THE SPINE

Let’s talk about my ‘To-Be-Read’ pile. You know the one - the stack of books that grows at a rate that defies the laws of physics and my actual free time (eek!)

I’ve come to realise that I have two distinct hobbies: reading books, and collecting books. They are very different pastimes, and currently, the collecting is winning by a landslide. There is something that hits me right in the dopamine sensors and acts as a total siren song for me. I collect them for the version of myself I want to be - the person who spends rainy afternoons snuggled up in a cosy armchair with a good book.

The reality? Most of these beautiful stories are gathering dust in a huge stack beside my bed. It’s time to change that, so this year I’m committing to building a habit.

The Spine is my 2026 commitment to the written word. My goal is to work my way through 75 books over the course of the year. I’m pledging to read for at least 30 minutes a day, and dedicating my daily commute to a good audiobook.

You can follow my progress through the archives below. I’ll be updating each entry as I finish, sharing whether the story stayed with me or if it’s destined to head into the tiny library at the end of the road.