Here’s How To Hit Your Reading Goal In 2025

There’s abundant evidence that reading is good for you, from boosting mental cognition to improving sleep. One of the largest barriers to sitting down and cracking the spine of a fresh book? Time. (And those pesky social media distractions that suck up all of our spare minutes.) Whether you rarely read and want to make a change or you’re an avid reader looking to hit your reading goal before the end of the year (or set an ambitious target for 2025), here are seven tips from our expert book curation friends at Ultimate Library.

How To Read More: 7 Tips

Riverstone Living Library: a dedicated library at Riverstone Kensington, filled with books in over 20 genres to entertain and inspire retirement residents. (© Nick Rochowski and Hannah Franklin)

1. Set A Realistic Goal

Now let’s not get ahead of ourselves… If you’re returning to reading after a hiatus, or even if you’re an avid reader already, setting a realistic goal is the first step to accomplishment. Try not to compare yourself to others when you do this, and instead set a goal based on the time you have and the amount you read already. Newbies should start with one book per month – 12 per year – or set a goal based on the number of pages. If you think you can manage more than that, nudge the goal higher.

As the team at Ultimate Library say: ‘Opening a 500-page novel can feel daunting, but remember the saying: “There’s only one way to eat an elephant: one bite at a time.” Break it down and aim to read 30 pages a day. Before you know it, you’ll easily be devouring tomes, like Frank Herbert’s Dune.’

2. Start Small

Speaking of daunting books and pages: start small. ‘Novellas and short stories are perfect for further breaking down your reading goals,’ the Ultimate Library team shares. ‘Often short enough to be enjoyed over a single cup of coffee, the medium stretches the author’s imagination and leads to some of their most potent works. Plus, they’re light so can easily fit in a coat pocket or handbag!’

3. Build A ‘To Be Read’ Pile

Also known as a TBR among bookworms, a ‘to be read’ list is a great way to gather books you’re keen to experience – and always have your next read to hand. ‘Explore your favourite bookstores, get inspired by bookstagram accounts, and write down recommendations from friends and family,’ the Ultimate Library team recommends. ‘Having a TBR list ready ensures that once you finish one book, you’re never stuck in the “just finished the best book ever” blues.’

If a written list or note on your phone doesn’t feel sufficient, try apps like Goodreads and Storygraph, where you can shelve books as TBR, as well as track the books you’ve finished. 

4. Don’t Be A Book Snob

Shake off your prejudices as to the type of reader you want to be. ‘Don’t feel pressured to read only “serious” books!’ the Ultimate Library team shares. ‘Whether it’s a Booker Prize contender or a Jilly Cooper novel, read what genuinely entertains you.’

5. Create A Reading Routine

Time to put your reading into practice. The best first step to achieving your reading goal? Finding a routine. 

‘Find a time that works best for you, whether it’s the first hour of the day, your commute, or winding down before bed,’ Ultimate Library recommends. ‘Prioritising reading time in your daily routine helps make it a consistent, enjoyable habit.’

6. Drop What Doesn’t Spark Joy

Controversial in the book community, but it’s OK to stop trying with a book that just isn’t capturing your attention. ‘If a book isn’t gripping you, put it down,’ the Ultimate Library team recommends. ‘With millions of books out there, don’t waste time on something that doesn’t click and becomes an obstacle to maintaining your reading streak. Note what you didn’t like and use that insight to choose your next read.’

7. Join A Book Club – Or Start Your Own!

If you’re looking for a community to spur your motivation, pin down a reading group. ‘Whether it’s a wine-filled discussion group or a simple book-themed group chat, it doesn’t need to be a highbrow analysis of form and language, but an opportunity to share your reading journey with others,’ says the Ultimate Library team.