By Hannah Johnson
Falcon Four: 4 tips for keeping your reading resolutions in 2026
Happy 2026 Falcons! We’re already a month into the new year, and “Quitter’s Day” observed on the second Friday of January each year, has passed, reflecting the day when people are known to quit on their New Year’s resolutions. But you don’t have to quit on your reading goals for 2026. Here are four tips to help you continue with your yearly reading goals or get back on track if you’ve begun to observe Quitter’s Day.
- Switch the genre
Sometimes genres can be unassuming. If you tend to stick to the same genre and are beginning to feel a little burnt out or unmotivated, switching to a book with an entirely new setting and entirely new qualities can help make you excited for reading. Even if sci-fi or historical fiction sounds “too different” from your normal romances, I’ve found fantastic books over the years that I never would’ve picked up had I not switched my genre.
- Reconnect with a well-loved author
One of my favorite ways to get excited about reading is by going back to an author I’ve loved before. If you’ve read one of their books and really enjoyed it, take a look through what else they’ve written! It’s a great feeling when an author just “gets” you, and their way of telling a story works for you. Though each book is different, writing qualities like style and pacing can stick with your favorite authors, introducing you to many new books to enjoy.
- Don’t be afraid to DNF
As much as you may want to love every book you ever read, some books are just not going to be your cup of tea. Realizing that, and knowing when to give a book up, is so important. Sometimes it’s hard if you’ve already dedicated so much time to a book, maybe you’re already 70% percent done, so you might as well finish, right? When reading the wrong book, each page can begin to feel like a chore. Forcing yourself to keep going with a book you don’t enjoy can kill a reader’s motivation…cause why would you want to pick up the book at all when you don’t like it- and put you in a reading slump for months. There are so many good books out there waiting to be read, too many to spend all this effort on something you don’t like. Don’t be afraid to go pick up something else to enjoy.
- Try out new forms
Digital and audiobooks are great because of their convenience to readers, even if nothing compares to the physical feeling of a book in your hands. New opportunities for reading present themselves with these new formats, allowing you to get pages in anywhere you go. Long car rides can be a peaceful opportunity to put on an audiobook, especially helpful if you happen to get motion sickness from reading physically in a car. You can carry digital books in your back pocket, on the phone you already take everywhere with you. A few minutes of downtime can be a chance to enjoy a new chapter. If you’re looking to read more in 2026, there are always ways to get lost in a good book. Utilizing your local library and online library databases, full of audio and digital books, ensures you can read more without breaking the bank.
So, don’t be discouraged if you’ve celebrated Quitter’s Day this month. You can jump back into the wonderful world of books right now. Happy reading.
