It’s the start of a new year, which, for many of us, means introspection, reflection, and goal-setting. One common goal is to read more, or to read more of specific kinds of books (e.g. more books by diverse authors, or reading more nonfiction, or reading for pleasure more).
I am an avid bookworm (as you may have guessed), and reading is a great source of joy, and one of my favourite hobbies. I am also a Capricorn, so I am nothing if not devoted to setting, meeting, and adjusting goals. I’m also VERY used to setting reading goals — from numerical goals (how many books I’ll read in a year), to setting reading challenges (like book bingos). Over the years I have met many of these goals, and missed many of them too. And even when I don’t reach a reading goal, I find it enjoyable to continue setting them, or adjusting them based on my progress (or lack thereof).
So, as we ring in 2025, I thought I’d help with a guide to setting (and hopefully meeting) your reading resolutions.
BE REALISTIC
First and foremost, my best advice is to be realistic.
If you only read one (or zero) books last year, don’t put too much pressure on yourself by suggesting you’ll read 20 or 50 or 100 books this year. Start with a goal that feels attainable — whether it’s one book a month, or one book a year. You could even set yourself a different kind of goal, like to read for 30 minutes before bed every night, or to read a certain number of books to or with your kids.
SEEK OUT BOOKS THAT INTEREST OR INSPIRE YOU
Next, you get to do the fun part – selecting the books you’re going to read.
Here’s where you can often receive a lot of outside influence, with people constantly recommending books they loved, or books they think you’d like. And that can be very helpful! It can also be a bit overwhelming. My advice? Think of the last book you loved. Consider rereading it (it counts!!!!), or see if the author has any new books that sound interesting.
You can also think about topics, concepts, people, or stories you’re curious about, and see if you can find some books that fit the bill. What are your other hobbies? Perhaps you could integrate them into the books you read. Are you a big true crime podcast listener? Perhaps you could read a true crime book or a thriller. Do you love reality TV? Maybe your favourite star has a biography. Maybe you’d be interested in a deep dive into the history of reality TV! Or maybe you’d be curious about a cultural critique of the media and how they treat women. If you’ve got a niche interest, chances are there’s a book out there for you!
FORMAT DOESN’T MATTER!
Yes, audiobooks count as reading. Yes, ebooks are a valid and accessible way to read books. Yes, it’s OK to prefer reading physical copies of your books. The truth is, format doesn’t really matter! A book is a book is a book. Find what works for you, and don’t be afraid to try a new format! Maybe you’ll like it more than you expect!
I never thought I’d get into audiobooks, because I have ADHD, and have a hard time focusing on podcasts or virtual lectures. But now? I love them. In fact, I prefer reading certain kinds of books in audiobook format!
HAVING FUN ISN’T HARD… WHEN YOU’VE GOT YOUR LIBRARY CARD!
Arthur had it right! A library card is a portal to new worlds. I love libraries so much. Ever since I was a kid, my local libraries were resources, escapes, and adventures. I would find books that excited, challenged, inspired, amazed, and taught me so much.
With apps like Libby and Hoopla (which you can access for free with your library card), you can borrow ebooks, graphic novels, and audiobooks for FREE. And if your library doesn’t currently have the book you want to read? No problem! Most libraries have an option where you can recommend or request books so they can bring them into circulation.
Libraries are also great for so much more than just access to books! Many have tools and resources to help small businesses, students, and individuals. From 3D printers, to recording booths, to internet access, to button makers and more. Check out your local library to see what they have to offer — chances are it’s more than what you think. And don’t forget to sign up for a FREE (!!!!) library card.
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LABELS DON’T MATTER!
Is there a book you’re really excited about, but you discovered it’s technically a young adult/teen book? No problem. You can still read and love it, no matter how old you are. Is there a smutty, fluffy romance you’re dying to sink your teeth into? You can read it! I promise, there’s no judgment here. Reading for pleasure is about just that… reading… for pleasure!
Read books you’re excited about, even if they’re from genres or authors you might be a bit embarrassed to read! Think about why you’re embarrassed—chances are, it’s because society has told you that you should be embarrassed to read these books. This most often happens with genres that are viewed as low-brow — like romance or fantasy, or with legacy authors who publish a ton of books. If you want to read the latest James Patterson book, or you want to read a romance book, you should! Screw what other people think.
FIND WAYS TO INCORPORATE READING INTO YOUR LIFE MORE
Do you find that if you have a couple moments to yourself, your hands automatically go to your phone? Do you have a long commute? Do you find yourself frequently waiting in waiting rooms or ride pickups? Maybe you could use some of those moments to try to read more.
- You can download reading apps onto your phone (like Libby, Hoopla, Koodo, and Kindle), and when you’re in a long line, or tempted to scroll on your phone, maybe you can open one of those apps instead, and try reading a bit.
- If you have a long commute, maybe you could bring a book, or download an audiobook, and give it a shot.
- Try putting a book (or 2) on your bedside table, and as you’re winding down for the evening, maybe the last thing you could do before bed is read a chapter!
- Maybe involve the whole family — set aside 30 minutes on a weekend morning, and get everybody reading. Maybe even try reading a book together as a family!
- Join a book club, or start one! It’s a great way to hold yourselves and each other accountable to certain goals. It’s also a great way to get introduced to new books, or to share your favourite reads with others.
Start small, and take it day by day!
IT’S OK NOT TO FINISH A BOOK… I PROMISE!
Life is too short to read books that you’re not enjoying.
I ‘DNF’ (or Do Not Finish) books with regularity. Especially because I’m a Mood Reader — meaning even if I’ve been wanting to read a book for years, and I know I’m going to love it, and my Libby hold just came in… sometimes I’m not in the right mood to read the book. Sometimes I will pick a book up again later, when I’m feeling it a bit more. Sometimes I know it’s not right for me, and I know I’m never going to finish it. There’s no shame in putting the book down, and moving on.
REMEMBER, YOU MAKE THE RULES
Are you quickly realizing you may have bitten off more than you could chew with your reading challenge? It’s OK to readjust. To make your reading goals more or less ambitious. You set them. These goals should be just for you.
THINK ABOUT WHERE TO TRACK YOUR READING GOALS AND PROGRESS
If you’re worried about how to track your reading goals, there are a ton of resources you can use to do so.
- Apps and Online Tools:
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- One of the most common places people track their reading goals is via reading apps and tools, like Storygraph or Goodreads. The best part about these kinds of tools is that you can connect with other readers, and build a community with friends, or people who read similar books to you. You can read other people’s reviews, and learn a lot about a book before picking it up, if you want to. These sites often also do cool storytelling, to show you your own reading data, which can be a fun way to get engaged and excited about all the reading you’re doing.
- Going Analog:
- Some people like to track the books they read in a notebook, or a reading journal. The act of writing down each book you read (and maybe a little bit about it, or a rating to show how much you liked it), can be satisfying.
- Something Custom:
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- If you’ve tried some tools for tracking, and none of them work for you, try creating something custom!
If you know me, you know I love to make a list or a spreadsheet. So it probably comes as no surprise that I have a beloved Google spreadsheet where I track the books I read. This is a great tool for me to track my reading based on a variety of data points — from genre, to book format and source, to monthly breakdowns of how many books I read. Then, whenever I want to reflect upon the data (as a nerd like me does), I have that information easily available to me!
If you’re curious, you can check out this shareable tracker I made, you’re welcome to download it, customize it, and use it.
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DON’T COMPARE YOURSELF TO OTHERS
Your reading goals are just that – yours.
Other people are coming at their reading goals from their own perspectives. You may encounter avid readers like me who can speed read, and read over 100 books in a year. You may also encounter people who haven’t picked up a book in decades, who read slowly, and will be happy to finish the year just having read at all. Comparison is the thief of joy.
DON’T PUT TOO MUCH PRESSURE ON YOURSELF
The ultimate goal shouldn’t be the little dopamine boost you get when you log a book into your tracker. It can get too easy to get lost in the numbers or the goal setting of it all.
That’s how you can quickly find yourself feeling like meeting your reading goal is WORK.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m a big believer that you SHOULD challenge yourself when you read, but it’s more that I want people to think about the media they consume, in the context of the world around them. I want people to learn things and shift their viewpoints. To step out of their comfort zones, and maybe be challenged a little.
Reading is reading, whether you’re reading just to meet your reading challenge goals, or if you’re reading because you love it… But the process is so much more enjoyable when you’re reading because you WANT to, because it’s fun for you.
REMEMBER… IF YOU DON’T MEET YOUR GOALS, IT’S OK
Life happens. Things get in the way. What matters is that you tried. What matters is that you read, even just a bit. If you want to, you can try again next year.
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With that, I hope you feel prepared to set your own reading goals for this year. Happy New Year, and Happy Reading!
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Ameema Saeed (@ameemabackwards) is a storyteller, a Capricorn, an avid bookworm, and a curator of very specific playlists and customized book recommendations. She’s a book reviewer, a Sensitivity Reader, a book buyer at Indigo Books & Music, and the Books Editor for She Does the City, where she writes and curates bookish content, and book recommendations. She enjoys bad puns, good food, dancing, and talking about feelings. She writes about books, big feelings, unruly bodies, and her lived experiences, and hopes to write your next favourite book one day. When she’s not reading books, she likes to talk about books (especially diverse books, and books by diverse authors) on her bookstagram: @ReadWithMeemz
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