Reading Goals for 2026
Goals for books and their related ephemera
I absolutely adore this time of the year.
I thrive on reviewing the year that was - what worked, what didn’t, what I want to continue, what I am ready to leave behind.
I thrive on making plans and dreams, and over the years, I have become much more adept at being more and more realistic about said plans and dreams.
Read 52 books
This is the big overarching reading goal for the year. Last year, I aimed for 26. I thought one per fortnight seemed very realistic, and would not leave me feeling like a failure at the end of the year.
Well, by around July, I had to reset that goal, and in the end I read 63 books in 2025. So while starting with a goal of 52 books may sound like a low bar (and yes, I secretly hope I can beat last year’s total!), I am being S.M.A.R.T1 about this.
Track my reading
I started using Storygraph in late 2024, and continued using it all through 2025. Turns out I absolutely love tracking my reading in regards to titles read, books per month, and my ratings for each book. Do I keep on top of daily progress? Yes and no… for physical and audio books, I love seeing the percentage update. For ebooks, I get that feedback from my Kobo as I go, so I update it in Storygraph a lot less often.
Sub-goal: I also want to consistenly use my Instagram for tracking/sharing these types of things a bit more. Not at all in a book-tok way, and not replacing my Substack journalling, but in a “make a 2026 Reads highlight and update my Stories as I go” way. A lot of my friends read too, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed bonding over reads in our DMs, so I want to foster more of those conversations.
Do a buddy read with my sister
My sister is also a bookworm like me. While our core tastes in books differ a bit, there are some genres and authors we both enjoy, so we’ve agreed to choose (at least) one book this year to read at the same time together! What that shall be is still TBD, but I’m looking forward to it nonetheless.
Read my Barnes & Noble souvenir
My all-time favourite movie is the 1994 version of Little Women2. I saw it on TV when I was young and immediately begged for the VHS to have as my very own. My most-loved book as a child was an abridged children’s edition of Little Women with the most beautiful illustrations (and I still have it). My bestie upgraded me to the DVD version in the early 00s as a birthday present, which was played many, many times. And I would say I now average at least one rewatch a year.
As for the book itself? I have read the full book just once, and I think perhaps the sequel, Good Wives, too. At least, I have owned a copy of it for years! But none of the other sequels. I bought a beautiful edition of Little Women a few years ago when Penguin’s young readers imprint, Puffin, collaborated with Anna Bond from Rifle Paper Co. But have never read it…
And then over these past holidays, while we were in New York City for Christmas, I added to my collection again. My daughter and I went to a big Barnes & Noble to see US editions in the flesh (paper?) and I fell in love with this stunning edition from the Barnes & Noble Collectible Classics.
She’s so pretty! With gold foil edges and a matching gold ribbon, I’m very excited to add this one to my collection.
Oh, and I also have a jigsaw puzzle of a vintage book cover of Little Women where the box is shaped like a book… Yes, I am a little obsessed.
Except this time? I’m going to actually read it. This edition also includes Little Men and Jo’s Boys, so I’ll read those too. Which means that’s 3/52 books sorted! And if the vibes continue, I’ll read Good Wives too, but I’m not committing to that for sure.
Which perfectly leads me on to my first reading-related reading goal…
Upgrade my bookshelf
Currently, I have a small 3x3 cube shelf from Bunnings that is about 90cm square in total. In the past, I have culled as I’ve gone along. However, I now accept the fact that there are some books that I want to have physical copies of primarily so as to easily reread, but also as “trophies” - I only keep books I absolutely adore, and sometimes I’ll buy the physical copy after having read the ebook or from the library for this purpose.
This means that over the past couple of years, I have well and truly outgrown it - there’s only so many double rows I can do, and the piles on top of it are now getting ridiculous.
Which means it is time to upgrade to a proper bookshelf for my treasures! I have measured the space and will be keeping an eye out on Marketplace for the right piece. I love buying secondhand furniture because you can get quality, solid wood pieces that will not only last future moves well, but that deserve a second (or third!) life, and for such good prices. And if it’s real wood, you can also refinish them to suit your home and style!
Make a book nook
And what else should go on my pending bookshelf, but a book nook! I’ve seen so many delightful versions around, and I have not thought through what style or theme I would like to make, but one day, I will thoroughly enjoy the research and deciding process, and make a book nook. Open to suggestions on brands and Australian vendors if you have them!
Bible in a Year Club
My final reading goal for the year is very personal (for reasons I will possbily share more on later) - complete the Bible in a Year Club by Phylicia Masonheimer.
She is a lot more conservative than I am, which does make this an interesting choice. However I do greatly respect her openness and authenticity in teaching and discussing theology, and I know that she comes from a place of deep work and constant learning. Phylicia also makes it very clear that there are tiers of issues/beliefs in the Christian faith, and that the core, first-tier beliefs on salvation are what truly matters.
After a few turbulent years faith-wise, internally and externally, I am ready to rebuild my faith foundation. The accountability of being part of the community in this online course feels like the right place to start, and the ethos of “start where we are” encourages us to let go of perfectionism and stay on track with the day’s reading, not letting a few missed days get you down. What a safe place to be!
I also adore the fact Phylicia greatly encourages you to learn however best you do so - whether that’s reading or listening or writing or doodling. I know that I will need a mix of reading and listening3 depending on the day and the passage, and also a mix of creative journalling and deeper study times to keep me staying engaged in what I’m learning.
Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-Bound
The 2019 version by Greta Gerwig is lovely, but the 1994 will always have my heart. However, Beth’s storyline makes me sob in either version.
I have discovered the Streetlights app, which is a dynamic audio version with different narrators reading over an urban beats soundtrack. It scratches my brain in all the right ways!