Do you find yourself wishing you could get back into reading, but you’re feeling stuck? If you’re looking to read more this year but don’t know where to start, setting reading goals can get you on your way. Instead of just stating that you’d like to read more books, write down goals that are attainable, timely, and specific so you’ll succeed!
By setting reading goals for yourself, you’ll be able to read more and enjoy a more diverse range of books. If you’re ready to get started, check out our ideas below.
Create a Reading List
Do you have a book in mind that you’ve always been meaning to read, but every time you go to the store or shop online, you forget to look for it? Maybe people have recommended titles to you, but you can’t seem to keep track of them all. Creating a reading list will help remind you of all the book titles you want to look out for when browsing online. You’ll also be able to see all the titles in front of you and see if you want to add anything new, such as different authors or genres.
The important thing to remember here is to make sure you don’t overwhelm yourself. It might seem tempting to jot down 20 or 30 book titles, but that might be too much for you to handle in the end. Attainability is key when creating goals, so you stay on track.
Open Yourself Up to More Genres
If you find that you tend to stick to one genre and don’t veer too far away from it, it might be time to add more variety to your bookshelf. Knowing what you like is important, but experimenting and trying new things is just as important, especially when it comes to reading.
By opening yourself up to new genres, you get to read different stories and gain new perspectives you might not have before. You’ll be able to have better, more in-depth conversations with people about what you’re reading. It can also be a good challenge to read something out of the norm, so you learn what you like and don’t like.
You can also check out new mediums as well. Have you ever read a book of short stories? What about a long, epic poem? If neither of those things interests you, what about a graphic novel? Graphic novels are by no means just for kids, and some deal with heavy content that could keep you engrossed.
Join a Book Club
While reading is, for the most part, a solo activity, you can make it more inclusive by joining a book club. By joining a book club, you get to share in the experience of a particular book and build friendships. Many book clubs are now available online, so you don’t have to worry about finding a place to meet. If you don’t know anybody in a book club, look online. There are plenty of online communities and Facebook groups that encourage people to join.
But if that’s too far outside your comfort zone, then consider starting your own book club! Starting a book club can be just as rewarding as joining one, if not more. Reach out to family and friends who also love to read. You can also ask them if they have friends who would be interested in joining. This way, you can have lots of different people coming together and sharing their favourite books, expanding your repertoire. A book club can help you achieve other reading goals that you might have, such as reading a certain amount of books per year or (like the above point) if you want to expand your genres.
Keep a Journal
Keeping a reading journal is a great goal for the new year. It can help you keep track of what you’re reading and any thoughts that you may have about the plot, characters, or theme. If you’re not someone who journals and you’re new to the idea, consider starting off small. You don’t have to write long entries; you can start by just jotting down the title of the book and any words that come to mind.
A reading journal can be as detailed as you want it to be, and it can help you stay motivated to continue reading throughout the year. You can also use it as a way to look back at the books you’ve read and remember what you thought about them. This is particularly helpful if you’re in a book club, or you want to recommend books to friends and family in the future.
Set a Page Daily Page Count
Instead of listing the number of books you’d like to read in a year, consider setting a daily page count as a goal instead. A daily page count can help you achieve your reading goals because you’ll accomplish them faster and see results immediately. It can also keep you reading, especially if you’re trying to get through a difficult or maybe less exciting part of a book. Knowing you just have 10 more pages to go will allow you to relax and keep going.
It doesn’t matter if you choose 10 or 100 pages to read in a day. Choose something attainable for you that you’ll feel good about accomplishing. If page numbers don’t work for you, then consider changing to chapters.
Set Goals and Read More
A new year means an array of new books, but sometimes that can be overwhelming. Setting reading goals can help you read more and enjoy new books.
Make sure you choose reading goals that are attainable for you, so you don’t become discouraged. It’s also important to choose quality over quantity. To get the lowest prices on brand new books check out Book Outlet.
