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2_2026 Bookish Goals
11 Plays5 months ago
Ideas for bookish goals in 2026:
1. Try reading a book from a new genre
2. Try reading a new format
3. Read a new-to-you author or a debut author
4. Read a banned book
5. Read a classic book
6. Read a seasonal book
7. Try an immersive read
8. Do a buddy read or attend a book club
9. Keep a reading journal
10. Read the book before seeing the movie
11. Support local libraries
12. Buy books from indie booksellers
13. Check out more bookish podcasts
14. Attend an author event
15. DNF a book if you don’t like it
You can find me on Instagram at @Kristinsnextchapter, all one word. I’d love to hear from you and know what your bookish goals are for 2026!
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Transcript
Introduction to Kristen's Next Chapter
00:00:01
Kristin Paulin
Hi, I'm Kristin, the host of Kristin's Next Chapter, a podcast to help you find your next read and introduce you to debut authors.
00:00:09
Kristin Paulin
As we begin 2026, I wanted to talk about bookish goals, but this is with a caveat that I think reading should be fun. It should never feel like a chore. If it did, you wouldn't want to do it, right?
00:00:21
Kristin Paulin
For me, setting, reading, and other book-related goals is fun. You may or may not be in this same camp right now, but let me know what you think after this episode. I have a list of 15 ideas to share today.
Exploring New Genres and Formats
00:00:33
Kristin Paulin
Number one, try reading a book from a new genre.
00:00:36
Kristin Paulin
If you tend towards, say, romance books, why not try a sci-fi book and see what you think? When Project Hail Mary was the pick for one of my book clubs, I was absolutely dreading it. But oh my goodness, I loved it. And when I finished it, I thought to myself, do I like sci-fi books now? I think I might.
00:00:54
Kristin Paulin
Finding i enjoyed a genre i don't normally read also made me feel more willing and interested to try other ones, and they may not always be a win for me. For example, I tried Romanticy, also for a book club, and I just couldn't really get into it. We read a Court of Thorn and Roses, which is also sometimes referred to as ACOTAR.
00:01:14
Kristin Paulin
This is a wildly popular genre right now, and so I haven't completely shut the door on it. If anyone has any suggestions of other romantic-y books that I could try, please let me know.
00:01:26
Kristin Paulin
Number two, try reading a new format. By this I mean other than a novel. This could be a script, poetry, short stories, a graphic novel, or comic book.
00:01:37
Kristin Paulin
This is one of my personal goals this year. i have a friend who shared a script that he wrote with me. I also have a colleague who suggested some comic books for me to try. And then I recently picked up a book of short stories from a bookstore.
00:01:49
Kristin Paulin
The comic book I bought is called Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees. And it's described as darkly delightful thriller. It features a bear who is a serial killer.
00:02:00
Kristin Paulin
And the book of short stories I bought is called Hey You Assholes and is described as a bracing look into the lives of society's misfits.
Discovering Debut and Banned Authors
00:02:09
Kristin Paulin
Number three, read a new-to-you author or a debut author. You might discover a new favorite.
00:02:15
Kristin Paulin
I read four debut authors last year. All of the books came out last year, and I have nothing but great things to say about these authors and their first novels. I read Finding Grace by Loretta Rothschild, The Correspondent by Virginia Evans, Tilt by Emma Pattee and Such a Bad Influence by Grace Demyan
00:02:37
Kristin Paulin
And then on my TBR, I have more debut authors, and that includes Names by Florence Knapp and Maggie, A Man and a Woman Walk into a Bar by Katie Yee.
00:02:50
Kristin Paulin
Number four, read a banned book. Banned books are titles that were previously available and then have been removed from an institution like a school or a library because of controversial content or themes like racism, sexual orientation, or violence.
00:03:05
Kristin Paulin
Some of the most often banned books are 1984, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Catcher in the Rye, The Great Gatsby, and The Color Purple.
Classic and Immersive Reading Experiences
00:03:16
Kristin Paulin
Number five, read a classic book, and that's classic with a lower C. A classic book is widely recognized with universal themes like love, life, or morality, and they've stood the test of time, not the classics with a capital C that are primarily the ancient Greek and Roman literature.
00:03:35
Kristin Paulin
So examples of classics include The Great Gatsby and Pride and Prejudice. And then number six, read a seasonal book. My favorite are fall-themed books and Christmas books. I love marking the fall season with a book that's set in the fall season. I'll take the book, my cozy blanket, and a warm cup of coffee. For me, it really puts an emphasis on the season, and it makes it more fun.
00:03:59
Kristin Paulin
And number seven, try an immersive read. This is when you read the book while also listening to the audiobook version simultaneously. Last year, someone at a book club that I was at mentioned she liked to do this, and I'd never heard of it, and I thought it sounded like a fun idea.
00:04:16
Kristin Paulin
And so that's something I plan to try this year. There are several books on my TBR shelf that I also found the audiobook version of readily available on my library app. So the pairings are just waiting for me.
00:04:29
Kristin Paulin
The one I'm particularly interested to try first is Frida McFadden's The Intruder.
Social Reads and Reading Journals
00:04:34
Kristin Paulin
Number eight, do a buddy read or attend a book club. Reading a book with a friend to discuss it or going to a larger book club to discuss the book can be enriching. You'll get other viewpoints and be able to talk about your own reading experience with people that know what you're talking about.
00:04:49
Kristin Paulin
It can also be a way to expand your reading interests. I can think of at least three books that are among my favorites that I would not have read if they were not a pick for one of my book clubs. I had a colleague remark to me once how interesting it was that I took an individual hobby and made it a social part of my life.
00:05:06
Kristin Paulin
Number nine, keep a reading journal. Similar to a classic journal, it's a way to get your thoughts out on a subject. i also think of it like doing a book review for yourself. I personally forget the details after I finish reading a book, but by keeping a journal, you can preserve the details and your thoughts about them.
00:05:27
Kristin Paulin
Number 10, read the book before seeing the movie.
Supporting Local Libraries and Indie Bookstores
00:05:30
Kristin Paulin
Have you noticed how many of the shows and movies out today are based on books? Why not try the original first and then see it come to life on the big screen?
00:05:40
Kristin Paulin
Number 11, support your local library. This includes borrowing books, attending programs hosted by the library, using their various digital resources, which can include anything from genealogy resources to help for job seekers.
00:05:56
Kristin Paulin
Also, borrowing books digitally from the library apps, such as Libby and Hoopla. And this can also be in the audiobook format. joining the Friends of the Library group, and buying books from a used book sale hosted by the library,
00:06:15
Kristin Paulin
Number 12, buy books from indie booksellers. Local bookstores are more than just a place to buy books. They're a community anchor. They're a third place after home and work. And it can be really hard to compete with Amazon. So with this, my personal goal this year is to visit a different indie bookstore every month.
00:06:32
Kristin Paulin
I already fiercely support my local bookstores, but in 2026, I'd like to visit a new-to-me bookstore every month. So far in January, I've visited two new bookstores, Exile in Bookville and Afterwards, W-O-R-D-S, both in Chicago.
Engaging with the Literature Community
00:06:49
Kristin Paulin
Number 13, check out more bookish podcasts. Some of my favorites are Bad on Paper, Books, Beach, and Beyond, Open Book with Jenna,
00:06:59
Kristin Paulin
red heads and that's r e a d Redheads, and Thoughts from a Page. There are so many great ones out there to discover. Number 14, attend an author event.
00:07:14
Kristin Paulin
Author events can range from large book festivals to small signings and readings. One of the best times to find an event for an author is when they have a new book coming out,
00:07:26
Kristin Paulin
But there are also author discussions held by libraries, for example.
00:07:30
Kristin Paulin
And this is something that I started doing last year and I really enjoyed. Authors are like movie stars to me, and I'd like to attend more events this year. i have two planned for February, so I'm off to a good start. I'm attending an event for the release of Mary Kubica's latest thriller, It's Not Her. The event is being moderated by another thriller author, Geneva Rose. So I'm so excited to kind of get a two for one.
00:07:53
Kristin Paulin
And then I'm also attending a local library hosted event with a historical fiction novelist, Kate Quinn.
Final Thoughts and Encouragements
00:08:00
Kristin Paulin
And then number 15, DNF book if you don't like it. Life is too short and there are way too many great stories out there.
00:08:07
Kristin Paulin
Read what you love.
00:08:10
Kristin Paulin
That will do it for my list of ideas for 2026 bookish goals. The list will be in the show notes for quick reference. I hope you found inspiration within this list and happy reading in 2026. And thank you for listening.
00:08:23
Kristin Paulin
If you liked the episode, please tell a friend. In the meantime, you can find me on Instagram at Kristin's Next Chapter, all one word. I'd love to hear from you and know what your bookish goals are 2026.