I really dropped the ball on my reading goals last year. 

I’m beginning to wonder whether I’ve developed a dreaded case of mood reading. “Mood reading” basically means choosing to read books based on your mood, not from any set TBR or order in mind. It sounds relaxing and stress-free at first, but honestly its started to destroy my reading streak. 

More times than I can count, I’ve accidentally read four books simultaneously. Usually I only end up completing one of these. The rest are DNFs. And no, I wasn’t bored by them. I just kept jumping between books instead of flipping pages. It’s a case of “biting off more than I can read”. 

The worst part is, it’s much harder to convince yourself to finish a book you abandoned months ago and just pick up where you left off. By then I might’ve already found out the ending through a spoiler or the story just becomes more predictable that I don’t need to stick around for a happily ever after. And behold, an ever repeating cycle. 

Ironically, the first book I finished this year was for school. Meanwhile, the book I had selected myself side eyed me, perched on top of my desk. This made me realize that what I was lacking was a clear structure and a better dedication to seeing things through. 

And fortunately a simple cure for mood reading is nothing short of having actual trackers. Personally, I’ve started using the websites Storygraph, Hardcover and good old Goodreads. It’s actually been one of my most disciplined ideas for someone who usually doesn’t set new year goals. 

First up: A TBR. Reading through a series has usually kept me in line but standalones could use more rules to resist temptation. Most of my to-be-read books came from a book list I made on my notes app, including new releases I hadn’t caught up with from authors like Karen M. McManus and Jennifer Lynn Barnes or series I just haven’t tried yet.

Trackers are actually more useful than I might’ve given credit to in the past. In my case, it holds me to the idea that it doesn’t matter if I’m reading three books at once, I still haven’t actually completed one yet.

Other than holding you accountable, reading trackers actually make your goals more exciting and helps you feel like you’re closer to achieving your goals. Additionally, I’ve really enjoyed seeing my library divided into pie charts of my top genres and moods and percentages of how far I really am into a story. 

I’ve realized that maintaining a good balance between hobbies and school means giving hobbies deadlines too. No more excuses. Structure doesn’t have to be restrictive, just a set of guidelines to keep you on track. Reading needs freedom, like the freedom to choose what and when to read. But too much, just leads to an unfinished pile of books waiting for a mood that may never come.