Dear Bookworm,
Every January, I tell myself this is the year I’m going to read more. I make ambitious plans—50 books! A book a week! Maybe even two! I download reading apps, stack books on my nightstand, and feel very proud of my literary optimism.
Then life happens. The days get busy, the nights get tired, and suddenly it’s March and I’ve only finished one book… and half of another. Is there a way to set a reading goal that doesn’t make me feel like I’ve already failed before winter is over?
Sincerely,
Hopeful but Overcommitted
Dear Hopeful but Overcommitted,
Ah yes—the classic New Year Reading Resolution Spiral. You’re not alone. Many a reader has confidently declared a towering goal, only to be humbled by laundry, errands, and the irresistible pull of “just one episode.”
Here’s the secret: the best reading goal is one you actually enjoy keeping. Start small. One book a month counts. Ten minutes a day counts. Audiobooks while doing dishes? Absolutely counts. Reading isn’t a competition—it’s a pleasure.
Try setting goals based on time instead of numbers, or focus on variety rather than volume. A graphic novel, a short story collection, or a reread of an old favorite all deserve a spot on your list. Progress is progress, even if it’s a chapter at a time.
This year, give yourself permission to read realistically, imperfectly, and joyfully. The pages will still be there, and the stories will wait for you.
Here’s to a year of manageable goals and happily turned pages,
Dear Bookworm