I recommend "reading challenge" from GoodReads. I like "challenges". Additionaly I set the limit higher every year - this year I set 40 books and I already read 39.
Similar and 20-40 now as well. Sometimes I try to read a difficult book and it screws with my rhythm.
The Children of Húrin by Tolkien, was putting me to sleep very well at night for a while until the book became interesting.
Trying to read a so called evil book “The Prince” by Machiavelli.
60% done but over a month or so because I’m looking at translations for the Italian or Latin interspersed within and get bored then have other things to do.
We have almost the exact same reading history: I really ramped up my reading in 2019 - 2020 up to ~40 books. This year I did some nights/weekends consulting so I am down around 22 atm.
I mostly read non-fiction and I think it has been helpful for my career. I know correlation != causation, but I make about 2x what I did in 2020. The post-pandemic hiring boom didn't hurt, but I have to think reading widely and applying what I read to my work & life has also helped.
2018 - 4 books
2019 - 26 books
2020 - 38 books
2021 - 34 books
2022 - 36 books
2023 - 26/30 books atm
I think 24/26 books per year is the sweet spot that I will target in the upcoming years.