Ian Dawson's Blog - Posts Tagged "fiction"
Reading Challenge: Trying Out a New Author or Genre
I’m a huge Stephen King fan and an avid reader of his novels. This past month when I was on vacation, I went to Barnes & Noble and found a new author in the horror genre: Ronald Malfi. I had never read any of his books before, so I took a gamble and bought one of his books.
I’ve found a new favorite author!
The next time you’re at the bookstore, on Amazon, or considering buying a book from an author you know, consider trying out a new author in the same genre. You can also experiment and try a new genre outside your comfort zone. If you love fantasy, try romance; if you love sci-fi, try historical fiction, etc.
Or, if you are a hardcore fiction reader, try a non-fiction book on a topic that interests you.
It’s easy to get locked into reading patterns – I know I do – but every once in a while, give yourself the challenge of trying out a new genre or author. You may not like it and run back to what’s familiar, but at least you know you tried.
Or you’ll be like me and find a new author to enjoy.
Happy Reading, and I’ll see you next time!
What authors or genres have you tried and found you enjoyed? Leave a comment and let me know!
I’ve found a new favorite author!
The next time you’re at the bookstore, on Amazon, or considering buying a book from an author you know, consider trying out a new author in the same genre. You can also experiment and try a new genre outside your comfort zone. If you love fantasy, try romance; if you love sci-fi, try historical fiction, etc.
Or, if you are a hardcore fiction reader, try a non-fiction book on a topic that interests you.
It’s easy to get locked into reading patterns – I know I do – but every once in a while, give yourself the challenge of trying out a new genre or author. You may not like it and run back to what’s familiar, but at least you know you tried.
Or you’ll be like me and find a new author to enjoy.
Happy Reading, and I’ll see you next time!
What authors or genres have you tried and found you enjoyed? Leave a comment and let me know!
Reading Tip of the Week: Planning Ahead for 2023
January 1, 2023, is only a mere 108 days away, and it got me thinking about my reading goals for the coming year. Is it too early to create a reading plan? Perhaps. But, with my current reading goal of 25 books almost completed – I’m at 22 read so far – I was starting to figure out my reading goal for next year.
And, planning ahead of time helps distance it from the stigma of being a New Year’s resolution.
So, let’s talk about it!
Why Have a Plan?
I used to read whatever I wanted and as many or as few books as I felt like each year. But when I started setting a yearly reading goal, it turned reading into a goal-oriented activity. It was a great way to turn off the TV and open a book since I had a set number of books I wanted to read in a year.
A reading plan can also help you stay focused and create a basic schedule to help you reach your chosen reading goal.
How Many Books?
If you’ve never set a reading goal, start with 12 books for the year. That’s one a month, which should be fairly manageable. If you’re an avid reader like myself, you can double that.
I have seen several people posting their completed 2022 reading goals on social media. One woman has read 172 books and her goal was 80!
Start with a basic number, and if you find yourself burning through books faster than you anticipated, you can always change your goal. For example, I initially started 2022 wanting to read 20 books but realized I would hit that sooner than later, so I upped it to 25.
What Books?
Simple answer: read what you like.
More complex answer: Vary what you read, so you don’t get into a monotonous cycle that makes you dread picking up a book.
I like to alternate between fiction and non-fiction, and I also will pick a theme for my non-fiction and stick to it throughout the year. For example, in 2020, I read several non-fiction books about pandemics and plagues throughout history. In 2021, I read about world history. This year, I’ve been focused on biographies about actors and actresses from the Golden Age of Hollywood.
And in between, I read fiction.
Now, you can spin the wheel and choose what books to read and in what order at random, or you can plan out what you’ll read and when you plan to read it.
What About Page Count?
After I read a 900-page biography, I’m not ready to dive into another entry in the Game of Thrones series. I’ll usually grab a shorter book from my shelf or on my Kindle and burn through that before I start another longer book.
Variety is a key factor in keeping the reading momentum going. If you read one of your kid’s books, count it. Reading is reading, and any book you read can count toward your goal total.
Where Can I Keep Track?
You can use several sites and apps to keep track and record your progress. I use Goodreads.com, but apps like StoryGraph or Bookly can work just as well.
Find a site or app that you like and stick with it. Then work toward your 2023 reading goal, knowing that you now have the power to track and complete your stated target.
Final Thoughts
I know it’s early for this post, but, like holiday shopping, sometimes it’s never too early to start thinking about what’s coming sooner than you think.
By setting a target reading goal and mapping out what you want to read, you can set yourself up for reading success in 2023 and be even more prepared for 2024!
Happy Planning and Reading, and I’ll see you next time!
And, planning ahead of time helps distance it from the stigma of being a New Year’s resolution.
So, let’s talk about it!
Why Have a Plan?
I used to read whatever I wanted and as many or as few books as I felt like each year. But when I started setting a yearly reading goal, it turned reading into a goal-oriented activity. It was a great way to turn off the TV and open a book since I had a set number of books I wanted to read in a year.
A reading plan can also help you stay focused and create a basic schedule to help you reach your chosen reading goal.
How Many Books?
If you’ve never set a reading goal, start with 12 books for the year. That’s one a month, which should be fairly manageable. If you’re an avid reader like myself, you can double that.
I have seen several people posting their completed 2022 reading goals on social media. One woman has read 172 books and her goal was 80!
Start with a basic number, and if you find yourself burning through books faster than you anticipated, you can always change your goal. For example, I initially started 2022 wanting to read 20 books but realized I would hit that sooner than later, so I upped it to 25.
What Books?
Simple answer: read what you like.
More complex answer: Vary what you read, so you don’t get into a monotonous cycle that makes you dread picking up a book.
I like to alternate between fiction and non-fiction, and I also will pick a theme for my non-fiction and stick to it throughout the year. For example, in 2020, I read several non-fiction books about pandemics and plagues throughout history. In 2021, I read about world history. This year, I’ve been focused on biographies about actors and actresses from the Golden Age of Hollywood.
And in between, I read fiction.
Now, you can spin the wheel and choose what books to read and in what order at random, or you can plan out what you’ll read and when you plan to read it.
What About Page Count?
After I read a 900-page biography, I’m not ready to dive into another entry in the Game of Thrones series. I’ll usually grab a shorter book from my shelf or on my Kindle and burn through that before I start another longer book.
Variety is a key factor in keeping the reading momentum going. If you read one of your kid’s books, count it. Reading is reading, and any book you read can count toward your goal total.
Where Can I Keep Track?
You can use several sites and apps to keep track and record your progress. I use Goodreads.com, but apps like StoryGraph or Bookly can work just as well.
Find a site or app that you like and stick with it. Then work toward your 2023 reading goal, knowing that you now have the power to track and complete your stated target.
Final Thoughts
I know it’s early for this post, but, like holiday shopping, sometimes it’s never too early to start thinking about what’s coming sooner than you think.
By setting a target reading goal and mapping out what you want to read, you can set yourself up for reading success in 2023 and be even more prepared for 2024!
Happy Planning and Reading, and I’ll see you next time!
Reader Question of the Week: What Are You Reading?
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!
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!
Reading Tip of the Week: Planning Ahead for 2024
January 1, 2024, is only one month away, and it got me thinking about my reading goals for the coming year. Even if you are still working on your 2023 reading list, you can still look ahead and create a basic game plan about tackling next year’s reading goal.
Let’s talk about it!
Why Have a Plan?
I used to read whatever I wanted and as many or as few books as I felt like each year. But when I started setting a yearly reading goal, reading became a goal-oriented activity. It was a great way to turn off the TV and open a book since I had a set number of books I wanted to read in a year.
A reading plan can also help you stay focused and create a basic schedule to help you reach your chosen reading goal.
How Many Books?
If you’ve never set a reading goal, start with 12 books for the year. That’s one a month, which should be reasonably manageable. If you’re an avid reader like myself, you can double that.
I’ve seen people posting their completed 2023 reading goals on social media. One woman reached her annual reading of 100 books on November 3, and she's still going!
Start with a basic number, and if you find yourself burning through books faster than you anticipated, you can always change your goal.
In 2022, my goal was 25 books. In 2023, it’s 30. In 2024, I might bump it up to 35 or 40.
Pick an amount you feel comfortable with and know you can reach by the end of the year.
What Books?
Simple answer: Read what you like.
More complex answer: Vary what you read so you don’t get into a monotonous cycle that makes you dread picking up a book.
I like to alternate between fiction and non-fiction, and I also pick a theme for my non-fiction and stick to it throughout the year.
For example, in 2020, I read several non-fiction books about pandemics and plagues throughout history. In 2021, I read about world history. In 2022, I’ve been focused on biographies about actors and actresses from the Golden Age of Hollywood. This year, there have been many motivational books about goal-setting and planning.
And in between, I read fiction.
Now, you can spin the wheel and choose what books to read and in what order at random, or you can plan out what you’ll read and when you plan to read it.
Another thing you can do is plan to read a book series. I read the five Game of Thrones books in 2022 and 2023, and I plan to read The Lord of the Rings trilogy again in 2024.
What About Page Count?
After I read a 900-page biography, I’m not ready to dive into another entry in the Game of Thrones series. I’ll usually grab a shorter book from my shelf or on my Kindle and burn through that before I start another long book.
Variety is a crucial factor in keeping your reading momentum going. If you read one of your kid’s books, count it. Reading is reading; any book you read can count toward your goal total. This includes reading plays, screenplays, comic books, and graphic novels.
Where Can I Keep Track?
You can use several sites and apps to track and record your progress. I use Goodreads.com, but apps like StoryGraph or Bookly also work.
Find a site or app that you like and stick with it. Then, work toward your 2024 reading goal, knowing that you now have the power to keep yourself accountable throughout the year.
Final Thoughts
It’s never too early to start thinking about your goals for 2024. By setting a target reading goal and mapping out what you want to read, you can set yourself up for reading success in 2024 and be even more prepared for 2025!
Happy Planning and Reading, and I’ll see you next time!
Let’s talk about it!
Why Have a Plan?
I used to read whatever I wanted and as many or as few books as I felt like each year. But when I started setting a yearly reading goal, reading became a goal-oriented activity. It was a great way to turn off the TV and open a book since I had a set number of books I wanted to read in a year.
A reading plan can also help you stay focused and create a basic schedule to help you reach your chosen reading goal.
How Many Books?
If you’ve never set a reading goal, start with 12 books for the year. That’s one a month, which should be reasonably manageable. If you’re an avid reader like myself, you can double that.
I’ve seen people posting their completed 2023 reading goals on social media. One woman reached her annual reading of 100 books on November 3, and she's still going!
Start with a basic number, and if you find yourself burning through books faster than you anticipated, you can always change your goal.
In 2022, my goal was 25 books. In 2023, it’s 30. In 2024, I might bump it up to 35 or 40.
Pick an amount you feel comfortable with and know you can reach by the end of the year.
What Books?
Simple answer: Read what you like.
More complex answer: Vary what you read so you don’t get into a monotonous cycle that makes you dread picking up a book.
I like to alternate between fiction and non-fiction, and I also pick a theme for my non-fiction and stick to it throughout the year.
For example, in 2020, I read several non-fiction books about pandemics and plagues throughout history. In 2021, I read about world history. In 2022, I’ve been focused on biographies about actors and actresses from the Golden Age of Hollywood. This year, there have been many motivational books about goal-setting and planning.
And in between, I read fiction.
Now, you can spin the wheel and choose what books to read and in what order at random, or you can plan out what you’ll read and when you plan to read it.
Another thing you can do is plan to read a book series. I read the five Game of Thrones books in 2022 and 2023, and I plan to read The Lord of the Rings trilogy again in 2024.
What About Page Count?
After I read a 900-page biography, I’m not ready to dive into another entry in the Game of Thrones series. I’ll usually grab a shorter book from my shelf or on my Kindle and burn through that before I start another long book.
Variety is a crucial factor in keeping your reading momentum going. If you read one of your kid’s books, count it. Reading is reading; any book you read can count toward your goal total. This includes reading plays, screenplays, comic books, and graphic novels.
Where Can I Keep Track?
You can use several sites and apps to track and record your progress. I use Goodreads.com, but apps like StoryGraph or Bookly also work.
Find a site or app that you like and stick with it. Then, work toward your 2024 reading goal, knowing that you now have the power to keep yourself accountable throughout the year.
Final Thoughts
It’s never too early to start thinking about your goals for 2024. By setting a target reading goal and mapping out what you want to read, you can set yourself up for reading success in 2024 and be even more prepared for 2025!
Happy Planning and Reading, and I’ll see you next time!
6 Reasons Reading Books Still Matters – Part One
Reading books doesn’t seem as popular as it used to be. Although there are millions of books available, I keep meeting people who have no interest in sitting down and reading a novel or even nonfiction about a topic that interests them.
According to the National Literacy Institute, “44% of the American adults do not read a book in a year,” and “130 million adults are now unable to read a simple story to their children.”* These are shocking and unfortunate statistics but fixable in the modern age. With our interconnected world, accessing books and other reading materials is easier than ever, yet millions lack interest in picking up a book and reading.
What are some reasons to encourage people to read books? What is the value of reading a few books a year? Let’s talk about it!
But first, let’s get in the mood with the theme song from the excellent series Reading Rainbow!
Reading Rainbow Theme
# 1 – You’re In Control
Many people abandon reading after graduating from high school or college. They are burned out on reading assignments involving dry literature, bland textbooks, and the associated essays and tests. This creates a negative association between reading and the reader; the very thought of opening a book for pleasure makes them cringe in horror.
But post-school, you are in control of what you read. You can read whatever types of books you want on any topic. No looming deadlines, tests, or essays are linked to your reading. With the absence of this pressure and your freedom to choose, you can read in a relaxed mental state and enjoy the experience.
#2 – Increase Attention Span
A relative of mine revealed that they can no longer finish listening to a song on YouTube without getting bored and turning it off a few minutes in. A song! Our attention spans are shrinking to the length of a TikTok video, which is not good. The fact that news stories tell you how many minutes it’ll take you to read them shows that people choose what information they consume based on duration and not content. That’s crazy!
Books can help resolve this issue. They can help you retrain your brain to concentrate, regain focus, and increase your attention span. Think of improving your attention span like you would train for a marathon. Start with shorter books and work up to the longer ones. Don’t jump into a 1000-page novel, which could discourage or overwhelm you.
Begin with shorter books and increase the page count over time. You’ll find that your focus and concentration on other things in life will also increase.
#3 – Critical Thinking
The nice thing about nonfiction books is that they can inform you about a topic in great detail. Unlike pithy news stories or articles, delving into the meat of an issue is a great way to be informed on that issue. Too often, people let emotions or others dictate how they should think about a topic. Reading a book about it can remedy this situation and help you make informed choices as you become educated on the subject of interest.
Obviously, books can be written with biased views, and we often seek out those who share our views (this is also known as confirmation bias). When choosing a book to read, check out the author’s background and their position on the topic. If they are a writer who has a clear bias toward the topic, you may want to find another book.
I prefer nonfiction books that are as unbiased as possible, giving the reader the power to decide on the topic.
Think about what topics interest you and seek out books that discuss them. Read as many books on the subject as you wish, recognizing the author’s bias and deciding if you agree or disagree with their positions.
Next Time…
Three down, three to go. I’ll have more about why reading books still matters next week!
Happy Reading!
SOURCE: National Literacy Institute
According to the National Literacy Institute, “44% of the American adults do not read a book in a year,” and “130 million adults are now unable to read a simple story to their children.”* These are shocking and unfortunate statistics but fixable in the modern age. With our interconnected world, accessing books and other reading materials is easier than ever, yet millions lack interest in picking up a book and reading.
What are some reasons to encourage people to read books? What is the value of reading a few books a year? Let’s talk about it!
But first, let’s get in the mood with the theme song from the excellent series Reading Rainbow!
Reading Rainbow Theme
# 1 – You’re In Control
Many people abandon reading after graduating from high school or college. They are burned out on reading assignments involving dry literature, bland textbooks, and the associated essays and tests. This creates a negative association between reading and the reader; the very thought of opening a book for pleasure makes them cringe in horror.
But post-school, you are in control of what you read. You can read whatever types of books you want on any topic. No looming deadlines, tests, or essays are linked to your reading. With the absence of this pressure and your freedom to choose, you can read in a relaxed mental state and enjoy the experience.
#2 – Increase Attention Span
A relative of mine revealed that they can no longer finish listening to a song on YouTube without getting bored and turning it off a few minutes in. A song! Our attention spans are shrinking to the length of a TikTok video, which is not good. The fact that news stories tell you how many minutes it’ll take you to read them shows that people choose what information they consume based on duration and not content. That’s crazy!
Books can help resolve this issue. They can help you retrain your brain to concentrate, regain focus, and increase your attention span. Think of improving your attention span like you would train for a marathon. Start with shorter books and work up to the longer ones. Don’t jump into a 1000-page novel, which could discourage or overwhelm you.
Begin with shorter books and increase the page count over time. You’ll find that your focus and concentration on other things in life will also increase.
#3 – Critical Thinking
The nice thing about nonfiction books is that they can inform you about a topic in great detail. Unlike pithy news stories or articles, delving into the meat of an issue is a great way to be informed on that issue. Too often, people let emotions or others dictate how they should think about a topic. Reading a book about it can remedy this situation and help you make informed choices as you become educated on the subject of interest.
Obviously, books can be written with biased views, and we often seek out those who share our views (this is also known as confirmation bias). When choosing a book to read, check out the author’s background and their position on the topic. If they are a writer who has a clear bias toward the topic, you may want to find another book.
I prefer nonfiction books that are as unbiased as possible, giving the reader the power to decide on the topic.
Think about what topics interest you and seek out books that discuss them. Read as many books on the subject as you wish, recognizing the author’s bias and deciding if you agree or disagree with their positions.
Next Time…
Three down, three to go. I’ll have more about why reading books still matters next week!
Happy Reading!
SOURCE: National Literacy Institute
Five Ways to Plan Your 2025 Reading Challenge
It’s hard to believe, but 2024 is winding down, and 2025 is quickly approaching. With all the other end-of-year/start-of-year events, I thought now would be a good time to discuss ways to plan a reading challenge for yourself in 2025.
Over the last two weeks, I’ve talked about why it’s important to read books, and challenging yourself to read a certain number of books over the course of a year is a great way to stay motivated and keep reading. Let’s talk about five ways to plan your reading schedule for 2025 and ensure you meet your goal before 2026!
#1 - How Much Time Do You Have?
If you have a busy schedule and your free time is filled with errands and other activities, keep your reading goal small. I recommend planning to read six to eight books over the year, seeing how that goes, and then extending the amount moving forward.
If you have time to binge-watch seasons of TV in one weekend, you have time to read more. I suggest attempting to read 12 or more books during 2025. One book a month may sound daunting, but you'll quickly reach your goal once you get into the reading rhythm.
#2 - What Counts as a Book?
Reading a book to your kids? That counts. Like comic books? Those count. Reading for class? Yep, textbooks or other assigned readings count. If you prefer digital to paper, eBooks count as well.
Don’t be afraid to include all types of books and reading material in your reading challenge. You’ll find that you’ll read much more during the year than you initially thought.
#3 - Is Listening to Books Okay?
Around this time each year, I see people on social media announce they have read 300+ books, and I often wonder how that’s possible. Then it dawned on me: audiobooks! Yes, these 100% count as books read over the year, and if you can listen to them on your commute, at work, at home, or anywhere else, you can knock out a lot of books in 365 days.
If this is a more viable option for you and fits your lifestyle, go for it!
#4 – Make a Game Plan
Once you decide how many books you’d like to tackle in 2025, determine what you plan to read. Things can change over the year, but having a list of books you want to work through beforehand will set you up for success.
Maybe there’s an author you enjoy that you’d like to read more from. Or maybe it’s a genre you’re curious about. Perhaps a non-fiction topic piques your interest or a historical period.
Alternate between physical books, eBooks, and audiobooks, or stick to one medium for the whole year.
Or, maybe you’re like me, with more books than space, and you need to read through what you have!
Whatever you decide, it’s always good to have a basic idea of what you want to read over the next year so you don’t have to guess what’s next. It’s okay to change things if another book interests you, but having other books ready to read is helpful.
#5 – Track It
You can do it on your own with a list on your computer or paper, or you can use one of many reading tracking apps or sites like www.goodreads.com, where you can join their annual reading challenge and write and post reviews of the books you read throughout the year.
These reading challenge trackers also tell you how many books you have left to go and how many books you are ahead or behind in your stated challenge.
Other apps include Bookly, Bookmory, StoryGraph, TBR, and many others you can check out on your phone’s app store.
Final Thoughts
I’m a huge fan of reading, and I want as many people worldwide to read and enjoy books as much as I do. Challenge yourself to read as many books as you’d like throughout 2025 and be amazed by how much you read and learn from January 1 to December 31!
Happy Reading, and I’ll see you next time!
Over the last two weeks, I’ve talked about why it’s important to read books, and challenging yourself to read a certain number of books over the course of a year is a great way to stay motivated and keep reading. Let’s talk about five ways to plan your reading schedule for 2025 and ensure you meet your goal before 2026!
#1 - How Much Time Do You Have?
If you have a busy schedule and your free time is filled with errands and other activities, keep your reading goal small. I recommend planning to read six to eight books over the year, seeing how that goes, and then extending the amount moving forward.
If you have time to binge-watch seasons of TV in one weekend, you have time to read more. I suggest attempting to read 12 or more books during 2025. One book a month may sound daunting, but you'll quickly reach your goal once you get into the reading rhythm.
#2 - What Counts as a Book?
Reading a book to your kids? That counts. Like comic books? Those count. Reading for class? Yep, textbooks or other assigned readings count. If you prefer digital to paper, eBooks count as well.
Don’t be afraid to include all types of books and reading material in your reading challenge. You’ll find that you’ll read much more during the year than you initially thought.
#3 - Is Listening to Books Okay?
Around this time each year, I see people on social media announce they have read 300+ books, and I often wonder how that’s possible. Then it dawned on me: audiobooks! Yes, these 100% count as books read over the year, and if you can listen to them on your commute, at work, at home, or anywhere else, you can knock out a lot of books in 365 days.
If this is a more viable option for you and fits your lifestyle, go for it!
#4 – Make a Game Plan
Once you decide how many books you’d like to tackle in 2025, determine what you plan to read. Things can change over the year, but having a list of books you want to work through beforehand will set you up for success.
Maybe there’s an author you enjoy that you’d like to read more from. Or maybe it’s a genre you’re curious about. Perhaps a non-fiction topic piques your interest or a historical period.
Alternate between physical books, eBooks, and audiobooks, or stick to one medium for the whole year.
Or, maybe you’re like me, with more books than space, and you need to read through what you have!
Whatever you decide, it’s always good to have a basic idea of what you want to read over the next year so you don’t have to guess what’s next. It’s okay to change things if another book interests you, but having other books ready to read is helpful.
#5 – Track It
You can do it on your own with a list on your computer or paper, or you can use one of many reading tracking apps or sites like www.goodreads.com, where you can join their annual reading challenge and write and post reviews of the books you read throughout the year.
These reading challenge trackers also tell you how many books you have left to go and how many books you are ahead or behind in your stated challenge.
Other apps include Bookly, Bookmory, StoryGraph, TBR, and many others you can check out on your phone’s app store.
Final Thoughts
I’m a huge fan of reading, and I want as many people worldwide to read and enjoy books as much as I do. Challenge yourself to read as many books as you’d like throughout 2025 and be amazed by how much you read and learn from January 1 to December 31!
Happy Reading, and I’ll see you next time!
Reading Tip of the Week: Why I Love Fiction Books
The practice of telling stories has existed for thousands of years. People are drawn to myths, legends, and other tales that evoke themes and messages best captured through a fictional narrative. While there is always a grain of truth and reality in all fiction, the writer's and reader's imagination can make words on the page come alive in amazing and awe-inspiring ways.
Even with millions of books in existence, we never tire of reading fiction, discovering new stories and authors, and learning about humanity through the fictional characters on the page. There’s something truly magical about opening a book and being transported to another place, being drawn into the world on the page, and staying up late to finish one chapter only to be left on a cliffhanger and have to read just one more.
That’s why I love fiction books. Sure, there may be those who aren’t interested in reading these days, but I believe a great book is just as exciting and captivating as any film or TV series.
If you’ve fallen out of love with reading, I encourage you to pick up a book by an author you may know or a genre that interests you and rekindle your interest in the written word. Finding a book or author that grabs you may take a few tries, but once you find something that clicks, you’ll be a book reader for life!
Happy Reading, and I’ll see you next time!
Even with millions of books in existence, we never tire of reading fiction, discovering new stories and authors, and learning about humanity through the fictional characters on the page. There’s something truly magical about opening a book and being transported to another place, being drawn into the world on the page, and staying up late to finish one chapter only to be left on a cliffhanger and have to read just one more.
That’s why I love fiction books. Sure, there may be those who aren’t interested in reading these days, but I believe a great book is just as exciting and captivating as any film or TV series.
If you’ve fallen out of love with reading, I encourage you to pick up a book by an author you may know or a genre that interests you and rekindle your interest in the written word. Finding a book or author that grabs you may take a few tries, but once you find something that clicks, you’ll be a book reader for life!
Happy Reading, and I’ll see you next time!
