I resonate and love this post! This is the first year I’m creating a reading journal. I’ve noticed as I watch people on YouTube set up their journals and discuss the # of books they read last year or their goal for this year, I feel a competitive edge rising, with me thinking I need to read just as many books and participate in all the challenges. It’s been an interesting journey reminding myself why I’m doing what I am (to celebrate my absolute love of reading and creating in my journal). I don’t want to turn this into a job. I do this for stress relief and self-care. ❤️
In 2024, I had a friendly reading challenge with my teen boy to see who could read the most books in the year. It was a close race, but I think he managed one or two more than me. But after working to build up such a good reading habit, I wanted to read longer, harder books in 2025. So I'm not getting anywhere the 50 books I did last year, but I'm learning so much and enjoying such beautiful, long books. I'm happy with the 50 books that helped me to read consistently. But, like you, my focus this year is on something different. And I love it. Though I will admit to throwing in one or two easy to read books each month just so I have something to journal. I can't only read books that take me multiple months to finish.
This is a great post! This is the first year I’m using a Reading Planner/Journal and actually sticking with it! I don’t put huge expectations on myself, and I don’t compare myself to others. My goal is 24 books a year, or roughly two a month (although I’m currently exceeding my goal.) I have several reasons for this. Many of the books I enjoy reading are loooong (some are nearly 1,000 pages!) so if I can manage reading one book that is several hundred pages along with one additional book in a month, that’s A LOT - probably closer to about 4-5 books that are 200 to 300 pages long. I’m on the 9th Book of the Outlander Series (which are long books). Since there is no confirmed release date for the 10th and final book in the series, I want to complete this book before the TV Series and the Spin-off series presumably start in the Northern Hemisphere summer this year. I review every book I read. It may not be a lengthy review, but it’s a review and I won’t review a book without reading it in its entirety because I don’t feel that’s fair. I’m part of a Book Club that meets online once a month, so I also make sure I read/review that book and complete my Book Club write up in time for the meeting. I’ve read some great books this way! I was previously reading physical copies and using the Kindle App on my iPad, but I bought myself a Kindle Reader for my birthday in February. I like to underline things, make notes, etc, so having my own copy or an e-format that allows me to do this is important. Although I can listen to an Audiobook occasionally, IMO it doesn’t take the place of reading the words, especially if I don’t feel the narrator is a good fit. I’m currently recovering from major spine surgery, so that’s given me extra time to read, something I didn’t have much of when I was going to work. So I think some of the keys to being successful with your reading goals include being realistic about the time you have to devote to reading, the length of many of the books you enjoy, the reading format you prefer, whether you like to take notes and annotate your books, whether you want your reading Planner/Journal to be something you use daily, weekly, or only when you come across a book you really want to document, and remembering that it’s impossible to compare yourself to others and then give up because you’re unable to read 100 books a year and create Instagram worthy spreads for each one! Your reading goals, Planner/Journal should be unique to you and your current season of life.
I resonate and love this post! This is the first year I’m creating a reading journal. I’ve noticed as I watch people on YouTube set up their journals and discuss the # of books they read last year or their goal for this year, I feel a competitive edge rising, with me thinking I need to read just as many books and participate in all the challenges. It’s been an interesting journey reminding myself why I’m doing what I am (to celebrate my absolute love of reading and creating in my journal). I don’t want to turn this into a job. I do this for stress relief and self-care. ❤️
In 2024, I had a friendly reading challenge with my teen boy to see who could read the most books in the year. It was a close race, but I think he managed one or two more than me. But after working to build up such a good reading habit, I wanted to read longer, harder books in 2025. So I'm not getting anywhere the 50 books I did last year, but I'm learning so much and enjoying such beautiful, long books. I'm happy with the 50 books that helped me to read consistently. But, like you, my focus this year is on something different. And I love it. Though I will admit to throwing in one or two easy to read books each month just so I have something to journal. I can't only read books that take me multiple months to finish.
This is a great post! This is the first year I’m using a Reading Planner/Journal and actually sticking with it! I don’t put huge expectations on myself, and I don’t compare myself to others. My goal is 24 books a year, or roughly two a month (although I’m currently exceeding my goal.) I have several reasons for this. Many of the books I enjoy reading are loooong (some are nearly 1,000 pages!) so if I can manage reading one book that is several hundred pages along with one additional book in a month, that’s A LOT - probably closer to about 4-5 books that are 200 to 300 pages long. I’m on the 9th Book of the Outlander Series (which are long books). Since there is no confirmed release date for the 10th and final book in the series, I want to complete this book before the TV Series and the Spin-off series presumably start in the Northern Hemisphere summer this year. I review every book I read. It may not be a lengthy review, but it’s a review and I won’t review a book without reading it in its entirety because I don’t feel that’s fair. I’m part of a Book Club that meets online once a month, so I also make sure I read/review that book and complete my Book Club write up in time for the meeting. I’ve read some great books this way! I was previously reading physical copies and using the Kindle App on my iPad, but I bought myself a Kindle Reader for my birthday in February. I like to underline things, make notes, etc, so having my own copy or an e-format that allows me to do this is important. Although I can listen to an Audiobook occasionally, IMO it doesn’t take the place of reading the words, especially if I don’t feel the narrator is a good fit. I’m currently recovering from major spine surgery, so that’s given me extra time to read, something I didn’t have much of when I was going to work. So I think some of the keys to being successful with your reading goals include being realistic about the time you have to devote to reading, the length of many of the books you enjoy, the reading format you prefer, whether you like to take notes and annotate your books, whether you want your reading Planner/Journal to be something you use daily, weekly, or only when you come across a book you really want to document, and remembering that it’s impossible to compare yourself to others and then give up because you’re unable to read 100 books a year and create Instagram worthy spreads for each one! Your reading goals, Planner/Journal should be unique to you and your current season of life.