Turn the Page: How to Smash Your Reading Goals and Devour More Books This Year
Every January, we all do the same thing. We look at our dusty bookshelves, think about the 50 books we bought last year but never touched, and promise ourselves: "This is the year I become a reading machine." But then life happens. Work gets busy, Netflix releases a new binge-worthy show, or we just get stuck in a "reading slump" that feels impossible to escape.
I used to be a victim of the slump. I would go months without finishing a single chapter, feeling guilty every time I walked past my library. It wasn't until I changed my environment and my tools that I actually started crushing my goals. Last year, I managed to finish 75 books—from the spicy heights of Fourth Wing to the heart-wrenching depths of A Little Life—and I did it without sacrificing my sleep.
If you want to read more books this year, you don’t need more "free time." You just need a better strategy. Here is how I went from "scrolling on my phone" to "losing myself in a story" every single day.
1. The Secret Weapon: Amazon Kindle 16 GB (Matcha)
If you want to read more, you have to make reading the easiest thing to do. Carrying a 600-page hardcover of Crescent City in your bag is a great workout, but it’s not exactly practical for a 10-minute bus ride or waiting in line at the grocery store.
The Amazon Kindle 16 GB in Matcha changed everything for me. It’s so light that I forget it’s in my purse. Because the page turns are faster and the contrast is higher, I find myself flying through chapters much quicker than I do with paper. I read while I’m waiting for my coffee, during my lunch break, and even while I’m drying my hair!
By having your entire library in the palm of your hand, you turn "wasted time" into "reading time." If you’re a student trying to balance textbooks and fun reads, this is an absolute lifesaver. You can even check out our guide on aesthetic desk accessories for bookish students to see how to fit a Kindle into your study routine perfectly.
2. Gamify Your Progress: Books Read This Year Counter
We are simple creatures. When we see a number go up, we get a hit of dopamine. That’s why tracking your progress is the best way to stay motivated when you’re halfway through a long month. Instead of just checking a box on an app, I love having something physical I can touch.
The Books Read This Year Counter is essentially a tiny bookshelf for your shelf! Every time you finish a book, you add a little token. Seeing that physical representation of your hard work grow makes you want to reach for the next book immediately.
It’s especially helpful during those "middle of the book" slogs. When I was struggling through a slow historical biography, looking at my counter reminded me that I was only a few chapters away from adding another win to my tally. For more ways to make your library feel like a professional achievement, check out our guide for home library owners.
3. Master the Late Night: 86lux Rechargeable Book Light
One of the biggest obstacles to reading more is that we usually try to do it at night when we’re tired. But harsh bedroom lights tell your brain to stay awake, while total darkness makes you fall asleep mid-sentence. You need the "Goldilocks" of lighting.
The 86lux Book Light has a stepless dimming feature and an amber mode that mimics a sunset. It doesn't strain your eyes, and it won't wake up your partner or roommate. I’ve found that using this light helps me read for an extra 30 minutes every night because my eyes don't get that "burning" tired feeling.
If you’re trying to build a dedicated space for your night-time reading sessions, you might want to look at our tips on creating a Dark Academia reading nook. A well-lit corner is a corner where books actually get read!
4. Active Reading: Gradient Transparent Sticky Notes
Sometimes we stop reading because we feel "disconnected" from the story. We start skimming, we lose track of characters, and eventually, we put the book down for good. To prevent this, I started "Active Reading."
Using Gradient Transparent Sticky Notes allows you to talk back to the book. I use them to flag funny quotes, theories about who the killer is, or even just to vent about a character making a dumb decision. Because they are transparent, they don't block the beautiful prose, and they make the book feel like a shared experience.
If you’ve never annotated before, it can be a bit intimidating. I highly recommend reading our Ultimate Guide to Book Annotation to find a system that works for you. It turns "reading a book" into "building a memory."
Gradient Transparent Sticky Notes Here
5. The Reward System: Custom Book Embosser
Finally, give yourself a reward for your dedication. I have a rule: I only get to use my Custom Book Embosser on a book once I’ve actually finished it. It’s like a graduation ceremony for every novel I complete.
Pressing that seal into the page and seeing "From the Library of..." is so satisfying. It makes me feel like a serious collector, not just someone with a lot of books. It encourages me to finish the books I buy so I can "officially" add them to my collection.
If you’re worried about using an embosser on thinner pages or older books, make sure to check out our tutorial on how to emboss fragile pages. It will save you a lot of heartbreak!
6. Don't Forget the Details: Small Tools for Big Goals
The little things often make the biggest difference in your reading volume. If your hands get tired holding open a thick fantasy book, you'll find an excuse to stop. That's why I always keep a Handmade Natural Walnut Thumb Bookmark nearby. It keeps the book open with zero effort, leaving my other hand free to sip coffee from my Ghost Reader cup.
And if you’re using metal bookmarks to keep your place, remember to keep them clean! There is nothing that ruins a reading vibe faster than a rusty or dirty bookmark staining your pages. We recently wrote a guide on how to clean metal bookmarks without scratching that every bookworm should read.
The Walnut Thumb Bookmark Here
Staying Motivated: The 2026 Reading Revolution
As we move through 2026, the global "reading challenge" culture continues to grow, with millions of people looking for tips to read more books this year. The rise of #BookTok and #Bookstagram has turned reading from a solitary hobby into a social event, creating a massive demand for reading trackers, aesthetic book accessories, and ereader technology. Whether you are a fan of Sarah J. Maas, Colleen Hoover, or classic literature, the goal remains the same: to find focus in a world full of digital distractions.
Search trends for "how to reach my reading goal," "best kindle for reading," and "DIY book trackers" are higher than ever. Readers are realizing that the environment they read in is just as important as the book itself. This is why rechargeable book lights and ergonomic thumb holders have become essential for those aiming to increase their page count. By minimizing physical discomfort and optimizing lighting, bibliophiles are finding they can read longer and more frequently.
Furthermore, the "Gamification of Reading" is a dominant trend in 2026. Tools like personalized book counters and custom library embossers act as rewards that keep readers engaged with their progress. Even small additions, like transparent sticky notes for annotation, help readers feel more connected to the narrative, reducing the likelihood of a reading slump. By combining high-tech solutions like the Kindle 16 GB Matcha with classic, tactile tools like walnut bookmarks, any reader can transform their habits and successfully devour their entire TBR pile this year.