A book, a cup of coffee, a journal, and some highlighters.

I’m Behind in My Reading. Now What?

I’m behind in my reading for book club. We’re studying Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky at a pace of 20 pages a day. How far behind am I, you ask? About 100 pages. Should I stress out? Worry? Berate myself for letting work and life get the better of my reading habit?

What I Do When I Get Behind

The truth is that I get behind on my reading goals all the time. And it’s OK. Let’s take a deep breath and remember that our books should bring joy rather than fester anxiety. When I get behind, here’s what I do: I start again.

I don’t rush to get caught up and I don’t skim. I read slowly, and remember that my book is a companion I want to get to know better, not a speed date I want to brush aside.

What You Can Do Today

If you’re behind on your reading goals, first I applaud you for having reading goals. Most people have given up on reading, so you’re a rare breed! Second, I applaud you for being here with me. This is our reading community – a little place on the internet where we can cheer each other on, and learn from the best books. Take a deep breath, pick up your book, and start again.

Until tomorrow, read slowly – take notes – apply the ideas.

-Eddy

3 Reasons to Subscribe

Join my newsletter for a weekly dose of curated book recommendations, engaging challenges to enhance your reading habits, and exclusive invitations to live literary events.

  1. 📚 As a special welcome, you'll receive my personally compiled list of top book recommendations.
  2. 🎉 Gain complimentary access for 30 days to my online book club, where we meet weekly to share our love for literature.
  3. 👋 Discover the joy of reading with friends in our online reading community. I'll send you an invite link to connect with our fellow book enthusiasts and enrich your reading experience.

    We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time.
    author avatar
    Eddy Hood
    I’m Eddy Hood, host of The Read Well Podcast. I love getting lost in big ideas and great stories, and I started the podcast to help fellow readers tackle challenging books with confidence. I’m studying philosophy, running Edgewater Bookstore, and slowly chipping away at writing a novel.

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *