A brand new year is here, and we’re inviting you to step into something wonderful: A year of reading joy.
What does that look like? It’s reading that feels like delight, not homework. It’s following your curiosity wherever it wanders, from cozy mysteries to space operas to that quirky nonfiction book you didn’t know you needed. It’s letting stories surprise you, comfort you, challenge you, or simply give you a moment of quiet in a noisy world. It’s the feeling of being nourished by what you read, whether you’re learning something new, escaping into a world that makes you grin, or sharing a book with someone you love.
The distractions are real
Let’s be honest: Reading has some fierce competition these days. Phones buzz. Feeds constantly refresh. News cycles whirl. And somewhere in the middle of all that, our attention slips away from books. The data backs it up (see Fewer People Are Reading for Fun and Why Parents Aren’t Reading to Kids), but honestly, most of us can feel it without the stats.
That’s why we’re cheering for the New York Public Library’s bold new strategic plan. They put it plainly: Deep engagement with books is fading in a world of algorithm-driven everything. And they’re taking that challenge head-on. We love to see it, and we’re right there with them.
At NoveList, we never need convincing that reading deserves more of our time and energy. But even we sometimes need a nudge to try something new or step outside our reading ruts. NYPL’s commitment is exactly the kind of spark that keeps us inspired.
Libraries: The heart of lifelong reading
Fostering a lifelong love of reading is a unique library superpower, and one NoveList is proud to support. No other community institution does what libraries do. So, as you set your priorities for the year ahead, here are four ways to help your library community rediscover reading joy.
1. Help readers choose books they’ll love
People read more when they love what they’re reading. Your mission? Help them find that spark.
To make that discovery easier, we created something brand new: The Find What You Like Reading Challenge. It’s a year-long invitation for readers to explore genres and discover what they like. Each month spotlights a different genre, complete with reading lists in NoveList and matching templates in LibraryAware. Just search “Find what you like” and you’ll have everything you need to guide readers toward something that feels fresh, surprising and genuinely joyful. We hope readers stumble upon something delightfully unexpected.
2. Go beyond bestsellers
Bestsellers will always have a place on the shelf, but the real magic of libraries is the way they introduce readers to books they never would’ve found on their own. We have many ways to help you discover hidden gems. One example is our recently created Small Press Standouts genre tag. It’s a simple way to spotlight remarkable titles from independent and small‑press publishers that might otherwise slip past your readers’ advisory and collection development radar. Search for the genre "Small Press Standouts” in either NoveList or Core Collections. Your readers will thank you for the discoveries.
Another way to surface unexpected delights is by exploring our revamped Curated Lists. These collections make it easy to highlight niche reading experiences. For example, you’ll find nearly a hundred For Fans Of lists, ranging from For Fans of K‑Pop to For Fans of Labubu, each designed to help readers discover something instantly relatable.
3. Break through the noise
With so many distractions competing for attention, your message needs to stand out. Libraries already have a powerful advantage: Your mission is rooted in nurturing a lifelong love of reading, something no algorithm can replicate.
Here’s our simple formula for standing out:
- Say one thing. One clear idea your audience can grab instantly.
- Say it to one person. Picture a real human, not a demographic.
- Say it in a way only you can. Your voice, your mission, your story — that’s your magic.
To help you amplify your message, we’re building the 2026 Summer Reading Toolkit in LibraryAware. It includes fun graphics, email templates, reading lists, flyers, social posts, and more, all designed to help you communicate with clarity and heart. And in March, we’ll host Get Ready for Summer Reading with LibraryAware, a mini training webinar full of ideas for making this your most joyful summer yet. Register for the webinar here!
4. Create a reading community
Libraries are more than places to find books; they’re also places to find each other. When readers connect, they feel part of something bigger, and that sense of belonging keeps them coming back.
To support you in leading your reading community, we created Learn with NoveList, a learning platform filled with courses and resources to help you feel confident in every conversation about books and reading. New courses are released throughout the year, so there’s always something new to learn. When you feel ready and energized, your patrons feel it too — and they walk away excited to read.
And if you want a fun way to show off your love of reading, our new Book Joy store has shirts, totes, and other bookish goodies that celebrate the joy you bring to your community.
Here’s to a joyful year of reading
As we step into this new year, let’s choose reading not as another task on the to‑do list, but as a source of joy, connection, and discovery. Libraries have always been the heartbeat of that experience, the places where stories are welcomed, nurtured, and celebrated. And with the right tools, you can confidently help your community fall in love with reading all over again.
So, here’s to a year filled with stories that surprise us and readers who feel seen, supported, and excited to turn the next page. We can’t wait to see the joy you’ll create.
Danielle Borasky is the Vice President of NoveList. She is currently reading The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides.
