Reading Resolutions

The 50 Booker threads are all about reading for pleasure. It’s their entire point imo.

To only read what I've got - though I do include the library and work bookshelf in that. Chances of sticking to it are probably zero as there are a few books I've already got my eye on but I'm resolving to try to keep them on a list for my birthday/next Christmas.

I liked the Goodreads challenge as I liked recording it and feeling good that I was reading instead of doom scrolling.

@ShadesmarBead I did the wolf crawl this year (on audio because I had read them on paper previously) and it was really wonderful so you have a treat ahead there
I’m going to read A Place of Greater Safety this year, and Middlemarch. Apart from that I would just like to find myself this time next year with a smaller tbr pile - to achieve that I need to tackle it and stop being tempted by new shiny books and random ones from the library!

• Read one of P. G. Wodehouse’s Blandings novels. I love his Jeeves and Wooster stories, but have never tried the Blandings stuff.
• Read Jane Austen’s Emma.
• Read Virginia Woolf’s The Waves.
• Read Patrick Fermor’s Mani.
• Read some popular science books. I loved Bryson’s Short History and also Sagan’s Cosmos, but those two form the limit of my scientific knowledge.
• Keep plugging away at Proust.
• Read more non-fiction. I love books that combine history, literature, science, etc, like Richard Holmes’ new biography of Tennyson.
• Listen to more audiobooks. It’s the only way I am going to get through people like Dickens, George Eliot, Thomas Hardy, Tolstoy.
• Read some more Iris Murdoch. She was my big discovery of 2025.

I read loads but have stopped caring about the number of books I'm reading. I do have plans for this year, some which may get scrapped if they turn out to be too much, but the one I am determined to stick to regardless is my morning read. (I live alone so there's nobody to interrupt me!) I get a cuppa, return to bed with it and for the next hour read a classic alongside the audio version of the book. It means that I begin the day feeling as if I've already achieved something. I'm usually a fast reader so reading alongside the audio book slows me down, creates an even pace and makes me notice more. It's a lovely way to start each day.

Sounds like a fabulous idea - read for pleasure :)

If you are looking for good, easy to read books - Kristin Hannah Books are absolutely brilliant :)

I’m also disappointed that people find the 50bookers competitive and highbrow. I read all sorts. And have picked up some great recs from there. I think in the first few months of the year it can move pretty quickly and might seem more competitive but honestly I’ve found it to be one of the loveliest and most supportive and generous corners of this site. I read pretty much any old rubbish and intend to continue to do so.

I have been doing a slow read around Europe challenge for the last couple of years and this year I am planning to "move on" geographically to Central and Southern Asia. I've also got a couple of non-fiction books on my kindle about the Silk Roads that I would like to read.

Surprised to hear that people find the 50 Bookers threads competitive and highbrow. I think pretty much anything goes on there and I, for one, aim to be totally lowbrow.

My resolution, as always, is to have no resolutions and read what the flip I want, when I want.

Those are some brilliant books awaiting you @MonOncle

My resolution is to read more literary fiction, and some non fiction to fill in my gaps in history knowledge. I read 183 books this year, can’t recall a thing about most of them - enjoyed reading them all at the time but very few made me think ‘wow’ so I need to get into the award nominees and try those I normally wouldn’t fancy. I only read female authors (a few male writers slip through the net) so it will be fun to explore what’s out there

I’m rolling over my 2025 goal which I failed at due to a cancer diagnosis, my ability to concentrate went to shit while I went through treatment. Anyway, that goal is to read more “big” books. When I have a number goal it makes me want to prioritise shorter books to make up the number so I have all of these languishing on my kindle: Lonesome Dove, Pachinko, East of Eden, Demon Copperhead. There are more! They all sound brilliant and yet their size puts me off. I’m also going to try to join in with the Les Mis read along.

To read 30 books. I feel like I need some sort of target in order to keep the reading habit up.

I want to read more paper books in 2026. Partly so they can go to charity after, partly so I can annotate select ones, partly as it’s all too easy to buy too many kindle books as the aren’t “real”!

Sorry to hear that has been your experience of the 50Bookers. I've had some fantastic recomendations from them over the years.
Some of it is high-brow as you say, but not all. This year I will confidently be adding the Throne of Glass Series and ACOTAR to my lists!!
Read what you enjoy.

I'm another who simply wants to get off the phone and rediscover my love of reading. I'm doing it by reading some childhood favourites and looking through what I already own (many) for some easy reads.

I've also come to enjoy audiobooks this year. I always listen to a preview as the narrators can make or break a good story I think.

Same as the last few years, just keep reading.

I was looking at my stats on Goodreads this morning and although I only read 35 books this year, five less than last year, I actually read more pages in total, thanks to reading two incredibly long books courtesy of Mumsnet readalongs - the two being Count of Monte Cristo and 'Kristin Lavrandatter. The previous year I only read half the number of pages, so things have improved a lot since then.

Like PPs I don't see the point of setting a target number, but it is important to keep the momentum going.

@CoubousAndTourmaIet I've had a similar experience on reading threads.

A few years ago I decided I was wasting far too much time online and not enough reading. It's still the case but I've made a big effort and gone from about 20 books to nearly 40.
I have kept a reading diary/ list for over 20 years now. Started when DS2 was a reluctant reader in primary school and I did it alongside him.
I learned to DNF ruthlessly.
I allowed myself to read whatever trashy fiction I like because I'm no longer at school and I read for pleasure. I refuse to feel guilty because my reading is not highbrow.

My reading resolution is to do some rereads. I never read a book twice but after watching Rivals on TV I dug out my old Jilly Cooper's and read Rivals again. It was a treat.

I want to do this too. Love a library!

Agree with this.

I've done this the last two years and just got my 26 books in. But it wouldn't matter a jot - to me or anyone else - if I'd not achieved that. The thread is lovely, encouraging and great for recommendations. I'll be doing it again in 2026.

It really is @AnneofBohemia. My resolution is mainly to read more and doom scroll less.

I am going to try to read a few really short ones over the next few days though! Going on holiday to the sun so the combination of a longish flight and sitting by the pool will definitely help me get some more books read by the end of the year.

I'm not keen on setting a specific number of books to read.

The number of books can vary depending on whether I’m reading a hefty non-fiction or light, short paperback.

When I set myself a number I found myself shying away from larger more complex books and didn’t like doing that.

So my plan is a less prescriptive ‘to always have a book (or two) on the go.’ And to read every day.

It’ s all different means for the same end isn’t it?

Though if those long fantasy books are what bring you joy …

I’d quite like to work my way through a load
of history journals I have, they won’t count, but that’s fine, I get something different.

The only reason I track on Goodreads is because I like the end of year email.

Do more of it.

Same as every year but my phone seems to win out more and more 🙄

My resolution is basically to just read more. Or as much as I used to. I’ve gotten really bad at doom scrolling. It’s affected my reading time and my concentration.

I’m on the Read What You Own thread and find that useful.

I joined the 50 bookers once but found I was spending more time reading that then actually reading which seemed to defeat the purpose!

I do reading challenge with my sister in Good Reads and last couple of years it’s been 52 books. This year I’m way behind. She is way ahead.