At the start of every year, I set some goals for myself.

1. Read 150 books across genres.
   I find it useful to set a numerical goal for the number of books to read. I see this as something to strive for and a way to track my reading pace.
   
2. Prioritize books already on my shelves.
   Since joining bookstagram, I have accumulated books at an unsustainable pace. I simply have no where left to put them. So this year, I will be reading what I own. This also means I will not be buying books (outside my subscriptions). Because a ban for an entire year seems impractical and like it would turn into a disaster with black and white thinking, I will allow myself to purchase books on Indie Bookstore Day and the big Book Outlet sale in November.
   
3. Read book subscription picks within 30 days.
   In the last 2 years, I have been terrible about reading my picks from Book of the Month and Aardvark Book Club. There is no way I can catch up all in one year, but I can prevent myself from adding more books to my backlist.
   
4. Empty NetGalley shelf & reach 100% reviewed.
   I worked on increasing my percentage on NetGalley last year. I purposely requested very few 2024 books from NetGalley so that it is feasible to read them all, plus my backlist.
   
5. Clear my Aardvark Book Club backlist.
   Since Aardvark is only a little over a year old, I have not accumulated a crazy number of books. I think the number I do have is easy enough to conquer this year.
   
6. Read the 2024 Aspen Words Longlist.
   I often get excited about reading all the books on award longlists… and then don’t. I have all of the books from this year’s longlist. I am planning on reading those that remain on the list before the award ceremony in April.

I also have set some intentions – things that are not quite measurable (as goals tend to be).

• – Stop putting off big books. Love those thick babies.
• – Be less prescriptive in what I read (aka find more joy in reading).
• – Generally, engage more in this space and through my bookstagram to discuss books.

What is something you are hoping to do or work on in 2024?