New year, new you, same TBR (to be read). Every January, millions of aspiring and fallen bookworms challenge themselves to read more in the new year. But thanks to work, social responsibilities, and the midnight motivation that seemingly gets swept up with the confetti, reading goals often fall to the wayside as the year goes on. It’s probably unrealistic to assume that you’ll make it through every book on your TBR list by the next time the ball drops next year, not to mention that your list will probably get longer every time you visit a bookstore. (And what does “reading more” actually mean?)

We’re here to help you rewrite the narrative and turn your New Year’s resolution into reality. In Ballast’s upcoming release Whatever Works, Ron Gross writes that goals are easier to achieve when they’re specific, measurable, and attainable. To make your New Year’s reading goal happen, it’s crucial to define what “reading more” means to you in terms of both content and quantity. With that in mind, we recommend applying these five tips:

1. Decide what kinds of books (or non-books) you want to read this year.
   Do you want to dive into a specific genre or author’s catalog? Do you want to expand your horizons and explore genres you’ve never read before? Do you want to stick to your favorite genres but up the number of books you read from each one? Maybe you want to get into sci-fi and fantasy with a book like The Song of Immaru. Maybe you’re starting the new year with a new job title and want guidance from a leadership book like The Steady Leader instead.
   
   Wherever your interests lie, having a clear idea of what you want to read gives your resolution a sense of purpose beyond having an impressive number of books on your Goodreads profile.
   
   

2. List the top five to ten books on your TBR list you’d most like to read.
   TBRs tend to look more like a library database than a checklist. It can be hard to put your resolution into action when you don’t know where to start. After all, every book on your TBR list is there because you want to read it!
   
   No matter how ambitious your reading goal is, make a short list of the five to ten books that you absolutely must read this year. Which ones have you been meaning to read for a while? Which ones excite you the most? Which ones would you most like to have on your shelf? (When it comes to buying books, we do judge them by their covers.) Choose one book from this list to start with and come back to the list whenever you don’t know what to choose next.
   
   

3. Quantify your reading goal based on your lifestyle.
   It’s important to be realistic here—your resolution should be challenging but feasible! Consider how much time you can devote to reading on an everyday or weekly basis. Some people may be able to sneak thirty minutes of reading in before bed each night, while others’ schedules make it more convenient for them to spend hours reading on the couch on Sunday afternoons.
   
   Consider your reading pace as well. Do you savor one book for a whole month, or do you finish it in a single sitting? Do you prefer to read one book at a time or go back and forth between three titles in three different genres? Adjust your reading goal accordingly.
   
   

4. Make time for reading.
   The biggest reason why many people abandon their reading resolutions is that they “don’t have enough time to read.” We get it—life is busy, and there are a million things vying for your attention and free time. While it can be hard to find time for reading, we promise that the time does exist. Try the following experiment.
   
   On an average day, keep track of everything you do—how many hours you spend working, cooking, cleaning, running errands, checking your phone, scrolling on social media, responding to texts, playing with your kids or pets, and so forth. The next day, look at how much time you spent on each activity. Divide them into essential activities (for example, working and cooking) and leisure activities (e.g., checking social media and watching TV).
   
   Then, divide your leisure activities into two categories: fulfilling and unfulfilling. The time you spend on unfulfilling activities is the time in your day that can be devoted to reading instead. Next time you find yourself saying “GTL” more than hitting the gym, tanning, or doing laundry, try picking up Jersey Shore star Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino’s book Reality Check for a change of pace.
   
   

5. Keep yourself accountable.
   Now that you know what books you want to read and when you’re going to read them, it’s time to crack them open! New Year’s motivation should keep you going for the first couple of months of the year, but if you need an extra boost as the weather gets warmer, check out these methods of keeping yourself on track:

   • Have a reading buddy or join a book club. Reading a book can be more fun when you have someone to talk about it with. Plus, knowing you’re expected to participate in a discussion means you’ll have to read it by a certain day.
     
   • Log your progress on a book-cataloging site like Goodreads, The StoryGraph, or BookSloth. It’ll be fun to see the progress you make throughout the year through your app or on the website!
     
   • Alternatively, print out a blank reading log. Write the name of the book you’re reading when you start and color it in when you finish. By the end of the year, you’ll have a unique piece of art that’s a testament to your perseverance.
     
   • Don’t buy another book until you finish the one you’re currently reading. (And with so many exciting Ballast titles on preorder, you’ll want to finish the one on your bedside table ASAP.)

Cheers to an exciting upcoming year in the books! And if your New Year’s resolutions include writing books as well as reading them, submit your ideas to us. We’re ready to help you check another goal off your bucket list.