I can’t believe 2023 is already almost over. There were so many memorable moments from this year. The one thing that I will say about 2023 is that it wasn’t the best reading year for me. I mentioned this before how I started 2023 in a reading slump. I somewhat overcame that halfway through the year, but it felt like I lost my drive to read. I started so many books that I later ended up putting down to read something else. With 2023 wrapping up, I wanted to come into 2024 with a reading plan. I wanted to share a few goals that I have for next year.

Going Back to TBRs

In previous reading years, I used to plan out my TBR (to be read) books far in advance. This way, I knew what I would be reading ahead of time, so it helped to keep me organized. This year, I found myself picking up whatever book I was in the mood for. That may work for some readers, but I don’t think it works for me. I like having a plan because it’s easier for me to stick to it.

Additionally, I am going to aim to read 3 books a month. I think that’s doable. I read before I go to bed and I tend to do most of my reading on weekends. On top of the 3 books I pick, I will be reading graphic novels, manga, and single issue comics as well.

One Book on my TBR has to come from the Library

This is the goal I am looking forward to the most. I started using my local library this year and it’s been a game changer. I can request holds from the app on my phone which I think is the coolest thing. This way when I go to the library, I can quickly get my books and get back into my car to run my next errand. There have been several books that I rented from the library and read this year where I am glad I didn’t purchase the books for my own collection.

Speaking of which, I have been noticing a pattern in myself when I buy books. I tend to buy books, read them, and then when I’m done, I donate them. While this isn’t a bad thing, it’s something I do want to cut back on. I want to stick to a budget and I have to be honest with myself that buying books is where I tend to spend a portion of my disposable income.

Using my local library will help save money, but if I end up really loving a book I read, I can always buy it for my bookshelf at home.

Completing Reading Challenges

To help keep myself engaged, I want to set a few reading challenges to complete throughout the year. I already have one reading challenge planned. I want to pick the ten books that have been on my Goodreads TBR shelf the longest and read them next year. I think most of them are graphic novels which is something I could easily do next year.

Reading challenges can keep some spontaneity in reading which I think will help to read more than I read in 2023.

Reviewing My Bookshelves

When we moved into our house in 2022, I packed away my books, but I didn’t end up going through them like I wanted to. There are several books on my book shelf that I haven’t read in a few years and I never continued in the series. I either want to pull them off my shelf and re-read them or I want to donate them to make space for other books I want to collect. I want to make sure that the books on my shelves are books that have meaning to me and if they don’t, this will help to free up precious book shelf space.

These goals are ambitious, but I think they will help get me back on track. I love to read and I want to make reading more of a priority in 2024.