8 Secrets to Sticking with a Reading Goal

You’ve set a reading goal. Maybe it’s 12 books this year, or 3 chapters a week, or finally finishing that one BIG novel on your shelf. But somewhere along the way, life happens. Days slip by, your book gathers dust, and that once-exciting goal feels like it’s out of reach.

Here’s the secret to sticking with a reading goal: It isn’t about willpower alone. It’s setting yourself up for success with little tweaks and supports that make reading a natural part of your everyday life. Here are 3 examples.

1. Set a Realistic Goal

Start small. Instead of aiming for a book a week if you’re barely squeezing in a few pages, try something like 15 minutes a day or 1 book a month. The point is to create a win you can actually celebrate. (Success builds momentum.)

2. Choose a Tracking System That Works for You

Some readers love a fancy spreadsheet tracker with all the data at their fingertips. Others prefer the cozy satisfaction of checking off boxes in a reading journal. And then there are the high-tech readers who prefer a digital reading tracker. Whatever feels natural to you—use it. Tracking makes your progress visible and motivating. And it’s somehow satisfying, adding to the pleasure of reading.

Did you know? If you sign up for our monthly Margin Notes reading letter, you receive a free gift of a Google Sheets tracker for an unlimited number of books. See signup at the bottom of the page.

3. Mix Up Your Formats

Reading doesn’t have to mean sitting down with a hardcover every night. Keep it flexible:

• A physical book for bedtime.
• An audiobook for walks or commutes.
• An e-book on your phone for waiting rooms, grocery store lines, and other waiting times.

This way, you’re never without a way to sneak in a few pages.

4. Make It Social

Join a reading challenge (like the seasonal challenges in our Reading Nook) or invite a friend to read the same book. Join a book club that reads fiction you’re interested in. When you know someone’s waiting to hear your thoughts—or cheer you on—you’re much more likely to follow through.

Did you know? We have a book club based on our Meaningful Reading Method called the Confetti & Cocoa Book Nook. You don’t need to leave home to be a member and join other women who love reading as much as you do.

5. Build Small Rituals Around Reading

Light a candle. Make a cup of herbal tea. Grab a bowl of munchies and snuggle into your favorite chair. When reading is tied to something cozy, your brain starts to crave it. You’ll look forward to the ritual as much as the story itself.

6. Forgive the Missed Days

Life will interrupt you sometimes. Instead of abandoning your goal, just start again tomorrow. Reading is meant to bring joy, not guilt.

7. Keep Books You’re Excited About

The quickest way to stall your reading goal is to slog through a book you’re not connecting with. Give yourself permission to put it down and pick up something else. Your reading life should feel like a treat, not a chore.

8. Keep a Reading Schedule

Treat your reading like the priority it is by making it a part of your daily routine. Maybe that’s 20 minutes with your morning coffee, half an hour before bed, or a Sunday afternoon block. When it’s on the schedule, it’s no longer an “extra” where you have to make a decision. It’s a cherished part of your routine. It has become a reading habit.

The true secret to sticking with a reading goal is making reading feel natural and joyful—something that fits into your everyday rhythms, and not something forced. Every page you read is progress, every chapter is a win, and every finished book is a celebration.

Why not set your next goal today and find a little support in our Reading Nook community? You’ll be amazed at how quickly those pages add up when you’re not reading alone.