We have reached the end of 2023! As the New Year 2024 approaches, we all have the opportunity to reset, start anew, and focus on new habits.

    

Even if you are not a “New Year’s Resolution” person, perhaps you have some reading goals you would like to set for yourself. For children, making a “resolution” to read more is a popular goal. What about you? If you are reading this blog post, I may infer that you are a library user, and probably a reader. If so, consider your current reading habits, and think about what your reading goals for 2024 might be.

According to The Forbes Health/One Poll, the average resolution lasts just 3.74 months. Only 8% stick with their new goals for one month, while 22% of folks stick with their goals for  two and three months each. With this in mind, I did a little research into different types of reading resolutions with the hope of sharing some suggestions that meet you wherever you are.

First, I offer a “doable” list of potential reading goals from Book Riot’s article: Project Reading Resolutions You’ll Actually Keep. https://bookriot.com/achievable-reading-resolutions/

According to the author, this is “just an arbitrary list I came up with of reading resolutions that are extremely — almost laughably — achievable.” 

  1. READ AT LEAST 100 WORDS A DAY (So whether you get your 100 words from street signs during your commute, ingredient lists on food packaging during your grocery run, or just doomscrolling on your phone, at least you’re reading something, right?)
  2. FALL ASLEEP TO AN AUDIOBOOK ONCE A WEEK (Give it a try, you might enjoy audiobooks! With your library card you can access free audiobooks on Libby and Hoopla)
  3. READ THE JACKET COPY OF YOUR FAVORITE AUTHORS’ NEWEST BOOKS (This might be a great way to find something you want to read.)
  4. PLAN A SYSTEM FOR TRACKING YOUR READING (perhaps Beanstack)
  5. ALTERNATELY, DITCH TRACKING ALTOGETHER 
  6. COMPLETE TWO TASKS OF THE READ HARDER CHALLENGE THAT PARTICULARLY EXCITE OR INTEREST YOU (So start small, and maybe we can work our way up to the entire challenge eventually.)
  7. DNF BOOKS YOU’RE NOT INTO (Seriously! Life is too short to plod through a book that you are not into! Abandon and move on.)

Next, I offer the following (also from Book Riot) for those who consider themselves to be more “bookish”:

  1. READ ONE BOOK YOU OWN FOR EVERY BOOK YOU CHECK OUT (OR BUY).
  2. READ A BOOK YOU’VE ALWAYS MEANT TO READ. (Everyone has a list of recommendations, and the like…pick one and cross it off your list.)
  3. JOIN A BOOK CLUB. (Virtual or in person. Your library offers several: https://nafclibrary.libcal.com/)
  4. WEED YOUR COLLECTION. (By sorting through your collection, you may find some things you want to read now, and donate the books you no longer need.)
  5. SUPPORT YOUR LIBRARY. (Check out books, audiobooks and ebooks.)
  6. LOG YOUR READING (PLUS). (Try using Goodreads, a journal, or just a list on your phone. If you already log your reading, try adding a rating or review.)
  7. SHOP INDIE ONLY. (Though the library and used bookstores are favorites, if you buy new books, consider independent bookstores.)
  8. ESCHEW STRESSFUL READING GOALS. (If you find your reading goal is causing you stress, there is no shame in letting it go.)

Finally, from the Burlington (Canada) Public Library: (https://www.bpl.on.ca/news/read2023) Fun ways to read more this year: 

  • Read the alphabet: Start with A and work your way through reading authors or books starting with each letter of the alphabet. 
  • Get your friends involved: Build your to-be-read (TBR) list by asking the readers in your life for their recommendations.  
  • Make a TBR jar: Anytime you hear about a book you want to read, write it on a scrap of paper and toss it in a mason jar, then pick a book from the jar when you’re not sure what to read next. 
  • Travel through books: Make a list of all the places you want to visit someday, then pick books set in those places. 
  • Take on the classics: They’re (usually) popular for a reason, so consider tackling the books you skipped (or skimmed) in high school. 

However you choose your 2024 Reading Resolution, remember, don’t take it too seriously. The point is to have fun and keep opening your mind to new ideas, authors, habits, hobbies, etc. to make 2024 your best year yet!

Stay safe, have fun and Happy New Year!