My Approach to Reading in 2025

Jan 17, 2025

I really only have two reading goals this year:

Read 52 books.
Make at least one of the books I read each month a book I already own.

My mini library of secondhand books continues to grow, but the books I request from the actual library tend to take priority since I only have them available for a short time. At the same time, I have no self-control when it comes to buying more books, but at least I’m saving money by rehoming them from thrift stores and used bookstores.

While I only have two main goals when it comes to reading this year, I do have a slightly different approach for 2025. This year, I’m focusing on being more intentional with my reading habits and this is exactly how I plan to shift my approach:

Focus on mood reading: Mood reading is essentially the practice of choosing books based on how you're feeling in the moment rather than following a set list or reading plan. This approach allows your emotions, interests, or current mindset to guide your choices. I’m giving myself permission to choose books based on how I feel in the moment, rather than sticking to a pre-planned list. However, I do love making a reading list so…
Create a “could read” list: A “could read” list is a more flexible alternative to a traditional TBR (to-be-read) list. Instead of creating a rigid list of books you feel obligated to finish, a could-read list is more like a pool of options that you could choose from depending on your mood, interest, or current priorities. The idea is to give yourself the freedom to explore without feeling tied down. You’re not saying, “I must read these books this year,” but rather, “Here are some books I’d love to get to when the time feels right.”
Read books I’ll remember: When I looked back on the 63 books I read in 2024, I realized I couldn’t remember a good portion of them. Thriller and mystery, my favorite genres, were the ones I forgot most often—likely because many of the plotlines started to blur together. To avoid this in 2025, I’m planning to read fewer books at once (no more than 2 at a time) and branch out into different genres or books with unique, memorable storylines.
Read less on my phone and Kindle: My goal of reading one book each month that I already own should help with this. There’s nothing quite like opening a physical book with that signature book scent. The one exception I’ll make is for really long books, as reading them digitally helps me avoid being overwhelmed by how much I have left. I also want to prioritize reading physical books in the morning and before bed to help reduce screen time and create a more calming routine.
Learn something new: One of my non-reading goals for 2025 is to pick a topic each month to dive deeper into, but what better way to learn than by reading about it? For January, I am currently listening to an audiobook about sleep.
Don’t be afraid to DNF: I only DNF’d one book last year, but I probably could have done more. If I’m not enjoying a book, I’m no longer forcing myself to finish it. With so many books out there, I don’t want to waste valuable time on ones that aren’t resonating. I also have a “comeback” category for books I DNF’d but might revisit when the mood is right.
Choose books I want to read: Again, with so many books out there, I don’t want to spend time reading ones I’m not genuinely excited about. This is especially true for the super popular books that everyone else is reading, but I’m only picking up to avoid feeling left out. I want to focus on books that truly spark my interest.