When starting a new book, I would always recommend to read at least the first chapter together. This could be you reading the first chapter using animated voices and building some excitement around the characters as well. This is not only getting your child into the book but as a parent this then allows you to know who the main characters are and the plot of the story so you can then carry on discussing the book with your child if they then read on independently.

This I would consider to be one of the most important things! Your child models so much of their behaviour on what they see. If they see you picking up a book and getting excited reading and enjoying it, they will over time also embrace it. 

If as a family you are carving out time to read at the weekends, I would encourage that you as an adult also picks up a book to read at the same time. You could start by just doing 5/10minutes - it depends on the age of your child and what they are use to doing already.

By modelling this behaviour your child/ren will see how much enjoyment you get out of reading as well as then being able to discuss books at dinner or in the car.