In the past, I have burnt myself out on reading by setting too many reading goals at the beginning of the year. Sometimes the self imposed restrictions overwhelm or the rules take the fun out of my reading life and make it feel more like a chore.
In previous years, I’ve tried to read one nonfiction book for every fiction one. I’ve set percentages to push myself to read more and more diversely. I’ve tried to push out my comfort zone by reading new genres each month or quarter.
I have put book buying bans on myself in an attempt to work my way through the books I own but haven’t read. As I embrace minimalism I still hold myself to this idea, but it really just means I use the library more. I’m slow to make my way through my already owned book stack.
Last Year
In 2020, I abandoned all reading resolutions besides trying to read 52 books in the year. Several readers I know did away with setting a total books read goal all together. They didn’t like the pressure it put on their reading lives. For me, 52 books seemed like a low pressure goal, one book a week, and a good way to keep up my momentum.
In the 2020 reading review I shared that my total books read wound up being twice over with 104 books. I leaned heavily into comics in the first quarter and romance books in the last, both of which tend to be quick reads for me. I even picked up and made it through a few audiobooks again. Though I didn’t read very much nonfiction compared to years past, I had some of my highest book count months ever!
Last year, I found myself turning to reading again for comfort and pleasure which was wonderful! I always feel more accomplished finishing a book than a TV show or movie. It was nice to want to reach for my book in the evening instead of a screen.
2021 Reading Goals
I’m cautiously setting more reading goals for 2021. I want to challenge myself to get out of my comfort zone and grow while still enjoying reading. I don’t want to turn it into a competition or make it feel like a job.
In 2021, I would like to read 100 books again. I keep track of my books read on goodreads. Depending on how the year goes, I might not hit that but I feel like it’s a good number to aim for.
Romance Read Challenge
I also hope to keep reading romance regularly. To branch out into new subgenres and authors, I’m taking on the 2021 reading challenge over on She Reads Romance Books. January’s category is “Best of 2020 Romance Books”. I turned to the list of Goodreads Choice Award Nominees for ideas.
So far I’ve read Beach Read by Emily Henry and I have Talia Hibbert’s Take a Hint, Dani Brown and You Had Me at Hola by Alexis Daria at the top of my TBR pile. All of whom are new authors to me.
Year of Health
As far as nonfiction goes, I’ve set up a year of health experiment for myself this year. Each month I will have one nonfiction book to read covering various health topics like nutrition, sleep, or stress management. This month I’m reading The Case Against Sugar by Gary Taubes.
Diverse Reading
I would like to discover at least one new author a month. This is something I’m pretty sure happens regularly in my reading life but it’s good to track. I also plan to read at least one author of color, #ownvoices story, or other marginalized group each month to better read diversely.
In the past I’ve set goals for this, but then felt a bit like a stalker when I tried to research authors who weren’t open about how they identify. As the movement for more diverse books has grown there are tons of sources to help a reader begin. The bookish podcasts I listen to often highlight diverse authors as do many of the reading lists featured on my favorite book sites like Book Riot and Modern Mrs Darcy.
Book Buying Ban
I’m still limiting my new book purchases. In the past I’ve filled up my kindle with unread books from book deals and my shelves with books I grabbed but have no idea when I’ll get to. As someone who lives in a tiny space and likes to think of herself as a minimalist, those practices stopped making sense a long time ago.
I plan to continue getting most of my books from the library, especially online, and lately through Kindle Unlimited. With my year of health plans I may even make it through some of the books I already own but haven’t read.
What are your reading goals for 2021? Are you participating in a reading challenge? Let me know in the comments below.
