It’s a new year which means it is time to set a new reading goal! Last year I aimed to read 75 books and ended up reading 78.
I was hoping to read more books that I owned last year, but didn’t end up reading as many as I wanted, borrowing them from the library instead or reading ARCs.
As you’ll see below, I really do want to focus on reading more books that I actually own this year.
So here are my reading goals for 2026:
Goal 1:
Read the ARCs I didn’t get to in 2025
I still have ARCs that I need to read that I didn’t get to last year, so my first priority is reading through those.
I will only be taking on a very small number of ARCs during 2026, and none before I finish the ones from 2025.
Goal 2:
Finish book series that I’ve started!
I have a few series that I’ve read one or two books of and haven’t finished. Series that I have really enjoyed but didn’t get back to because of ARC reading and library books. It’s time to finish those series!
Goal 3:
Read books I actually own!
I have so many books that I own and haven’t read. And at the time I got them, I really wanted to read them, I just let ARCs and borrowing library books get in the way of reading the books I actually own.
Which means I need to….
Goal 4 :
Buy less books! Borrow less books!
I have a bit of a book buying addiction. Especially eBooks. If I can get them for .99 or free, I just download it.
Confession: I have 400 eBooks that I own that I haven’t read. Which is crazy!
So it’s time to cut back.
I have a ‘Top Buy’ list, and in 2026 I can only buy a book if it is on that list, and only after I’ve read the last book I’ve bought.
Goal 5:
Read 100 books.
With 50 of those being eBooks and 50 of them being physical books.
I would like to listen to at least one audio book a month as well.
That’s all my goals. Let’s see how I go!
What are your reading goals for 2026?
Rochelle L. Sharpe 