Let’s Talk Bookish is a weekly meme created by Rukky @Eternity Books and hosted by Aria @Book Nook Bits, and it’s where we get to discuss certain topics, share our opinions, and spread the love by visiting each other’s posts! Check out the January 2024 Topics if you want to join in the bookish discussion fun.

This week’s topic asks us:

Are Reading Goals Worth It?

Prompts: Did you set reading goals for 2024? Have you set reading goals in past years? Do they motivate you to read more, or do they make reading more stressful? What kinds of goals, if any, are the most motivating to you? Have you noticed a change in your reading since you started blogging? How about the goals you set?

Did you set reading goals for 2024?

The main reading goal that I set myself every year is the Goodreads Reading Challenge. This year, I’ve set my goal to 100 books. I’ve also set myself these more “general” goals to cut down on my backlist, overdue ARCs and to read more diversely:

• Read at least 50 backlist titles (digital or physical). -> Project Backlist Reading Challenge goal
• Read at least two overdue ARCs per month. -> Project Backlist Reading Challenge goal
• Read at least 60 books by BIPOC authors.

Have you set reading goals in past years and do they motivate you to read more or do they make reading more stressful?

In previous years I’ve set my reading goal to 150 books but considering how overwhelming 2023 was and how unsure I am about what 2024 has in store, I’ve decided to reduce it this year. But I’ve kept my other more general goals like “read more non-fiction” and “read more diversely” too. I feel like setting reading goals can be surprisingly divisive in the community cos it’s not for everyone but since I started living and breathing books again several years ago, I always look forward to setting and completing this yearly goal. Having this number to work towards motivates me as I get a personal sense of satisfaction and accomplishment from it but I also don’t sweat it too much! If I fall behind in the year I don’t stress out about it because I know I have time to read more before the year ends.

I think one thing that I know many in the community struggle with, myself included at times, is the age-old comparison game. It’s hard to not compare yourself to how others are doing and feel like an imposter for not reading or blogging as much or not getting on a publisher’s radar to get the books other readers are getting. I think that more than setting your own goals is what can make it more stressful.

What kinds of goals, if any, are the most motivating to you?

This might sound weird but it kinda depends on my mood, lol. In general, I do find the bigger yearly goals to be more enjoyable and less stressful, plus it motivates me to keep reading. I think this is why I’m not always the best at challenges because those shorter-term goals can sometimes be overwhelming, especially when my non-bookish life gets too stressful. That said, depending on the challenge, I can find those short-term goals very motivating as well. Like, I love participating in the yearly Magical Readathon and would love to find more yearly reading challenges that keep me motivated in the same way.

Have you noticed a change in your reading since you started blogging? How about the goals you set?

There have been a lot of changes since I started reading (again) and blogging! When I first started, I had grand ambitions and goals because I also had a lot more time then. It took me a couple of years of being overly ambitious to learn that it’s not sustainable and I’ve since toned it down a lot, lol. 😂 Also, now that I try to write a review of all the books I read—try being the operative word, I think I take more time to reflect on my thoughts whereas before I’d immediately jump into the next book without a review break. It’s slowed down my reading some, especially when I can’t write a review right away and don’t want to move on to my next read without doing so, but I’ve come to appreciate the slower-ish pace more.

How do you feel about reading goals? Do you set a yearly goal and do you only set one or several? Do you feel pressured by setting goals or is it “whatever”? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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