Engaging Reluctant Readers
Tired of the nightly reading battles? Struggling to get your child to open a book because they refuse to read at all costs? Maybe they can read but just don’t want to, or perhaps they struggle with the basics, making reading feel frustrating and exhausting. Or maybe books just can’t compete with screens, sports, or other distractions. No matter the reason, you’re not alone—and more importantly, you’re not failing as a parent.
Welcome to Engaging Reluctant Readers—the podcast for book-loving moms raising reluctant readers. Hosted by Ellen Westbrook, a Literacy Coach (and recovering reluctant reader herself!), this show is here to help you transform your child’s reading journey from dread to must-be read and rediscover family reading fun along the way.
As a mom of two high-energy boys with a degree in Elementary Education, Ellen gets it—the frustration, the worry, and the endless search for ways to make books click for your child. She’s here to bridge the gap between your love of reading and your kiddo’s resistance, helping you understand why they struggle and, more importantly, what actually works.
You won’t find complicated reading strategies or one-size-fits-all advice here. Instead, Ellen shares real-life strategies that fit into your busy days and make reading feel fun instead of forced. From creative ways to build stamina, confidence, and reading skills to strategies that make books more engaging and spark a genuine love of reading, every episode is designed to help you make real progress—without the fights, tears, or frustration.
Each episode is under 30 minutes, packed with actionable tips, and released every Thursday—so you can get quick wins without adding more to your already-full plate.
Because reading should feel fun, not like a chore—and every step forward, no matter how small, is worth celebrating.
Hit follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode, and let’s rediscover family reading fun—together!
Engaging Reluctant Readers
Book Nooks on a Budget: Simple Spaces Kids Will Love
When you think “reading nook,” do you picture twinkle lights, teepees, and shelves full of brand-new books? The truth is, cozy reading spaces don’t have to be elaborate—or expensive. In fact, some of the best book nooks are the simplest ones, created with what you already have at home.
In this episode of the Engaging Reluctant Readers Podcast, Ellen Westbrook shares why giving reading a “home” in your house makes such a difference—and how to design one without spending a fortune. From repurposed chairs to blanket forts, you’ll discover low-cost, low-pressure ways to create a space your kids will actually use (and love).
What You’ll Learn:
☑️ Why giving reading a dedicated “spot” helps kids choose books more often
☑️ How to create a cozy nook with what you already have on hand
☑️ The essentials: comfort, light, and books within reach
☑️ Easy, budget-friendly tweaks to keep your nook fresh and inviting
☑️ Why some spaces fizzle—and how to adjust without giving up
⏳ Key Episode Highlights:
[00:00:25] Why picture-perfect reading nooks aren’t necessary
[00:01:56] The unexpected recliner that became a family reading spot
[00:03:38] Why elaborate setups often backfire
[00:05:21] The basics: light, comfort, and books within reach
[00:06:07] How to stock a reading nook without overwhelming kids
[00:07:44] Why some spaces fizzle (and how to adjust without giving up)
[00:09:22] Bottom line: start small, keep it simple, and let the space evolve
[00:09:49] Sneak peek at next week's episode
📖 Prefer to Read? Full blog post: https://engagingreluctantreaders.com/2025/10/02/reading-nook-for-kids/
✨ FREEBIE ALERT!
Grab your Book Nook Starter Kit—with 100+ fun book theme ideas and my four simple steps for creating a reading nook your family will actually use.
📥 Get it here → https://engagingreluctantreaders.m-pages.com/booknookstarterkit
📘 Want to make books feel irresistible in your home?
Check out the Create the Invitation to Read Mini Course—a short, practical training that shows you how to set up books and spaces in ways that spark curiosity and connection without pressure.
📥 Enroll here → https://engagingreluctantreaders.vipmembervault.com/products/courses/view/1134274
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It helps get this podcast out in front of more moms that need to hear it, so we can help more reluctant readers learn to love books and put an end to the nightly battles around reading!
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[00:00:00] Ellen: Welcome to the Engaging Reluctant Readers Podcast. I'm Ellen Westbrook, your host, and Recovering Reluctant Reader. Together, we'll tackle reading roadblocks with personalized strategies and out of the box ideas. All while rediscovering the joy of family reading fun. Ready to transform your child's view of reading from Dread to Must Be Read?
[00:00:18] Let's dive into today's episode.
[00:00:25] Ever seen those dreamy Pinterest reading nooks and thought, yeah, that's not happening in my house. Maybe you don't have the space, maybe you don't have the budget. Or maybe you can't imagine adding one more project to your already full plate.
[00:00:35] I get it. Between kids, work, dinner and all the little life admin tasks that pop up every day. It can feel like there's no way you're building a magazine worthy reading corner anytime soon. But here's the thing, a cozy reading space doesn't have to be fancy, expensive, or even all that Instagram-worthy to work. In fact, some of the best spots for family reading time in our house have been totally unplanned. A corner of the couch, a pile of pillows on the floor, or even the landing at the top of the stairs.
[00:00:59] Today we're going to talk about why having a dedicated spot can make such a difference for getting your kids to actually wanna pick up a book and how to create one without spending a fortune. We'll cover how to pick the right spot, how to make it inviting with what you already have, and how to keep it feeling fresh without adding more to your to-do list.
[00:01:14] If you've ever wished your kids saw reading as the easy go-to choice, instead of something you have to keep reminding them about, this is going to give you the inspiration and the practical steps to make it happen.
[00:01:24] Here's the truth. Reading can happen anywhere, it doesn't require a special chair or a stack of picture-perfect throw pillows. But, this is the part that surprised me, when you give reading a home in your house it changes how often it happens. A designated spot sends a signal, this is where we read, it becomes part of the rhythm. Kids know that when they curl up there, a book belongs in their hands. And here's the other bonus for reluctant readers or even kids who love to read but get distracted. A cozy, intentional space can make books feel more like an invitation and less like an assignment. It's a subtle cue, but it works. And sometimes you don't even have to plan it.
[00:01:56] A couple of years ago, we were doing some room rearranging for both the boys. Hunter had just upgraded from a toddler bed to a bigger bed, and we were updating JD's room, so he didn't feel left out. We ended up moving him from a lofted bed down to a simple twin frame, but that meant losing floor space in the process. So the big, oversized recliner had to come out if he was still going to have room to play.
[00:02:14] Now, at the time, we didn't have room for it downstairs, and I wasn't ready to get outta the house right then, so I just parked in the corner outside our master bedroom. I figured it would be there for maybe a week, two tops until I could get outta the house, but then something happened.
[00:02:26] Mornings in our house are either a mad rush out of the house during the week or are slow on the weekends. My husband typically works Saturday mornings and I'm not a morning person, so the boys know I need a little time before I'm ready for a full blown conversation. The rule was they could hang out in their rooms or grab a book and sit in the chair.
[00:02:41] At first, it was just JD sitting there flipping through a book so he could be close without rushing my wake-up process. Then, sometimes Hunter would wander out and join him, and they'd read together. No prompting, no setup, just reading in that random chair. It happened often enough that three years later, that chair is still there. What started as furniture-limbo turned into an unplanned reading nook, and even now it still draws them in.
[00:03:01] Well, as long as I don't pile it with laundry or odds and ends that need to make their way downstairs, talk about a good motivator to keep it clear. Which actually reminds me I need to tidy up that space as soon as I'm done recording this episode.
[00:03:11] But that's the thing about reading spaces, they don't have to be official or Instagram-worthy. Sometimes the best ones are the ones that just happen. It doesn't have to be a big remodel or something you keep forever. It could be a chair, a corner, a blanket fort you set up for a weekend. What matters is that it feels good to be there, that it draws your kids in and gives reading a place to belong.
[00:03:29] So before you start thinking, I don't have the space or the budget for this, remember, sometimes all it takes is noticing the spots where your family already loves to land and leaning into that.
[00:03:38] When you first decide to create a reading space, it's tempting to go big. You imagine cozy corners with twinkle lights, plush cushions, maybe a themed tent, the kind of thing that makes people comment, "Oh my gosh, that's amazing!" When they see it on Instagram. And while there's nothing wrong with going all out, I've learned that sometimes the more elaborate the setup, the less it actually gets used.
[00:03:56] Case in point, the boys' playroom, they had this big pop-up tent shaped like a firetruck, and they loved hanging out in there to play. So, I thought, perfect. I'll turn it into a reading nook. I stuffed it with cushions, added blankets and stuffed animals, and I put the bookshelf right next to it so they could just grab a book and crawl inside. I even shared it on my Instagram page.
[00:04:12] For about a week it looked like the best idea I'd ever had, and then the novelty wore off. Books started disappearing into the tent and getting buried under the pillows. Toys began migrating in there too, because of course it was in the playroom. Unless I was right there reading with them inside the tent, they weren't actually using it for books at all. It had become a toy storage zone that just happened to have some books in it.
[00:04:31] Eventually, I scaled it way back. Now if they're reading in the playroom, it's usually just sitting on the floor next to the little bookcase. No big elaborate setup. just a Couple of comfy things they can pull over if they want to, but no giant read here moment.
[00:04:43] And then there's the recliner I mentioned earlier. Once I saw the boys gravitating their on their own, I thought, okay, let's make this official. I brought over a bin and filled it with brand new books I thought they'd love. But here's what happened. They ignored the new ones and kept hauling books out from their bedroom instead.
[00:04:55] That's when I realized that chair wasn't a place for fresh and exciting, it was a place for familiar favorites. Now I stock it with the books they always go back to and just slip in one or two new ones for them to find. That way they're still drawn in, but they also get the fun of stumbling onto something new.
[00:05:09] The point is you don't have to run out and buy shelves, chairs, or stacks of books to make this work. In fact, sometimes less really is more. Too much stuff can make a space feel busy or even distract from the point of being there.
[00:05:21] Creating a space that invites reading doesn't have to cost a dime. You can repurpose a chair, beanbag, or even just throw down a pile of pillows. Rotate books from one area of the house to another so they feel fresh or bring home a small stack from the library.
[00:05:34] And if you want it to feel inviting without turning it into a school desk situation, focus on a few basics, good lighting, a comfortable place to sit, and books within easy reach. If you have those basics in place, you've got a reading space. From there, you can add little touches and make it feel more inviting, like weaving in books that reflect your child's favorite topics or characters.
[00:05:52] If you want more ideas for finding books that really click with your reader, I shared a bunch of strategies back in episode three.
[00:05:58] But for now, just start by walking through your house. Notice where your kids already tend to land. Those spots are often the easiest, most budget-friendly places to turn into cozy reading spaces.
[00:06:07] Alright, now once you've got the space, don't let yourself get stuck into thinking you need the perfect set of books before you can use it. Honestly, it's about getting started and working with what you already have. One easy way to begin is to pull a few tried and true favorites your kids have read over and over. Then sprinkle in one or two new ones.
[00:06:21] You can also think about how the space will be used. If it's a spot where you'll be reading together, maybe lean towards chapter books or slightly more challenging books.
[00:06:28] If it's for independent reading, choose books at or below your child's reading level, so it's an easy yes for them.
[00:06:33] Another trick is to pick a single theme or category, something tied to your child's interests. So every book in that space feels like a win. If your kid loves dragons, imagine a basket where every book is dragon themed. That can make it irresistible.
[00:06:45] If you want more inspiration for theme ideas, I've got a list of 63 book themes inside the Book Nook Starter Kit that can help.
[00:06:50] But here's the thing, whether you're going with a theme or not, more books isn't always better. When I was first setting up spaces in our home, I'd pile in every book I thought they might possibly wanna read. Sometimes I'd stack them horizontally and the good ones at the bottom never saw the light of day. Or I'd jam them into the basket so tight you had to wrestle one out just to see the cover. The result they'd ignore most of it. It was just too much work to even browse.
[00:07:12] Now I keep it light a basket with just a handful of books or a small shelf they can easily scan if you've got floating shelves that show the covers, even better. Covers are like little invitations to pick up a book. But if you don't, it's not a necessity.
[00:07:23] If you want more details on how to match the books to each reading spot in your home, I go deeper into that in my Create the Invitation to Read mini course.
[00:07:30] But for now, you can just focus on stocking this one space in a way that makes it feel easy for your kids to grab something and start reading. Once you've got the books in place, don't worry about whether it's balanced or covers enough variety. You can always swap 'em out later. The goal is to make starting as easy as possible.
[00:07:44] Even with the perfect spot, perfect lighting and books, you're sure they'll love, sometimes the space just doesn't get used the way you imagined. Think back to my Firetruck example. It's easy to take that as a failure, but it's not, it's just information. Sometimes it means the timing's off. Sometimes the location isn't pulling them in the way you hoped, and sometimes the idea works for a week or two, then fizzles. That's normal. And it's why I said earlier in the episode that reading spaces don't have to be permanent. They can shift with your family's needs.
[00:08:09] Take our blanket forts when we build one in the living room, it's magic, for about 48 hours. The boys pile in with books, we snuggle, maybe read a chapter before bed. But by day three it's morphed into a snack zone, toy zone, or even in a wrestling ring, and that's fine. Blanket forts are meant to be temporary. They work in bursts and then it's time to take them down.
[00:08:26] Or our afterschool snack and reading time experiment. I thought it would be the perfect setup. We could all sit at the kitchen table, decompress, and read together while they had a snack. In reality, that's usually when I'm unpacking backpacks and sorting papers, and generally not in a sit and read mode.
[00:08:40] We tried switching to audiobooks so they could listen while I worked, and it worked for a while, but pretty soon they wanted more of my attention and the noise of me moving around, kinda killed the vibe. Eventually, I had to admit that the kitchen table just wasn't the right fit for the easy afterschool transition moment that I'd pictured.
[00:08:54] Sometimes it's not the space itself. That's the problem though. It's how and when you're trying to use it. So instead of scrapping the whole idea when it flops, try moving it to where your kids naturally spend more time, adjust the type of books. Maybe they need lighter, shorter reads in that space. Save certain spots for the weekends or slower days instead of forcing them into a hectic time of the day.
[00:09:13] Reading spaces aren't set it and forget it. They're living parts of your home and your family's rhythms will change. The key is to keep noticing, adjusting and trying again until it clicks.
[00:09:22] Bottom line. You don't need to rearrange a whole house or drop a ton of cash on brand new books to make this work. All you really need is a soft spot. A few good reads and the willingness to start. And remember, your reading space doesn't have to be perfect to be powerful. It's not about creating a showcase. It's about creating an invitation, one that your kids can step into today, even if you tweak it tomorrow.
[00:09:40] If I could go back and tell myself one thing when I first started, it would be this. Don't overthink it. Pick one spot, put out a few books, and let the space evolve with your family.
[00:09:49] Next week, we're talking about one of the trickiest parts of getting kids to read, motivation. If you've ever offered some type of reward to get your kid to read, you're not alone. The thing is bribing isn't bad, but a lot of the time we end up rewarding reading with things that don't help kids connect with reading further, making it harder to get the habit to stick, so they're just in it for the thing.
[00:10:07] So next week we'll look at how to make rewards work for you instead of against you, so your child's motivation grows stronger over time, instead of fizzling out. You won't wanna miss it.
[00:10:16] Thanks so much for tuning into today's episode. If you're loving the Engaging Reluctant Readers podcast, I'd be so grateful. If you take a second to leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more families find their way to feel-good reading wins and real-world strategies that work.
[00:10:29] And hey, if this episode has you ready to create a cozy reading space without having to spend a fortune on books or furniture, be sure to grab my Book Nook Starter Kit. You'll get 63+ fun book theme ideas, plus my four simple steps to create a can't resist book nook, so you can start building a space your family will actually use. You can get it at the link in the description, and it's the easiest next step to make your home's reading spot truly inviting.
[00:10:50] Until next time, this is Ellen Westbrook reminding you to start small, keep it simple, and let the space invite the stories in. Happy reading!