Wayward Reviews

Hello the end of 2023, how quickly you have shown up – and what a year you have been.

I was looking back at my reading goals over the last few years, I was surprised the trend that has been coming through. Not to mention that my reading preferences and habits have started to change…the first time in almost a decade!

Firstly, my goal of 40 books for 2023 was halved to somewhere in June. My pace at which I got into reading books and finishing them had slowed (but not completely stopped). In the end I finished up reading 13 books in total which all I could really hope for, especially since in December my social calendar gets wild.

From those 13 books, I saw myself reading more non-fiction – self help, memoirs and psychology. Which was never my natural genres to fall into, but I know this represents where my head has been for the last 18 months. Usually I would read one non fiction book a year, but the fact I read three in 2023 bodes well for me improving my reading variety.

I also moved away from digital and proceeded to read more physical books, which was helpful because my bookcase is overflowing. Also, I saw myself DNFing books, rather than holding out for a “just in case” moment to hit me.

So what does that mean for me in 2024?

As much as I am tempted to not set a goal, I know my statistical self will want at least some number to strive for. A personal goal of mine is to maintain a healthy level of socialising – I am guilty at always going out and catching up with people, so I am choosing to slow down to a more manageable pace. For both financial and mental health reasons!

Therefore for 2024, I am going to aim for 40 books again.

Yes, I know that may seem unachievable because I couldn’t even manage 20 in 2023. But there is something that is urging me to stick with this number, maybe its because I want a lifestyle change and that involves reading a bit more?

What do you think? Are you planning on sticking with the same number too? Tell me in the comments below!

I also am tempted to stick with the low buy year theme…but actually I am going to take it one step further and turn it into a book ban year! My justification for this is based on the fact that my bookcase is OVERFLOWING. I now have a stack piling up on the floor in front of my bookcase – which is ridiculous.

The parameters I am going around this book ban are:

• I can buy books with vouchers I have been given.
• If I resell a book, I can put the funds towards buying a new book (but I have to have the full amount to purchase it).

To combat any cravings for book I want to buy, I will create a list for every book I am tempted to buy. The benefit for me is that I usually do not read books when they are first release, so this will save me from some FOMO.

But seriously, what do you think? Is it too much? Have you set your book goals for 2024? If so, I would love to hear what you decided on.

Till next time.

Serefina.