Jeremy, this was a banner year for me, not in numbers but in the maturation of my reading habits. I began to really understand what appealed to me and what didn't. I gave myself permission to DNF quite a few books, which is new for me. I also spent a lot more time with non-fiction than I have in the past. My book journaling kicked up a notch as well.
Of course, I also found that writing about books and talking about them with others is a great joy, one I look forward to continuing in the coming year.
Ben, thanks for the question. I primarily use analog systems, i.e. journals and commonplace books. I have a fairly detailed system that I have developed over time and which has been written about in depth in other places. I will share a couple of those articles with you and then please reach out if you have questions. I am always glad to chat about this stuff with other readers.
As of last night I made it to 48 books. The goal is always 60 but it’s all gravy. This year I decided to take my physical health more seriously and as such , more walks less reading. I think in November and December I found a good balance of it.
Love it, thanks for sharing that! As with anything, finding the right balance is really the key. There can certainly be *too* much reading and obsession with book counts.
Pre election more than my share of historical fiction and Robert Reich, Tim Synder (every single word he has ever written). The year of reading well. Then Post election historical fiction all related to eastern Europe and contemporary mysterries ( pure escape) to get me throught the reality of the times. Returning to non fiction political analysis on February 1, 2025.
Happy New Year to you and your family Jeremy. I very much appreciate your emails and have often used your reviews to guide me in book gifting for my wife and friends who read much more than I do. So thank you for all you put out there.
For me, 2024 was a good year of getting back on the horse of semi-regular reading, which is my typical. I'm a slow reader and I found that 2024 was a good year in the sense of setting aside time at the end of the day to read, if only for 20 minutes. I didn't do this every day, nor every week, but I did do it more often than 2023 so I count that as a win. Turning off the TV 30 minutes early versus watching that next episode often was the distinguishing factor in whether or not my wife and I would read before bed.
I also reinforced that having an achievable reading goal in mind helped ensure that when I finished one book I would pick up another. My goal was 10 books and I managed to exceed it this year. Next year I think I'll aim for 12. Also knowing a handful of books that I wanted to read helped in this so that I wasn't wondering what book to pick up next. This especially helped whenever I finished a series or standalone novel and didn't know what I wanted to read. Just having a book on my list and usually on my shelf kept me reading.
I just finished a big review of my 2024 reading and I am in a similar boat.
I get pitched a ton of books and I often buy the ones that sound interesting. But by the time I make it that far down my TBR stack I've lost track of how I met that book and why I want to read it.
So... I am trying to apply a little more intent to what I read. I am going to make notes for how I met the book, and why I want to read it. I read 110 books in 2023 and it felt pretty random. I also didn't get to a ton of books by authors I love because I was reading too many random ones.
I hear ya! It's definitely a tough balance. I'll say "yes" to too many books pitched to me, then, like you, I'll get far enough down my stack to actually read it and I'm no longer interested. I made good strides in '24, but I think it can be even better in '25.
One thing that has helped me is to keep a simple Google Sheet of my TBR. I track title, author, and notes. In the notes section I put who recommended it to me or the genre or whatever else I might need.
I tend to be a pretty analog type of person but the TBR is the one thing I keep online.
"I’ve found that reading is way more enjoyable for me than even watching a movie or series." --> I definitely agree with this! And it's a big part of my answer when folks ask how I read so much. I'd just rather read than do much else. :)
I had a great reading year! I added a book to my all-time favorites (Loved and Missed by Susie Boyt), discovered a contemporary author I love (Rufi Thorpe), read some great non-fiction by Patrick Radden Keefe & Ben McIntyre, and tackled some classics I've been meaning to (Madame Bovary). I feel like I'm getting into a good rhythm with the amount of books I read as well as getting better at picking books that will work for me.
My reading year has been incredibly rewarding. I've discovered many authors I want to follow, better understood what I like, and consolidated my reading habit. I enjoyed many contemporary authors. For 2025, I'd like to read more classics (in combination with contemporary literature, which I enjoy), in different languages, read yo learn, and join a book club. I'll set a goal of 52 books per year (this year I accomplished the goal in June) but numbers are far less important than the overall experience for me.
This year was marked by abrupt life changes -- some by choice, others beyond my control. Throughout reading was a constant and I've reveled in reading promiscuously; rereading old favorites, discovering new poets and essayists. A good reading year, if otherwise a difficult year. Reflecting happily on a new year of reading promiscuously.
My reading habits are quite bizarre! I listen to audio books while out walking - contemporary titles with twisting plot lines - then have one or two books for pre-bedtime reading on the nightstand, plus something non-fiction next to the sofa to peruse as my husband scrolls through TV channels after dinner! I’m also occupied with my own writing, and all of these books fill my mind with a million ways to move my characters through their stories. Your suggestions are helpful, though the Dickens trend was a bit of a downer over the holiday season. Reading your blogs has been an encouraging addition to the mix. Happy New Year!
If you like reading ,nothing can stand in your way for doing it...ni les socials ,ni la TV, ni les amis qui t'invitent les rejoindre au bar..faut juste un environnement propice à la lecture ,du calme,un jardin ,une bibliothèque, comme cicero disait il y a très longtemps ,et l'habitude!!!
Lire s'est une habitude de tous les jours depuis l'enfance
Ce ne sont pas les éditeurs et publicitaires qui m'influencent mais d'auteur en auteur ,au " fil de l'eau " ,sur les " épaules de géants du passé " se construit le choix de livres du présent
Il n y a pas d'objectif style "nombre livres/jours mais une habitude de lire quelques chose tous les jours,
dès fois plus de temps ,dès fois moins ,sans chronomètre !
This was a great year for me! I had set a reading goal of 20 and exceeded it by 1 or 2. I’ve been slowly increasing my reading goals over the past few years and it’s been fun to keep hitting them as I increase. I also joined a local book club, found some fun new ones online for 2025, and re-engaged with my local library for the first time in years and years which has saved me a lot of money and been a surprisingly enjoyable experience. My favorite book of the year: The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd. Here’s to 2025!
Joining a book club is very rewarding! In my experience, even when those books aren't your favorite, the discussions are always memorable and enjoyable. Cheers to '25!
I read fewer books this year than in past years because I've become too attached to scrolling on the phone. And yet my mind is so much more calm when I read books, especially the classics (generally, modern fiction leaves me dissatisfied with a few exceptions such as this year's Go as a River, by Shelley Read), so I'm moving toward limiting time on my phone. In 2024, however, I finished Les Mis, and listened to all 42 hours of The Count of Monte Cristo (such a great story!), and wildly enjoyed Hampton Sides' The Wide Wide Sea. I have begun re-reading The Chronicles of Narnia (favorite series), and am starting on Middlemarch today. Looking to 2025 to be a better, more satisfying reading year.
Jeremy, this was a banner year for me, not in numbers but in the maturation of my reading habits. I began to really understand what appealed to me and what didn't. I gave myself permission to DNF quite a few books, which is new for me. I also spent a lot more time with non-fiction than I have in the past. My book journaling kicked up a notch as well.
Of course, I also found that writing about books and talking about them with others is a great joy, one I look forward to continuing in the coming year.
I love following along with your writing, Matthew! I too have found that writing about books helps encode them much deeper in my memory.
Nice, how do you journel them btw? Blog? Phone note? Tracker? Substack?
Ben, thanks for the question. I primarily use analog systems, i.e. journals and commonplace books. I have a fairly detailed system that I have developed over time and which has been written about in depth in other places. I will share a couple of those articles with you and then please reach out if you have questions. I am always glad to chat about this stuff with other readers.
https://matthewmlong.substack.com/p/a-philosophy-of-self-education
https://matthewmlong.substack.com/cp/153762161
As of last night I made it to 48 books. The goal is always 60 but it’s all gravy. This year I decided to take my physical health more seriously and as such , more walks less reading. I think in November and December I found a good balance of it.
Love it, thanks for sharing that! As with anything, finding the right balance is really the key. There can certainly be *too* much reading and obsession with book counts.
Pre election more than my share of historical fiction and Robert Reich, Tim Synder (every single word he has ever written). The year of reading well. Then Post election historical fiction all related to eastern Europe and contemporary mysterries ( pure escape) to get me throught the reality of the times. Returning to non fiction political analysis on February 1, 2025.
Great plan, Elizabeth! I find myself drawn to more psychology and sociology this post-election.
Happy New Year to you and your family Jeremy. I very much appreciate your emails and have often used your reviews to guide me in book gifting for my wife and friends who read much more than I do. So thank you for all you put out there.
For me, 2024 was a good year of getting back on the horse of semi-regular reading, which is my typical. I'm a slow reader and I found that 2024 was a good year in the sense of setting aside time at the end of the day to read, if only for 20 minutes. I didn't do this every day, nor every week, but I did do it more often than 2023 so I count that as a win. Turning off the TV 30 minutes early versus watching that next episode often was the distinguishing factor in whether or not my wife and I would read before bed.
I also reinforced that having an achievable reading goal in mind helped ensure that when I finished one book I would pick up another. My goal was 10 books and I managed to exceed it this year. Next year I think I'll aim for 12. Also knowing a handful of books that I wanted to read helped in this so that I wasn't wondering what book to pick up next. This especially helped whenever I finished a series or standalone novel and didn't know what I wanted to read. Just having a book on my list and usually on my shelf kept me reading.
Thanks for the kind words, Chase!
Love your approach and your manageable goals — we tend to get in trouble when we aim *too* high and try to force ourselves into success.
Best of luck here in '25!
I just finished a big review of my 2024 reading and I am in a similar boat.
I get pitched a ton of books and I often buy the ones that sound interesting. But by the time I make it that far down my TBR stack I've lost track of how I met that book and why I want to read it.
So... I am trying to apply a little more intent to what I read. I am going to make notes for how I met the book, and why I want to read it. I read 110 books in 2023 and it felt pretty random. I also didn't get to a ton of books by authors I love because I was reading too many random ones.
I hear ya! It's definitely a tough balance. I'll say "yes" to too many books pitched to me, then, like you, I'll get far enough down my stack to actually read it and I'm no longer interested. I made good strides in '24, but I think it can be even better in '25.
One thing that has helped me is to keep a simple Google Sheet of my TBR. I track title, author, and notes. In the notes section I put who recommended it to me or the genre or whatever else I might need.
I tend to be a pretty analog type of person but the TBR is the one thing I keep online.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vSTzSak4n3b4YNIF1-bN4PpAkLovoMiRa-DQmCsVsCE1R_vVpy2YkdLyMDHtRML37Rg0-b4eidmlzXA/pubhtml#
I also make heavy use of Google sheets for my tracking. :)
What columns do you use?
I love this! I log what i read but i need to do my TBR pile in a similar way :)
Thx for sharing!
It was a good year for reading. Had a few DNFs (life is too short to keep reading something you don’t like) but had a few ones that I really liked.
I’ve found that reading is way more enjoyable for me than even watching a movie or series. Here’s to more in the year ahead. Happy reading all.
"I’ve found that reading is way more enjoyable for me than even watching a movie or series." --> I definitely agree with this! And it's a big part of my answer when folks ask how I read so much. I'd just rather read than do much else. :)
I had a great reading year! I added a book to my all-time favorites (Loved and Missed by Susie Boyt), discovered a contemporary author I love (Rufi Thorpe), read some great non-fiction by Patrick Radden Keefe & Ben McIntyre, and tackled some classics I've been meaning to (Madame Bovary). I feel like I'm getting into a good rhythm with the amount of books I read as well as getting better at picking books that will work for me.
Wonderful! Thanks for sharing that, Lauren. I've not heard of Susie Boyt, but now I'm sure curious!
My reading year has been incredibly rewarding. I've discovered many authors I want to follow, better understood what I like, and consolidated my reading habit. I enjoyed many contemporary authors. For 2025, I'd like to read more classics (in combination with contemporary literature, which I enjoy), in different languages, read yo learn, and join a book club. I'll set a goal of 52 books per year (this year I accomplished the goal in June) but numbers are far less important than the overall experience for me.
Wonderful, thanks for sharing Agnese! Here's to another great year of reading!
This year was marked by abrupt life changes -- some by choice, others beyond my control. Throughout reading was a constant and I've reveled in reading promiscuously; rereading old favorites, discovering new poets and essayists. A good reading year, if otherwise a difficult year. Reflecting happily on a new year of reading promiscuously.
I love hearing that reading is a constant in your life. I can certainly relate to that! Happy new year, Michelle!
I always read regardless of my mood. Read about a book a week this year - fiction and non fiction
Wonderful, here's to keeping it up! Thanks Irene!
My reading habits are quite bizarre! I listen to audio books while out walking - contemporary titles with twisting plot lines - then have one or two books for pre-bedtime reading on the nightstand, plus something non-fiction next to the sofa to peruse as my husband scrolls through TV channels after dinner! I’m also occupied with my own writing, and all of these books fill my mind with a million ways to move my characters through their stories. Your suggestions are helpful, though the Dickens trend was a bit of a downer over the holiday season. Reading your blogs has been an encouraging addition to the mix. Happy New Year!
Oh, I don't think your routine is too bizarre. :) I listen to audiobooks on walks as well and also keep piles of books around the house for perusing.
Happy New Year to you as well Beth!
If you like reading ,nothing can stand in your way for doing it...ni les socials ,ni la TV, ni les amis qui t'invitent les rejoindre au bar..faut juste un environnement propice à la lecture ,du calme,un jardin ,une bibliothèque, comme cicero disait il y a très longtemps ,et l'habitude!!!
Lire s'est une habitude de tous les jours depuis l'enfance
Ce ne sont pas les éditeurs et publicitaires qui m'influencent mais d'auteur en auteur ,au " fil de l'eau " ,sur les " épaules de géants du passé " se construit le choix de livres du présent
Il n y a pas d'objectif style "nombre livres/jours mais une habitude de lire quelques chose tous les jours,
dès fois plus de temps ,dès fois moins ,sans chronomètre !
You're welcome, Jeremy. Honestly, my New Year holidays are in March and early April.
This was a great year for me! I had set a reading goal of 20 and exceeded it by 1 or 2. I’ve been slowly increasing my reading goals over the past few years and it’s been fun to keep hitting them as I increase. I also joined a local book club, found some fun new ones online for 2025, and re-engaged with my local library for the first time in years and years which has saved me a lot of money and been a surprisingly enjoyable experience. My favorite book of the year: The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd. Here’s to 2025!
Joining a book club is very rewarding! In my experience, even when those books aren't your favorite, the discussions are always memorable and enjoyable. Cheers to '25!
I read fewer books this year than in past years because I've become too attached to scrolling on the phone. And yet my mind is so much more calm when I read books, especially the classics (generally, modern fiction leaves me dissatisfied with a few exceptions such as this year's Go as a River, by Shelley Read), so I'm moving toward limiting time on my phone. In 2024, however, I finished Les Mis, and listened to all 42 hours of The Count of Monte Cristo (such a great story!), and wildly enjoyed Hampton Sides' The Wide Wide Sea. I have begun re-reading The Chronicles of Narnia (favorite series), and am starting on Middlemarch today. Looking to 2025 to be a better, more satisfying reading year.
Les and Monte Cristo! Incredible accomplishment! A couple of terrific classics there. Good luck with Middlemarch — it's equally rewarding!