Hey bookworm friends! Last year, I gave myself too many ambitious goals that I barely paid attention to. Instead, I pretty much mood-read for most of the year, which was great but I felt a tad disorganized. So this year I’m giving myself fewer specific goals but more structure. One way I’m doing that is by participating in more reading challenges; I do a better job of sticking to TBRs that way. I want to be able to jump into any that catch my attention but I’ve already got my eye on 5 of them. 😉 Here are the bookish goals and reading challenges that I hope will guide my reading in 2025!
Link-ups
Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl. Don’t forget to check out her post and link up!
Top 5 Tuesday Top 5 Tuesday was created by the blog Bionic Book Worm, and is now hosted at Meeghan reads!!
Bookish Goals
- Less Focus On Numbers, More Focus on Enjoyment & Purposefulness. I gave myself a goal of 5 books on StoryGraph, so I can feel free to pick long books without the pressure to meet arbitrary numbers.
- Don’t Give Into the FOMO. I still like to pick up popular books if I genuinely think I’m gonna like them, but I’ll no longer accept popularity alone as reason enough to pick up a book.
- Focus On Reading My Owned Books. I failed on an epic level on this last year so let’s try again.
- Make Progress or Finish Series. Again, I’m not giving myself a number but as long as I check series off my tracker I’ll be happy. Especially if they’re ones I started before 2024!
- Post More Reviews & Simplify Them. I’d like to be more consistent with posting reviews for more things I read. My review process is too time-consuming and has begun to deter me from writing reviews unless I absolutely love the book. So, I simplified my review template and I’m going to stop using the CAWPILE rating method. I’ll give a simple star rating (including half-stars) and hope this will let me post more often and share a wider range of reviews.
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Reading Challenges
These are the year-long challenges I’ll be joining but I’ll likely participate in more readathons as I find time and energy throughout the year.
In The Blogosphere
The 2025 SFF Title Challenge
Hosted by Annemieke @A Dance With Books
Which has us hunting for specific words in book titles. 🕵🏽♀️
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The Sound of Madness Reading Challenge 2025
Hosted by Timy @Queen’s Book Asylum
Which combines music and books! 🎵
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2025 Finishing The Series Challenge
Hosted by Carla @Carla Loves to Read & Jonetta @Blue Mood Café
This will help me with my goal #4; rules to join here.
On Insta
Diversify Your Reading Bingo
Hosted by @fantasy_fellowship
25 prompts to help diversify your reading!
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SFF101 Challenge
Hosted by @wellreadwyvern & the @wellreadwyvern_socialclub
9 prompts to explore Sci-fi & Fantasy with tropes and subgenres
Let’s chat in the comments!
Did you participate in this week’s TTT? If so, feel free to share your link below. Do we have any of the same goals?
Popularity alone is not a good reason for me a read a book either!
I’m glad it’s not just me on that 🙂
I love how you set this into goals and challenges. Good luck with all of them. I’m sure you can do this 🥰
I really like what you’ve said about focusing more on enjoyment than numbers. That’s actually why I got rid of the list I had once years back of my physical TBR. I was getting so worried about catching up that I kept getting 3/4 of a way through a book then abandoning it as I felt it was taking too long 🙈 this was like a decade back but the slumps I had on and off for ages back then are part of the reason my TBR is so crazy. Part of me feels like chucking the rest out and starting afresh (the TBR lists I still have, not my actual owned books I wouldn’t dream of that). But then I worry that I’ll miss something I’d love 🙈 so yeah we definitely have your third goal in common and I majorly need to work on your first one. Although I’m a lot better than I once was.
I really look forward to seeing more reviews from you too and hope your new system works out for you. Good luck with the series though. I think it’s a goal that a lot of people will have in some form.
Ooh I’m doing the SFF title challenge too. I haven’t heard of the others and will look into them. The Sound Of Madness one is instantly intriguing me though 😂
I didn’t know they had Bingo on Instagram too. I’ll have to look into that too. How fun. I’ll have to look into challenges and the weekly themed posts people do on there.
Good luck again with everything and I hope you enjoy your challenges 🥰 here’s hoping for a wonderful reading year for us both
I’m so behind on comments, It’s so annoying that after a while wordpress won’t show your older comments in the reader anymore so I have to go hunting for them in individual posts! Anyway, Thank you so much! 😀
Oh yeah that was a good call, when pressure starts to ruin a book then it’s no longer fun to read. I feel like so many people this year are wanting to take a step back and chill on crazy goals.
I know what you mean, that might not even be a bad idea, starting fresh every so often to clear the pressure a bit! But yeah there’s no way that we’re gonna be able to read everything so another option is to not add anything new to the list for a while?
Thanks, I feel like I’ve been playing around with my rating system for like 3 years 🙄
yay I love that we’re both doing the SFF Title Challenge. & haha you know me and music related blog posts, I love them I can’t help it! I’m glad it intrigues you too.
The bingo I mentioned on there is from a club that you can join if you like SFF and want events/group chats/engagement pods and stuff like that. It’s fun.
I second that, happy reading to us both my friend!🖤
I completely understand. I don’t get notifications for yours and a couple of other people’s either so I have to rely on a combination of my history and memory to keep track 😅 If you want me to hold off on commenting on anything new until you’ve caught up just let me know 🥰
It makes sense as there’s no point pushing yourself too hard and consequently taking the joy out of reading.
Yes that’s true I could avoid adding books for a while too. Or at least try to be more selective about what I do add 😂
Aww I’m sorry if it’s been stressing you out. I hope how it is now will work for you 🥰
If you need ideas for any of the prompts I’m posting a possibilities TBR for it within the next fortnight. I got tempted by other people’s TBR posts as it looked fun and thought having some kind of idea of what avaliable for some of the words would be helpful.
It’s a lovely thing to be able to combine 🥰
Ooh cool, that sounds fun 😊 there’s so much to do on Instagram that I’m going to have to get the hang of.
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Yeah it’s not an ideal set-up the way WordPress has it but oh well and that’s so sweet of you but honestly no need, I tend to find them eventually anyway 😜!
Exactly ♥
I mean, I’m one to talk since I add things willy nilly all the time at the barest ‘maybe i’ll like it’ feeling 😂
It’s not exactly stressing me out, more like I keep finding pros and cons to each method but I think at last I’ve landed on ‘simple is best.’
I love that idea!! I may need ideas because so far it’s not happening organically lol. And a wonderful idea for a post. I might do a possibility pile post too, there are can never be too many suggestions. Can’t wait to see yours 🙂
haha yeah for sure, I’ve been on it for years and I still don’t fully know how to get the best use out of it but it’s for fun so it doesn’t matter lol.
Ah well if I ever miss anything on your page let me know.
Yeah I do the same. To be fair I do put yearly releases in that maybe group on a separate ‘B’ list but I really should be more selective 🙈
Ah right well I’m glad you’ve settled on a style you’re happy with then 😊
It was pretty fun to do. And I found a fantastic sounding Space option coming out this year. Sacred Space Between. Somehow for the most sci fi word I still ended up drawn to a fantasy one 😂😂 ooh it would be fantastic if you do and I’d definitely check it out. Maybe you’d find some better siege options than I did 😅
Thank you, I’m probably posting it on Saturday 😊
Ooh really? You seem so on top of it all. But you’re right about the fun thing 😊
That’s sweet okay 🥰
Ah okay well that makes sense to me too 🙂 And having a ‘B’ list is being more selective, I think 😉 I definitely don’t have tiered lists like that.
Thanks! 🙂
Ahah I love that, I saw you posted your options list ill go check it out after this! & I like that you have your preferences, you can find Fantasy with any word! 😂
Aw well I’m glad it looks like I’m on top of it all but honestly since things change all the time I don’t think it’s possible to be on top of it all at all times anyways. & I certainly have learned lots!
I only have them for the last few years of releases tbh. I could really do with some genre based ones but there’s no way I’m trying to go through my TBR again now 😂
Thanks for checking it out already 🥰🥰 and yes fantasy definitely seems to be something I have a knack of finding 😂
I’ll admit that I’m finding that too. Catching up on there sometimes takes longer than I expected 😂 and there’s definitely always new things to find and discover. I really need to figure out some of the features on there.
Oh yeah, that sounds like way too much work!
For sure, but I love seeing all the different fantasy books that you find that look so good!
Yeah honestly, so true! lol By the time I figure out a feature, it’s either gone or changed lol.
Aww thank you 🥰 I seem to be finding new books on a daily basis atm 😂
Oh lol I didn’t realise they updated it so frequently. Sounds like I have no hope 😅
Ahah that’s so wonderful but also overwhelming heheh!
well at least that’s how it feels to me 😂
FOMO… yes!! I need to stop giving into that too. I need a more chill and less stressful year with ARC’s. lol. Wishing you the best with all these goals!
Here’s to not letting FOMO get the best of us! and I’m wishing you a less stressful year! And thank you, Leslie :D!
I will have to check out the SSF101 challenge, although I think I have enough challenges at the moment😁 I also plan on reading more of my own books. Good luck!
I’m joining in the STT Title Challenge again this year, too. It’s a lot of fun! Best of luck with your reading goals!
I’m definitely hoping to make a dent in my physical TBR. That cart is FULL lol.
Here’s hoping, then! haha you use a cart for your TBR? that’s fun!
I’m also trying to focus on reading more of MY books – my library use did come down once I left my job there, but I still read overwhelmingly library books and not mine. But I have a growing collection, and they need – and WANT – reading! 🙂
I can relate so much to that, I also worked in a library and don’t anymore so I miss just taking home books all the time, especially picture books which I don’t do anymore :(.
Well I hope you can read your own books and me too 😀 good plan! hehee
Great goals! Keeping it simple is always the way to go (even though I apparently decided to do away with that idea this year and join all the challenges despite knowing how much my mood reading gets in the way of accomplishing them, lol)! I’ve always wanted to try Timy’s challenge cos books and music?! We love the idea! But knowing me, I would fail miserably, haha. I hope you have fun completing these challenges and goals!
Ahah my mood reading is precisely WHY I joined the reading challenges because I want to get it under control! I miss being able to stick to a tbr list 😂 Mood reading is fun but then I know I always end up avoiding the big ticket books for some ‘other time’ instead of reading them now and I hate that I do that 😂
Well if you ever want to join you know where to find it and otherwise have fun with all of your many other challenges heheh thank you 🥰
I hope you reach all your goals this year! I definitely get the quality over quantity goal. I had to realize that too. Just because someone else reads 100 books last year doesn’t mean that I have to as well especially at the sake of enjoying my reading.
Yes exactly, like I still want to read a lot but I don’t want THAT to be the focus. Especially because then I miss out on the good ol’ fantasy chonkers and that’s sad 🙁 lol
These are fantastic goals. FOMO can really wreck our reading plans. I love that you’re limiting your reading goals to focus more on enjoyment. I see a lot of us leaning that direction this year. (But maybe that’s just me noticing it more this year?) Thanks for sharing your list!
So true, & yeah I have seen a lot of people have similar goals as me this year and I’m not sure what it says but it sure says something! 😆 haha Thanks for visiting my blog, Kasey 🙂 !
OOh nice list! I am trying to work on finishing series as well! I’m now entering the problem of series that I need to start and finish though! Lol. There’s still a few I am behind on that are still ongoing though so I am not able to “finish” them just yet…but still greatly behind! Whoops! Lol.
Good luck on all your goals!
Thanks for visiting my TTT!
Those look like some fun challenges! I tend to avoid challenges, but my daughter does a LOT of them, and it’s always interesting to learn about new and different options. Good luck!
I’m in the middle of SO MANY series right now. If I wasn’t already doing a ton of challenges, I would be interested in that series one. Good luck with all your goals and challenges!
Happy TTT (on a Wednesday)!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
Yeah that’s super fair, there are just too many cool looking challenges! 🙂 Thank you, Susan 🥰
Love these! Huge yes to stop giving in to FOMO! And finishing series is a pretty big problem for me too… I have so many waiting to be read 😅 You also have some really interesting challenges picked! The Diversify Your Reading Bingo sounds like a fun way to read out of the comfort zone. Good luck with all of these!
Thank you, Beatrice 😀 It seems like a lot of people want to finish series this year so it seems to be a relatable issue haha. Yeah, hopefully I’ll find some new favourites from those challenges! Thanks and good luck to you too 😀
These goals are great! I love the idea of not letting FOMO get to you. I need to do this for what I read and also the books I buy 🙂
Yeah it’s something I’m actively working on, and also for general in other areas of my life too 🙂 Oh yeah that’s a good idea 🙂
I like that your first goal is to not focus on the numbers! Reading should be fun after all 🙂
Yes, sometimes pushing yourself is fun but not to the point where it eclipses the love of reading. Thank you, Anouk :)!
Taking a look at these challenges you got here because I might want to join one. FOMO is always a struggle. That’s what happens when you are in community with a bunch of enthusiastic readers. Best of luck with your goals!
Oh cool let me know if you end up joining one :D! & That’s so true, everyone’s glowing reviews to a lot to convince me I’m gonna love every book lol. Thanks 🖤!
I do that too! I get caught up in what’s “popular” or what people are currently raving about, and I really need to focus on the books I already have. I’m making my physical TBR and NetGalley ratio big priorities for me this year. Good luck with these!
Yeah, it’s hard not to do but definitely a big distraction lol. Oh those are great goals, thank you and good luck to you too :D!!
Simplyfying your reviews is always good, it shouldn’t starrt to feel like a chore at any time. I think the pillars of CAWPILE are helpful in a structure, so I use it in a loose manner. I have a structure which works fine for me and is quite simple. I make sure to implement CAWPILE, but with a simple star rating 🙂
My TTT: https://laurieisreading.com/2025/01/14/top-ten-tuesday-bookish-goals-for-2025/
It’s funny, I don’t succumb to FOMO, in fact the opposite is true. If I see a new book being plastered everywhere, I’ll immediately assume that I won’t like it. Mostly, I’ve been proven correct. Or I find it just ok.
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Good luck with your goals! 🥰 I’m also planning on tackling some unfinished series, I have so many that I started many years ago but never continued 🙈
Ah yes fomo. Fomo has rarely worked for me. If I’m not drawn to it on my own, I’m usually right in it not being for me. And yet I’ve picked up books over the years because everyone and their mother was shouting about it. But I just need to sit in my little corner and read my own things.
Good luck with your goals 😀
Yes, that’s it for me too! ahaha I love it, sitting in your corner reading your little books sounds AMAZING! Thanks 🥰
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