We’ve all been there. At the start of the year, you set a reading goal for the year: number of books read, number of pages, etc. Perhaps you start out strong during the few days of vacation right at the beginning, but then the post-holiday rush sets in. All of a sudden, you’re switching your calendar to February and wondering just where the month has gone. If your “To Be Read” pile is accumulating like the one below, have no fear. We’ve got some tips to help you reach your reaching goals, whatever they may be.

5 Tips to Reach Your Reading Goals:

1) Listen Up

Here at Old Town Books, we are firm believers that all books count as “real” books: hardcover, paperback, e-reader, and, of course, audiobooks. We love them all! Support OTB when you download the latest bestseller and enjoy while you wash dishes, go for a now-classic pandemic walk, or travel on your daily commute. You’d be surprised just how many minutes (or hours!) you’ll clock in a single day with shorter listening sessions just here and there.

2) Throw It Back

Don’t let age hold you back from adding Middle Grade and Young Adult (YA) books to your TBR pile! Whether you’re revisiting a favorite from your youth, reading along with a young person in your life, or simply checking out what’s new on the children’s lit scene, books are books and they all count toward your monthly/yearly total. Plus, larger font size means you’ll fly through your reads even faster! ;)

3) Branch Out

Do you typically find yourself digging into fantasy epics or in-depth historical tomes? Try switching it up to a new genre to give your book count a boost and learn something new while you’re at it! Poetry and short story collections tend to have smaller page counts, while art books boast many photos that allow you to move through them quickly.

4) Buddy Up

If you’re anything like this author, dear reader, you might feel more successful with some outward accountability. Find a friend, family member, or significant other that shares your desire to read more and make a pact. You could pick a book to read together and give yourselves a deadline to put the pressure on. In addition to increasing your page count, you’ll also have some guaranteed conversation starters on your next Zoom call!

Ready to jump right into the book community pool? Check out our upcoming events and monthly book clubs - we can’t wait to see you!

5) Enjoy the Ride

Remember that, whatever your reading goals for this week/month/year may be, the main goal is to relax and enjoy yourself. So whether you read 200 books this year or 10 or even 1, we hope that it takes you away to all the places you want to be!

Photo contributions by Angie Sanchez. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.