Yep. I added one more.
At the start of the year, I decided to make reading a daily habit. My goal wasn’t to finish a specific number of books or hit a high page count—it was simply to read every single day, even if it was just for an hour. I wanted to see if consistency alone could make a difference.
Now that January is over, I can confidently say that it worked.
I originally planned to write about the five books I finished last month, but as it turns out, I ended up reading six. That extra bit of daily reading really added up, and before I knew it, I had completed another book: Half the World by Joe Abercrombie.
How I Stick to Daily Reading
For me, the key to reading more wasn’t setting an unrealistic goal like “I’m going to read 100 books this year.” I did set a goal of 30 books, but my main focus is on reading every single day. By prioritizing consistency over hitting a number, I’ll probably end up surpassing that goal by quite a lot. Here’s what helped me stay on track:
I made it a non-negotiable part of my routine. Whether it was in the morning with coffee, during a break, or before bed, I made sure to fit in at least an hour. Some people take smoke bricks, I take reading bricks if I'm having a rough day.
I kept books easily accessible. If I was reading a physical book, I made sure it was within reach. If I was using my Kindle, I had it loaded up and ready to go.
I read what I felt like reading. I didn’t force myself through books I wasn’t enjoying, which made it easier to stay engaged.
And as it turns out, an hour a day is enough to make serious progress.
Half the World by Joe Abercrombie – A Brief Review
The last book I finished in January was Half the World, the second installment in Abercrombie’s Shattered Sea trilogy. While Half a King focused on Yarvi’s journey, this book shifts perspectives, following two new protagonists: Thorn Bathu and Brand.
Thorn is a fierce and stubborn young warrior who wants to prove herself in a world that
largely dismisses female fighters. She’s reckless, determined, and full of fight—making her a compelling lead. Brand, on the other hand, is her opposite. He’s strong but thoughtful, torn between his moral compass and the warrior’s path expected of him.
Abercrombie does an excellent job balancing brutal action with sharp dialogue and deep character development. The story moves at a fast pace, full of training sequences, dangerous journeys, and political intrigue. Like most of Abercrombie’s work, Half the World doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of its world, but it also has moments of humor and heart that keep it from feeling too bleak.
I found this book even more engaging than Half a King. The character dynamics were richer, the stakes felt higher, and the pacing was tighter. If you enjoy grimdark fantasy with great character work, Half the World is definitely worth picking up.
Looking Ahead
This little experiment of reading every day has been a success, so I’m keeping it going. February’s reading list is already taking shape, and I’m currently making my way through The Dungeon Anarchist’s Cookbook, the third book in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series. Once I finish that, I think I’m going to venture out into the world of nonfiction and read Chaos: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the Secret History of the Sixties by Tom O’Neill. It’s a deep dive into the Manson murders and the strange web of conspiracies surrounding them, so it should be an interesting change of pace.
If you’re trying to read more, I highly recommend starting small—just an hour a day can make a huge difference. You might be surprised by how much you can get through!
And if you start a book but just can’t get into it, there’s no shame in putting it down and picking up something else. Reading should be enjoyable, not a chore. There are so many great books out there—don’t waste time forcing yourself through something you don’t like when you could be reading a book you love.
Are you setting any reading goals this year? Let me know what’s on your list!
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