Clara Pribadi is a "bit behind" on her reading goal for 2025.

The 32-year-old from Adelaide/Tarntanya exceeded her 50-book goal last year. But as of November, she still has 10 to go.

"This year I'm really slow — I got a new job, a new dog, life keeps happening. Which is good."

Clara, who shares her love of reading on BookTok, says not meeting her reading goal is not a big deal.

"It's just for fun. I'm not going to be bothered if I don't meet it."

Julian Novitz, an academic director and senior lecturer in media and communication at Swinburne University of Technology, says reading more is a common New Year's resolution.

And while some people might find goal-setting motivating — such as reading X number of books each year or pages each day — he says there is a risk of turning what is supposed to be a pleasurable activity into a chore.

Are reading goals performative?

Social media and reading platforms have played a role in transforming reading into something that is publicly performed rather than something enjoyed privately for pleasure, says Dr Novitz.

"Discussing what we have read and posting reading goals can be a great way of just getting through books and making sure we are reading and meeting that criteria.

"It can also be a way of introducing books and reading into public discourse … generating discussion."

But performative reading can "outstrip" the joy and value of reading itself, he says, becoming more about stats.

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Clara says sharing her reading passion with the BookTok community is about connection.

"I needed an output to talk about my books more to people that actually like reading as much as I do.

"I feel like I used to just talk to my husband about it, and he was listening, but he didn't share this passion."

Sharing her goals with BookTok is fun and motivating, she says, but most importantly, a talking point.

"I don't think anyone cares about my reading goal — no-one is checking on that. It's not like a KPI."

Clara Pribadi says setting realistic reading goals, such as one page a night, is the key to success. (Supplied)

Reading shouldn't feel like a chore

Using number goals, such as reading one book a month, can feel more like work than play, Dr Novitz says.

"In many different types of roles and occupations, there is reading for work and general information we need to be a part of a wider culture.

"Reading we do for recreation is precious."