One of the most common New Year’s resolutions for young people is to read more. Here are five tips for meeting your reading goals in 2024!
1)Vary your book lengths
Many of us book lovers have, what is known in the reading community as, ‘big book fear’. Books with hundreds of pages of dense world-building can be extremely intimidating, and forcing your way through chapter after chapter can lead straight to burnout. So, instead of another 400-page epic fantasy, why not try a short and quick-paced thriller or a light rom-com? Trying shorter stories can speed up reading progress drastically.
2) Don’t be afraid to DNF
Not finishing a book is often frowned upon by readers. However, if you aren’t enjoying a book, forcing yourself to finish it is a one-way ticket to a reading slump. You aren’t going to love every book you read. If you don’t vibe with the writing style, the characters, or even the plot itself, it’s perfectly fine to put it down and pick up something else. This will ensure you are only dedicating your time to books you love.
3) Try different genres
Everyone has a go-to genre that they generally stick to. For some it may be fantasy, for others horror. However, if you are finding your reads stale and predictable, try switching genres. This changeup will introduce you to a whole new world of tropes, conventions, and plotlines. You might even feel refreshed and able to re-engage in your favourite genre, or you may find a new favourite instead.
4) Keep track of your progress
If you have a specific goal in mind, it might be a good idea to track your progress. You could use Good Reads, The StoryGraph, or your Notes app to record your reads with star ratings and reviews. This can be a great motivator as you can monitor your reading habits and look back on all your previous reads to see how far you have come.
5) Don’t put too much pressure on yourself
Reading is supposed to be fun. Don’t hold yourself to arbitrary goals if you aren’t enjoying yourself. Read whenever and whatever you like, as long as you are reading you will always be on track.
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