So, it’s a new year and you’ve decided you want to read more. That’s great! But it wouldn’t be a big resolution if it were easy, right? So we’ve got some tips to help you reach your reading goals in 2019 (and beyond).
1. Set specific goals.
Having a goal like “read more” is a bit vague; it’s better to decide on a number so you can keep up with it. Even when going about your reading, setting goals for the number of pages you want to read in a day or week can be helpful. Instead of pages, you can also measure your goals in time, e.g. “I want to read for 15 minutes every weekday.”
2. Be realistic.
We all have lofty goals sometimes, but this probably isn’t the right setting for that. If you typically only read five books a year, setting a goal of 100 is unlikely to pan out well for you. It’s important to make your resolution about what you can accomplish. And if you reach your goal this year, then you can always bump it up a little bit next year for a challenge.
3. Choose what you like.
It’s great to get book recommendations from friends, family members and online lists, but it’s also important to focus on what you like. Of course trying new stuff isn’t bad — you might discover that you love historical fiction after all. But it’s easiest to follow through when you’re reading something that pulls you in. Do you like true crime non-fiction? YA romance? Science fiction? Between fiction and non-fiction, and the multitudes of genres and crossovers, there’s so much out there to explore!
4. Use technology.
This one can be a little controversial among reading types, but there are several ways that tech can be an advantage for readers. One is e-books: you get to carry so many books around in a lightweight package (not to mention a lot of libraries lend out e-books now too)! Audiobooks are also an option; you may not feel like it’s “reading” but, as long as you’re soaking up the information or story, it’s pretty much all the same. And a third way you can use tech is by keeping track of your reading, whether with an app/website like Goodreads or your own spreadsheet.
5. Make time for reading.
There are only 24 hours in a day, and it’s sometimes hard to do much more than work, eat and sleep. But there are little pockets of time on many days that are great for sitting down with a book. Do you use public transportation? Assuming you don’t get motion sick, that’s a great time to read (and if you do get motion sick or drive a car, there are still audiobooks). If you have a lunch break, you could use some of that time to read a few pages, which might also help calm you during the workday. And of course, reading just 10 or 15 minutes before bed — instead of being on your phone or watching TV — can help you get into sleep mode and help you reach your goals.
So, what are your goals for this year? Are there any methods you use that we missed? Leave your thoughts in the comments!
Originally hailing from Pennsylvania, Jackie has called Austin home since choosing to attend the University of Texas, where she graduated with a degree in multimedia journalism. She loves spending time with her dogs, writing about pop culture in all its forms and spending time with friends – eating, drinking and doing trivia.