One of my favorite things on this planet includes my family, a fresh pair of comfortable socks and a good book.
Books have been part of my life for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I was always reading something. That love followed me into college, where it turned into something a little unexpected. While I was in school, I started an online book business selling used books through Amazon. Living in Milwaukee at the time gave me access to countless thrift stores, where I could buy books cheaply and resell them at a solid margin.
At one point, our bungalow held around 5,000 books. We sold anywhere from 100 to 250 books a week, depending on the season. It was fun, hectic and rewarding, and it helped pay for a good portion of my college education and living expenses. That experience only deepened my appreciation for books and the knowledge they hold.
I still love to read, especially non-fiction. Biographies, business profiles, history — if it’s real and well-written, I’m interested. But like many people, reading has slowly been pushed aside. A growing family, expanding businesses and the constant pace of daily life make it easy to say, “I’ll get back to reading when I have more time.”
The truth is, that time rarely just appears.
I tend to read in phases. I’ll read constantly for a month or two, then go several months without picking up a book. Meanwhile, I keep buying them. They stack up on shelves and in corners of our ever-changing home library, quietly waiting their turn.
For 2026, I want that to change.
My New Year’s resolution is simple but intentional: make time to read. My goal is to finish 25 books this year. That may sound ambitious, but it’s also realistic. One book every two weeks. Most of the books I read fall between 250 and 400 pages. Reading 25 to 30 pages a day is manageable if I treat it as a priority instead of an afterthought.
People who value lifelong learning understand this. Some of the busiest people in the world still make time to read, not because they have extra hours, but because they protect that time.
That’s what I plan to do. Wake up a little earlier. Watch less television late at night. Spend less time scrolling on my phone. Replace some of that noise with quiet, focus and pages turning.
I also want accountability. I plan to share quarterly updates on how this goal is going, and I welcome the questions. Don’t hesitate to ask what I’m currently reading. It keeps me honest and often leads to great conversations around town.
If you’re someone who sets New Year’s resolutions, I encourage you to think beyond the usual ones. Choose something that feeds your mind or strengthens your well-being. We only get one life, and how we choose to spend our time matters.
Here’s to a new year, a growing stack of books and making time for what truly lasts.