It’s that time again. The start of a new year. A time when many people set resolutions for changes they wish to make in their lives. There are the typical goals like eat healthier, lose weight, spend more time with family. Many people also choose the goal to read more books.
I like utilizing the start of a new year to implement change. Though I do also try to set goals throughout the year, not just on January 1st. Making a change in habit and lifestyle doesn’t have to wait until the start of a new year or month or even week. That being said, should you set a reading goal for the new year?
Reasons for Setting a Reading Goal
There are a variety of reasons for setting a reading goal each year. Reading is a good hobby for just about everyone. I am a firm believer that there is a genre out there for everyone and to never judge someone for what they read. Reading goals can be great for expanding your subject matter or just increasing the volume of how much you read.
A few reasons for setting a reading goal include:
Wanting to read more than last year: This may be the more common reason for setting a goal. If you read fifty books last year, maybe this year you want to read fifty-two. That’s one book a week. Perfectly doable for the average book and reader. This type of goal is great, but just increasing the number should be considered carefully. I wouldn’t advise increasing by more than half. For example, if you read fifty-two books last year (one book a week on average), only increase your goal to seventy-eight (one and a half books a week on average).
Branching out into new genres: Some people stick to only one or two genres or even a single trope inside a single genre. I can sometimes be guilty of this. I often read horror or thriller. When I was a kid I mostly read fantasy. I find when I only read one genre all the time, I tend to get burnt out of reading. Then I’ll go days or even weeks without reading anything, often with a book unfinished. I don’t want to pick up a new book because I feel guilty about the book I left. For this, I recommend choosing a genre you used to enjoy (I started reading fantasy again) or a separate genre with a similar trope. Do you love a good coming of age story, but only read contemporary fiction? Try sci-fi or historical fiction. You may find you DNF a few books before you find the one that clicks or that you really just don’t like that genre. Don’t worry about it. Not every book or genre will appeal to everyone, and that’s okay.
Wanting to learn something new: I love learning new things and made it a goal last year to read at least one non-fiction book a month. I read thirteen non-fiction books, so I beat my goal. I want to do the same this year. I don’t generally have anything specific I want to learn, but I do know I don’t want to read any self-help books. I’ve read so many over the years they kind of all blend together. If you want to read more non-fiction, start with an area you’re already familiar or the memoir of a celebrity you admire. Then, branch out into more unfamiliar territory. Think of something you’ve always wanted to know more about. Did you like dinosaurs as a kid? Read a book about their evolution. Do you love Grey’s Anatomy? Find a book about the history of medicine. You’re never too old to learn something new.
To start reading more regularly: Maybe you’re someone who just doesn’t read regularly. You pick up a book, read for a day or two, put it back down, next thing you know it’s been two months and you haven’t so much as glanced at it. There’s nothing wrong with the book, you just aren’t in the habit of sitting down to read. Keep track of what you do throughout the day. Do you have thirty minutes somewhere you can dedicate as your reading time? Set an alarm on your phone and treat it like a meeting with a friend. You wouldn’t cancel on a friend would you? Reading trackers can also help with this.
Why You Should or Shouldn’t Set a Reading Goal
Reading goals aren’t for everyone. Sure, they can be a great way to plan out your year or develop a habit, but they can be stressful too. I didn’t reach my reading goal last year. A week of no reading here or there and next thing I know it’s December and I’m twelve books behind. I could have caught up. I’m a pretty fast reader, but life happened and I only read two books in December. Already stressed, the goal just added to it.
So why should you set a reading goal? It’s nice to have something to reach for. It can also keep you from falling into a rut, especially if your goal specifies genres or includes reading challenges.
Why shouldn’t you set a reading goal? Having a number to reach takes the fun out of reading. For some, having that number makes it seem more like a chore. Maybe you’re comparing yourself to others. If your goal is only to read thirty books, but you see someone else has a goal to read two hundred, it can be easy to feel like you aren’t doing enough. Then you may feel like not even bothering.
Don’t let comparing yourself to others keep you from enjoying reading. If you only read one book, you’re still a reader. If you started fifty and only finished two, you’re still a reader. There is no magic number. If setting a goal or tracking your reading at all takes the joy out of reading, don’t do those things.
Tips for Reaching Your Reading Goal
So you set a goal but aren’t sure how to reach it. I have a few tips to help you get there.
- Block out reading time every day like you would an appointment. Set an alarm on your phone for a time you know you can sit for at least thirty minutes. Set another alarm for when you want, or need this time to end.
- Curate your TBR. Create a list of what you want to read this year that fits in with your goals for the year. Then, either go in order of the TBR or use an number generator to pick for you. This makes the choice for you on what to read next.
- Break down your annual goal into months. At the beginning of each month take each book you want to read (if you have the physical copies) or list them in your planner or on a piece of paper. Put the books or the lists on your nightstand or near wherever you do most of your reading. They just have somewhere they are easily accessible and you can see them regularly.
- Utilize audio books. Some people don’t consider listening to audio books as reading. I say go for it. Life gets busy and if the only way you can read more is to listen to the audio book while you’re doing chores or on your commute to work, do it.
- Join a book club. Whether online or in person, book clubs help take out the stress of choosing. In person book clubs have the added social benefit of being, well, in person. You also have the added push to finish the book in a set amount of time.
Just know, whatever you choose to do is the right thing for you. Comparison is the thief of joy. Don’t let comparing your reading journey to someone else’s take the joy out of reading.
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Alicia Coast 