Late last year, I wrote a post about creating reading goals for 2023, and I wanted to check in with you and see what you decided and how it’s going. I chose to read 30 books this year, and I also made the decision to only read books I currently own and not buy any new ones this year.
And I know that will be harder to do as the year progresses.
Thirty Books? That’s crazy!
It seems like a lot – more than two books a month – but I have created a strategy to ensure I can reach the goal and not spend all my free time with my nose in a book.
I started the year reading shorter books, and I also added in plays and screenplays to the mix that can be read in one or two reading sessions. This allows for a buffer zone when I pick up a longer book and am reading that for an extended period.
If you have kids, any children’s book you read can also count toward your reading goals for the year.
There’s no reason to cause yourself unneeded anxiety over making a big reading goal for the year. There are books of all sizes and page counts you can integrate into your schedule to help you reach your goal.
How many books are you planning to read in 2023, and how many have you read so far?
Do Audiobooks Count?
I say, absolutely. If you can get through it faster by listening to it than by reading it, it counts as a book you read. Some people obtain information better through listening than reading, so this is another great way to learn and increase your book reading total.
What audiobooks have you listened to this year?
Did You Pick a Reading Strategy?
As I mentioned above and in the post from last year, I have been switching between fiction and non-fiction with every other book. This year, I added screenplays or plays between each book to break things up.
I’m sticking with non-fiction about actors from The Golden Age of Hollywood for now, and once I’m done with those, I’ll move on to world history.
Fiction-wise, I have the final two Game of Thrones books (until Martin finishes the final one), a stack of Stephen King, and a few other fiction titles I’ve wanted to get into.
It’s always good to have some plan and know what you will be reading next to keep your momentum going.
Do you have a reading strategy in place?
Final Thoughts
I love reading. It’s good to have a strategy in place that you can use that can help you know what to read next and keep you on track. Adding smaller books or audiobooks can help you bridge the gaps when it comes time to read a longer book during the year.
It’s also important to enjoy what you read and have fun learning or being entertained by what you’re reading.
Happy Reading, and I’ll see you next time!