Goals, Growth, and Great Books

The Books That Shaped My Year and How Doubling My Goals Changed Everything

As a child, I read five books a day at minimum. Before I graduated elementary school, I’d exhausted my local library’s children’s section and found myself reading business books before I entered middle school. I’ve always had a deep love of literature and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. However, last December, I was in my junior year of university and less than thrilled with the number of books I’d read that year. I decided to make a goal of reading at least one book a month. Then, I doubled it.

Made by BDesignzBoutique

There’s something about setting a target goal that feels reachable, reasonable, and safe. But stagnation rarely sparks transformation. When you set goals outside of your immediate comfort zone, ones that are ambitious yet deliberate, you’re often propelled further than you expect. Setting a goal and then doubling it forces us to think creatively, prioritize better, and often achieve more than we initially thought possible.

Dr. Edwin Locke, a pioneer in Goal-Setting Theory, found that specific, challenging goals lead to greater performance than modest, undefined ones. It isn’t just about striving; it’s about clarity and intention. Vague aspirations like “read more,” “drink less,” or “be healthier” rarely translate into progress. But when you identify a clear goal—“read one book a month”—you set the stage for success. Doubling that goal is where the magic happens: it invites you to stretch, but not to snap. Locke’s research emphasizes that goals must be difficult enough to inspire effort but realistic enough to avoid discouragement. A well-chosen goal fuels motivation, sharpens focus, and offers the kind of satisfaction that only comes from rising to a worthy challenge.

Last December, I made a small promise to myself: read one book a month. Then, I doubled it. I wasn’t seeking perfection, nor was I planning punishment. I was merely igniting possibility. By the end of the year, I’d read more than I planned. Better yet, I’d rediscovered something precious: the illumination of knowledge, the comfort of stories, and the quiet thrill of pushing myself just a little further than I thought I could go.

Set your New Year’s resolution before New Year’s and then set yourself up for success. Whether it be getting a library card, a gym membership, or a lunchbox and Tupperware to make meal prep easier. Set a goal that will help you stretch, and see what a difference a year makes.

---

Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash

Best of Books

Along this journey, a handful of books stood out—guiding me, challenging me, or simply offering me solace in their pages. Perhaps this can serve as a list of recommendations for your reading journey. Here are the ones I loved most this year…

Best Holiday Fiction

A Christmas Karol by Faith Moore

Faith Moore’s retelling of A Christmas Carol is nothing short of delightful. With a sharp and heartfelt twist on Dickens’s classic tale, Karol’s journey invites readers to reflect on the meaning of family, ambition, and what truly matters in life. It’s the perfect modern holiday read, balancing humor, poignancy, and redemption.

Best Nonfiction

Hannah’s Children: The Women Quietly Defying the Birth Dearth by Catherine Ruth Pakaluk

This beautifully researched book sheds light on the remarkable women embracing motherhood in a world that often undervalues it. Catherine Pakaluk’s heartfelt exploration reveals the purpose, faith, and strength that drive these mothers, challenging societal norms and inspiring readers to think deeply about legacy and contribution. A must-read for those curious about the profound impact of choosing family first.

Best Bioethics Book

Them Before Us by Katy Faust

This book reframes the conversation around marriage, parenthood, and reproductive technologies through the eyes of the children most affected. Katy Faust’s thoughtful research and compelling storytelling made me pause, reflect, and reconsider what it means to advocate for the most vulnerable. It’s a thought-provoking, necessary book for anyone invested in family and societal well-being.

Best Series

The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

C.S. Lewis’s enchanting series never fails to transport me to a world of wonder and truth. Every visit to Narnia feels like coming home, where timeless lessons about courage, sacrifice, and redemption await. It’s a series that grows richer with every read, offering something for children and adults alike.

Best Investigative Work

DeTrans by Mary Margaret Olohan

In DeTrans, Mary Margaret Olohan tackles one of today’s most pressing issues with compassion and courage. Her deeply personal interviews and thorough research illuminate the complex reality of gender ideology, giving a voice to those who often go unheard. It’s an eye-opening and necessary read.

Best Political Commentary

Domestic Extremist by

Peachy Keenan

Peachy Keenan’s witty and razor-sharp critique of modern culture had me nodding along and laughing out loud. Her unapologetic embrace of traditional values feels both refreshing and brave in today’s climate. This book is a rallying cry for anyone who dares to defy the status quo.

Best Classic Exploration

The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis

This profound allegory by C.S. Lewis brings the eternal stakes of our earthly choices into sharp focus. It’s both sobering and hopeful, urging readers to reflect on their spiritual journey. I devoured this on audiobook during a Summer afternoon after Jazz’s passing when my environment was unbearably quiet. Lewis’s unmatched ability to blend imagination with theology makes this a deeply engrossing timeless classic.

Best Spiritual Page-Turner

The Veil by Blake K. Healy

Blake K. Healy pulls back the curtain on the unseen spiritual world in this fascinating and eye-opening read. His vivid storytelling brings the supernatural to life, making it hard to put the book down. It left me with a sense of awe and a deeper awareness of God’s presence in the everyday.

Best Spiritual Nonfiction

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

Few books explain faith as clearly and eloquently as Mere Christianity. With brilliant logic and radiant warmth, C.S. Lewis unpacks the essentials of Christian belief in a way that resonates deeply. Every page is a treasure trove of wisdom, offering something new each time you revisit it. It was so nice I read it twice this year.

Best Religious Biography

The Jesus I Never Knew by Philip D. Yancey

Philip Yancey’s honest and refreshing exploration of Jesus’s humanity and divinity changed how I view the Gospels. This book reminded me that faith is as much about asking hard questions as it is about finding answers. I read this going into season 3 of Finding the Faith and it aided me in putting down further spiritual roots. It’s a powerful read for anyone seeking to deepen their relationship with Christ.

Best Literary Podcast

Storytime for Grownups is a podcast that my friend Faith Moore does. Her delightful, cheery voice carries classic literature from the page to your ears with fun and insightful takes breaking down key parts so that we can best understand these works of art. She’s also the reason I ended up reading Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice as I was graduating.

In 2025, I’m planning on reading at least one Russian novel, some Chesterton, and rereading The Iliad. What’s on your reading list?