What Books I’m Reading In January 2026
While I’m trying very hard not to set an arbitrary number of books to read in 2026, I would love to read at least 3 books per month. I could read more, or I could read less, but 3 would be a good target for me because it’s about learning and not just ticking off an item from my goal list.
I am interested in reading more fictional novels because, as some of my readers might know, I want to be a fictional author. It’s a dream of mine that has stuck with me since I was a teen, but for one reason or another (imposter syndrome, anyone?), I haven’t really done it.
I don’t really care anymore about writing a bestseller because, to be honest, I don’t know if I can produce something so special. But, for the sake of art, I want to try to write as creatively and freely as I am capable of.
Actually, I think I’m being disingenuous. It’s not even about art as a whole. I, quite selfishly, want to indulge in the creative arts because I find them to be, for lack of better words, beautiful.
Yes, AI has made it possible for anyone to publish a novel, but I want to experience the highs and lows of those who wrote classics. Maybe I’ll grow from the experience. Maybe I’ll love it. I could also hate it. But if it’s authentic, I won’t regret it.
And so this is one of the many reasons why I want to read more books. The other reason has more to do with an intense desire to separate myself from social media.
I’m happier when entertainment is truly artistic and not built around monetizable trends.
Anyway, the start of a new year is often tied directly to resolutions and goal-setting, so I figured that it would be fun to read some nonfiction books to set the tone for the year ahead.
I’ve read The Slight Edge (it was the very first self-development book that I’d ever read), but it’s been well over a decade since I did. I want to read it again with more of a critical eye to see whether the offering is as impactful as it was before.
Here’s a list of the 3 books I will read in January 2026:
1. What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami
2. The Slight Edge: Turning Simple Disciplines Into Massive Success & Happiness by Jeff Olson
What I’m Doing To Read More Books
After destroying my ability to focus for more than a few minutes from excessive consumption of shorts and reels, I’ve figured out how to extend my attention span.
Here’s what worked:
- Start reading easy books that interest you. It might be tempting to pick up a behemoth novel like The Count of Monte Cristo, but not if you’re trying to undo years of brain rot. Start with easy and light reading until the habit of reading for longer periods becomes natural to you.
- Switch between paperback and digital whenever you feel like it. The medium doesn’t matter as much as you’d think. If you’re accustomed to being on your phone or laptop most of the time, work around it by reading on those devices instead of scrolling on social media. Technology isn’t the villain of our story. It’s just a tool. How we use it dictates the effect.
- Read when you’re commuting to and from places (if it’s safe to do so).
- Read fiction when you’re in bed at night. It’s soothing, and there won’t be much resistance since you’re not planning on doing much at that hour anyway.
- Avoid focusing on time blocks when reading unless you have other obligations. For full immersion, comprehension matters more than time spent on reading. In other words, read at a pace that allows you to connect with the narrative or message on the page.
- Make it as fun as possible. I have my own ways (sipping tea and snacking on some fruits) to make it an enjoyable time in my day.
I hope you find some inspiration to pick up a book this week and to just step away from the bustle of the internet.
Most importantly, I hope you have a good time reading.
