Reading this post made my brain relax. Like you, I always set a reading goal on 1st January and I always tell myself there and then (when there is a whole year ahead) that it's OK if I don't achieve it. But then around October, I'm inevitably behind and start 'panicking'. I have to tell myself that I set this arbitrary goal for myself months ago. No one cares and I definitely shouldn't care if I read less. That intentional reading of what feels right in the moment is key to maintaining a love of consistent reading, I think :)
It's so wild that we do this to ourselves! Like, WHO CARES?! Literally nobody but ourselves. I mean, I guess it's a testament to how important reading is to us, if we set reading goals and panic when we feel behind. But I really do think they are more of a hindrance than anything, and that intentional reading (whatever it is that feels right, like you said) is the most important thing.
So glad this post made your brain relax. That makes me SO happy!
I love that!! I'm reading a couple chapters a day and thoroughly enjoying it. Even though I practically preach the book, I'm finding so many good reminders!
Wonderful reading resolutions and goals you have for 2026! Today, 7 Jan, is my first day back to real life after the holidays and I started it, appropriately enough, with yet another re-read of 4,000 Weeks. It's hard to say whether it's my 2nd or 3rd reread - after my first read, I've revisited various chapters in fragments. I will also be starting Wintering (first time) any day now - in fact, I'll have a note on this soon, I'll be sure to tag you 😉
I'm still so grateful for your Elena Ferrante read along, you played such a big part in my enjoyment of that and I'm now inspired to do another similar thing, I'll check out those writers you mentioned. I can also recommend Sophie E (I can't seem to tag her here), in particular her post 'The 2026 Guide to Becoming Intentionally Well-Read'
I'm not sure about this year's reading challenge - I may make it similar to yours, and focus on what I own, which was a big part of last year's.
You give me too much credit!! I'm so grateful for YOU for joining me in the read-along. You were (are) consistently engaging and a very fun, insightful addition to the experience.
I love that you just re-read 4,000 weeks -- again! This is my first re-read (and yes, I'm still working on it. I read a couple chapters a day). It's so good! I'm afraid to say that The Antidote came in from the library, requested on your suggestion, but it was during a time I had 800000 other books I was trying to juggle and I had to return it, un-read. I promise to read it someday, and I truly can't wait.
Yes, do tag me with your note so I don't miss it! Wintering is so, so good. I'll be really curious to hear your take on it.
Just pulled up Sophie E's post and cued it up to read this morning. Thank you!
I think Oliver would forgive you for not getting to the Antidote just yet, there will come a time, eventually, but even if not, you’ll be fine when you think about how finite life is and all the other things on our endless to-do list 😂
I’ve also got the audiobook for Meditation for Mortals to get to, I’m saving that for February.
I’m two chapters in to Wintering, and it’s lovely so far, calming and soothing, just what I need.
I forgot to wish you a (belated) happy anniversary in my last comment! 🥂 (or perhaps 🫖☕ is more appropriate, I think you mentioned your husband doesn’t drink)
"Snowed a half-foot the other day!" We've had snow in Norfolk (UK) for the first time in a while and, of course, we English behave as though we've never seen it before. Jokes aside, a lovely approach to reading in 2026. And happy (belated) anniversary - you, hubby, and the library look wonderful.
Even Minnesotans, who are supposedly used to snow, act as if they've never seen it before when it arrives for the first time in the season! It's quite magical, if you think about it.
One of my reading goals is definitely making sure that the number of books I read from my physical tbr is bigger than the number of new books I buy! I also try to focus less on numbers (I sometimes end up gamifyng hobbies like reading too much) and more on things like: finally reading a certain author, rereading five of my all-time favourites...
I was thinking of reading ONLY AFTER and only if I'd exercised for the day... since I always seem to have energy for reading but rarely have energy for exercise.
This seemed genius, at first. Reading as a very motivating treat!
And then I connected with a group of friends who have autoimmune conditions like me, and they gently explained that that it's not exactly a kind goal because I don't actually have control over my energy.
Woof. So now, I'm going to try to decrease the speed at which I read audiobooks (nothing over 1.75x), and I'm not going to force myself to read my library holds if there's something else that's more up my mood-alley that I want to prioritize.
Thank goodness for your friends! That’s a really good explanation and reminder. I’d totally have had the same mindset as you too, but if you can’t control your energy then it looks like reading it is!
Those are great goals. I need to work on that library hold thing. Happy reading in 2026! I hope you can read guiltlessly, whether you exercise first or not!
Loved Four Thousand Weeks! I also found it inspiring and very philosophical. May need to reread it.
This year I'm hosting a fantasy book club for each month, so I will be reading at least one fantasy book a month. I'm hoping to dive into some new memoirs because that's a genre I haven't dabbled with too much. Intentionality seems very important this year for me, and I love the reminder that we only get 4k weeks (less than that since I'm in my 30s).
I think we’ll feel better if we read even like 2-3 books from our bookshelves. That’s how long it’s been for me since I’ve pulled one off my shelf instead of being distracted by the new books I get!
I am looking to more slower, deeper reads this year. Last year was all feel good, easy books that weren't very intentional choices. This year I'd like to focus more on learning new things, connecting more to the books and characters.
The storygraph challenges are helping with this as they are an easy way to prioritize and categorize the books you already own and put them into manageable chunks when you are trying to pick your next book. I also created a category on my e-reader of these same books so I can look at a reduced TBR when I need to pick a new book.
I also reduced my target goal this year to allow more space for longer, slower reads.
We will see how the year goes but it feels like a good plan for now.
You're doing everything right! I've never done anything with categorizing books on StoryGraph. I'll look into that. I try to spend as little time on it as possible, I just mark a book when I start it and mark a book when I finish (and often I'm days behind schedule). But it sounds like it has some interesting tools.
Agree - you can easily spend more time categorizing than reading but the challenges do make it easy to slot things in without spending time you don't want to.
I thoroughly enjoy organizing my books so till get joy from it even if it takes time away from reading. To each their own.
I have also created a few of my own to capture areas of the world I want to learn about, to organize my WWII research and books that support my therapy journey. It's a great tool.
Just finished reading Joyce Carol Oats’ We Were the Mulvanys, a bookshelf book from quite awhile ago. Also last year I reread my first novel ever. Working on a list of old favorites now. Hope y’all enjoy 2026. BTW, no goals for me this year. Reading or otherwise.
Added your two rereads to my TBR, they sound perfect. I just posted my own 2025 reflection and 2026 goals, I also want to read the books on my shelves more this year, and generally focus on what books I read more than a number.
i'm focusing on doing some rereads this year and getting through the stacks of books I have yet to read, too. i'm going to see how long i can hold out on buying anything new (besides the few preorders i already purchased that release this year!)
I'm trying to remove guilt from my reading life. I will never read all the books, and I'm trying to see that as a beautiful thing.
It IS a beautiful thing! I love that perspective. Happy guilt-free reading in 2026!
Reading this post made my brain relax. Like you, I always set a reading goal on 1st January and I always tell myself there and then (when there is a whole year ahead) that it's OK if I don't achieve it. But then around October, I'm inevitably behind and start 'panicking'. I have to tell myself that I set this arbitrary goal for myself months ago. No one cares and I definitely shouldn't care if I read less. That intentional reading of what feels right in the moment is key to maintaining a love of consistent reading, I think :)
It's so wild that we do this to ourselves! Like, WHO CARES?! Literally nobody but ourselves. I mean, I guess it's a testament to how important reading is to us, if we set reading goals and panic when we feel behind. But I really do think they are more of a hindrance than anything, and that intentional reading (whatever it is that feels right, like you said) is the most important thing.
So glad this post made your brain relax. That makes me SO happy!
Ooo I re-read Four Thousand Weeks each year for the exact same reasons, too!!
I love that!! I'm reading a couple chapters a day and thoroughly enjoying it. Even though I practically preach the book, I'm finding so many good reminders!
Wonderful reading resolutions and goals you have for 2026! Today, 7 Jan, is my first day back to real life after the holidays and I started it, appropriately enough, with yet another re-read of 4,000 Weeks. It's hard to say whether it's my 2nd or 3rd reread - after my first read, I've revisited various chapters in fragments. I will also be starting Wintering (first time) any day now - in fact, I'll have a note on this soon, I'll be sure to tag you 😉
I'm still so grateful for your Elena Ferrante read along, you played such a big part in my enjoyment of that and I'm now inspired to do another similar thing, I'll check out those writers you mentioned. I can also recommend Sophie E (I can't seem to tag her here), in particular her post 'The 2026 Guide to Becoming Intentionally Well-Read'
I'm not sure about this year's reading challenge - I may make it similar to yours, and focus on what I own, which was a big part of last year's.
You give me too much credit!! I'm so grateful for YOU for joining me in the read-along. You were (are) consistently engaging and a very fun, insightful addition to the experience.
I love that you just re-read 4,000 weeks -- again! This is my first re-read (and yes, I'm still working on it. I read a couple chapters a day). It's so good! I'm afraid to say that The Antidote came in from the library, requested on your suggestion, but it was during a time I had 800000 other books I was trying to juggle and I had to return it, un-read. I promise to read it someday, and I truly can't wait.
Yes, do tag me with your note so I don't miss it! Wintering is so, so good. I'll be really curious to hear your take on it.
Just pulled up Sophie E's post and cued it up to read this morning. Thank you!
I think Oliver would forgive you for not getting to the Antidote just yet, there will come a time, eventually, but even if not, you’ll be fine when you think about how finite life is and all the other things on our endless to-do list 😂
I’ve also got the audiobook for Meditation for Mortals to get to, I’m saving that for February.
I’m two chapters in to Wintering, and it’s lovely so far, calming and soothing, just what I need.
I forgot to wish you a (belated) happy anniversary in my last comment! 🥂 (or perhaps 🫖☕ is more appropriate, I think you mentioned your husband doesn’t drink)
"Snowed a half-foot the other day!" We've had snow in Norfolk (UK) for the first time in a while and, of course, we English behave as though we've never seen it before. Jokes aside, a lovely approach to reading in 2026. And happy (belated) anniversary - you, hubby, and the library look wonderful.
Even Minnesotans, who are supposedly used to snow, act as if they've never seen it before when it arrives for the first time in the season! It's quite magical, if you think about it.
Thank you so much. Happy reading in 2026!
One of my reading goals is definitely making sure that the number of books I read from my physical tbr is bigger than the number of new books I buy! I also try to focus less on numbers (I sometimes end up gamifyng hobbies like reading too much) and more on things like: finally reading a certain author, rereading five of my all-time favourites...
Those are fantastic goals! I know what you mean about accidentally gaming your hobbies. That defeats the purpose!
I like the idea of finally reading a certain author. Maybe this is the year I read Fredrik Blackman 🙃
Happy stress-free gentle reading!
I was thinking of reading ONLY AFTER and only if I'd exercised for the day... since I always seem to have energy for reading but rarely have energy for exercise.
This seemed genius, at first. Reading as a very motivating treat!
And then I connected with a group of friends who have autoimmune conditions like me, and they gently explained that that it's not exactly a kind goal because I don't actually have control over my energy.
Woof. So now, I'm going to try to decrease the speed at which I read audiobooks (nothing over 1.75x), and I'm not going to force myself to read my library holds if there's something else that's more up my mood-alley that I want to prioritize.
Thank goodness for your friends! That’s a really good explanation and reminder. I’d totally have had the same mindset as you too, but if you can’t control your energy then it looks like reading it is!
Those are great goals. I need to work on that library hold thing. Happy reading in 2026! I hope you can read guiltlessly, whether you exercise first or not!
Loved Four Thousand Weeks! I also found it inspiring and very philosophical. May need to reread it.
This year I'm hosting a fantasy book club for each month, so I will be reading at least one fantasy book a month. I'm hoping to dive into some new memoirs because that's a genre I haven't dabbled with too much. Intentionality seems very important this year for me, and I love the reminder that we only get 4k weeks (less than that since I'm in my 30s).
I'm only about 40 pages into my re-read but I can definitely say: RE-READ IT!!! It's hitting differently a second time.
I love your book club idea! And I am HERE for reading with intentionality. It's going to be a good reading year :)
Oooh okay you've convinced me!
YESSSSS. Enjoy!
I love this! I also need to work on my own bookshelf haha. I just finished A Guardian and a Thief by Megha Majumdar today, whew!
Brava! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
I think we’ll feel better if we read even like 2-3 books from our bookshelves. That’s how long it’s been for me since I’ve pulled one off my shelf instead of being distracted by the new books I get!
I am looking to more slower, deeper reads this year. Last year was all feel good, easy books that weren't very intentional choices. This year I'd like to focus more on learning new things, connecting more to the books and characters.
The storygraph challenges are helping with this as they are an easy way to prioritize and categorize the books you already own and put them into manageable chunks when you are trying to pick your next book. I also created a category on my e-reader of these same books so I can look at a reduced TBR when I need to pick a new book.
I also reduced my target goal this year to allow more space for longer, slower reads.
We will see how the year goes but it feels like a good plan for now.
You're doing everything right! I've never done anything with categorizing books on StoryGraph. I'll look into that. I try to spend as little time on it as possible, I just mark a book when I start it and mark a book when I finish (and often I'm days behind schedule). But it sounds like it has some interesting tools.
Your plan sounds great. Happy reading in 2026!
Agree - you can easily spend more time categorizing than reading but the challenges do make it easy to slot things in without spending time you don't want to.
I thoroughly enjoy organizing my books so till get joy from it even if it takes time away from reading. To each their own.
I had no idea you could do that! I haven’t played around with any of the features. I’m going to check that out though, thank you!
This is one of my fav to get me out of my usual genres. She just created it today so is still adding the books: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reading_challenges/b4ce3fb5-98c7-4236-92e3-348daedb6ad4
I have also created a few of my own to capture areas of the world I want to learn about, to organize my WWII research and books that support my therapy journey. It's a great tool.
Okay I love this!!! I might join the decolonize your bookshelf challenge! You're opening my eyes to the wonders of StoryGraph. Thank you!!
Brining similar energy into 2026 ✨ this is our year!
I love it. YES, this is our year!!!
We’re claiming it, it’s ours!
💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽
Just finished reading Joyce Carol Oats’ We Were the Mulvanys, a bookshelf book from quite awhile ago. Also last year I reread my first novel ever. Working on a list of old favorites now. Hope y’all enjoy 2026. BTW, no goals for me this year. Reading or otherwise.
Rereading novels is a very specific and hard to describe experience. It’s amazing what you notice the second and third time around.
Happy goal-free reading this year!
Added your two rereads to my TBR, they sound perfect. I just posted my own 2025 reflection and 2026 goals, I also want to read the books on my shelves more this year, and generally focus on what books I read more than a number.
I think you’re doing it perfectly! I’ll go check out your post.
I hope you enjoy those books! They are really wonderful.
i'm focusing on doing some rereads this year and getting through the stacks of books I have yet to read, too. i'm going to see how long i can hold out on buying anything new (besides the few preorders i already purchased that release this year!)
That’s my goal too! I’ll always allow for preorders because those are important, but I’d like to cut back on my buying.
Happy new year and happy reading! 🫶🏽
happy new year! also… I forgot to mention-- YOUR WEDDING DRESS?!! excuse me!!! gorgeous!!!!
Awww thank you!! I added those tiny sleeves and made them removable, so when it was time to dance (party) my arms weren't restricted. I loved it!