Reading Resolutions

[Licencedtodrill]

I like to make reading resolutions- usually trying to achieve a certain number by the end of the year.
For 2026, I’m going to resolve to read more non-fiction (I read a bit, but mainly fiction.)
Also, to get back to re-reading favourites. I used to do this a lot, and find it really comforting but have fallen out of the habit.
What are your reading resolutions?

Almondflour On a different thread someone recommended The Phone Box at the Edge of the World. It's set in Japan and looks good.

My own resolutions are to read more books not set in the UK, to reread some favourite classics and to read more non fiction. And to make some new cushions for my favourite reading spot if that counts.

I’m going to do the year long slow read of the Wolf Hall trilogy with Simon Haisell on Substack this year, having nearly finished the year long read along of War and Peace this year. So good. Am going to have the worst Tolstoy hangover on New Year’s Day.

Also planning a buddy read of Moby Dick with some friends.

Want to read Middlemarch, Anna Karenina, Crime and Punishment and Don Quixote too.

Will be tempering the classics with some fantasy, sci-fi and fairy smut on audiobooks for the commute.

The current thread is about 8 threads down on ‘what we’re reading’ so you can gauge the pace- it never uses up more than 1 thread in the year! I think the 50-bookers get well into the teens for amount of threads!!
definitely people including audio books. It’s my favourite mumsnet thread every year - it gives me a little target but no pressure to actually get there.

also so sorry for your bereavement 💐

Keen user of the library. If you look at my house you’d never suspect I’m a keen reader. I am. All borrowed, and returned, to the library. One of life’s greatest luxuries. And the best bit, do not have the malevolent tbr pile. And another one, a book request will seemingly suddenly arrive and I can’t remember why I was so keen to part with my 60p reservation charge. A little surprise every time. I also get really good recommendations from MN.

I echo @AgualusasL0ver and @EineReiseDurchDieZeit about the 50 Bookers @CoubousAndTourmaIet all reading tastes and numbers very welcome. I’m one of those people who does hit a ridiculous numbers of books read but it’s how I spend most of my free time- and being without children, I have more of that than most Mumsnetters.

My reading resolutions this year are

• to read more of what I own instead of buying new releases (a new Read What you Own thread will start soon for 2026 for anyone interested)
• to focus most of my reading on authors whose previous books I’ve loved.
• to read Ulysses by James Joyce (this is a buddy read)

@ShadesmarBead thats an impressive range of tomes.

I am hopeful of convincing the current readalong thread (Les Mis on 1 Jan) to do Moby Dick at some point.

@CoubousAndTourmaIet I've been on the 50 booker threads for a few years now after finding the 25 book thread too slow. I have to plan my reading carefully with lots of novellas and graphic novels if I want to hit 50 (some of the biggest readers are listening to audio books which also helps boost numbers but I like podcasts so don't), but mostly I don't worry about numbers, this year I'm on book 32. The thread is manic at the beginning of the year (I tend to quietly avoid it for a bit) but many people drop off quite quickly and as it settles down later in the year it's much easier to keep up with and everyone is lovely and there's no snobbery. If you find it intimidating and want to try it again I'd recommend waiting till March, there are some people who join throughout the year.

I just want to read more! For the last decade or so I’ve read around 60 - 70 books a year, but this year I had an awful unexpected illness and a bereavement and I just lost the focus to read as much as usual.

Plus, for some reason I got into reading some really long fantasy books that although easy reads, took me ages because of the sheer volume. So I really want to get back to reading as much as I can and I’m also going to restart my book reviews blog.

And if you can't get to the library try the borrow box app so you can download the library books that way. Although sometimes I find it a bit limited or you have to wait ages to borrow them.

My reading resolution is to carry on attending the monthly book club which is focused on ‘all the books you’ve wanted to read but not got around to it!’ It’s got my reading mojo back and I’ve read both books on my TBR pile as well as trying some other modern classics I wouldn’t have ever read.

I sadly have a number of health conditions but would like to manage at least 20 books next year.

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.

Do more of it.

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

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.

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?

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.

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.

I want to do this too. Love a library!

@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.

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.

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.

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 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”!

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

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.

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