The Books We're Making Time For

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I've always loved the idea of being someone who reads regularly. The sort of person who has a book in their bag, reads a few chapters before bed and somehow manages to finish several books a month. In reality, it doesn't always happen that way.

I'll pick up a book, read a few pages, then remember something I need to do. Or I'll reach for my phone without even thinking about it, and suddenly half an hour has disappeared. It's frustrating really, because when I do make time to read, I genuinely enjoy it.

Lately, I've been trying to get back into the habit. Nothing particularly ambitious. Just choosing books I'm interested in and finding a little space for them in the day.

And I've noticed that I'm increasingly drawn to books that make me question the way we live. Books about habits, our relationship with time and why we're always so convinced we'd be happier if we could just get a little more done.

So, for The Book Edit, I thought I'd share a few titles that have caught my attention.

Four Thousand Weeks -Oliver Burkeman

The title alone is enough to make you stop and think. Four thousand weeks is roughly how long we have to live if we're fortunate enough to reach our late seventies or early eighties. When you put it like that, time suddenly feels very different.

What interests me about Four Thousand Weeks is that it challenges the whole idea of trying to fit more into our days.

We're constantly looking for ways to become more productive. Better routines, cleverer systems, longer to-do lists. There's always the suggestion that if we could just manage our time properly, we'd eventually get everything done.

But what if we never do? I find that a strangely comforting thought.

Perhaps the answer isn't becoming better at doing everything, but accepting that we can't. And deciding which things deserve our time in the first place.

Why it's on our list: A refreshing perspective on productivity and the pressure to make every moment count.

The Unexpected Joy of the Ordinary - Catherine Gray

I love the title of this book.

There's something reassuring about the idea that happiness doesn't necessarily have to come from extraordinary experiences. We spend so much time looking forward to the next thing. A holiday, a celebration, a new purchase or some future version of our lives where everything will supposedly feel a little easier.

Meanwhile, ordinary life is happening all around us.

Catherine Gray explores how we can find more enjoyment in those everyday moments that are so easy to overlook.

And I think that's something many of us could do with remembering. Not every weekend needs to involve plans. Not every day needs a memorable moment.

Sometimes an afternoon at home, a walk somewhere familiar or an unexpectedly good conversation is enough.

Why it's on our list: A reminder to appreciate the life we're living rather than constantly waiting for something else.

Minimalista - Shira Gill

I'm fascinated by the way our homes affect how we feel. I don't think you need to live in a perfectly organised house to be happy. In fact, I'd find that rather exhausting. But I do understand the relief that comes from finally sorting out a cupboard that's been bothering you for months.

Minimalista takes a practical approach to simplifying your home and wardrobe. What appeals to me is the idea of creating a space that works for the people living in it. I've never been particularly convinced by the thought of owning a certain number of possessions or getting rid of everything that doesn't serve an obvious purpose.

Some things are worth keeping simply because we love them.

For me, the aim is to have fewer things that get in the way of everyday life, while making more room for the things we actually enjoy.

Why it's on our list: Practical inspiration for creating a more organised home without losing its personality.

Atomic Habits -James Clear

I've lost count of the number of times I've decided to make a change and immediately tried to change everything at once. A new routine. Earlier mornings. More exercise. Less time on my phone. It usually starts with plenty of enthusiasm. And then real life gets in the way.

That's why I find the idea behind Atomic Habits so interesting. James Clear explores how small, repeated actions can lead to meaningful changes over time. It's an approach that feels much more realistic than deciding you're going to become a completely different person by Monday morning.

I particularly like the idea of making good habits easier to follow rather than relying entirely on motivation.

Because motivation has a habit of disappearing when you're tired, busy or simply not in the mood.

Why it's on our list: A practical look at building better habits without expecting overnight transformation.

Kinfolk Travel - John Burns

I couldn't put together a Maison Kasbah reading list without including a beautiful travel book.

And Kinfolk Travel feels particularly fitting. I've always preferred the idea of spending longer in one place rather than trying to see absolutely everything.

There's something lovely about getting to know a destination beyond its main attractions.

Finding a café you want to return to. Walking through residential streets. Spending an afternoon somewhere simply because you like being there.

The book explores a more considered approach to travel, with beautiful photography and inspiration for experiencing places at a different pace. It's also the sort of book I'd happily leave on a side table and pick up whenever I felt like escaping somewhere for a few minutes.

Why it's on our list: Travel inspiration that encourages curiosity without the pressure of a packed itinerary.

Zen: The Art of Simple Living

Some books are worth keeping nearby simply because they offer a different perspective. Zen: The Art of Simple Living is one of those. I'm drawn to its emphasis on everyday habits and the idea that a simpler life can begin with surprisingly ordinary actions.

Making time for a quiet morning. Paying attention to your surroundings. Finding a little space in your day that isn't immediately filled with something else. Of course, reading about simplicity is one thing. Actually putting it into practice when life is busy is quite another. But I like books that encourage you to consider small changes without making you feel that everything you're currently doing is wrong.

Why it's on our list: Gentle inspiration for bringing a little more simplicity into everyday routines.

The Let Them Theory - Mel Robbins

This one feels particularly relevant in a world where we spend so much time worrying about what other people think.

I think most of us have been guilty of overthinking a conversation or spending far too long wondering why someone behaved a certain way.

Mel Robbins explores the idea of allowing other people to make their own decisions and focusing instead on what we can actually control. It's a simple concept, although I suspect putting it into practice takes a little more effort.

There's something freeing about recognising that we don't have to manage everyone else's reactions or expectations. And perhaps some of that mental energy could be put towards things that make our own lives better.

Why it's on our list: An interesting perspective on boundaries, relationships and letting go of unnecessary worry.

Finding time to read again

One thing I'm trying not to do is turn reading into another task I need to complete.

I don't want to set myself a target of fifty books a year or feel guilty because I've spent three weeks reading the same chapter. I'd much rather enjoy five books properly than rush through twenty just to say I've finished them.

Sometimes I'll read for half an hour. Other days it might only be a few pages. And there will undoubtedly be evenings when I reach for my phone instead. I'm not particularly worried about that.

What I do want is to make reading something I naturally return to. Perhaps by keeping a book beside the bed, taking one with me when I know I'll have time to wait somewhere, or simply choosing to read instead of scrolling every now and then. I also think there's something nice about having a few books on the go. A novel for the evenings, something more thoughtful for when you're in the mood, and a beautiful photography book to dip into whenever you fancy.

Reading doesn't have to look the same every day.

And I think that's probably the best way to make room for it.

Explore The Book Edit

We've gathered these titles and a few other favourites in The Book Edit.

You'll find books on slow living, interiors, travel and wellbeing, along with titles that simply make us curious.

Some are books to sit down and properly get lost in. Others are the sort you might pick up for ten minutes and find yourself thinking about long afterwards. There's no reading challenge and no particular order to follow.

Just a collection of books we think are worth making time for.

Affiliate disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.