The Book Wench

It’s almost June, which means we are quickly closing in on the half-way mark of 2026. I don’t know about you guys, but I have been eyeing my Goodreads 2026 reading goal extra hard over the last week or so. While I normally keep my goal at a safe 50 or even 75, I aimed high (for me) and made my goal 100.

I know that’s nothing compared to a lot of you who read upwards of 150-200 a year, but for me, it’s a lot, especially since my concentration has suffered greatly over the last couple of years (my ADHD meds only help so much).

Ironically, I was actually ahead of pace while working on school, despite being so bogged down with assignments. But since I graduated a couple of weeks ago, I had SEVERELY slowed down. So much so in fact that I went from 4 books ahead of pace to just on target, which I’m pretty disappointed with.

I am currently in the middle of four books (one of which being This Inevitable Ruin, book 7 of the Dungeon Crawler Carl series) and I really hope to finish one or two over the next day or two so that I can get back ahead.

Now, I know it should be about the reading itself and the quality of the books. Trust me, I know. But I also own SOOOOOOOO many books that I know I won’t finish them all before I die. But if I read at least 100 books a year, and ensure that a majority are books that I already own, then I can get through a massive chunk of them before I go.

So how do you make the most of your time so that you can read on your goal? I’ll be honest, now that I’m done with school and waiting until June to start applying to jobs, I have had a TON of free time. But, as I mentioned, my brain spaces out a lot and sometimes the only thing I can focus on is video games or sleep. It’s terrible, I know, but my brain feels like it has been wrung out like a spung and reading can get overwhelming.

So, to that effect, I have been thinking of ways that I can better integrate reading into my day that will still be viable after I start working again.

Step One: Bring a book/Kindle/audiobook app everywhere. I hate purses but I wear mini backpacks now so that I can ensure that I can fit a small book and/or my Kindle in it. That way if I’m waiting at the doctor’s office or waiting for a friend to show up at the cafe, then I can get some reading in.

Step Two: Put away the phone. My cell phone is essentially attached to my hand these days (it’s a problem, I know) and it is, without a doubt, the biggest reason that I have such trouble concentrating on reading. I am constantly wanting to either look something up or check my socials or doomscroll on Tiktok (which is ironic because I follow so many Booktok pages and authors). For example, I have probably checked my phone at least five times while writing this post. I live in shame. So my goal for the next six months is to start to break myself of the habit of constantly reaching for my phone while I read UNLESS it is to respond to something urgent or to pause/unpause an audiobook. We’ll see how I do.

Step Three: Carve out time that is solely for reading. For me, reading before bed can be a double-edged sword. On one hand it can relax me, make me ready for sleep and cozy and comfortable. On the other hand, I may reach a point in a book that is so compelling that I cannot put the book away and I end up staying up all night reading and my schedule is DESTROYED. There is no in between. So I have to be careful. But I am a gamer on an MMORPG so I have events most evenings with guildmates and then prior to that I have other things I have to do (mostly chores right now, but soon it will be work), so at night before bed is really my only option. So I am going to try an designate at least two hours a night before bed that is solely for reading. And if I am too close to a climax in one book, I’ll just opt to read another one of the books that I’m working on since I am always in the middle of multiple books.

Step Four: Now this one is niche and not gonna be helpful to everyone. But my goal is to get a job that requires me to read. Maybe not while actively at work, unless on a break, but at least in general. I will be looking at the local library branches and bookstores for job. both of which will want me to read so that I can better assist patrons/customers. Maybe, then, they’ll be lenient on my reading on break.

Step Five: Encourage my mind to be more receptive to reading again. This will kinda go along with Step Two as putting the phone down more is going to be a major component. But so will rest. I will work on getting better, more restful sleep, drink more water (but still get my daily dose of caffeine to help the ADHD meds work better), and eat better. A healthy body helps make a healthy mind which can only help my reading.

Step Six: This will seem a little counterintuitive for the point of the post at first but I am going to opt to focus on quality over quantity. This means being mindful of what I’m going to read and not just choosing willy nilly. I will read only what I am in the mood for when I am in the mood for it, otherwise I will be pushing myself too much and struggling. I won’t pick up books just because they are popular or a new release for the sake of the blog. Yes, I will always have the blog in mind when I read, but I’m not going to pick up a book in a genre or with a premise that I am not interested in. It’s going to be about what my brain wants and is ready for. If you try to push something uninteresting or something you’re not in the mood for onto yourself then you are going to struggle and hem and haw over every moment of reading.

Step Seven: This one will go with Step Six: Be okay with DNFing books. Normally I struggle with the decision to DNF a book because of a variety of reasons. I’m obstinate. Books are expensive. I get serious FOMO. But I am going to encourage myself to DNF if the book just isn’t cutting it for me. Better that than to struggle for months on one book

That’s what I have so far. I don’t want to keep you guys from reading books too much longer with the post.

I really hope that the steps help in getting me to my goal. What are some things that you guys do to help encourage yourselves to reach your yearly reading goal? What is your goal and where are you at now?