Tips to Help Achieve Your Reading Goals
As we get into 2024, the beginning of the year is a good time to expand your reading preferences. Especially if it’s part of your new year’s resolution to be open to new genres. Here are a few tips to help you with your reading goals.
Book Clubs
The first book club I went to was in March 2023 at the library. Many libraries host librarian-led book clubs every month. I have read genres like women’s fiction, contemporary, literary fiction, thriller, and nonfiction.
#Bookstagram
I have come across many bookstagrams while scrolling through Instagram and saved a few because the books seem interesting to read. It seems I have saved mostly nonfiction, so I guess I need to read more nonfiction this year.
Books to Movies or Movies to Books
I wanted to read the book “The Help” by Kathryn Stockett because I like the movie and wanted to figure out the differences between them. It’s sometimes better to read the book(s) before the movie(s) so you can automatically spot the differences. I think it’s rare to watch the movie(s) before you read the book(s).
I mostly use Goodreads to keep track of the books I read. I was recommended Goodreads by a reader at a library book club and it has been helpful to me. There are other things you can do, such as browsing recommendations, new releases, lists, news & interviews, etc.
I have collected BookPage every month from the library. BookPage may help you expand your genre preferences as they recommend books in all genres.
I saw a list of the New York Times Best Sellers at the library and came across “Holly” by Stephen King. Although I checked the book out, I couldn’t bring myself to read it. It’s okay to check out a book and end up not reading it, even if it’s a best seller.
Remember to keep these three things in mind.
It’s okay not to finish a book.
It’s okay to not start reading a book because you changed your mind.
Even when you’re part of book clubs, it’s okay you haven’t finished reading the book, be prepared for spoilers.
The genres I mostly read before was historical fiction, romance, and mystery. For me, joining book clubs has allowed me to be open to new genres and expand my reading preferences. I hope some of these tips are useful to you as you achieve your reading goals. I know they may not all be useful to you, so pick and choose the ones you think will help you most. If you need tips to help you read more, check out this blog post.