Hit Your Reading Goal with Help from the Library By Brandon Priddy, Public Services Librarian I think it’s a given that most of us are happy to finally put 2020 in the rearview mirror. Fortunately, the start of the new year brings a great opportunity to focus on positive changes for the future. Did you know that one of the most common New Year’s resolutions is to read more? Winter weather and an abundance of indoor time lends itself well to setting a reading goal, so why not give it a try? Obviously, with our busy schedules it’s easier said than done, but fortunately our Library has a lot of great resources to help you met your reading goal. A great option is to join our Winter Reading Challenge. Our Library joined this County-wide challenge which started January 4th and runs through February 28th. You can work on completing fun activities and reading achievements and even win a prize! We’ll be raffling off a weekly prize from now until the end of February. The challenge ends with the chance to win a Grand Prize Surprise Bag (or a $25 Visa gift card)! To learn how to register, visit our Winter Reading Challenge webpage here. We’ll be sharing new content, such as book lists, recorded Library programs, and more during the next two months. Regardless of the type of resolution you pick, you should focus on setting an obtainable goal. In their article, goskills.com states, “It's important to limit resolutions to a manageable amount, be specific with your goal, and break up big goals into smaller more attainable goals.” For example, committing to read one book a week is a better defined goal than a vague idea to just read more. You should also share your goal with your friends and family since they can help encourage you and help hold you accountable on your progress. Perhaps you can even start a Zoom book club with friends as a way to support your reading goal? Finally, you should frequently review your progress throughout the year and make any changes as necessary. What’s working and what isn’t? Once you’ve got your goal, you should look for ways to set aside more time for reading. Personally, I set a mini-resolution to leave my phone in another room at bedtime since it’s too easy to go down the rabbit hole of doom-scrolling at night. Keeping a Kindle at my bedside is a much better alternative and will hopefully help me finish more books and get better sleep! NPR suggests trying to fit books into your daily commute. Listening to an audiobook while driving or working out is another great way to fit in more reading time. You can borrow thousands of free eBooks and audiobooks using free Library services like Libby or Hoopla. GQ Magazine suggests trying to read as part of your morning routine (as opposed to bedtime reading) or try reading multiple books on rotation (based on your mood or environment). They even suggest going as far as removing distractions, such as televisions, from your main reading area to avoid the temptation and focus on reading. Another important tip is to learn to accept that it’s OK to stop reading a book if you’re not enjoying it. Harvard Business Review suggests you, “Change your mindset about quitting. It’s one thing to quit reading a book and feel bad about it. It’s another to quit a book and feel proud of it. All you have to do is change your mindset. Just say, “Phew! Now I’ve finally ditched this brick to make room for that gem I’m about to read next.” So try to let go of the guilt involved with leaving a book unfinished. If it’s not for you, move on, and hopefully find something better next. Lastly, if you hit a reading rut, shake it up with something new. Maybe try out a graphic novel, try a genre you’ve never read before, or ask a Librarian! Finally, whatever your resolution is (or if you have none at all - which is fine!) I wish you good luck and a safe and happy 2021. |
