Year in Books 2025 📚

Reflecting on my 2025 year in books, I realized how tracking my reading habits helped me maintain motivation and discover new favorites. Despite some setbacks like being sick in June and an overwhelming July, I managed to read 43 books – well above my original goal of 30. This achievement felt really rewarding and reinforced the power of setting realistic but challenging reading targets. One trend I noticed was my consistent attraction to fantasy, graphic novels, and romance genres. These reflect both comfort reads and works that push my imagination. The Empyrean Series by Rebecca Yarros became a standout, almost like my personal “Roman Empire” of books this year – a series I kept returning to and recommending. Barbara Truelove’s "Of Monsters and Mainframes" truly captivated me this year. Its unique blending of genres and compelling characters kept me up late into the night. I'm eagerly awaiting a sequel, hoping the author gives us more of this fantastic world soon! Another interesting aspect of my reading journey was the Goodreads integration. Seeing stats like pages read – enough to go up and down the Eiffel Tower with some to spare – made the experience even more concrete and encouraging. As a top 15% reviewer, I also enjoyed sharing my insights and helping fellow readers find new books. For anyone looking to set or crush their reading goals, I recommend using platforms like Goodreads to track progress and discover new titles tailored to your tastes. Don’t shy away from mixing genres – some of my favorite discoveries come from unexpected places. And finally, take advantage of slower times, like when sick or traveling, to dive deep into books. The joy of reading is as much about the journey as the destination, and this year reaffirmed that for me.