How to Set Reading Goals and Actually Achieve Them

Setting reading goals is one of the simplest and most effective ways to make reading a regular part of your life. Goals give you structure, help you stay motivated, and make the process of finishing books more rewarding.

Whether you want to read more titles, branch into new genres, or simply dedicate more time to a hobby you love, here’s how to set realistic goals and actually reach them.

1. Be specific about your goals

“I want to read more” sounds nice, but it’s too vague to measure. Instead, define what “more” means for you:

• 20 books in a year.
• 15 minutes of reading a day.
• Completing an entire trilogy you’ve been putting off.

Specific goals are easier to track and much more motivating because you’ll know exactly when you’ve succeeded.

2. Break goals into manageable steps

Large numbers can feel intimidating. Break your big goal into smaller, achievable milestones. For example:

• One book per month.
• 50 pages per week.
• Logging 20 minutes of reading per day.

Celebrating these small wins keeps you motivated and creates momentum.

3. Choose books you actually want to read

Motivation vanishes when reading feels like homework. Don’t focus only on “must-read” lists, pick books that genuinely excite you.

You can still mix in challenges (like classics or non-fiction) but balance them with genres and authors you know you’ll enjoy. Book Tracker’s Smart Lists and Tags make it easy to keep a TBR pile organized so you always have a next read ready that matches your mood.

4. Track your progress

A visual reminder of your progress can be the strongest motivator. You can use a notebook, spreadsheet, or, even better, a dedicated app.

With Book Tracker you can:

• Set a yearly Reading Challenge.
• Track your reading time with the built-in Reading Timer (with Live Activity on iPhone).
• View detailed stats on books, pages, genres, and authors.
• Sync across iPhone, iPad, and Mac with iCloud.
• Rely on daily backups so your progress is never lost.

Seeing those numbers add up makes it easier to keep going, even on busy weeks.

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5. Adjust your goals when needed

Life happens. Maybe work gets busy, or you discover a 1,000-page novel that slows down your pace. That doesn’t mean you’ve failed.

Be flexible: lower the number of books, shift to shorter reads, or swap to audiobooks when you’re short on time. The point of reading goals is to inspire, not discourage.

6. Celebrate milestones

Motivation thrives on rewards. Mark each achievement with something special:

• Buy yourself a new book.
• Treat yourself to a quiet evening of uninterrupted reading.
• Share your progress with friends or on social media.

Book Tracker makes it fun to see when you’ve hit mini-goals, and widgets keep your milestones visible right on your Home Screen.

Final thoughts

Setting reading goals doesn’t have to be complicated. Be specific, start small, track your progress, and remember to celebrate along the way.

With a bit of structure and a tool like Book Tracker, you’ll find it easier to stay motivated, build a sustainable reading habit, and make steady progress all year long.