Hello, everyone! As we move into the final quarter of the year, I thought it’d be a good time to reflect on some of my New Year’s bookish resolutions to see what I’ve fulfilled and what I can still work on. My reading’s been sort of rocky this year–I think in part due to all the expectations I put on myself–which is honestly all the more reason to reassess!
1. Choose books catered to my own interest over anyone else’s.
I’m happy to report that I’ve stuck by this sentiment pretty well! For many years, I was very self-motivated/driven in what I picked up but as I’ve become more and more aware of what everyone else is reading these last few years, it’s definitely tugged me in many different directions. This year, though, I’ve not picked up anything because I felt like I “should” which I’m happy about!
Verdict: Right on track!
2. Read more books by authors of color.
Unfortunately, I’ve not been reading nearly as diversely as I would’ve hoped (according to my stats, at least 88% of books I’ve read have been by white authors). This is something I still really want to be better about, and I think I need to actively keep it in mind when choosing a book (because I don’t think I have been lately).
Verdict: Could still use some work.
3. Find what genres I enjoy most… / 4. …but remain open to new genres, too.
When I originally came up with these goals, I saw myself exploring a wide variety of genres, and I guess I sort of have, though fantasy still takes the lead with a decent percentage of mystery and horror.
Interestingly, I’ve always considered fantasy my favorite genre but some of my top reads of the year have been thrillers — a genre I thought I really didn’t care for. My other favorites have been horror which hasn’t been quite as surprising to me. The only books I really didn’t care for was a fantasy and a historical (this latter one doesn’t surprise me though it wasn’t necessarily the historical factor of that particular book that I disliked).
I thought I might explore historical, sci-fi, or romance a little more this year but, ultimately, my comfort genres have served me well (with thriller surprising me a bit).
Verdict: Sort of achieved?
5. Focus more on the time spent reading than the number of books finished.
A few years ago, I set a reading goal of 50 books in a year after reading at an average rate of 15-20 books a year — and I actually achieved it. I was really proud of myself for doing that and then very self-critical when I couldn’t replicate it in following years. After falling behind my reading goal practically upon setting it, I’ve pretty much ignored a number goal this year, and I’ve felt a lot better in doing so!
Verdict: Achieved!
6. Make a significant dent in my physical TBR.
I think this will be a goal I’ll have as long as I’m alive, and probably one I will never achieve. And I think I’m learning to be okay with that! There are simply too many books in the world and too many books on my shelves for me to ever realistically catch up with. I’m choosing to see that as a good thing, though, because it means I’ll always have something ahead of me to read. Most of my reads have been ones I’ve already owned, anyway, which I think is mostly what I hoped for with this goal anyway.
Verdict: I guess you could say a compromise was made?
7. Keep a reading journal.
After starting a reading “journal” for the first time this year, I’m very happy to say that I’ve kept up with it! For the most part, I use it for tracking the books, movies, shows, and music I consume more than actually reviewing but that’s the way I want it. In the last month or so, I’ve kind of stopped rating books and instead have looked at it more as appreciating my time spent with that piece of media — and if something spurs on more thoughts, feelings, etc. then I am happy to indulge that process! But I’m finding that commodifying and critiquing art is not something that brings me joy, at least not at this moment in time.
Verdict: Success!
Overall, I’m surprisingly content with where I’m at with all of these goals! I definitely want to work on reading more diversely, and I think I can do a better job of focusing on that with other habits in place a little more securely. Putting this post together has actually been a bit satisfying and inspiring — it makes me want to stop writing and get back to reading!
Do you enjoy setting bookish goals? Or do you prefer letting your mood guide you? Are you on track with any goals you may have made? Any ones you want to improve before the year is out? I’d love to hear your thoughts below!
Little Bit of All That 
[…] Hello, everyone! Since I didn’t say this in my last post: happy new year! I hope you had a lovely 2024 and that you’re going into 2025 starting on a good foot. Last year was quite busy for me, and it was the first time I’ve made a point to set goals. While I didn’t achieve all of the bookish goals I set out for last year, I did alright on a fe…. […]
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