Chigozirim Okoli
Every first day of January, we all do the same thing. We promise to wake up earlier and be more productive.
We swear we’ll go to the gym more at least four times a week. We declare we’re cutting off toxic people, toxic habits, and possibly excess fat. Most of us stick to this for a week or two before ultimately forgetting the resolutions we made and returning to our old routines.
But here’s one New Year’s resolution that doesn’t require motivation, money, or a personality transplant: reading more books.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelIn a world built on scrolling, skimming, and constant noise, reading has become a radical act. Yet it remains one of the most powerful tools for personal growth, clarity, and survival in an increasingly chaotic world.
Reading isn’t just about finishing books. It’s about slowing your mind in a fast society. It’s about reclaiming attention in an age designed to steal it. It’s about giving your brain a break from the chaos of notifications, timelines, and bad news. It’s about choosing depth in a world obsessed with speed.
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Some people say, “I don’t have the time.” But think about it, we scroll for hours and somehow don’t have time to read ten pages?
Reading does something social media can’t. It slows you down without making you feel unproductive. It stretches your attention span and teaches you to sit with thoughts instead of swiping them away. Sometimes, it gives you the exact words you didn’t know you needed.
Studies consistently show that reading improves focus, memory, and emotional intelligence. But beyond the science, readers often describe something deeper: a sense of grounding. When you read, you’re not just consuming information you’re thinking, questioning, and imagining. You’re giving your mind room to breathe.
In a time when misinformation spreads faster than facts, reading also sharpens discernment. It teaches you how to question narratives, understand context, and see beyond headlines. Whether it’s fiction or non-fiction, every book expands the way you see the world and yourself.
And let’s be honest: reading makes you sharper. Better conversations. Better writing. Better thinking. You begin to notice patterns, emotions, and perspectives that once passed you by.
Suddenly, you’re the friend who explains things clearly, sees nuance, and actually gets it.
For young people especially, reading builds something social media can’t: patience. The ability to sit with ideas, finish what you start, and think beyond 280 characters. In a generation raised on instant gratification, reading quietly builds discipline and depth.
There’s also the emotional side. Books offer comfort in isolation, perspective in confusion, and companionship in lonely moments. Sometimes, a story understands you better than the people around you do.
And no-reading doesn’t mean forcing yourself through “serious” books you secretly hate. It counts if it’s fiction, romance, fantasy, memoirs, short stories, essays, or even audiobooks on your commute. Reading is reading.
Starting the year with reading doesn’t mean chasing unrealistic goals like one book a week. It can be as simple as ten pages a day, one chapter before bed, or one thoughtful article instead of endless scrolling.
The secret to sticking with reading is treating it like a habit, not a personality trait. Set small, realistic goals ten- pages a day, one chapter before sleep, or one book a month.
Use a book-tracking app, or join a book club (online or offline) so reading feels social rather than lonely. Even something as simple as keeping a book beside your bed or in your bag can make a difference. The easier you make it, the more likely you are to show up.
Reading has also never been more accessible. You no longer need a full bookshelf or frequent trips to a bookstore. With e-readers, phone apps, and digital libraries, thousands of books now live in your pocket. Platforms like Kindle make it easy to carry entire libraries anywhere, while spaces like Wattpad, Medium, and similar platforms offer free access to stories written by everyday people. Whether it’s a polished novel or a messy, heartfelt story shared online, the barrier to entry is lower than ever-no gatekeeping, no pressure, just stories waiting to be discovered.
If you’re unsure where to begin, here are some approachable, widely loved books that make easing into reading easier:
Nigerian Books;
If you want stories that feel familiar yet deeply layered, Nigerian literature is a great place to start.
- Cursed Daughters – Oyinkan Braithwaite
Genre: Literary Fiction
A sharp, emotionally rich story about womanhood, family expectations, and inherited trauma.
- Death of the Author – Nnedi Okorafor
Genre: Speculative / Meta-fiction
A bold, genre-bending exploration of identity, creativity, and power.
- Wahala – Nikki May
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
A glamorous but messy tale of friendship, secrets, and betrayal.
- War Girls – Tochi Onyebuchi
Genre: Science Fiction / Dystopian
A futuristic reimagining of Nigeria blending war, technology, and sisterhood.
- Only Big Bum Bum Matters Tomorrow – Damilare Kuku
Genre: Short Stories
Bold, raw stories about modern Nigerian womanhood, love, and survival.
International Books;
- The Witcher: The Last Wish – Andrzej Sapkowski
Genre: Fantasy
- Anxious People – Fredrik Backman
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
- All the Bright Places – Jennifer Niven
Genre: Young Adult
- Bullet Train – Kōtarō Isaka
Genre: Thriller / Crime
- Murder at the Vicarage – Agatha Christie
Genre: Mystery
Teen / Young Adult Books;
- Julie Chan Is Dead – Liann Zhang
- A Deadly Education – Naomi Novik
- Howl’s Moving Castle – Diana Wynne Jones
- Arc of a Scythe Series – Neal Shusterman
- Thieves’ Gambit – Kayvion Lewis
Younger Kids’ Books;
- Harry Potter Series – J.K. Rowling
- Percy Jackson and the Olympians – Rick Riordan
- Keeper of the Lost Cities – Shannon Messenger
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid – Jeff Kinney
- Dork Diaries – Rachel Renée Russell
For those who prefer online or free reads, stories on Wattpad, Medium, or Webnovel are perfect for discovering new voices in short bursts.
The new year doesn’t need a dramatic reinvention. Sometimes, the most powerful change begins quietly-with a book opened, a page turned, and a mind ready to grow.
Because when you read more, you don’t just gain knowledge.
You gain clarity. And clarity changes everything.
