Is one of your goals to read more in 2025? It’s a common goal at this time of year. And why not? Reading has many benefits: it helps provide escapism, builds empathy and can reduce stress. Reading also protects against cognitive decline. So if you want to read more this year, I’m here to help!

Set a reading goal

Setting a reading goal can help motivate you to find time to read. You can choose to read for a set time period or set a goal to read a certain number of books. Or maybe you want to read more outside of your comfort zone.

If you do choose a reading goal involving a certain number of books, sites like The StoryGraph and Goodreads can help you track your titles and find new ones. Journals are another way of keeping track of the books you read. Plus, you can jot down a few notes about each book.

Reading is my oldest hobby, and one of my goals is to cultivate it in my daily life. So I read before going to bed at night. It’s a great way to unwind and get lost in a story.

Join a book club

A book club can help motivate you to read and allows for a deeper dive into a book’s themes and characters. Book clubs also encourage members to read genres they might not choose for themselves. Then there are the social aspects of book clubs, creating meaningful connections through books. I think it’s always fun to get together and talk about a book, whether you liked it or not, and gain new perspectives on it.

Fountaindale has several book clubs you may be interested in joining. Or you may want to start your own book club with family and friends. We have book club kits with a wide variety of titles to help you. You can check out as few or as many copies as you’d like.

Try listening to books

Have you tried eAudiobooks? You can download them to your phone or tablet, making it easy to listen on the go. Whether you’re commuting, doing chores around the house or walking your dog, a great story is just a download away. It makes it easier to always have a book with you.

Some tips for audiobooks:

  • The Audie Awards® are given out every year for the best narrated titles. They’re divided into genres, so it’s a great resource when you don’t know where to start.
  • Audiobooks with a full cast of narrators can create an immersive listening experience. Examples are None of This is True by Lisa Jewell and Anita de Monte Laughs Last by Xochitl Gonzalez. Both are available to download from Libby and Boundless.
  • You may enjoy listening to a celebrity memoir. One of my recent favorites is Viola Davis’ Finding Me. Bono narrated his own memoir, Surrender, which won the Audie® for Audiobook of the Year. Both are available to download from Libby, hoopla and Boundless.
  • Once you start listening regularly, you’ll find your favorite narrators; one of mine is Julia Whelan. She writes and narrates romance titles, including narrating Emily Henry’s books. Titles by both authors are available to download from Libby and Boundless.

Check out our digital collections to get started with your Fountaindale library card.

You don’t have to finish books you’re not enjoying

There’s no rule that says you have to finish every book you start. I stopped forcing myself to read things that didn’t appeal to me; there are too many good books out there waiting to be read. And honestly, I procrastinated trying to read books that I didn’t like, so I felt that I was wasting time. But that doesn’t mean that a book won’t speak to you at some point. My favorite recent example of this is Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. I couldn’t get past the first few pages the first time I tried reading it. Then I read it for a book club, and I loved it!

If you’re fifty (or a hundred) pages into a book and you’re still not interested in the story or characters, it’s okay to put it down. Not every book is for every reader. A new story awaits!

Join the Winter Reading Challenge

Fountaindale’s Winter Reading Challenge starts today (Monday, January 13) and runs through Monday, February 24. Read or listen for a total of 500 minutes, and you can win weekly gift cards and be entered to win a $50 Barnes and Noble gift card. Reading or listening for just 12 minutes a day might be the motivation you need to continue reading throughout the year. It’s self-paced so you can sign up at any time. And who doesn’t like a gift card as an extra incentive to read?

Not sure what to read next?

  • Try our personalized recommendations. Tell us a few things about your reading preferences, and we’ll give you a list of books to try. We can even tailor your list if you prefer series, large print or eBooks. We’re here to help you find your next great read.
  • Check out our Adult Reads page. It’s filled with timely recommendations. We also have displays throughout the library to inspire your to-read list.
  • Try a staff pick! We talk about our favorites on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

Fountaindale is here to help you read more in 2025!