Is one of your goals to read more in 2026? It’s a common goal at this time of year. And why not? Reading has many benefits: it helps provide escapism, builds empathy and can reduce stress. Reading also protects against cognitive decline. So if you want to read more this year, we’re here to help!
Set a reading goal
Setting a reading goal can help motivate you to find time to read. You can choose to read for a set time period or set a goal to read a certain number of books. Or maybe you want to read more outside of your comfort zone.
If you do choose a reading goal involving a certain number of books, sites like The StoryGraph, Fable and Goodreads can help you track your titles and find new ones. Journals are another way of keeping track of the books you read. Plus, you can jot down a few notes about each book.
Join a book club
A book club can help motivate you to read and allows for a deeper dive into a book’s themes and characters. Book clubs also encourage members to read genres they might not choose for themselves. Then there are the social aspects of book clubs, creating meaningful connections through books. It’s always fun to get together and talk about a book, whether you liked it or not, and gain new perspectives on it.
We have several book clubs you may be interested in joining. Or you may want to start your own book club with family and friends. We have book club kits with a wide variety of titles to help you. You can check out as few or as many copies as you’d like.
Try listening to books
Have you tried audiobooks? You can download them to your phone or tablet, making it easy to listen on the go. Whether you’re commuting, doing chores around the house or walking your dog, a great story is just a download away. It makes it easier to always have a book with you. Check out our digital collections to get started!
Join the Winter Reading Challenge
Our 2026 Winter Reading Challenge starts Monday, January 12. Read or listen for a total of 500 minutes, and you can win weekly gift cards and be entered to win a $50 Barnes and Noble gift card. Reading or listening for just a few minutes a day might be the motivation you need to continue reading throughout the year. It’s self-paced so you can sign up at any time. And who doesn’t like a gift card as an extra incentive to read?
Not sure what to read next?
What’s Next: Try our personalized recommendations. Tell us a few things about your reading preferences, and we’ll give you a list of books to try. We can even tailor your list if you prefer series, large print or eBooks. We’re here to help you find your next great read.
Currated Reading Lists: Check out our recommendation pages for adults, teens and kids. These pages are filled with new releases and timely recommendations. We also have displays throughout the library to inspire your to-read list.
Hold, Please: Don’t miss the newest releases from your favorite authors. Sign up for our auto-hold subscription service! Just pick your favorite authors from our curated list, and we’ll automatically place holds for you whenever they have a new book on the way.
Staff Picks & Teen Book Bites: Not sure what to read, watch or listen to next? Our staff can help! Each week our staff shares one of their favotire books, movies, video games and more. Follow us on Instragram and YouTube for weekly recommendations from our staff.