You know when the new year starts and you’re making all kinds of resolutions to get in shape and eat better and read more and spend more quality time with family and friends? Yeah, I made all those resolutions this year. And you know how they slowly start to fade away because unless you joined a fitness group or paid money for one of those healthy meal solution plans, no one’s really holding you accountable? Yeah, they’ve been fading for me, but no one noticed so I didn’t worry about it.

Until Goodreads said something to me with this email:

Yeah… I knew I had challenged myself to read 50 books in 2015 at the beginning of January, and I knew it took me a little longer to get through All the Light We Cannot See than I had planned, but no big deal, right? No one’s actually keeping track of how many books you’re reading. Well, turns out Goodreads is keeping their members on track, and sending them emails to guilt encourage them to get back on track. It’s like a virtual fitness group for bibliophiles, and I’m actually totally okay with that.

So while my guilt-tinged heart is embarrassed that we’re a quarter of the way through the year and I’ve finished a grand total of three books, I’m happy for the reminder that someone/something is holding me accountable to the goals I’ve set for myself, and that I get handy email reminders in the process. And hey, I’m devouring a great book right now and have several more in reserve to read once I finish. So, FYI Goodreads, you’ll be seeing some updates from me soon.

And, bonus, for every book I read, it’s a new book review blog post for you! Killing two birds with one book-shaped stone.