A New Year of Reading
Reflections on reading habits of yesterday and today.
Want to hear something hilarious?
In 2019, I vowed to read 52 books in 52 weeks—one book per week. I did it, but I ended up hating it so much that I wrote an article for The Millions that was literally titled Why I’ll Never Read a Book a Week Ever Again.
Here’s what I hated about this reading challenge:
I couldn’t abandon books without getting behind on my goal.
For the same reason, I couldn’t pick up any books that were too long.
My reading felt rushed and unfocused—something I dreaded.
The year following my ambitious-for-me reading challenge, a little thing called the pandemic happened. I suddenly had more time to read.
The library was closed, so I bought my very first Kindle so I could check out free e-books. Whenever I felt lonely—which, for an extrovert like me, was a lot—I’d play an audiobook. The narrator’s voice would give me a jolt of energy similar to that wonderful feeling I get whenever I’m around people.
Since I was reading books in more formats, I was reading more in general. Without noticing, and without setting any goals to do so, I read 56 books that year.
But wait. Hadn’t I just sworn a year earlier that I’d never read that much again?
2021 yielded similar results. After years of working from home, I was suddenly commuting again—to the college where I teach, to the studio space I share with two friends—which gave me even more time for audiobook listening. Listening to books quickly became my favorite way to read, which was something I never expected. Last year, according to Goodreads, I read 50 books. Again, without setting a goal to do so.
And this year is turning out to be a similar story. As of writing this issue, I’ve read 51 books in 2022 (and I’m about to have a lot more time to read by the light of the Christmas tree).
Thinking back to my initial goal of 52 books, the real goal was to get in the habit of making more time to read.
Clearly, it worked.
Eager to read more in 2023? 📚
Join my Book Club for Writers! Starting in January, we’ll meet quarterly on Zoom to discuss books about writing and creativity. You can find the full reading schedule here.
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🎄 Give the gift of reading, discussion, and inspiration this year. Gift memberships to the Book Club for Writers are now available!
Signed up and looking forward to the zoom discussions on writing and creativity. Has the first book been picked?
I feel this in a big way! My first year of using Goodreads had a bittersweet influence on my reading habits. I was so jazzed to see how many books I had read after a years-long reading lull, but then couldn't help but obsess over making my 50 book goal by the end of the year. This year I set a way smaller goal, and have read 50+. Turns out reading for pleasure yields more rewards than reading for productivity?!