It’s a brand new year and as we leave Christmas behind you may be looking for simple New Year’s resolutions to better yourself, such as reading more books...
Looking for New Year's Resolution ideas this year? Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash
However as you wake up blinking into the cold light of a January morning and cast your eyes on your old list of must-reads, you might well be wondering if you'll ever make a dent in your lengthy To-Be-Read list.
One of the Top Ten New Year’s Resolutions this Year
But as the phrase "Read more books" falls into the top ten best New Year’s resolutions this year, then you’ll be glad to know you’re not alone.
So if like me you’d love to get your reading goals off to a fresh start, or would just like to finish a few more of those books gathering dust on your bookshelf, then this might be the post for you.
What if it’s Too Late?
But it’s already a few weeks into the new year and perhaps now you just don’t feel like it. Or perhaps you’ve already scrolled through a few New Year’s TBR lists and still don’t know where to start.
And just maybe you feel like it’s way too late to start make reading more books part of your New Year’s resolutions.
Well I’m here to tell you it’s never too late! In fact some experts say it’s actually easier to keep your resolutions if you start them AFTER New Year’s Day— even if it’s as late as March.
The 24 TOP New Year’s Resolutions for Bookworms
So if you want to know which are the best New Year's resolutions to help you read more books this year, then look no further. After much painstaking research I’ve pulled together a handy list of the best ideas for my fellow bookworms to choose from.
Now there’s absolutely no need to tick off everything you see on this list, but if you can at least take away ONE idea and put it to good use then I’ve done my job. Because nothing else quite tickles me pink than helping readers connect with the kinds of books they’ll enjoy, whatever the genre.
So in no particular order, here are my top New Year’s resolutions to help you reach your reading goals! Is your New Year’s reading resolution on the list?
1. Complete a Whole Book Series
Maybe you just got started on Ivy Smoak’s Hunted series over Christmas. Or are halfway through the second book of the Bridgerton series, hot on the heels of the Netflix Original. Or perhaps there is a trilogy you haven’t even begun yet? Well why not complete an entire book series for your reading resolution this year, so you can look forward to basking in the satisfying feeling of closure as you turn the very last page of that final book.
2. Read 1 Book per Month
This is the ideal reading goal for readers who tend to start many books, but have few they’ve actually finished. Or for bookworms who prefer to read a bit slower.
For time-crunched readers with plenty of responsibilities, reading one book a month is also a clear and simple target to aim for.
3. Read Unread Books you Already Own
It’s so easy to buy the NEXT BIG THING in a rush of excitement, whether you’re lured by reading the latest offering from your favourite author, a beautiful cover or that fresh book smell. Yet you may still have books lingering in your home unread. Don’t leave them behind, rescue your neglected reads---some might even surprise you.
4. Don’t Buy any more Books until your Reading List is Finished
It’s tempting to get the next new book just to add to your collection, but if you have too many books on your list how can you possibly get through them all? Try to finish the books on your reading list first. You might even save money too!
New Year's Resolutions: Does your home look like this? Photo by Jan Mellström on Unsplash
5. Cut your TBR list
Have a loooooong TBR list that you have been meaning to finish? If it’s a list of thirty books or more, be ruthless with your reads and cut your list. Sometimes quality is better than quantity.
With a shorter count you are far more likely to complete your list and can then bask in that feeling of achievement.
6. Read Eight to Ten Books this Year
You can simply set yourself a smaller number of books to read this year, say eight or ten. With a small number you are more likely to reach your goal and if you finish early you can just read on and surpass your original target.
7. Read Authors from Other Countries
Do you tend to only read authors from your own home country? Make it your New Year’s resolution this year to read foreign books or authors from diverse backgrounds. You never know what gems you have been missing out on by only choosing books from your own neck of the woods.
8. Have a Book Sample Clear-Out
Still have all those free book samples just sitting there on your e-reader? Clear them off after six months. Boss Level New Year's resolution: Clear them off after three. If you really wanted to read that book, wouldn’t you have bought it by now? Next time you read a sample, either buy the book soon after or move on.
9. Play Reading Roulette
Next time you are browsing for a new read, make it a resolution to pick one book you’ve never heard of. You'll never know what other gorgeous tales you might discover, unless you take a risk on an author or title you haven’t seen recommended or advertised.
10. Stop Obsessing about Numbers
This year instead of worrying about the number of books you’ve read, make it a resolution to focus more on whether you enjoyed them. As I've said before quality is better than quantity, so why continue to slog through a book you don’t enjoy just to say that you’ve read it.
11. Listen to Audiobooks
If you’re pressed for time yet still want to read more books this year, audiobooks are a great way to fit new reads in or to have more than one book on the go. It’s also a great way to mix genres, i.e. listening to Suzanne Collins's Hunger Games in between snuggling up with a book by Nora Roberts.
12. Read Another Gender
Another goal for this year is that if you tend to lean towards more male authors in a genre, try adding more female authors to your reading list. Adding authors from diverse gender identitites can open your eyes to different worlds.
13. Switch Genres this Year
If you prefer a particular genre or there’s a genre you haven’t read before, make it a resolution to pick out more books from different genres this year. You can choose from non-fiction to crime, to fantasy or sci-fi and hard-boiled thriller. You can stick to one new genre for your New Year’s resolution or even mix it up.
14. Read More Short Stories
Are you a bookworm who mainly reads novels? Then a good goal is to read more short stories either in your favourite genre or in others. Short stories also provide a great introduction to new authors you haven’t read yet and are also a fine way to see your favourite authors tackle the discipline of the short form. Bonus tip: Add the odd comic or graphic novel for a change of pace.
15. Read Books Set in a Particular Time
Choose to read books from a particular time or decade, such as the seventies and eighties or nineteenth century literature. For example Bookstr has a list of classic Victorian romances that you may not have already read…
16. Finish an Unfinished book
Still have two or more half-read books still hanging around? Then make it your New Year’s resolution to complete all unfinished books before you move on to your next read. Especially if you bought them more than three years ago and abandoned them before sneakily starting a new book.
17. Complete your TBR list Before Adding More Books
Although it’s exciting to add the latest must-read to your list, if it is never completed your list will continue to grow until it becomes too daunting. So to stay motivated, try to finish your list before you add more reads and you won't feel overwhelmed by your goals.
18. Read your Old Favourites
A fun resolution is to read some of your old favourites. When you start reading an old book you’ll be surprised at how much you’ve forgotten and it may even bring back some of those warm feelings of nostalgia. You can even choose books you read as a child and see if they stand the test of time, like Norman Juster’s The Phantom Tollbooth or Jenny Nimmo’s enchanting Welsh fantasy The Snow Spider.
19. Read More Children’s Books
And if you haven’t already, a great resolution is to add more children’s books to your reading list. There is nothing more fun and festive than adding children’s literature to your reads, from classics such as Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland to more modern works such as Eoin Colfer’s Artemis Fowl series.
20. Read a Chapter a Day
If you’ve already chosen your book list, then make your resolution to read a chapter a day or for a minimum of 20 minutes daily.
If you have a tough time squeezing reading into your schedule, a great hack is to swap online browsing or time-killing TV watching for reading. After switching these activities for a while, you may be surprised at how much your focus has sharpened.
21. Read Banned Books
A great resolution for bookworms who feel like they’ve almost read everything, is to read one previously banned or challenged book per month. The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom has a top ten list of books that were targeted for censorship in libraries, schools and universities.
Did you know that Captain Underpants made it onto their list in 2013?
Wait! My Kim Kardashian Autobiography is in that pile...
22. Read a Chapter of War and Peace Every Day
Did you know there were 361 chapters in Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace? Which means if you read a chapter a day you will complete the entire book in a year! So if you’ve always wanted to read Tolstoy’s classic but found its length rather daunting, this is an ideal resolution to complete this year. Marelisa Fabrega writes about her own year of War and Peace here.
23. Read 5, Buy 1
If you’re someone who can build a giant Jenga Tower out of your unread books, then try Bookish Luna’s Read 5, Buy 1 strategy. When you only buy 1 book for every 5 you read, it slows down your purchases, helps your manage your reading and stops you from accumulating a large pile of untouched books.
24. Finally, Don't Feel Guilty About Giving Up On a Book
Even if you have chosen to read more books this year, you should not feel guilty for giving up on a book. If you’re taking months to read a book because you’re just not enjoying it, then stop and read something else. Reading should be something to look forward to, not another chore that eats into your leisure time. Life is short, so give up on books you’re struggling to finish!
So I hope you've found at least one of these New Year’s resolutions helpful or at least can use them as inspiration to reach healthy reading goals this year.
Do you have any reading resolutions that aren’t included in my list? Why not drop me a message below about what your resolutions are for this year! I love sharing your great ideas and thoughts with other readers!
Happy reading and Happy New Year! Kate
P.S. If you want to add more romance books to your TBR list just click here! Or to find out when my next romance book is out just subscribe below!