My reading goal for this year is to read 23 books.
Yes, I chose 23 because it’s 2023…how did you know?! It’s funny because it’s true, haha! I struggled so much just to choose a number. For the most part, because I’m usually feel defeated at the end of the year when I realize I haven’t met my goal. The fact is, I haven’t taken it very seriously in recent years – otherwise, I think I could have made it happen. They were very rational. For example, I picked 12 books for the past two years. Sounds easy, right? Just one book a month. And now, here I am choosing 23!
I have a plan for this year though!
I thought it might make me more likely to read this many books if I actually named which ones I was going to read, taking the guesswork out of it, and then I can sort of do a timing thing. Plus, sharing it with all of you helps keep me accountable and maybe we can even read some of these together! I’ve already read two this month (that should have been read last month, but here we are, haha!). So I’ll list those at the top just to make things simple.
- Things That Matter by Joshua Becker *Finished Reading
- Book Lovers by Emily Henry *Finished Reading
- Without Merit by Colleen Hoover *Currently Reading
- Hopeless by Colleen Hoover *Finished Reading
- It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover *Finished Reading
- The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron (thanks to Allie from Allie NYC for this recommendation!)
- Delilah Recovered by Amelia Estelle Dellos (thanks Kathrine from Kathrine Eldridge for sharing this!)
- Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty
- The Midnight Library by Matt Haig *Finished Reading
- She Means Business by Carrie Green
- Everything Is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo*Currently Reading
- The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman
- Normal People by Sally Rooney
- Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid (thanks Carrie from Curly Crafty Mom for this one!) *Finished Reading
- Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren (thanks to my dear friend Autumn for this author rec!)
- How to Stop Time by Matt Haig (thanks to Kristen from Kristen Woolsey for recommending!)
- Beach Read by Emily Henry (thanks Mica from Away From The Blue for this author recommendation!)
- The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley (thanks to Julia from The Velvet Runway!) *Finished Reading
- It Starts With Us by Colleen Hoover *Finished Reading
- Confess by Colleen Hoover *Finished Reading
- The Silent Woman by Minka Kent *Finished Reading
- The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid *Finished Reading
- Losing Hope by Colleen Hoover (I didn’t realize Hopeless was a series, so I’m going to finish it out this year, this is the second book!) *Finished Reading
Please help me fill my list with some goodies this year, friends! Jot down any book recommendations you have for my reading goal, or what you’re currently reading, down in the comments and I’ll look into each one and start adding to my list! I will update this page as I start adding books, by the way!
Love how you are making your self accountable! Great list. The Artist’s Way is amazing. I love anything by Richard Rohr but Everything Belongs is my absolute fave if you are looking for more to read. Another great read that’s fast but so nourishing is a A Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh. Happy reading Ashley!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Aww, thank you Kathrine! I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed The Artist’s Way, I’m really looking forward to reading that one. 🙂 Thank you tons for these suggestions, I will look into those ASAP!
omgosh thanks for including Delilah Recovered on your list!!!i’ll repost on my socials !!!❤️❤️❤️📚📚📚📚
You are more than welcome, Amelia! I am SO honored that you stopped by and commented, that’s incredibly kind of you and to share!!! <3 I am very excited to read your book!
Apples Never Fall is SO good!!! Mix and Match Mama that I told you about does monthly book reviews (and she reads A LOT of the books I like!) and I usually pick most of my books from her reviews! She reads a lot of books each month, I don’t know how she does it. I typically read 2 books a month at the same time, one on my iPad with the Kindle app and one on audio. I didn’t work out as well last year, but I hope to get back to it this year. I’m excited to hear about all these books!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
That’s good to know! Liane Moriarty is one of my favorite authors, this is the only book I haven’t read yet, so I am excited to check it out! 🙂 Oh, that’s right, you did tell me about her book reviews being great – I will definitely refer back to some of those reviews! You’re doing great with your reading this year, friend! 🙂
Sorry for the second comment. But, I have more to say! OHHH! And, The Artists Way! WOW! I bought that back when I was in college. I was REALLY into writing back then and I bought it for that reason. I think I still have it on my older bookshelf downstairs. I should look for it tomorrow. Ha! I’m curious to hear what you think of it.
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
You don’t have to be sorry, I appreciate you popping in with another comment! 🙂 That’s so cool, I saw where it is an older book when I was looking it up at my library. Haha, I will definitely let you know what I think about it when I read it!!
Wonderful Post! Have a great day!
Rampdiary | Fineartandyou | Beautyandfashionfreaks
Aww, thanks so much Vamika! 🙂
This is so great! I definitely need to make more time for reading.
theblogsocial.com
Thank you tons, Candice! I know it’s hard to set aside time to read, but a good book just can’t be beat! 🙂
I will have to think of some books for you! I’ve read some good ones in book club. I’m currently listening to Prince Harry’s book.
Oh, I’d love that Jennifer! Thank you SO much! I’ve heard good things about Prince Harry’s book.
Good luck with your goals! I’m determined to read over 100 books again this year but I’m requesting less from the library so I can just have a more relaxing reading time, and read some of the books I’ve bought but haven’t gotten around to yet. I got so many books come in off my hold requests just before Christmas but it was difficult to find time to read them all – had to extend a few loans! So I think a more relaxed year with less “return to library” pressure is a good thing!
I love anything by Emily Henry for sure, I’d check out her other books too if you haven’t already! Taylor Jenkins Reid has some amazing books too.
Thank you so much, Mica! You are AMAZING with your reading!! 🙂 I totally understand how sometimes they all sort of come due at once. That happened to me a few months ago and I thought I had too many books and there were only 3 of them, haha!
I think Book Lovers was the only one by Emily Henry I’ve read, but I will look into her other books too! I’ve heard great things about Taylor Jenkins Reid also, so I’ll check those out as well!
I don’t know why I don’t send you some of my books to borrow! I can’t remember if you have read anything by Christina Lauren, but I loved The Unhoneymooners, love and other words, and the soulmate equation!
Also, the love hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood.
Oh, and the Bromance Book Club Series.
This is such a difficult question, Ashley. I could go on and on… and on 🤣
Float Plan and The Suite Spot by Trish Doller are sweet too!
Aww, it’s okay my dear friend! I just appreciate you sending me so many amazing book recommendations, you’re the best! 🙂 Haha, you did fantastic with these, I will look at all of them and definitely add at least one to my list! I love books by Christina Lauren too, I think I’ve read of couple of theirs. Thanks again friend!!
When my children were really young it was so hard for me to find time to read! Now I’m able to multitask and read while running by listening to books. That is how I’m able to finish about 1/2 of the books I read! Good luck to you! Reading is always a calming escape for me!
That would be tough, friend! I can definitely understand that. I’m so glad you’re able to fit it in now and read more, that’s wonderful! 🙂 I agree with you about reading being a calming escape, it’s like a little vacation!
What a nice goal! This looks like an exciting reading list.
lots of love, Miri
http://www.meetmiri.com
Aww, thank you tons Miri! I am looking forward to reading these for sure! 🙂
You can do it!!
I see a lot of Colleen on your list, and you will totally reach your goal the more you read of hers. The woman knows how to make you turn a page! I always finish her books in one or two sittings. Even if they aren’t ground breaking literature.
If you like The Midnight Library, I LOVE How to Stop Time and The Aliens also by Matt Haig.
And then, if you don’t mind a little YA – the Shatter Me series is great! Plus there are a ton of books in there so you can get to 23 really fast.
Thank you TONS, Kristen! 🙂 Yes, ever since I read Verity, I’m on this Hoover train, haha! I love that you’ve enjoyed her books so much and I think I’ll enjoy the ones on this list too. Ooh, I will definitely look into the other two by Haig, and I love YA most of the time, so I’ll check out the Shatter Me series too! You’re the best!
My dad always tells us that readers are leaders and I agree. Reading is important and reading outside your profession is also a good one.
https://www.melodyjacob.com/2023/01/a-tribute-to-patience-ogadinma-jacob.html
Oh, I love that, those are wise words from your dad! 🙂 Thanks so much Melody!
This is definitely doable! IF you like thrillers ANYTHING by Kiersten Modglin is entertaining. I’ve devoured a lot of her books lately. I’m currently reading Verity by Colleen Hoover.
I have been adding books I HOPE to read in 2023 to my Amazon list. Maybe you’ll gain more ideas there to add to your list too. https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/24TDORKU50MLI?ref_=wl_share
Thanks so much, Crystal! I will definitely check out that author, I haven’t heard of her before. I hope you’ll love Verity as much as I did – SO good!
That’s a great goal, Ashley, and a great way to keep yourself accountable. I love Apples Never Fall, and I’ve read a couple of other books by the same author. I’ve just finished the Paris Appartment by Lucy Foley which I enjoyed too.
Julia x
https://www.thevelvetrunway.com/
Thank you tons, Julia! I’m so glad you liked Apples Never Fall, I’ve heard a lot of rave reviews about it! I’ll definitely add The Paris Apartment to my list, thanks so much for the recommendation! 🙂
My Goodreads goal this year is to read 15 books. Such a good idea to list the books you’re going to read in advance! I’m going to add a few of these to my library list. I loved It Ends with Us and Apples Never Fall.
Jill – Doused in Pink
That is a fantastic goal, friend! I’m hoping it will really help me to stay on track and sharing it here with everyone too! 🙂 I’m so happy you loved both of those, I bet they will be good ones!