I failed my reading challenge in 2024. I read 32 of 48 books. I read 56 books in 2023 and challenged myself, and 25 books in 2022. I think I have found my sweet spot: 36 books a year, which is three books a month. I like a challenge, so I always have a stretch goal. I hope to surprise myself!
But, I feel it is not about the number of books you read. It’s about the discipline and the routine to find time, to read, everyday. Even if it is 10 mins a day.
If you are thinking of forming a good habit in 2025, start reading. I wrote about my mindset, strategies, challenges, apps, and tools on How to Read 24 or More Books in a Year. Create a reading list, set a reading challenge, read every day, and track your progress. You will thank yourself later.
Be friends with me on Goodreads; we can share our reading lists and be each others’ accountability partners.
[My 2024 books]
Excuses we give ourselves
I have been there, so don’t sweat it. It took me some while to get into a routine and set away some time for reading. I have been struggling with getting into a discipline with my guitar practice. It takes time and a conscious effort to get into a routine. So, don’t give up.
Some of my excuses:
- I don’t have time
- We all have time. Its just that we don’t have the time set to read. You just have block some time. 10 mins, everyday. Same time. Put it in your calendar or set a reminder.
- I am too busy
- We are all busy. Life happens. We have to find time for things we live to do. Develop love for books and reading
- Where do I find books?
- Your can borrow from your nearest library. You can read audio books on Libby or Audible. You can buy books at Amazon, ThriftBooks or at your local bookstore.
- What should I read?
- Ask the librarian and they will guide you.
- Follow people on Goodreads. Check out their reading lists
- Check out Ryan Holiday’s book list email newsletter
- Check out Tim Ferris’ book list on his Fri newsletter
- Talk to friends and ask what they read
- Pick a combination of genres - fiction and non-fiction
- I have no motivation
- Motivation helps drive a habit.
- Love for reading will come from reading books that motivate you
- For people like me who like challenges, a reading challenge could be your motivation.
- I will start next week
- Procrastination is real, but small milestones for a bigger goal can be a solution
- Make your milestone to complete 5 pages or a chapter or 5% of an audiobook. In no time you will have finished the book
- Just start getting a book today, followed by reading 5 pages. Just do it.
Being curious
- To be able to develop a reading habit, we have to be curious. We need some inspiration to develop a love for reading
- Pick a topic or subject that you know nothing about
- Find a book to read. Start with a small book and a relatively easier read
- Find books by authors that you loved in the past
Routine
- Develop a daily reading routine
- Set aside 10 mins to read, everyday
- Track your progress
- Pick a time of day or night, when you don’t have to fight with competing tasks or chores
- Stick to the routine. If you miss a day, pick up the next day
I hope you develop the love for reading this coming new year. If you already read, read some more. Challenge yourself. Write reviews and take notes of books you read. Share it with others. It is a lot of fun.
Reading List
2024 📖: Reading Challenge | My Year in Books
📖 Here are the books I read in 2024:
- Dare to Lead by Brene Brown
- All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten by Robert Fulghum
- Meditations: A New Translation by Marcus Aurelius (Translation by Gregory Hays)
- Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Héctor García, Francesc Miralles
- Badass Habits: Cultivate the Awareness, Boundaries, and Daily Upgrades You Need to Make Them Stick by Jen Sincero
- Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life…And Maybe the World by William H. McRaven
- Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life by Arnold Schwarzenegger
- The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin
- Right Thing, Right Now: Justice in an Unjust World by Ryan Holiday
- 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos by Jordan B. Peterson
- The Wisdom of the Bullfrog: Leadership Made Simple (But Not Easy) by William H. McRaven
- Level Up: How to Get Focused, Stop Procrastinating, and Upgrade Your Life by Rob Dial
- Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda
- David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants by Malcolm Gladwell
- The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph by Ryan Holiday
- Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection by Charles Duhigg
- The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself by Michael A. Singer
- Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert B. Cialdini
- The 12-Week MBA: Learn the Skills You Need to Lead in Business Today by Bjorn Billhardt, Nathan Kracklauer
- Read to Lead by Jeff Brown, Jesse Wisnewski
- Clear Thinking: Turning Ordinary Moments into Extraordinary Results by Shane Parrish
- Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things by Adam M. Grant
- Amazon Unbound: Jeff Bezos and the Invention of a Global Empire by Brad Stone
- 1984 by George Orwell
- Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
- The More of Less: Finding the Life You Want Under Everything You Own by Joshua Becker
- The Perfection Trap: Embracing the Power of Good Enough by Thomas Curran
- Die with Zero: Getting All You Can from Your Money and Your Life by Bill Perkins
- Getting There: A Book of Mentors by Gillian Zoe Segal
- The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
- Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson
- The Genius Zone: The Breakthrough Process to End Negative Thinking and Live in True Creativity by Gay Hendricks
Disclosure: Affiliate links buy me a cup of coffee, and it doesn’t cost you anything…
What would it take you to go from reading zero to one book per month? Or read one more book per month?
I would love to hear from you if you read or liked any of the books and your opinions. I would also like to hear about the books you read so I can be inspired by your reading list.
I would be interested to know what you read, so put it in the comments below. You can also follow me or be friends with me on Goodreads.
Happy reading! Happy Holidays 🎊 and a Happy New Year! 🎆 See you in 2025.
If you have questions or feedback, please let me know in the comments below.