Why My Reading Goal is Low

I got back into reading at the perfect time: December. Starting to read again during this time of year meant that I could start a goodreads reading challenge without having any catching up to do. I decided to set my 2022 goal to 24 because it was achievable and only required me to read two books a month.

It came as a surprise to me when I joined book forums across the interwebs that most people had reading goals of over 70 and even went as high as 300. I tip my hat to anyone who can achieve those numbers because there is no way I could be that dedicated.

Even after learning that high numbers are the norm when it comes to yearly reading goals, I decided to keep my goal at 24. Whether I made it to 24 or surpassed it I would feel accomplished. While I was in school I was lucky to get one book read that wasn't for class in a year, so 24 is still about 2,400% better than I'd been doing before.

The biggest reason I tried, and will continue to try, not to set my goal too high is because I don't want to kill myself reading. If my goal were set to 50 books, reading would turn into a race rather than a supplemental activity to improve my day-to-day. I would be reading for quantity and not quality by trying to get a book read almost every week. I know myself pretty well, and at that point reading would just get stressful rather than being fun.

It also comes down to the fact that I just don't have time to read that much. While I would love to do nothing but read day in and day out, I have a 40 hour work week and other hobbies that take up time.

I am grateful that in my limited experience, online reading communities are relatively wholesome and supportive and have never made me feel bad about having a low reading goal. Whether your reading goal is 1 or 365, all that matters is that you're reading.

Oh, and I ended 2022 at 30 books. While under normal circumstances I would try to outdo myself and set my 2023 goal to 31, I'm starting school again. Remember, I'm all about attainability and I know I'm going to have less time in 2023, so in the spirit of knowing my own limits I have set my reading goal this year to 12.