2021: A Year For Reading

Let’s talk about New Year’s resolutions. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, stemming from personal goals or societal pressures to self-improve. But I’m not here to talk about the typical, “drink more water,” “exercise everyday,” kind of resolutions, but rather, literary resolutions. At the start of a new year, the objective for many is simple: read more.

But how exactly does one do that?

One of the silver linings of 2020 is that it proved to be a fortuitous year for book lovers, so it’s only natural to keep up the reading streak. Especially in the United States, more time spent at home can be expected during these times, meaning that many are going to have to find ways to pass the time. Enter: books. I’m sure that everyone has at least one or two books in their “To Be Read” pile, and if not, rereading is always an option! Reading should be an experience that brings joy and pleasure, so if you’ve lost that spark, consider revisiting the stories you’ve enjoyed in the past.

As for accessibility to new books, a great option that does not require you to leave your house is borrowing eBooks from your local library. It’s a convenient, free way to enjoy all of the titles you have been yearning to read. However, if you’re not a fan of reading on a device, you can check out the selection of the used, independent bookstores in your area. More often than not, small bookstores are able to set aside a book for you if you call in your order, leading to a reduced amount of time spent inside of the store. Lastly, if you’re too “on-the-go” to find time to sit down and read, give audiobooks a try! There are plenty of free audiobooks available on YouTube and Spotify for you to listen to wherever you are.

Find a cozy spot to read!

Once you have a substantial supply of reading material, it’s time to begin the act itself. Make reading an enjoyable experience by finding a comfortable spot in your house, free from distraction. Choose books that interest you, rather than because they sound impressive or valuable. Yet, if you find yourself attempting to read something that isn’t bringing you quite as much satisfaction as you’d like, don’t be afraid to break it up with a book or two that’s just for fun, or simply abandon it altogether.

Another great motivator when it comes to expanding your reading this year is to find a community of others who are committed to the same goal. This can be found either in your friends and family, or online! Goodreads is an excellent option when searching for a virtual community full of others who enjoy reading. A useful feature of the app is that you are able to set a goal for how many books you are aiming to read throughout the year, a value that you are able to change whenever you’d like. The literary community found on Goodreads is a comfort in the midst of a new reading challenge, and an excellent resource to find an abundance of book recommendations.

Goodreads.com is a great resource to find popular books!

Yet the resolution to “read more” does not exclusively entail the number of books read at the end of the year; it also dictates the variety of the reading. During a time when our country, as well as the world, is more polarized than ever, it is crucial to venture into perspectives that are different from your own. It is for this reason that it is essential that increased diversity of reading should be intertwined with everyone’s literary ambition. Uplift the voices of authors of color and pursue the stories that need to be told. Become educated on the faults of society and history that had previously been unwritten. That is the first step. The world needs more thinkers, more readers.

So, make this year one of merit and read. There is no time to waste, the literary world awaits!