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Let’s Talk Bookish | Why I Don’t Set Reading Goals

So, if you’ve been keeping up with my monthly wrap ups, you may be aware that I am currently in the worst reading slump I’ve ever experienced. Like, it’s bad, y’all, I haven’t finished a book since September 2021…Y I K E S !

Aaaaand, on a tangentially related note, if you’ve been around my blog for a while, you may also know that I have always had a strict “NO READING GOALS FOR ME!” policy that I follow. (and boy am I sure glad I have that policy now that I’m in this slump—but we’ll get to that later!) Like, sure, I’ll set a Goodreads goal but that’s only so I can see stats at the end of the year and nothing more.

Anyhoo, because this is the case I figured I’d take this past week’s “Let’s Talk Bookish” prompt and use it to delve into the reasons why I personally don’t do reading challenges. So let’s dive in!


How are you doing on your reading goals so far this year?

Did you set any reading goals for yourself at the beginning of the year? If so, how are you doing with them? Any you’ve already met? Are there any goals you want to add? Did you set any blogging goals? If so, how are you doing with those?


the pros & cons of reading goals

pro

🙂 you might find it motivating

Sometimes you need an extra push to get reading, and for some people reading goals are the perfect way to do that! Whether you’re competing with others or just competing with yourself, the thrill of getting to check another book off the list can make reading goals an effective motivator for some.

con

🙃 you might find it stressful

Maybe you’re a perfectionist and hate the thought of failing to reach your goals. Maybe you don’t like commitment. Maybe you just don’t have the time. Whatever it may be, there are a number of reasons why reading goals can be stressful for some people.

pro

🙂 it might help you diversify your reading

Pushing yourself to read more can spur a lot of great things. The more you read, the more likely you are to come across a book (or a few) that are unlike the others you’ve read in some way. This may lead to you branching out and/or diversifying your book choice in a myriad of ways.

con

🙃 you might end up focusing on quantity over quality

There is always the risk that if you’re looking to pack a certain number of books in during a set period of time, you might become a tad “sloppy” (for lack of a better word) when it comes to choosing books you’d really enjoy. Having less time to organically choose a book can lead to you to pick up more books you won’t enjoy, simply because they’d be another book to check off the list.

why i don’t set reading goals

Okay, okay, so ya caught me: I’m a Sagittarius, an ENFP, and an Enneagram Seven (Wing Six). And true to those archetypes, I’m not exactly known for my consistency and commitment. (honestly even I’m amazed that I’ve managed to commit to book blogging for eight whole years now!) Honestly, the thought of committing to a certain goal (no matter how big or small)? It stresses me out, like, big time. And that sucks the fun out of reading for me.

There’s also the fact that setting a reading goal feels like it turns a fun activity into a chore akin to school required reading. And for a mood reader such as myself, that really kills the vibe.

Finally, I struggle a lot with perfectionism and anxiety, which makes reading goals feel like what I imagine it must be like inside a pressure cooker. With reading goals I get so caught up in “competing with myself” that I forget to have fun.

Above all, for me reading is a hobby. I want it to be a fun, relaxing, no-pressure, no-stress activity. I want it to be an escape, a refuge. And for me, reading goals make that difficult. 

So, friends, those are my thoughts on reading goals. Whether you set reading goals or not, remember that there’s no “right” way to be a reader. You’re a reader if you set reading goals and you’re a reader if you don’t. Until next time, dear friends…

spill the beans, friends

  • Do you set reading goals?
  • Why or why not?

Learn more the author of this post:

Lila @ Hardcover Haven
Lila is a twenty-something physics student and lover of literature who's been book blogging for an eternity. Her hobbies include reading, singing, writing, arts and crafts, and snuggling her two cats, Snoopy and Clementine.

6 comments on “Let’s Talk Bookish | Why I Don’t Set Reading Goals

  1. Nice post. I like how you explain your feelings. I agree that goals are not for everyone. I’m laid back enough that I don’t feel bad if I don’t make a goal, so I probably shouldn’t make them in the first place!

  2. I do set reading goals, mostly because I like to track the books I’ve read on Goodreads. But I can totally understand not tracking because it can make reading feel like a chore, and when that happens, it’s not worth it. Great post!

  3. As a fellow anxiety ridden perfectionist + Sagittarius … this post has really made me rethink setting reading goals for next year! Hope you get out of your slump soon, and hope you’re doing well, Lila! x

  4. I don’t set reading goals because it takes away the fun. Also, it will bound me.
    I want to enjoy book with a peaceful mind. I read at morning and sometimes I miss it if I don’t have peace. I like to read as much as I can without noise or interruption. I don’t start lengthy capter if I don’t have sufficient time.

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