Bookish Goals for 2023

As the new year started, I tried to think of goals I wanted to make in my reading life. This is the list I came up with:

1. Read more than I did last year.

I only read 12 books last year. Some of this is due to be distracted by my phone when I am getting ready for bed. Other times, I am just too exhausted to even think about reading. So, if I can not be distracted, and not be exhausted, I should be good! Vacations involving flight time helps get reading time in too 🙂

2. Write book reviews as soon as I finish the book.

Even if I can’t get it typed into a post right away, if I will just write my thoughts down, that will help tremendously!

3. Read through the books I already own.

I have books that I bought years ago, that, at the time, I thought I would read then. If I’m still interested in them now, I need to read them and then make room for more 🙂

4. “Weed” my bookshelf.

I have books that I had bought, and then read, that I probably will not ever read again. Likewise, I have some that I bought that I haven’t read, and now don’t have an interest in it. I need to get those books together and donate them to the local library. I love that we have this option. I would rather give them to a place that will help fellow book lovers than to “just get rid of them”.

5. Be on my phone less so that #1 can be accomplished.

I will admit, I have a problem with checking Facebook, or playing a game on my phone when I first get ready for bed. This is the perfect time to read, and, in most cases, is more relaxing than anything on the phone.

6. Don’t focus on just “new” books.

Sometimes, I get caught up in the hype of a new book. There’s nothing wrong with that, and I’m sure I will eventually read them, but there are so many books that are no longer new that I would be missing out on if I read only new books.

7. Don’t be afraid to DNF (did not finish).

Honestly, I almost feel guilty if I don’t finish a book. I don’t know if it is because it is like failing or what, but I don’t like to not finish a book. I need to remind myself that there is nothing wrong with not finishing. Plus, why waste time on something I’m not interested in and don’t love, when I could be using that time on something I love?

8. Read/re-read more “classics”.

A lot of classics were read in school, and let’s be honest, I probably only remembered enough to test on it. Most of what I read didn’t stick so, I need to read them again, at my own pace, so that I can “get” what I read. As for classics that I haven’t read, well, they’re classics for a reason, so I need to read them.

9. Use StoryGraph more to keep track of reading.

I have just recently discovered StoryGraph (I know I’m probably late to the game) but it has been helpful to put in the books that I want to read, instead of having tons of sticky notes. I have a long way to go to get them all in though.

10. Stop comparing my reading to others.

When I see someone who has read 5 or 6 books in a month, I think, “I need to do better and read more.” But I need to remind myself that our lives are different, and our schedules are different.

*Linking up with Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl for this Top Ten Tuesday!

**At SunnySide, we utilize affiliate links which may result in a commission on certain website.