Do you have reading goals for 2024?
I had a great reading year in 2023, but I did not accomplish my 2023 reading goals, so I hope my 2024 reading goals improve a little.
I am not much of a New Year’s goals type of person. In general, I find that I don’t stick with them. When it comes to reading, though, I usually do set goals for the year.
I like reading goals, but I’m not too fond of strict reading goals. If my reading goals are too strict, it takes the joy out of reading for me. I need goals, but I also need to allow for my mood reading.
Over the last few years, I have had different goals each year.
2017
In 2017 I had a goal to read one hundred books because I had never made it quite to one hundred. I also wanted to spend more time reading and less time on social media that year. It worked. I made that goal and read one hundred books.
2018 and 2019
In 2018 and 2019, I made a goal to read a nonfiction book for every state. I knew this goal would take a couple of years because I would be mixing in other books, too. I loved this challenge. It was so fun, and I picked up books I would not have read otherwise.
2020
I didn’t have a reading goal for 2020, which ended up being a good thing. 2020 was an odd reading year for most of us.
2021
I challenge myself to read only backlist books in 2021. My goal was to not get distracted by the new shiny books that were all over social media.
This ended up being such a fun challenge. I read some books that I had been meaning to read for years. This challenge also helped me read books I don’t think I would have read otherwise.
2022
In 2022, I read pretty much what I wanted. I didn’t have a reading goal. It worked well for that year, but I found that for most years, I enjoy having at least some sort of a goal. I also bought way more books than normal in 2022.
2023
For 2023, I wanted to read more of the books that I owned and not get distracted by buying more. Which is a good goal, but I failed in multiple ways.
At the end of 2022, I made three lists of books I wanted to read in 2023. I thought that this would help to keep me focused.
I made a nonfiction books to read in 2023 list, a fiction books to read in 2023 list, and a Christian books to read in 2023 list.
I read a lot of books in 2023, but I didn’t even come close to finishing any of the lists that I made. I got easily distracted by other books that were not on my lists for 2023.
What Didn’t Work In 2023
The reality is that I think my lists for 2023 took the fun out of reading for me. I am a mood reader and didn’t like picking from a list when I needed a new book. By June, I pretty much ignored my to be read lists for 2023 and read what I wanted.
I also failed when it came to buying books in 2023. I bought way too many books last year.
Can you really have too many books? No, but at the same time, yes, you can. I am running out of room for my books. I need to read the ones that I have before adding more.
2024 Reading Goals
After failing at my 2023 reading goals, I almost didn’t set any for 2024. However, I know I do better with some sort of goal, so I set a goal that I think I can actually accomplish.
My basic reading goal for 2024 is to focus again on reading the books I own but in a different way than in 2023.
I also want to stick to a much lower book-buying budget to limit the new books I buy. I need to read some of the books that I own before adding many more to my collection.
Fiction Books 2024
When it comes to fiction, I have quite a few books in my to-be-read stack, but I think I have even more on my Kindle from so many ebook deals.
For my fiction reads in 2024, I want to read the books and ebooks I own, but I plan to focus on authors I know I love.
So, instead of choosing specific books to read for 2024, I want to focus on some specific authors. I think this will give me a little more freedom for my mood reading.
If I love fiction books, especially historical fiction, I tend to collect other books by the author.
If I am at a used book store and find a book or books by an author I like, I tend to buy them.
This happens with ebooks as well. If I see a great Kindle deal by an author I enjoyed for an excellent price, I get it.
The problem is that I often don’t read them because I get distracted by other books and authors. Now my bookshelves and Kindle are way too full.
For 2024, I hope to read books I own by authors I have loved over the last few years.
Authors like Lisa Wingate, Wendell Berry, Rhys Bowen, Jennifer Chiaverini, Agatha Christie, Kristian Hannah, Pam Jenoff, and others that I love but have yet to read all their books.
Having authors on the list, as opposed to specific books, will give me more freedom while still having a goal. It will also help me read more of the books that I own.
Nonfiction
When it comes to nonfiction, I am often drawn to topics, not just authors. I love a few nonfiction authors, like Erik Larson, Adam Makos, and a few others, but the nonfiction that I own is usually based on the topic, not the author.
My nonfiction reading goal for 2024 is to read the books I already own. The ones that, at some point, caught my attention and then I forgot about.
The reality is that my nonfiction to be read books stack is huge. It is a whole bookshelf. Yes, a bookshelf…not a shelf, but a whole bookshelf. I need to read some of them and not get distracted by new books that I find.
My nonfiction Christian book stack is also huge. It takes up a small bookshelf as well. I hope to read quite a few of them this year, especially the biographies.
Biographies and memoirs are always my favorite Christian books to read, so I want to focus mainly on those this year.
2024 Goals
So those are my goals. Read the books I own, especially those by authors I love.
What are your reading goals for 2024? Do you have any specific goals when it comes to reading?
Thanks for sharing your 2024 reading plans. I always enjoy reading about such. I am still tweaking my own plan for the year. As I read your post, I wondered if you’ve ever shared photos of your bookshelves, a sort of virtual tour of your library. That would be a treat, if you ever wanted to share. My shelves are full, so I am trying to find creative spaces for more books. I keep finding them used for 25 cents or 50 cents. I don’t want to pass up those at that price if they interest me! I see you have some stacked vertically and some horizontally. Maybe that would help me fit in a few more. I’m like you in that I need to read more of what I have. We are so blessed to have access to so many wonderful books! Thanks for sharing your reading life. I hope 2024 is a great year of reading for you!
Books definitely are a blessing! Stacking books both vertically and horizontally has been a great way for me to get more books on a shelf. It doesn’t look as nice, but I have found that it holds more books. I don’t think I have ever shared a photo of my bookshelves, besides ones like in this post where it is just a random shelf of two. We have two large bookshelves in our living room that I could definitely share pictures of. They hold some of our nonfiction and most of our Christian books. My main bookshelves, are in my office/guest room. That room is often the dumping grounds for everything that has no where else to go. That means it is often a mess…But I will try to get some pictures of it. Maybe that will be motivation to clean up all the holiday stuff that is currently in there. I think it is a great idea though because I love looking at bookshelves and home libraries. I will add that to my list to post on sometime soon. Thank you!
I’ve had a couple of years with a theme. In 2020, I set a goal to read a C.S. Lewis book every month, although after 10 months, decided it was close enough and quit there. In 2021, with the state of the world, I needed to read about heroes – people who did good things. Titles included The Day the World Came to Town, Team of Rivals, Gifted Hands, Bringing Columbia Home, Moon Shot, Once Upon a Town, and Up From Slavery. I’m guessing you’ve probably read all or most of those.
My goal for this year is to limit book purchases, read from my bookshelf, and dive into some longer books such as Bonhoeffer, Peter the Great (started in 2023, but need to finish it), and Undaunted Courage. It means my total number of books finished will likely be less this year, but all of those have been on my TBR list for a long time and it will feel good to take the time to read some big books.
Thanks for sharing your reading goals and what you’ve found that works and doesn’t work. You are a great encourager. Happy reading!
Thank you for sharing what reading goals you have had over the last few years. I love the idea of a theme like heroes. That is another way to have a goal/theme, but not have it be too restricting. I bought Undaunted Courage years ago, but have not read it. I need move it up my to be read stack. I don’t mind big books, but I definitely have to mix them in with shorter ones. I read Bonhoeffer quite a few years ago and enjoyed it. It was an interesting read. I hope you that you enjoy it.
Hello Lynn,
I love that you have this blog and love the summary here of past goals. Great ideas in those past goals!
#1 – My main goal this year is to read more books that my mom is reading. My mom reads one hour each evening before bed and she gets through SO MANY books! I know she will love discussing the books she reads with me, if I can keep up with her!
#2 – I also try to read books that my daughter recommends. Those aren’t books that I would normally read but I have yet to read one that wasn’t a page turner!
#3 – Renew my library card. I work out of town from my local library and have to bring the expired card in with me to renew in person. I just haven’t been able to get there when they are open! I love to read books on my phone & tablet that are downloaded from the library. Often I get popups about books online and if I can find them online at the library, I can read to my hearts content without spending a penny.
I agree with Laura here. I would love to see your library!
Gina, I love that you are reading what your mother and daughter are reading! ❤️
I enjoyed your posts. I read daily. Sometimes having 4 going at a time. All are different and I keep up pretty well. I have yet to count my 2023 reads. I have been a little distracted. I follow and add to my list those you recommended. I have not been disappointed in doing so. I love books. Love buying them. Now when I go to the bookstore, I take a picture of the book I’m interested in. Then I search my library sites and read them then. If it’s one I truly want for keeping then I buy. It has cut down on my spending greatly. I also get from Amazon on Kindle when they’re cheap. Thanks much for sharing!
Thank you for sharing a little bit about how you read! I am so glad that you have found my posts and book reviews helpful. I love to talk books with readers. I also take a lot of pictures of books so that I remember them. It is a good way to remember a book without having to buy it.
Oooh, I look forward to all the Christian nonfiction reviews! I just finished Like a River and wow! Thanks for the great recommendation.
I have a request for some story-driven nonfiction recommendations great to pass along to high schoolers.
I will think about some story driven nonfiction for teens. That would be a good list. We are working on a nonfiction YA post, because readers are looking for more books for YA and teens. The first book that comes to mind though is Devotion by Adam Makos. It is about the Korean War and is so well written. I have recommend it many times to people who want to read more nonfiction. I think it would be great for a high schooler because it is history, but is also a great story of courage, friendship, and teamwork.