New Year’s reading resolutions

As 2020 draws to a close our thoughts turn to what next year will bring. Are you going to set yourself an ambitious new year’s resolution to read more? Perhaps you want to reach a certain lofty number or just read more than you did in a previous year. Maybe you’ll start a ‘bookstagram’ account or set up a book club. Read on for ideas and tips to make 2021 a book-filled year.

Pick a number
Whether it’s a book a week or a book a month, set yourself a goal that feels achievable yet still pushes you to find the time to read just a little more than usual. Listening to audiobooks while you cook, exercise or commute can be an easy way to squeeze another title into a busy schedule.

Write it down
Grab a notebook and pen or set up a Goodreads account to keep track of what you’ve read. Journaling and reflecting, writing a short review or giving each book a rating out of five is a wonderful way to document your year of reading. It may even help you spot patterns, that you enjoy a particular genre or author perhaps, to guide your decision on what to pick up next.

Set up (or join) a book club
There’s nothing like an upcoming book club meeting to push you to finish a book! Find some tips for setting up your own online book club here. And our website is a treasure trove of book club notes and suggestions to inspire you and your book buddies.

Start (or finish) a ‘to be read’ pile
If you haven’t already, get a pile (or list) of books you’ve been meaning to read together. As soon as you finish one novel have another ready to go so you can maximise your time without having to search for what’s next. As the Cicero quote goes ‘If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.’ Or maybe you already have a towering TBR stack and tackling it is your mission for the year?

Book bingo
Setting yourself a challenge to read outside the box can be a fun way to discover new authors, genres or series. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• A book set in the town where you live.
• A genre you haven’t read before.
• A book with a blue cover.
• A novel with a main character that has the same name as you.
• A film or TV tie in.
• A book published the year you were born.
• A novel set somewhere you’d love to visit.
• A book recommended by a friend.  
• An award winning book.
• A book by an Australian author.
• A debut.
• The start of a series.

Happy New Year fellow book lovers! May 2021 be filled with literary love stories, epic adventures, and time travel.