Two 13-Year-Olds, 80 Books, and Figuring It Out as We Go!

Hi! We’re Ahana and Sam, 13-year-olds, besties and together, this year we set ourselves a big reading goal: 80 books in total.

Sam’s aiming for 60 books this year.

Ahana’s going for 20 books for 2026.

Very different numbers, but very personal goals.

We wanted to challenge ourselves in a way that feels realistic but still pushes us to be more consistent readers throughout the year.

Two readers, two very different starting points:

Hi! I am Sam. Reading has always been my thing. I guess I get it from my mama. My goal isn’t about starting out, it’s about staying consistent, even on busy days.

Hey, I’m Ahana, it’s different. I have many interests, but reading to me hasn’t always come naturally. 20 books is about building a new and worthy habit slowly, exploring genres, and figuring out what actually feels enjoyable and sticks.

The unglorified truth

At 13, everything gets a bit more serious.

School isn’t just school anymore- it’s tests, expectations, pressure. Time feels tighter. Energy runs out faster.

Reading is not this calm, aesthetic habit people make it out to be.

Some days, after everything else, it’s the last thing we feel like doing.

Sometimes, it does feel like a chore.

But we’ve learned that even a few pages a day adds up over time. Progress matters more than speed, and small steps are still important.

What’s keeping us going

• We share recommendations.

• We talk about books.

• We also quit books we don’t enjoy because not every book is a vibe and we’ve learned to move on if something doesn’t interest us instead of forcing it!

We Put Each Other On the Spot (No Filters)

Ahana: Sam, why do you feel you’re so obsessed with reading?

Sam: It’s because when I read, I feel like I’m being transported to another world. It feels like I’m witnessing the events happening in my book in real life, and it feels really good because I can take a break from thinking about the real world and all my problems and stress. I think it’s something I’ve always done, and it just helps me relax.

Sam: So, Ahana, if you normally don’t enjoy reading, what helps you push yourself?

Ahana: Honestly, I just remind myself I don’t have to love every book. I try to read different genres, even though not all of them are for me, but I pick books that actually seem interesting or ones that you suggest to me. Seeing my progress also helps me keep going because it feels rewarding.

Ahana: What kind of books do you feel like you enjoy the most?

Sam: At 13, I feel like romance and murder mysteries are the ones I find most enjoyable as they keep me interested the whole way through and are hard to put down at this age. I enjoy the thrills of a good murder mystery without getting scared. But when I was younger, I specifically loved reading fantasy and non-fiction books that fed my creativity and imagination because they felt more exciting at the time.

Sam: What’s been the hardest part of trying to read more?

Ahana: The hardest part is probably staying consistent. Sometimes I just don’t feel like reading, especially when I have a lot of homework or I’m tired from training that I’ve had during the day, so it’s hard to keep going all the time and stay motivated every day.

Sam’s handpicked recommendations for older kids:

• Artemis Fowl (full series) by Eoin Colfer (Fast paced blend of fantasy, Sci-Fi, and adventure with a clever, humorous edge) [9-12-year-olds]

• If Only He Had Been With Me and If Only I Had Told Her by Laura Nowlin (emotional romance stories with strong themes) [13 & older]

•  Any book by Freida McFadden (murder mysteries with unpredictable twists) [12-16 depending on maturity and the particular book]

Ahana’s handpicked recommendations for older kids:

•  The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Steward (Clever, whimsical, brainy adventure) [9-12-year-olds]

•  One by One by Freida McFadden (suspenseful thriller) [Mature readers 13+]

•  A Thousand Boy Kisses and A Thousand Broken Pieces by Tillie Cole (emotional romance stories) [13+ for mature readers]

Both of our recommendations for younger children:

    •    Diary Of A Wimpy Kid (full series) by Jeff Kinney (funny and easy to read) [8-12-year-olds]

    •    Land Of Stories (full series) by Chris Colfer (fantasy adventure with magic and fairytales) [8-12-year-olds]

    •    Nancy Drew (full series) by Carolyn Keene (classic mystery series with smart problem-solving) [8-12-year-olds]

Why we think kids should start reading early

Reading isn’t just about books.

-It builds vocabulary.

-It improves writing.

-It helps you think differently.

-It sparks imagination. And honestly, once you find your genre, you mostly don’t want to stop. Unless something more exciting waits for you to sway you.

-It also naturally cuts down screen time… without someone forcing you to.

What this journey is really about

It’s not just about finishing 80 books together.

It’s about:

• understanding what we enjoy

• sticking with something, even when it’s hard

  
  

We don’t even know if we’ll hit our exact goals but we are getting better at it as we go.

And that feels like enough, honestly.

From us to you

If you’re thinking of starting… start small.

Pick something you actually want to read.

And remember, you don’t have to love every book to love reading.

Your turn

If you’ve been trying to build a habit (reading or anything else) and keep falling off, you’re not the only one.

Start small. Like really small.

And just… keep going when you can.

And if you’ve read something you actually loved, tell us. We’re always looking for new recommendations too.

Happy International Book Day 📚

About the authors:

Ahana is a freshly minted 13-year-old, judiciously savouring every perk of being a teenager. Beneath her easygoing charm hums a proactive spirit- sporty, creative, and always itching to dive headfirst into the next challenge. Acting is her true north, but she's just as likely to lean in for a spine-tingling horror story or channel her inner athlete with unshakeable zest. Offstage, she transforms into an amazing big sister and the most patient guide to her spirited five-year-old sister.

Sam is a an effortlessly cool 13-year-old: a gooey, walking heart wrapped in a thousand-watt smile and a vocabulary sprinkled with the freshest Gen Alpha slangs. A born storyteller, she lets her bottomless love for books spill naturally into every tale she tells. Don't let the bookish streak fool you-Sam is also an amazing sportswoman, channeling the same fierce focus onto the field. Fierce friend, warm as a sunbeam, and impressively wholehearted in everything she does, Sam bounces through the world with irresistible, chirpy energy-proving that the best stories are the ones you live out loud.