Tag: Reading Goals

My 2026 Reading Resolutions!

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Hello everyone! Today is an exciting and scary day, because for the first time ever, I’ve published content on YouTube! My introduction post is my 2026 Reading Resolutions. 

I have a fun number of resolutions I’m taking on this year, including trying BookTube. I shared I was publishing this video in last night’s Sunday Summary to make myself publish it 😅 Some are regular features, such as my total target books for the year. However, there are a number of new resolutions in this 2026 reading resolutions video. 

If you want to watch my video, you can find it below 🥰 I’d appreciate the support if you can give it via following or liking the video. Please bear with me whilst I learn the ropes ☺️ 

If you can’t watch or prefer to read, here’s a short form summary of my 2026 reading resolutions. 

 

My 2026 Reading Resolutions 

 

Goodreads / Total Books Challenge

This year I want to read 60 books. It’s a push from the 48 I finished in 2025, but I need the motivation and I’m looking forward to a challenge! 

 

Set Reading List

My second goal is to pick up books from a set list over the course of 2026. I’ll be reading a couple of these a month or so to get through the list throughout 2026. 

These come from recommendations, are long-standing books on my TBR, and will push my out of my comfort zone. There’s classics, banned books and sequels of series on here too! 

  • Pillars of the Earth
  • Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children
  • The Good Samaritan
  • Jane Eyre
  • Murdertrending
  • The Colour Purple
  • Alias Grace
  • Yellowface
  • The Great Hunt
  • Eve
  • Julia
  • 1984
  • The Great Passage
  • Bridge to Terabithia 
  • Lolita
  • The Kite Runner

 

Read more mainstream books 

I miss out on a lot of content because I don’t pick up many mainstream books, especially when they are released. 

To get more involved, I’ll be reading and reviewing popular books and series like Throne of Glass, The Poppy War, The Bone Season and Fourth Wing. Naturally, I’ll also be looking for new releases and this list will evolve in time. 

 

Prioritise Owned Books

Lastly, I’ll be reading as much as I can from my bookshelves of owned books. Whilst this doesn’t intersect well with the above goal, I’ll juggle the two together as much as I can. 

I have a lot of physical books in my spare room that I’d like to read and clear down via donations to charity or re-homing them once finished with. 

 

Summary 

Thanks for reading, and hopefully watching my 2026 Reading Resolutions video today! Have you set any reading goals for 2026? 

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Traditional reading goals to kickstart your New Year!

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Yesterday I shared a list of non-traditional reading goals to kickstart your New Year. If you are looking for inspiration for reading goals to set yourself coming into the New Year, you have come to the right place! 

Whereas yesterday‘s post looked at non-traditional reading goals, today’s post follows the more traditional route and shares numbers-based traditional reading goals you can set yourself coming into the New Year.

Ready for inspiration to hit? Let’s take a look! 

 

Traditional reading goals to kickstart your New Year! 

Read X number of books a year

A goal I set myself every year, because I benefit from having a target to chase, is to read a set number of books. 

This can be set as a total or even as a target for a specific genre. For example, my 2024 resolutions featured a Goodreads challenge of reading 60 books and 15 of those being non-fiction. That goal helped make nonfiction books a regular on my TBR now even without the special effort. 

Whether you want to set yourself a goal to read a total number of books or to focus on a particular genre, having a number to work towards can be a great motivator. I like the Goodreads challenge as it can tell you if you are ahead, behind, or on track. You could, of course, use another tracker or work this out yourself – whatever works best for you! 

 

Number of Pages/Measurable Time Goal

An alternative to a total book count is a quantitative measure of pages or time spent reading. As goals go, it makes this really easily measurable and can go a long way towards building habits. 

Reading 40 books a year might seem daunting… but a goal to read 20 pages or 10 mins a day? That feels far more achievable – and they can amount to the same result. It’s just a matter of framing. If small, regular tasks work better for your time commitment level, consider setting a traditional reading goal to read a little every day. Those bigger reading goals will become far more achievable with a small habit. 

 

Pick up a Fixed Reading List

A new reading goal I’m taking into next year is to pick up a fixed reading list. I’ve compiled a list of books I want to read in 2026. They have made it to the list for a variety of reasons; some are long outstanding on my TBR, some are recommended from fellow readers. There are also some classics that will push me out of my comfort zone. 

Whatever the reason behind your list, setting a time limit to finish these books can help motivate you to finally make time for them. It also helps plan ahead and spread the books over the year so getting to the list isn’t overwhelming. 

 

TBR down to X books

A goal I strongly considered setting this year, but ultimately decided against, is a target to reduce my TBR. If I don’t whittle down my list by this time next year, I’ll HAVE to make this a resolution. 

My TBR has floated at around 200 books for a while. If you have an overflowing reading list and need some motivation to reduce it, setting a goal to reduce your TBR is a great idea. 

Maybe I should review this for myself halfway through the year and see if I need to do this one… 

 

Read a Book from X Genre a Month

Along the lines of trying to read more from a certain genre (touched on in Read X no. of Books a Year), a reasonable goal might be to read a book from a desired genre a month. That’s 12 books over the course of a year – not an insignificant number! Tackling one a month also breaks down the goal to make it feel more manageable too. 

Is there a genre you don’t read much of but want to pick up more frequently? A couple of years ago, it was non-fiction for me. However, you might want to try more classics, literary fiction, or even a non-genre-specific focus like new releases or timeless reads. The criteria is flexible enough that you can pick what’s important to you and your reading goals. 

 

Summary 

Has today’s traditional reading goals post given you inspiration? If you’re looking for some alternative reading goals, try my non-traditional reading goal post for more options. 

As I said yesterday, my reading habit and the blog kicked off with reading for a few minutes before bed in 2017. Small habits help make larger ones! 

What reading goals are you taking into next year? 

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Non-traditional reading goals to kickstart your New Year!

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Whether you are a seasoned reading goal setter, or are looking to set yourself a reading goal for the very first time, we all need inspiration now and then. Today’s post offers some non-traditional reading goals to kickstart your New Year, no experience required!

In the past, I have varied in setting both traditional and non-traditional reading goals. Whilst I am the kind of person who benefits from a traditional numbers-based target to set, there is absolute value in setting non-traditional reading goals. That’s why in my goal setting, I take a blended approach in setting both traditional and non-traditional reading goals. 

Today’s post is about non-traditional reading goals. If having a number doesn’t suit you or your lifestyle right now, I have five suggestions for your next non-traditional reading goal. Even if you don’t take on one of these verbatim, it may give you an idea for a reading goal that will suit you! 

Shall we take a look at some ideas? 

 

Non-Traditional Reading Goal Ideas

 

Prioritise Owned Books

A non-traditional reading goal that’s a strong contender for my reading resolutions list next year is prioritising books I already own. Why? Well, the simple answer is, my physical reading collection is… too big for the space I have. If I’m honest, I probably have the equivalent of a small bookshelf’s worth of books that don’t fit on the shelves I have. 

I typically try to stick to buying physical copies of books I’ll want to read and re-read again. However, sometimes it’s cheaper or more convenient to get books in physical format if there are offers on, or if I have book vouchers to use. Now I’ve got a bit of a collection, and it’s easy done! It’s universally agreed that buying books and reading books are two very different hobbies… 

I’ve done more purchasing than I have reading, so this non-traditional reading goal can help combat the backlist. 

 

Give Yourself Permission to Mood Read

Another non-traditional reading goal could be giving yourself permission to choose what to read as the mood strikes you. 

If you like to read different books in the spur of the moment but try to confine yourself to a set list (and then wonder why you don’t get through it!), this is a great goal for you. Admittedly, this is a goal of benefit from trying. This December, with my reading challenge ‘done’, I’ve switched off from reading a little bit. However, to get back into it, I could have given myself permission to read something not on the list but that I enjoy. 

I’m also guilty of trying to read a book if I’m not feeling it. It’s like trying to cram a square peg in a round hole, and just about as successful. Next year, why not give yourself the gift of flexibility? 

 

Read a book recommended to you once a month

Quite the opposite to the previous suggested non-traditional reading goal, if you do benefit from some structure to your reading, this could work for you! 

Whether you take recommendations from friends, family, or even online, including a recommendation in your reading list can help broaden your horizons. It’s the reason I take part in book clubs. Through these clubs, I pick up books I wouldn’t have been introduced to or picked up of my own volition. The external motivator is a great way to learn and change up your reading. If that’s what you’re looking for, reading a recommendation once a month/quarter, or whatever frequency suits you, is a great non-traditional reading goal to try!

 

Try New Book Formats

If you tend to read books in a particular, or even favoured format, why not try something new next year? 

This non-traditional reading goal can be interpreted a number of ways, so it’s really up to you what you want to do with it. If you read a lot of traditional prose, why not try a mixed media book, manga, or poetry? If you read predominantly physical books, why not give audiobooks a try? 

Really, the world is your oyster with this reading goal. The aim is to try something new. As to how you choose to do it, well, that’s up to you! The beauty of a non-traditional reading goal is that they are more flexible and accommodating to set. 

 

Read in another language (or a book’s translated from another language)

A non-traditional reading goal I’m flirting with setting in my next set of reading resolutions is to read books in, or originally written in, another language. I’ll hold my hands up and admit I read a lot of books by Western authors. With a view to reading more diversely, this is a fun non-traditional reading goal to help meet that desire. 

If you’re feeling adventurous, you could try reading a book in another language. If you want to learn one anyway, it can be a great way to help towards that. The best way to learn about other perspectives and cultures is to read from them. 

Summary 

Has today’s non-traditional reading goals post given you some inspiration? The best advice I can give is to start small. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself if you don’t get off to a flying start. 

My reading habit and the blog kicked off with reading for a few minutes before bed in 2017. What reading goals are you taking into next year? 

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Setting A Reading Goal Can Boost Your Reading!

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As we are coming to the end of 2022, it is only natural that you may be thinking about the year ahead and about setting a reading goal. Are you the kind of person to set yourself a challenge? Do you prefer to go with the flow? These are important things to know about yourself in order to manage your motivation.

With this discussion post, there is no right or wrong answer. On the contrary, it is all about understanding what is best for you! I hope this post helps you to consider what works best for you.

 

Like having a goal to aim for? Set yourself a reading challenge!

At the beginning of the year, I usually set myself a reading challenge. In the history of my blog, there is one exception to that rule, and that was an exceptional time. Even then, I don’t think my choice of not setting a goal helped me in the long run. It felt good at the time because I felt liberated. Unfettered. Free of expectation. However, as the year went on, I effectively allowed the status quo to continue, even when I had the capacity to get back into reading more. I had lost the habit of picking up a book. 

I like having a goal to work towards. It is funny – my blog and my reading are the only facets in my life in which I really set myself goals (outside of work anyway). Otherwise, I am very laissez-faire. However, as proven to myself during the year in which I didn’t set myself a reading goal, I need one. It doesn’t necessarily have to be an ambitious goal to motivate me. But, having a number to work towards effectively helps me schedule my time and manage expectations. The year I didn’t set a number was my ‘worst’ by far. Compare my 2020 wrap-up with my 2021 wrap-up post and you will see what I mean. 

I recently watched a short motivational video about writing a book, but the underlying principle is the same. The lesson stuck with me. The speaker was talking about how people will take as long as they allow themselves to complete a job. For example, if you give yourself three months to complete a task, you will use the whole three months to do it. If you give yourself a week, you’ll do the exact same task in a week. It’s a psychological mindset thing.

For some people, not setting yourself a goal and effectively having a timeless task can be detrimental. In 2021, I didn’t set myself a reading goal, but I fully envisaged that I would still read the same amount. It probably won’t shock you that I didn’t. As soon as I started setting goals again, I got back on track. 

 

Want to maintain a habit?

Setting a goal doesn’t have to be setting yourself a challenge. If you comfortably read 20 books a year, you could set yourself a goal to effectively maintain that standard. 

For example, one of the goals I am considering setting myself next year relates to maintaining the habit of reading every day. It doesn’t have to be for very long, and this is not a difficult goal to achieve. It’s not meant to be.

Even if you set out to read a chapter every day, or for just 10 minutes… it all adds up. My reading habit and my blog wouldn’t be here today if not for a change in my lifestyle in 2017. That change resulted in my picking up a book before bed every night. Initially, it was only a temporary arrangement as a result of circumstance. I started taking a book to bed to read for half an hour. Even after my circumstances returned to normal, I continued to read before bed. By the end of April, I’d read 20 books – more than I had read in the last several years combined. That is how reading became a habit for me. 

Setting yourself a goal if this type means that whatever it is you are trying to do is important to you. However, it can also help promote a healthy balance. I have found in my experience that after reading too much, my other hobbies suffer. In the end, my reading suffers because I over-compensate for not doing other things by doing just the other things.

 

Maybe goals just aren’t for you

I’m not going to say that setting a reading goal suits everybody. I’m sure it doesn’t! Just because I don’t categorise myself as one of these people, it doesn’t mean that you don’t exist. If you don’t like having a reading goal, that is entirely up to you. It is perfectly okay to enjoy a hobby with no strings or obligations attached.

If you are the kind of person who doesn’t set reading goals, I’d love to hear from you. I’m not going to profess that this works for me and that I understand this approach. I proved that the year I didn’t set any reading goals for myself.

If you don’t set yourself reading goals, is there anything else you do instead? I’d love to hear from you to add to the conversation! 

Have you set yourself a reading goal? Do you have a reading goal for 2023?

 

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My 2020 Resolutions

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A new year and a new decade are upon us! 2020 is finally here, and with a new year comes new opportunities. I’ve been considering my New Year Resolutions for a few weeks now… it’s time to share my plans with you all!

I’ve decided I want to take part in a few challenges this year. I have taken part in one of these challenges since 2017, the year my blog began. That’s not the only challenge I am setting myself, however.

 

Goodreads Reading Challenge

As I mentioned above, this will be the fourth year I take part in the Goodreads Reading Challenge. I will be going into the challenge with a larger goal than previous years though. Every year so far I have massively underestimated myself and set myself a goal that I achieve easily.

Year Original Goal Revised Goal Total Read in Year
2017 20 60 62
2018 40 – 50
2019 50 70 72

Fair enough, in 2017 I went from reading rarely to almost every day, without fail. Naturally, that goal ended up being really unrealistic and I revised it to 60 books at the end of April that year. That doesn’t really excuse the fact that I have underestimated myself in subsequent years though.

This year, I am going to be more ambitious and set myself a target that I have not reached yet. I came pretty close to it in 2019, but it means trying to set a new personal best.

In 2020, I want to try and read 80 books.

Up until the last couple of days of 2019, I’ve had 75 in my head. However, I think it’s too close to 2019’s final count to pose as a challenge. I don’t want to go too much higher than that; I don’t want to put myself in a position where I feel inclined to deliberately choose shorter books just to complete the challenge. That’s cheating a bit. This is where my second challenge will come into play and prevent that, to an extent…

 

Beat the Backlist

My TBR (To Be Read) list is seriously out of control. Often, I find myself swept up in new releases, blog tours and the like. Consequently, the older books on my TBR get neglected, and they really need some love right now. I’ve been hovering at around 200 books for a long time now and I need to work on that.

That’s why I am taking part in the Beat the Backlist challenge this year. As part of that challenge, I want to take on my TBR by reading, at the very least, the oldest 25 books on it. Sounds very abstract as it is, so to quantify it, here are the 25 books that I am challenging myself to read this year:-

  • Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson
  • City of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennett
  • The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson
  • Shadows of Self by Brandon Sanderson
  • Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson
  • Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson
  • The Talisman by Stephen King
  • Good Omens by Terry Pratchett
  • Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel
  • The Psychology Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained by Catherine Collin
  • Age of Myth by Michael J. Sullivan
  • The Bands of Mourning by Brandon Sanderson
  • Dune by Frank Herbert
  • The Women’s Room by Marilyn French
  • The Thief Taker by C. S. Quinn
  • The Feedback Loop by Harmon Cooper
  • Red Sister by Mark Lawrence
  • The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan
  • Hild by Nicola Griffith
  • The Complete Grimm’s Fairy Tales by Jacob Grimm
  • The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
  • One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey
  • The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
  • The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas
  • Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

If I can squeeze in some more recent TBR additions as well as the above list, then that’s great. I want to have a lot fewer than 200 books on the TBR this time next year!

 

Borrow From my Local Library

Despite having a library membership, I’m not that good when it comes to making the most of it. I’ve only borrowed three books/e-books from the library in 2019. Dreadful right?

I want to step up on this in 2020 for two reasons. Firstly, I’m conscious that I am going to have to be mindful of my finances this year. There are some pretty big (and expensive) changes planned for this year and I don’t really want to be careless with my money. I won’t begrudge myself the odd book, but don’t be expecting mass book haul posts because it’s not going to happen.

Secondly, the advantage of using the library is that you can branch out of your comfort zone. I’m only really happy to buy books that I really like the sound of, or those by authors I have read before. However, if you’re only borrowing books you can try something new. There’s no obligation to like it and if you really don’t, you can take it back!

Those are my resolutions for the new year! Have you set yourself any resolutions? I’d love to compare them with mine!

 

 

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