Blog · Reading life

How to read more widely without turning it into homework

A gentle argument against reading lists, and a few practical habits that work better.

By Sofia Marchetti · 14 June 2026 · 5 min read

Reading challenges tend to produce guilt rather than range. A shelf is a better instrument than a spreadsheet.

Follow translators, not just authors. Follow one small press. Abandon books freely.

Widening your reading is mostly about lowering the cost of the next unfamiliar choice.