New Year, New Reading Goals

A new year always brings with it a fresh sense of possibility like new plans, new intentions, and in my case, a brand-new reading goal. As someone who finds comfort, escape, and familiarity in books, setting a reading challenge feels less like pressure and more like a promise to myself.

For this year, I’ve set my Goodreads reading goal at 150 books. Ambitious? Yes. Exciting? Absolutely.

Last year reminded me of something important that when you truly love something, you naturally make time for it. Reading has always been my constant, and setting a higher goal feels like a gentle nudge to keep prioritising it. That said, the number itself isn’t the main focus. The real goal is consistency like picking up a book even on busy days, reading a few pages before bed, and allowing stories to be part of my everyday routine.

One of my intentions this year is to explore different genres. I want to step outside my comfort zone and try books I might not normally reach for. Maybe a little more literary fiction, some non-fiction, or even genres I’ve previously overlooked. But let’s be honest, romance will always be my first love.

I know myself well enough to admit that no matter how much I experiment, I’ll probably circle right back to romance. There’s something about love stories, the emotions, the healing, the familiarity, that always captures my interest in a way nothing else quite does. (Once a romance reader, always a romance reader.)

This year, I also want to be kinder to myself as a reader. That means not forcing myself to finish books I’m not enjoying, allowing rereads without guilt, and reading for joy, not just numbers. Some books will be fast reads, some will take time, and some might not work for me at all, and that’s okay.

I’m excited about discovering new authors, revisiting old favourites, and watching my Goodreads progress slowly fill up again. More than anything, I’m looking forward to those quiet moments curled up with a book, completely lost in a story.

Here’s to a year filled with good books, familiar comfort reads, and maybe a few unexpected favourites along the way.

With love and lots of stories,
The Reading Lane

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