Somehow we’ve already made it to July, which means we’re officially halfway through 2026. So I wanted to take a minute to look back at my reading goals, my progress, and all the books that have kept me company so far this year.
My Reading Goals (and How They’re Going)
At the start of the year, I set a goal of 6 hours of reading each month. I’ve actually been hitting 7–8 hours pretty consistently, which feels good.
I also aimed for 30 minutes of reading every day, and I’ve stuck to that except Fridays and Saturdays, since those are Izzy days. Even with that, I’ve kept a steady routine, which is honestly the part I’m most proud of.
My big yearly goal was to read 12 books, and I’m currently on book #12 and almost finished. Hitting that halfway through the year feels like a win, and now I get to bump the goal up for the rest of 2026.
Reading Stats So Far
Even with two days off each week, the numbers surprised me:
- 83 reading days out of 160
- Almost 40 hours of reading
- 3,674 pages
- Most pages in a day: 90
- Most minutes in a day: 149
Quiet progress adds up more than you think.
Favorites, Least Favorites, and DNFs
Favorites
- Your Masked Valentine by Pru Schuyler — still one of the sweetest reads of the year
- Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas — finished recently and really enjoyed it
Least Favorite
- Toxic by Nicole Blanchard just didn’t work for me
DNFs
- If This Was a Movie by Morgan Elizabeth
Cute, but I was in the mood for something with more spice - Mine to Hunt by C.O. Wheel
Might circle back eventually timing just wasn’t right - Midnight Messages by Avina St. Graves
Gave it a few chapters and it didn’t grab me
Six months in, I’m happy with the rhythm I’ve built and the progress I’ve made. I hit my biggest goal early, I’ve found some new favorites, and I’ve learned to let go of books that aren’t for me. Now it’s time to set a new goal and see where the rest of 2026 takes me.
Here’s to more good stories and more days where reading fits in exactly the way I want it to.
Leave a Reply