For years, I tried to read 50 books a year, but that became increasingly unrealistic as I got busy with school and work. Last year, I only made my reading goal 25 books, and that helped lower the pressure I put on myself. This has caused me to take a deeper look at the books I’m reading and even helped me realize that quality is better than quantity.
In 2025, I really slowed down, and I found so many more books that I loved because I took my time. Instead of cramming in multiple books a month, I allowed myself to read at my own pace—not the pace I felt like I should be reading at. In January of 2025, I read seven books, including The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni, King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo, and Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson. In October, I only read two books, and I found my favorite read from the year, If We Survive This by Racquel Marie. Some months I find a lot of good books, and others I only find one good book, but I know now that quality is always better than quantity.
Reading books and buying books are definitely two different hobbies, and I possess both. There’s a sort of hope found in buying books—the hope that it will be a new favorite, that it’ll provide a fanbase you can relate to. But as I add more books to my collection, my little library has grown, and there are now more books on my shelves that I haven’t read than books that I have. In 2026, I want to focus on my physical TBR, because my next favorite book might already be on my shelf.
For example, I put The Prison Healer trilogy by Lynette Noni off for a few years because I was too interested in buying new books instead of reading the ones I already owned. On a whim, I decided to pick up this series, and it ended up being my favorite series that I read in 2025. The third book in the series, The Blood Traitor, is one of only two of my five-star reads from the year, and I cannot believe how much time I spent ignoring that book. If you’re wondering whether or not to pick up that series that’s been sitting on your shelf for years, this is your sign to do it.
There are probably so many local bookstores near me that I don’t even know about, and this year I want to ensure that I find them. There are lots of things that local bookstores have to offer, and I love building a community with fellow bookish people.
Stacks Book Club, one of my favorite local bookstores, is such a great place to find new books, get a tasty drink, and even do homework. Stacks also hosts events, and I remember attending the Funny Story by Emily Henry release party. We played games and talked about the author and her other books, and I remember having so much fun gushing over Henry with people who felt the same way. If one bookstore can offer this experience, who’s to say that another one can’t? In 2026, I’m determined to find more local bookstores.
There are many times when I’ve finished reading a book and thought to myself: Why did I read that? Along with focusing on quality over quantity, I also want to give myself the grace to DNF books if I don’t like them. There’s no reason for me to finish a book that I don’t like, especially because reading is supposed to be a fun, pleasurable hobby.
While DNF-ing books isn’t always something that I want to do, it does help alleviate some of the pressure of my ever-growing TBR. If I don’t like a book, it’s really not that deep, and it’s okay if I decide to stop reading it. This also gives me the opportunity to give the book to someone else who may appreciate it more than I did. It doesn’t make you less of a reader just because you decide not to finish a book you hate.
When I was younger, I was always in the school library—it was my favorite place to be. Any opportunity for me to be in the library I took, and I miss that feeling. This year, I want to get a library card and start utilizing the libraries near me.
Some authors are an automatic buy for me, but others I’m more hesitant to buy from, especially if I’m not familiar with their work. I think that borrowing books from the library will help introduce me to new authors, and borrowing the book won’t feel like a stressful monetary commitment. I also think this is a great way for me to read the classics that I’ve been putting off (I’m looking at you, Emma by Jane Austen).
While I don’t want to ignore my physical TBR, I also don’t want to force myself to read books that I’m not interested in. I’m definitely a mood reader, and trying to create a strict monthly TBR only creates more stress. Keeping a book on my radar is one thing, but forcing myself to read it is another. I can create a monthly TBR, but my goal is to not be so strict about it. If I don’t get to the book, that’s okay. There will be other opportunities for me to read the book.
Finishing a book and realizing you didn’t read it at the right time is awful, and it’s incredible when you do read a book at the right time. I didn’t know what I wanted to read in November of last year, and I let my mood lead me towards I’ll Pretend You’re Mine by Tashie Bhuiyan, which ended up being one of my favorite reads from the year even though it was never on my TBR. In 2026, I’m letting my mood guide me in hopes that I find a new favorite book.
It’s important that I know what works and what doesn’t—what’s limiting me and what’s allowing me to grow. This year, I hope you also take the time to remember that reading is supposed to be fun, so you get what you want out of your experience!
Emersen Cooper, Pine Reads Review Writer and Editor