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Guide

How many books should you read a year? Setting a realistic goal

There is no right number of books to read in a year. A good goal is one that makes you read a little more than you would otherwise, without turning reading into a chore. Here is a simple way to pick one.

Start with what you read last year

Count the books you finished last year, or in the last few months. That is your real baseline. A goal a bit above it is far more likely to stick than a big round number.

Estimate from your time

Time yourself reading for 10 minutes and count the pages. Multiply to get pages per hour, then think about how many minutes a day you can really read. Divide a typical book length by your daily pages to see how long one book takes you. Many adults read somewhere around 200 to 300 words a minute, but your pace depends on the book, so use your own number.

Consider a time goal instead

If you read long or difficult books, a book count can push you toward short reads. A goal such as 20 minutes a day, or reading on five days a week, rewards the habit instead of the total.

Count every format

Audiobooks and e-books are reading for the purpose of your own goal. Counting them makes the goal fit real life, such as listening on a commute.

Review and adjust

• Check your progress every month or quarter.
• Lower the goal if it starts to feel like homework.
• Raise it if you pass it early.
• Give yourself permission to stop a book you are not enjoying.