January marks the beginning of the new calendar year and is accompanied by a plethora of rituals like setting resolutions, making new goals, and committing yourself to changing your current position in life. However, the calendar year is not representative of the seasonal changes around the globe that affect the biology of the human body. In the United States, the new year takes place in the middle of winter after a long stretch of holidays. While our culture has conditioned us to believe that the beginning of the new year is the time for drastic changes or self-improvement, the seasons indicate otherwise. Depending on where in the United States you are, winter can be blankets of snow or barely dropping below 60 degrees. In either case, the days are shorter, the weather is colder, and nature is taking its time to retreat and prepare for spring. I invite you to consider following nature’s lead and postponing new spurts of motivation or intense focus for spring, while taking winter as a time for rest and introspection.

Take advantage of the long nights and cold weather to be alone with yourself in warm spaces with sedentary activities that bring you joy. For example, January is also National Book Blitz Month, meant to encourage the joy of reading in your everyday life. A practice that fits perfectly with the notion of self-betterment and rest in the winter months!

Book Blitz Month is meant to encourage everyone to reconnect with the practice of reading by attending a literary event, reading more books, gifting books, or appreciating an author that has had an impact on your life. While there are many ways to approach the holiday, there are some easy ways to streamline the process so it continues throughout the rest of your winter and year.

First, recall a book that you enjoyed. It didn’t have to have a significant impact on your life or be incredibly intellectual, just think of any book that you liked reading and would want to read again. The first title that comes to my mind is Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas. I first read the series when I was in high school and it’s been one of my favorites ever since. After you have your book in mind, consider rereading it or research the author and check for any recent publications. Reading something from an author you already love can be a great way to get started, especially if you’ve been in a reading slump for a while.

Second, set a goal. I know, this seems contradictory to using winter as a period of rest and self-fulfillment; however, this goal is just for you to see your progress and review your reading journey. It is not a measure of how smart you are or how many books you can read in a year; it’s just a matter of what type of reading you want to do and how you want reading to fit into your life. When I recall some of my favorite authors or books I don’t think about how fast I read them or how many pages they had. In some cases I don’t even remember the major plot points, but I always remember how I felt reading them and that feeling is the most important part. So instead of logging into Goodreads and setting a reading goal for the year, identify two genres you want to read from and one topic you want to read more about. This winter I want to read more from the romance and historical fiction genres and read one book about dating and self-help.

Third, create a ritual. Creating a space and time for your reading can make it more fun and something to look forward to. Research has indicated that reading before going to bed can positively affect your quality of sleep. These positive effects emerge from reading’s ability to calm the mind, relax muscles, and act as a substitute for screen time and exposure to blue light. Setting aside ten to twenty minutes before bed or after you wake up to read can reduce your screen time and improve your reading habits.

These steps will make it easier for you to encourage yourself to read and explore new literary genres. It will also make resting and taking care of yourself this winter more of a priority with an activity you can enjoy. Here are some of my personal favorites to get out of a reading slump, start a new series, or enjoy a quick page turner.

My recent favorite is Normal People by Sally Rooney. I watched the show first but I think the book was better. The prose allowed it to be more emotional and Rooney’s style immerses the reader so deeply in the plot that I felt like I was the protagonist, and I was feeling everything they were describing. I finished it in one day during a long road trip, and it left me thinking about it for the next couple weeks. This is definitely a good way to start reading again or experiment with reading a different form of novel.

No-No Boy by John Okada is a solid choice for exploring more political elements of US history, in particular the aftermath of World War II for Japanese Americans. The free indirect discourse rationalizes the character’s emotions and actions subtly within the narration. This allows readers with limited knowledge of this topic to fully understand the internal difficulties the characters are facing along with the social pressures they experienced. It was a very emotional read and deals with heavier topics.

Olivie Blake’s The Atlas Six was the perfect mixture of dark academia, fantasy, romance, and young adult coming of age. The set up is easily engaging, detailing the journey of six protagonists who agree to study at a prestigious institution because of their exceptional magical abilities ranging from physical to psychological control. It is the first book in a trilogy and a fun fantasy read through and through.

My final recommendation is Rivals by Jilly Cooper. Similarly to Normal People, I was inspired to read it after watching the show. This was a fun and easy read with a lot of drama, romance, and humor. The relationships are constantly changing, and no one is off limits in this volatile small town English drama. I would characterize this as a low-stakes read that keeps your attention without requiring too much energy on plot or complex topics.

I hope the rest of your winter is filled with warmth and reading all sorts of books that you enjoy!

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