Setting Reading Goals
Ah, January. The time of year when many of us dream big and set goals to see us through the rest of the year. One popular goal people set is to read more. And it’s no wonder as there are so many benefits that come with it including, exercising your brain, increased empathy and vocabulary, reduced stress, and it’s free when you use your library card!
When most people think of setting a reading goal they think in terms of how many books they want to read in a year. This is definitely one way but there are many other types of reading goals. Maybe your goal is to create sustainable reading habits and read more regularly or maybe you are in a reading rut and want to try something new! Figure out your overall goal and then come up with ways to reach it. Don’t worry - we’re here to help!
If you want to read more often:
Find pockets of time during the day when you could be reading. That could be at night before bed or on your lunch break at work.
Fit in some reading when you are doing your day-to-day chores or while you commute by listening to some audiobooks. Folding laundry or running errands has never been more exciting!
Do you take walks or go for runs? Get some reading in by listening to audiobooks during exercise.
Create family quiet time where everyone reads, or you read a book aloud together.
Join our summer reading challenge we host every year - and earn prizes as you read!
If you want to try something new:
- Join a book club! The library hosts monthly book clubs, but you could also start your own with friends and family. We have book club kits you can borrow or you can use hoopla so each member can borrow the book to read and discuss.
- Try a genre you’ve never read before like horror, sci fi, thriller, historical…(there are so many!). Need a suggestion? Staff are always here to help!
- If you’re already an avid fiction reader but want to try something different, why not try non-fiction books? There are so many topics to explore - history, nature, art, biographies. (Pro tip: reading children’s non-fiction books is a great way to get fun, quick facts on a topic that are usually accompanied with great pictures - it’s what Jeopardy winners do!)
- Switch things up with a different writing style by reading graphic novels, books in verse, or short stories.
Do those goals not quite fit your life right now? Here are some other ideas:
- Read books set in different countries
- Read Canadian authors (Pro tip: Look for books at the library with a maple leaf sticker on the spine! This marks the author as Canadian.)
- Try a children’s or teen chapter book
- Read BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, Person of Colour) authors
- Read books from your To Be Read (TBR) list that you have been meaning to get to for forever
- Read some of the unread books on your shelf at home
How to reach your goals:
- If you don’t have one already you need a library card! (Pro tip: look into our reciprocal borrowing agreement we have with other libraries so you can use their catalogues too)
- Use our digital resources for eBooks and eAudiobooks. Explore cloudLibrary and hoopla to find your next read.
- NoveList (a great resource you have access to with your library card) can help you find read-alikes for your favourite books and authors. There are also recommendations for genres and Canadian authors, and links to our catalogue so you know if we have the title!
- Search our new and improved catalogue for your next read.
- Keep an eye out for book recommendations we post on social media and here on the blog throughout the year. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
- Talk with our amazing staff! They can recommend books, and show you how to use all the resources mentioned above. We’re very friendly and love talking about books.
Tips from the experts:
Remember the goal is for reading to feel fun, not like a chore, so if you don’t like the book just stop reading it. You have my permission.
If you are new to reading and don’t like the first few books you try, don’t give up! There is something out there you will like. I promise.
The number one tip when setting any reading goal is to not compare your goal to others. It doesn’t matter how many books someone else is reading, how thick those books are, or how often they read. This goal is all about you and creating reading habits that are attainable and sustainable for you. Reading should be fun and stress free! So don’t put so many expectations around it.
Happy reading!