ADHD and the Struggle to Read: Why It Feels So Hard to Keep Up With Books

ADHD can make reading feel impossible. Learn why focus slips, why it hurts, and practical ways to rediscover the joy of books on your own terms.

The Grief of Lost Reading

Many adults with ADHD remember a time when reading was a source of joy, escape, or learning. But as responsibilities grow - careers, parenting, life admin - reading often slips away. For some, it feels impossible to keep focus long enough to finish a chapter, let alone a book.

This loss can feel like grief: “I used to be a reader. Why can’t I do it anymore?”

Why ADHD Makes Reading Hard

ADHD affects attention, memory, and executive function, all of which play a role in reading:

Sustained attention: it is hard to stay with the page when your mind drifts or jumps ahead.

Working memory: you may forget what you read a page ago and feel lost in the plot.

Executive function: starting a book, choosing what to read, or finding time can feel overwhelming.

Sensory overload: in a noisy house or with a restless body, reading feels impossible.

The Emotional Side

It is not just about attention - it is about identity. Many ADHD adults feel embarrassed: “I used to love books, what is wrong with me?”. Others feel guilty for buying books they never finish. That shame can keep you stuck and make reading feel even more out of reach.

Rethinking What Counts as Reading

Here’s the truth: ADHD brains often thrive when we expand what reading can mean. It doesn’t have to look like hours in a quiet library. It might mean:

Audiobooks - (listening while walking, cooking, or driving)

Short-form reading - (essays, articles, graphic novels)

Parallel reading - (having 2 or 3 books on the go and dipping in when your attention allows)

Buddy reading - (an accountability partner or book club to keep momentum)

Practical Tips for Reclaiming Reading

Lower the bar: 5 minutes of reading still counts.

Choose engaging formats: dialogue-heavy fiction, memoirs, or books with short chapters.

Pair reading with routine: keep a book by your bed, on your phone, or in your bag.

Remove the shame: unfinished books are not failures - they are attempts, and attempts matter.

Finding Joy Again

Reading with ADHD is not about discipline or fixing yourself. It is about building systems and compassion that make reading possible again. When you stop measuring yourself against a non-ADHD brain, you create space to enjoy books on your own terms.

If this resonates with you, you are not alone. I started the Neurokind Book Club because so many women with ADHD share this same struggle. We do not need to read better - we need to read differently, together.