At the beginning of the year, my only goal was to get through my physical TBR. That’s still part of the plan. I really do want these books read and off my shelves. But as February went on, I realized something. I genuinely love Black romance, and I want to read more of it on purpose, not just whenever it happens to land in my lap.

So I’m tweaking my reading challenge.

Instead of focusing on how many books I can get through, I’m going to read three intentional books per month. I know three doesn’t sound like a lot, but I’m deeply annotating at least two of them, maybe all three, depending on what I choose. This year I want depth, not speed.

The structure is simple.

• One nonfiction book, because I want to think more critically and learn something new.

• One Black fiction book, because I’m really interested in exploring love, softness, embodiment, and Black femininity through story.

• One curiosity or popular read, just because sometimes I want to see what everyone’s talking about.

While I’m reading, I’ll be annotating directly in the book with pen and tabs. If you need annotation supplies, they’re in my Amazon storefront. I’ll also keep bigger thematic notes in my phone when my thoughts are too long for the margins.

When I finish a book, I’ll share my notes and takeaways here. There’s no timeline and no pressure. This isn’t a formal book club. It’s just us reading with a little more intention and actually talking about what the books are doing to us.

If you’ve already read something I’m reading, comment your thoughts. If you want to read one with me, do it. And please revive the Discord because it’s way too quiet in there.

Three books a month. Deep reading. More intention. That’s the tweak.

Also, I added my current reads for the month of February so check them out! I will be discussing them later this month!