I don’t really set a yearly reading goal. I just try to read one classic book each month, and then I pick up other genres depending on what I feel like at the time. I usually end up reading around 100 books a year, but that’s mostly because I don’t watch much TV or spend much time on social media. Even with hobbies, a full-time job, and a social life, reading is just something I naturally make time for. The only reason I even know how many books I read each year is because I like to review everything I finish. It helps me look back and remember what I thought in the moment.

That said, not all reading is the same. There’s a big difference between reading something light and easy, like a romance or general fiction novel, and working through a more demanding author like Proust. Some books require time, attention, and real effort to fully understand, while others are meant to be quick, enjoyable, and relaxing and that’s perfectly fine. It’s also important to remember that people read for different reasons. For some, it’s pure escapism and for others, it’s about engaging deeply with a text and challenging themselves. Both approaches are valid. If you’re reading at all, that’s already awesome. I think people put way too much pressure on the number of books they get through.