Does a Reading Habit Make You Happier?

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Does a Reading Habit Make You Happier?

Is there a connection between your reading habit and how happy you feel? It’s no secret that reading each day is an enjoyable way to spend your time. So, the better question may be: How does your daily practice of reading for pleasure increase your happiness?

Today, I’ll turn to Gretchen Rubin, who literally wrote the book on happiness, for answers. And I’m sharing Gretchen’s reading challenge, “Read 25 in ’25,” which is hosting a chance to win a “free books for life” giveaway. (Winning would definitely help me feel happier!)

Finally, sometimes, it’s not just that you’re reading but what you’re reading that leads to happiness. So, I’ve put together a list of books on happiness. Plus, I’m shining a light on bibliotherapy and how you can use this technique to improve your state of mind.

Happy Reading! (This week’s newsletter, I’m taking this sentiment seriously. LOL!)

Audry

P.S. Readers like you make me happy! If you know someone bookish who would be happy to read this newsletter, hit the share button below and spread the bookish joy near and far!

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Designed on Canva by Audry FryerBookish Reading Challenge (and a Chance to Win Free Books!)

I’m saving you from scrolling! If you read “free books for life” in my intro above, and now that’s all you can think about, here are the details: *Enter here (using my referral link) for a chance to win a $500 gift card to Bookshop.org each year for life! 5 second-place winners will get a $100.00 Bookshop.org gift card. And since Bookshop.org supports local bookstores, you can nominate your local bookstore to win a $500 donation.

*Side note: I wish I had learned about this giveaway sooner because you only have until April 18th to sign up. So, hopefully, you’re reading about it in time!

The giveaway is all part of a collaboration with Bookshop.org and The Happiness Project author Gretchen Rubin. Together, they’ve created a reading challenge called “Read 25 in ’25.” The concept is simple. In 2025, commit to setting aside 25 minutes each day to read. You can sign up for updates and get an app to track your reading progress.

Fun Fact: I have a profile on Bookshop.org, where I’ve curated 30 book lists (so far) on different bookish themes. Check out a few of my “happier” lists:

Life-Changing Books Highly Recommended by Readers

Romance Novels with a "Happily Ever After"

Feel-Good Fiction Books for Summer

Bookish Reading Tip: How to Make Reading Part of Your Routine

If you’re taking on the challenge above to read 25 minutes a day or would just like to make reading an *actual* habit, it helps to find a place in your daily routine where you can easily fit in reading time. For example, many people schedule time for exercise in their day. So why not do the same thing for reading?

I like to read over my lunch break. But many people I know enjoy reading before going to bed each night. So, it’s just a matter of finding a time that works in your daily schedule and sticking to it consistently. After a while, you don’t have to even think about it. Reading just becomes part of your everyday.

🤔 When is your favorite time of day to read?

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Bookish Question of the Month: Does a Reading Habit Make You Happier?

The short answer is yes, it can! As readers, we know firsthand how getting lost in a novel or the inspiring words of a memoir can provide an escape from our lives and open us up to a new perspective. Even the act of taking time for ourselves to indulge in an activity that’s just for the pure enjoyment of it has a direct positive effect on our happiness.

More and more studies prove this connection between reading habits and mood-boosting benefits. So much occurs in our brains when we read! All this cognitive activity directly leads to many surprising benefits, including a mood boost!

Here are five ways a reading routine leads to increased happiness:

😌 Lowers your stress. (One study found by up to 68%) Reading lowers cortisol levels, your heart rate, and your blood pressure while increasing mood-lifting neurotransmitters like endorphins and dopamine.

😴 Improves your sleep, especially if you read before going to bed as a way to unwind and unplug from social media.

😀 Creates a connection with others by feeling validated by a character’s struggles in a story. Also, it provides social opportunities through discussing books with friends or attending book clubs.

🤗 Increases empathy and creativity through imagining other people’s lives and creating meaning from their stories.

☺️ Feel more peaceful because reading helps you focus and be present on the words on the page.

Bookish Thoughts: What is Bibliotherapy?

Considering the benefits of reading listed above, it’s no wonder that many mental health experts and therapists have been turning to books for their healing power to help their patients work through their feelings. Bibliotherapy involves selecting a book that resonates with what one of their clients is going through, such as trauma, grief, relationship difficulties, or personal identity topics. The stories allow a positive way to navigate emotions and perspectives.

If this subject interests you, check out (soon-to-be-released on April 29th) Bibliotherapy in the Bronx by Emely Rumble, LCSW. This fascinating memoir contains research, case studies, and tips based on the author’s multiple years of experience.

Bookish Recs: Books on Happiness

If you’re looking for some self-bibliotherapy or simply prefer to read nonfiction, these books ought to make you happy. (Or at least teach you a thing or two about happiness!)

These selections are only a small fraction of the dozens upon dozens of books on happiness out there. Perhaps the path to happiness can be found in the pages of a book after all!

The Happiness Project (Revised Edition) by Gretchen Rubin – The book that started it all and elevated Gretchen Rubin to expert status on happiness.

Secrets of Adulthood: Simple Truths for Our Complex Lives by Gretchen Rubin – This new release, as of April 1, 2025, is perfect if you just can’t get enough of Gretchen Rubin’s brand of wisdom.

The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom by Jonathan Haidt – This book, published in 2006, tops nearly every “books on happiness” list. (Author Jonathan Haidt might be on to something here!)

The DOSE Effect by Tj Power – This fascinating, newly published book already has tens of thousands of glowing reviews!

Don't Believe Everything You Think (Expanded Edition) by Joseph Nguyen – Is the secret to happiness found by ending your suffering? Think about it!

Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles – I had to add this one because I noticed a friend reading it, and she shared how she was thoroughly enjoying it!