2026 Reading Resolutions

Happy 2026! 

How is everyone enjoying their 2026 so far? 

Sorry for being away for the past few months for an improv blog break. It seemed to happen without me knowing, but it was nice to read without worrying about finding time to blog and just pop a sentence or a gif on my Goodreads/StoryGraph/Instragram (hence I do think this will be my last year book blogging and ease into different ways of reviewing as, come on, it's been over 15/16 years and as much as I like reading proofs from publishers, I miss reading books/audiobooks where I spend my actual money on and purchase!)

So yes, that's on the horizon. But you've not got rid of me just yet. 

I have some reading resolutions/plans for myself. The main thing is keeping my reading casual.

"But, Andrew," I hear you cry, "isn't that your normal when it comes to reading?"

Well, yeah, but the last few years, I seem to enjoy going towards books (I use this term loosely to include ebooks and audiobooks) that don't exactly fit my Go-To genres (fantasy, crime/thriller/mystery, teen), so I want to do some exploring of these, as well as not rushing.

I think most of us who blog (again, loose term that covers BookTok, Booktube, Booksagram, Bookcasts and other forms) worry that we're not reading enough so we power through the story. So, I want to not worry so much about deadlines (I have this as I have several VERY long titles that I want to read this year that I keep putting off... yes, Priory of the Orange Tree. I am talking about you.)

And now that I'm reading back my own writing, I've realised that my resolution is basically "remember why you read: enjoyment". So yes, this year's reading resolution is to enjoy myself with it comes to my reading/audiobooking. 

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EDIT: Ok, I have just read the above a week or two after I wrote that and yikes. That reads a tad portentous, doesn't it? "Keep reading fun". Isn't that why we read? For enjoyment and pleasure?  

So, let me be clear and actually say "Here's my reading resolutions" so you can see what I'm planning on the reading front to keep it fun and casual (and this might help me chatting more on the blog while I wind this down over the next 12 months while upping my Goodreads/StoryGraph/Instagram - to keep that side light and fun). 

Like I said earlier, I want to branch out in my reading and read stories that aren't exactly in my Go-To genres and maybe try new genres (does that mean I might go near the dread Classics shelves in Waterstones and Foyles? We shall see... I have ideas and plans…)

And I want to tackle my magpie-mess of a To Be Read stacks of my physical, ebook and audio. They are all, individually, long lists so I would like to get my groove on and get a few of them read or DNFed. 

Basically, am going to try and... hang on, Jennifer Coolidge might be able to say it better...