Rediscovering the Joy of Reading: One Woman’s Journey to 72 Books in a Year
A personal account details a renewed passion for reading, fueled by a simple promise adn aided by modern tracking tools, demonstrating the power of prioritizing literary exploration.
A seemingly small moment in 2022 sparked a remarkable transformation for one reader. Receiving “A Perfect Story” from someone named Ñaño wasn’t just about acquiring a new book; it was the catalyst for a personal commitment. As the reader recounts, it was “a silent promise I made to myself: I’m going to read again how I read when I was little.” This meant embracing reading for pure enjoyment, “no obligation,” and without the pressure of “what you ‘shoudl'” be reading.
The initial return to reading in 2023 was characterized by a relaxed, unmeasured approach.Books simply “came back into my life like someone important comes back: without warning, but to stay.” This organic re-engagement laid the groundwork for a more intentional approach in 2024 with the introduction of Fable, an app described as making reading feel like a “high-performance sport.” This tool allowed for tracking progress and identifying patterns in reading habits.
Setting a goal of 50 books for 2024 felt ambitious, “beautiful,” and “realistic…with a little faith.” the result? A triumphant 56 books read. Maintaining that goal for 2025 seemed sensible, but the reader surpassed expectations, completing a staggering 72 books by December 26, 2025. “Seventy-two,” the reader noted, “I blinked twice too.”
This achievement isn’t presented as a boast, but as a source of deep pride in the reader they’ve become. The journey involved conscious lifestyle shifts: reducing screen time, even considering saying goodbye to Netflix, and replacing the question “one more chapter?” with a commitment to “one more chapter” – of a book.
For 2026, the goal has been adjusted upwards to 60 books, not out of pressure or competition, but because it feels like a natural progression.The reader emphasizes that the joy of reading is paramount. “Meeting a goal fills me with pride, but not meeting it doesn’t take away from what I’ve danced.”
Today is a celebration of that joy, of being “back” to a beloved pastime, and of the accomplishment of reading 72 books – even with the occasional forgotten character name. The reader playfully acknowledges,”oh well,that’s another story. And problably another book.”
The author concludes with a direct invitation to readers: “Do you read? How many books did you read during 2025? How many woudl you like to read in 2026? Are there any that you feel yes or yes should I read? (I have a bad reputation for reading anything except what is recommended to me…but
Here’s a breakdown answering the “Why, who, What, and How” questions:
* Who: The story centers on an unnamed woman who rediscovered her love of reading.
* What: She embarked on a personal challenge to read more, initially sparked by receiving a book (“A Perfect Story”) and culminating in reading 72 books in 2025.
* Why: She wanted to recapture the joy of reading she experienced as a child – reading without obligation or external pressure.
* How: She started by simply re-engaging with reading, then
