Why slow reading has been my goal for the last two years

I’ve never considered myself a fast reader, in fact I wasn’t a “reader” until I was a teen. I struggled with reading throughout my childhood. I loved stories but found it impenetrable on my own for a long time. This was probably due to my undiagnosed ADHD, but then again that’s the refrain for most AFAB millennials, isn’t it?

Since teenhood, I’ve steadily read books. Never so much that it was a personality trait (minus my Lord of the Rings obsession IYKYK) but enough that I swap books with friends and can talk about them. It was in 2021 and the gift of my e-reader - big up Kobo girlies - that my reading went into overdrive (literally too, as Kobo’s have Overdrive built in and I borrowed SO MANY library books it almost makes me feel smug, almost). I went from reading 8 books in 2020 to 48 in 2021, then 80 odd in 2022 and well over 100 in 2023.

This would look like a win to most people but I found the sheer scale overwhelming. I forgot plot points, author names and character arcs. I missed out on details or books with similar themes ran together in my brain. All in all, it left me feeling icky and I missed settling into a book, taking my time and choosing my pace. (Weirdly, I do enjoy having a numerical reading goal. It inspires and encourages me, but I know they aren’t for everyone.)

So, for the last couple of years I have made the intention to read less. Yes, you heard correctly. I wanted to read fewer books and really enjoy them.

I found the whole process incredibly liberating. It meant I stopped gravitating towards quick reads to reach a goal and only picked up books I wanted to, and meant that I could read a chapter or two before bed - my ideal reading time. My reading goal for 2024 was 52 books, 1 per week and I nearly didn’t make it due to some ill health towards the end of the year. I did my old things and reached for short, easy reads and while I did reach my “goal”, it reminded me that I probably need to slow down. I didn’t want to get to the point where I didn’t read, something that has happened before. Usually when I’m studying, all the energy goes into reading texts for that. I am a writer, so reading is how I switch off and relax but it’s also a way to feed my creativity - along with films, discussions, podcasts, architecture, art and *gestures to the world* everything else - and my life would feel bereft without it.

After some reflection, I decided to lower my reading goal even more. It’s 35 books this year, a nice number so I can take a couple of weeks on “harder” reads whilst still enjoying my palate cleanser light books, without being reliant on them. 

Reading goals and challenges may be arbitrary but they keep me accountable and help feed into my brain. I become a better writer with each book I read, and that is only magnified by each book I write.