Reading is one of those simple pleasures that can easily turn into a cherished habit. Some of us devour books by the dozen, while others prefer to savor a single novel over the span of months. But how many books do you typically read in a year, and do you track your reading progress?

For many, tracking the number of books read becomes a source of motivation, while for others, it might feel more like a race against time, creating stress instead of enjoyment. So, let’s take a step back and think about the purpose behind tracking our books.

The number of books someone reads in a year can vary wildly. Some people aim to hit a specific number (maybe 30, 50, or even 100 books), while others read more organically, with no particular target in mind.

For example, you might read a lot during the summer or fall when the weather is perfect for curling up with a good book. Or, if you’re juggling work and other responsibilities, you might find yourself reading fewer books. But no matter how many you read, the goal should always be to enjoy the experience and let the reading happen naturally.

Tracking your reading is a personal choice. Some readers love to keep a list of everything they’ve read and use apps like Goodreads or Bookly to log their progress. Others might prefer not to keep track, allowing themselves the freedom to read without worrying about numbers.

For those who like to track their books, it’s easy to get swept up in the idea of hitting that magical number by the end of the year. But here’s the catch—tracking doesn’t have to be about pressure. It can also be about reflection. Going back through your list at the end of the year to see how many pages you’ve turned can feel rewarding, even if the number isn’t exactly what you expected.

For some, tracking books motivates them to read more, setting a goal for the year, like “I’m going to read 40 books in 2025!” Readers enjoy the structure of having a goal to work toward and get a sense of accomplishment as they tick off titles on their list.

For others, though, tracking can create unnecessary stress. If you miss your target or fall behind in your reading challenge, it can lead to feelings of disappointment. Some readers may even start to feel obligated to read books just to meet a goal, which can take the joy out of reading altogether.

There are countless ways to keep track of what you’ve read. Some readers go old-school and keep a journal or a simple list. Others take advantage of modern tools, using apps or websites to catalog their books. Here are a few options.

1.Reading Journals
  • Physical or Digital Journals: Create a journal where you write down the books you’ve finished, your thoughts, ratings, and any memorable quotes. If you prefer digital, apps like OneNote or Evernote work well for this too.
  • Custom Logs: Some people love creating their own log system, using a simple table or bullet points for each book with columns for title, author, start and finish dates, and thoughts.
2. Goodreads
  • This is one of the most popular tools. You can set goals, keep track of your progress, and join reading challenges. It also offers a place for ratings and reviews, and you can see what your friends are reading too.
3. Book Tracking Apps
  • StoryGraph or Bookly: These are alternatives to Goodreads with more personalized tracking options. StoryGraph offers mood-based tracking and Bookly helps with tracking reading time, progress, and even statistics.
4. Spreadsheet
  • Google Sheets/Excel: A custom spreadsheet is a flexible option. You can track the title, author, dates, ratings, and any personal notes. With some formulas, you can also get stats like how many books you’ve read this month or year.
5. Bullet Journaling
  • Creative Tracker: If you already use a bullet journal, creating a reading tracker could be a fun way to keep tabs on your books. You can design your own layouts, like bookshelves, or simple checkboxes for each book.
6. Social Media
  • Instagram/Twitter: Some people love sharing their book journey on social media. You can start a book-themed Instagram or use a hashtag on Twitter. This allows for interaction with others and accountability for your reading goals.
7. Reading Challenges
  • Set Personal Challenges: If you enjoy challenges, you can set goals like reading a certain number of books a year, or books from specific genres. Some websites and apps offer yearly challenges or prompts to motivate you.
8. Blogging or Vlogging
  • Start a Book Blog or YouTube Channel: If you enjoy discussing books in-depth, starting a blog or vlog can be a great way to document your thoughts on what you’ve read. Plus, it’s a fun way to connect with a community of readers.
9. Physical Bookmarks or Bookplates
  • Use a Bookplate or Bookmark System: For people who love physical books, you can add a small tag or sticker inside each book with the date you finished it, or use bookmarks to jot down thoughts as you go along.

it’s a perfect time to think about your reading goal for the year. Whether you aim to read a certain number of books or dive deeper into specific genres, setting a reading goal can guide your choices. But remember: the goal is to read what excites you, not just to hit a number.

What are your thoughts? Do you plan on tracking your books this year? How do you approach your reading goals—if you have any?

Happy reading! 🌸

2 risposte a “How Many Books Do You Read in a Year? | Let’s Talk Bookish”

  1. Avatar Let’s Talk Bookish: Books Read in A Year – dinipandareads

    […] Annemieke @ A Dance with BooksElle @ Unwrapping WordsLeyre @ Do You LeyreRaji @ Worlds Unlike Our OwnAbyssal LibrarianEmma @ Pages of EmmaRachael @ The Green Tea LibrarianLeslie @ Books Are the New BlackFelice @ Tea and Cats and BooksYolanda @ Past MidnightLaurie @ Laurie is ReadingBookflowerpath […]

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  2. Avatar Dini @ dinipandareads

    Very comprehensive post with lots of good recommendations! Thanks for participating in LTB this week!

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