Unconventional Reading Goals for 2023

tea and books

This year comes on the tail end of a stressful and manic year for me. Even if it hadn't, I can feel forces calling me to: Do less. Own less. Read less.

I don't see anything wrong with Goodreads goals, or goals in general, but I am seeking to continue to LIVE the great books this year. I want to sandwich my busy upcoming year between the chapters of great works of literature. 

Unconventional reading goals that I have for 2023

Read fewer books on purpose

I aim to digest all of the literature that I consume. I don't keep up with prize lists reading (though nothing is wrong with that), but there can be a FOMO to the book community. SO many seeming great books being published. SO many people discussing the same book, and you feel like you're on the outside.

Well, that's okay. I'll stand out here thank you very much. I"ll watch the vlogs of others who read through the list and I'll stick to my classics with sprinkles of romance or mystery thrown in for levity.

Take bookish readathons as suggestions, NOT mandates

This is pretty clear. I never have felt forced to participate in any readathon, but I have to say now that I've left BookTube and am just a viewer, I can see how many people tailor their reading around the month of the year.

"I'll save this for Victober." "This will be the perfect read for March Mystery Madness"

It goes back to the FOMO thing. I am going to embrace the joy of missing out on it honestly. 

I'll keep a digital notepad nearby as the TBRs roll in each month dedicated to the readathons, but don't expect readathon bingo boards over here. 

Non-negotiable nightly reading time

I know this seems simple, but so many people WANT to read, but can't carve the time out to do so. I will set some nightly time (TV off, YouTube blocked) to sink into my literature. 

Avoiding social media has been great for my attention span and personal development. I enjoy the ability to settle my brain waves down into a chunk of Anna Karenina. 

Read what I own

Stop feeling like I need to purchase ANY books unless I will be reading it IMMEDIATELY. Get rid of that "let me grab it" attitude, that I picked up from watching so much BookTube. 

If I own it, read it. If I don't own it and I want it, I need to download and read straight away.

Live the novels I read

Discuss them daily. Ponder them. Attempt to get inside the character's minds. LIVE the books out. Imagine what I would do if I were the character.

Remember MY book adage: 

If it isn't worth reading twice, it isn't worth reading once. 

And with that, I start off 2023 with re-reads of my favorite classics because I am not in a race to "out read" anyone. To "keep up" with anyone or to be "relevant" in any way. 

I'm using reading great literature as a way to increase my empathy and live a better life in a stressful world. 

Happy reading my slow living friends.