December is upon us, and while many people have their minds on festive activities and luxurious foods, some of us in the reader community are staring at that super-ambitious reading goal we popped on Goodreads so optimistically back in January with a growing sense of dismay. With only weeks left and a holiday season that might involve more Monopoly marathons and family movie nights than quiet evenings with a book, it’s easy to feel that those goals are painfully out of reach.
Add to that the anticipation and preparation for various holidays, and it’s no wonder so many of us find ourselves in a bit of a reading slump. But fear not! If you’re determined to finish strong, I’ve got some tips to help you cross that finish line with a flourish (and maybe even squeeze in an extra book or two for good measure).
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1. Try the ’10 Before the End’ Challenge
This trend has been popping up across the bookish community and I love it. The idea? Pick ten books you’re determined to read before the end of the year. These can be a mix of quick reads, highly anticipated titles, or even those half-finished books lurking on your bedside table. Having a clear, manageable goal and some books you look forward to instead of a huge goal you are scrambling to catch up to might help ensure you are still enjoying reading. And if you post them, you may inspire others AND get a little encouragement too!
2. Grab Those Shorter Reads
Now is a great time to embrace novellas, poetry collections, graphic novels, and short story anthologies. These bite-sized treasures can be just as fulfilling as a chonky doorstop — and they help you tick off more books in less time. Here are a few examples I read recently (and would recommend):
- Poetry: The Courage of a Woman Knows No Bounds by Nia Speaks
- Graphic Novel: Home Office Romance by Kintetsu Yamada
- Short Story Collection: Dat’s Love by Leonora Brito (You can check out my review here)
It’s not about the size of the book but the quality of the experience!
3. Audiobooks for the Win
If you’re deep cleaning, decorating, wrapping, and baking, audiobooks can turn your chores into reading opportunities. Services like Audible, Spotify Audiobooks, or your local library’s app (shoutout to me Libby lovers!) are perfect for multitasking.
4. Embrace the Festive Spirit
Why not combine your December goal with some seasonal cheer? Cosy up with festive reads or wintery tales that match the mood of the season. Or maybe you prefer more of a wintery murder mystery. Whatever the case, the aim is for seasonal reads to reignite your love of books and make your goal feel more celebratory than stressful.
5. Set the Scene for Relaxed Reading
Create a cosy atmosphere that makes reading irresistible. Think twinkling fairy lights, your favourite hot drink, and a fluffy blanket (or three!). Set aside 20 minutes each evening to escape into a book – it’s amazing how quickly those pages add up.
6. Reach for the Comfort Reads
This isn’t the time to force yourself through a challenging book you’re not enjoying (and we DNF all year round around here). Reread an old favourite or stick to genres you love. It’s all about momentum and finishing the year on a high.
7. Join a Reading Sprint or Buddy Read
Accountability can work wonders. Find a reading sprint on social media or buddy up with a fellow reader who’s also chasing their goal. I would suggest Discord too but I have no clue how to use it. I’m told there are book clubs on Fable too, so those might be options if you are a little more tech-savvy than me! Reading together can be motivating and you’ll have the added bonus of someone to share your excitement with when you finish a book (and maybe a few digital gossip sessions over mulled wine?).
8. Create a Reading Rewards System
Turn your reading into a game by giving yourself small rewards for finishing books or hitting milestones. Finished a chapter? Treat yourself to a treat out of the advent calendar or snack jar. Completed a book? Watch an episode of your favourite series or even treat yourself to another book from your wishlist. Adding a reward system can make reading feel like a fun challenge instead of a task.
9. Don’t Be Afraid to DNF
If a book isn’t grabbing you, let it go. December is not the month to persevere with something that’s dragging you down. Swap it for a book that excites you. There’s no shame in prioritising joy over obligation and like I said – we DNF all year round over here!
10. Adjust Your Goal if Necessary
Life happens, and sometimes goals need tweaking. If your original target feels impossible, set a realistic goal for December. Whether it’s finishing five books, reading a total page count, or simply spending more time reading, it’s still an achievement worth celebrating. Reading is ALWAYS worth celebrating!
Wrapping Up (See What I Did There?)
December might be hectic, but with a little strategy and a lot of determination, you can make progress toward your reading goal while still enjoying the festivities. Whether you hit your target or not, the important thing is to finish the year loving books just as much as when you started.
Have you got a December reading strategy? Let me know in the comments! I recently posted my ‘potentials’ for December (not including my eBooks or Audiobooks):
The Abundant Word
Reviews, Resources, and Inspiration for writers and readers of inclusive, Black, or speculative books!
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