and engagement during brief reading sessions.

Use digital bookmarks and notes liberally throughout your reading journey. They serve dual purposes: helping you quickly return to where you left off and cementing your understanding of what you’ve read.

When a passage resonates with you, highlight it. When an idea sparks a connection, add a note. These actions take mere seconds but dramatically improve retention, especially during short reading sessions.

The beauty of digital annotation is that it creates a personalized map of your reading experience that you can revisit later. This practice transforms passive reading into active learning, making even five-minute reading sessions incredibly valuable.

Plus, with BookFusion, all your highlights and notes are searchable and exportable, turning casual reading into a powerful knowledge-building system.

✅ The 5-Minute Rule

One of the biggest obstacles to reading more isn’t actually lack of time—it’s psychological resistance. When we think about reading, we often imagine needing at least 30 minutes to make it worthwhile, which makes it easy to postpone indefinitely.

The solution? Commit to just 5 minutes of reading daily.

This tiny commitment is psychologically powerful because it’s so achievable that your brain doesn’t resist it. Five minutes feels doable even on your busiest days, which helps establish reading as a consistent habit rather than an occasional luxury.

The fascinating thing about the 5-minute rule is what happens once you start. Those 5 minutes often naturally expand to 15 or 20 once you’re engaged with your book. And even on days when they don’t, reading just 5 minutes daily adds up significantly; potentially helping you finish several additional books each year.

The math is compelling: just 5 minutes daily equals 30+ hours of reading annually—enough time to complete 6-12 average-length books you would otherwise never get to.

Reading in the Digital Age: Quality Over Quantity

Remember: Reading isn’t about speed, it’s about consistency. By transforming idle moments into reading opportunities, you’ll finish books without ever feeling like you “found time to read.”

Digital reading and the advances in the space we’ve been able to make has made these strategies more powerful than ever. With tools like BookFusion that sync across all devices, capture your thoughts, and make your entire library portable, the barriers between you and your next great read have never been lower.

These strategies aren’t about reading faster or cramming more activities into your day—they’re about making reading a natural, integrated part of your existing routine. By embracing these approaches, you’ll find yourself completing more books while actually feeling less rushed.

What’s your favourite strategy for fitting more reading into a busy schedule? Share in the comments below!