25 Books On My 2025 Reading List Medium

Bonisiwe Shabane

-Nov 2, 2025, 11:35 PM

Not a Medium Member? Read the full story here. 2024 was an exceptional year for me, reading-wise. Without a formal reading plan in place, I read over 60 books. This year, I am changing things. Instead of wasting time thinking about what to pick up next, I have made a holistic list of books that piqued my interest in 2024 across IG and other mediums.

I have short-listed these 25 books that I want to read in 2025. This is my fixed reading list for this year. I am confident of reading another 25 books, which I will pick basis my mood, any new releases, scheduled book club, and buddy reads. Helloooo! We’re already a week into 2025 and I’m already buzzing with excitement about all of the good books ahead! Below is a list of 25 books (of the 36) I plan to read this year, broken down into four categories - new books, books I’m currently reading, books I’ve read before (and am...

As a reminder (and helpful tip!), I try to utilize the library as much as possible. I think libraries are one of the greatest gifts and are far too underutilized. I mostly request and read books from the library first (either physical books, or via Libby or Hoopla), then, if they’re 5-star reads, I sometimes buy the book to have as part of my... This helps cut down on costs, keeping reading as free + fun as possible. I encourage you all to become BFF’s with your local library, too! Also, it’s worth noting that if I start a new book and it’s vulgar, super raunchy, repetitive or straight up just doesn’t resonate or sit right with me, even mid-way through, I’ll stop reading...

I think that’s what keeps reading special and enjoyable for me. I’m not the kind of reader who has to see a book through to the end to say I read it or to see if it gets better. There are far too many amazing books out there to waste time reading through ones that don’t keep us captivated or challenged, amiright?! So, #dontsettleforbadbooks, okay? New Books on the Block (books I’ve never read): 4.

The Maid’s Secret - Nita Prose (coming April 2025) I've shared a lot here about my love of movies. While I'm also a lover of books, I've never quite become the avid reader I've aspired to be. I grew up surrounded by readers—people who would rather lie in bed all day with a book they've read six times than do anything or see anyone else. My oldest child is this kind of reader, and I cherish their insatiable reading habit. The inspiration came from a childhood friend who loves to read.

In high school, we bonded over reading Oprah's Book Club selections together. Her “25 books in 2025” goal rekindled something within me, and I've found such delight in crafting this reading list and sharing it with friends, family, and even complete strangers. Thanks for reading Notes from Corinne! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. My word of the year is FLOURISH, and I'm watching this manifest through reading. As I read, the stories and characters create new pathways within me.

I feel like I’m being rearranged—making personal connections, finding new perspectives, noticing when I laugh or cry or want to write something down. When I discuss these things with others, it feels like we've shared the same dream and can now explore it together. My list is a mix of book recommendations from trusted reader-friends and book reviewers like Books are Sick. I organized everything via Notion.so. It’s been a while since I’ve made a reading list for myself (the last one was in 2017!), so I thought I’d make one for 2025. For this reading list, I tried to pick a mix of books I haven’t read before, as well as some I’ve been interested in re-reading; fiction and nonfiction.

There’s also a mix of all sorts of genres; prose and graphic novels; and new and old books. Energy levels permitting, I plan to post reviews throughout the year for each book I read from this list, too. So, without further ado, here’s my (alphabetized) list of books I plan to read in 2025! Anyone who knows me knows that I read way more than 25 books in a year, so you may be wondering why this list is so short. The answer? I want to leave room for impulsivity and flexibility for when my brain needs a break from an assigned list, so I can pick up whatever books I want at the library or in...

Also… I have a much longer list of books that I own but haven’t read yet, and I *also* plan to read many of them this year: I usually own somewhere between 25 and 40 books that I haven’t read at any given time. I tend to go through approximately 30-50 books from this category in a calendar year. If you end up reading any of these books, too, please share what you think! The last few years, I’ve done a list of book recommendations for you in the new year. (Check out 23 books to read in 2023, and 24 books to read in 2024).

But this year, I have a backlog of books tagged in my Libby app. And I really want to read more books in 2025. So, I am sharing 25 of the books I want to read this year. Maybe this is more to keep myself accountable, because I will come back and update you as I read each one on whether or not I recommend. If you remember from past years, I don’t really love fiction books. I force myself to read a couple every year, and I do usually like them.

But they just aren’t my go to choice. This years list has a LOT of parenting books, but plenty of other great ones as well. A few of these are books that I have actually already read, and loved so much that I wanted to give them a re-read. And lastly, just like in years past, they aren’t organized in any special way or anything. I practically just took the list straight out of my Libby app. Libby App: Real quick before I get to the list, I want to tell you about the Libby app if you don’t already know about it.

It is amazing, especially if you love audio books. All you need is a library card. The Libby app lets you check out audio books from your library. Just like checking anything out from the library, you have 3 weeks to listen before it is “due” You can renew your hold sometimes, but if there is a waitlist you typically aren’t able... You are limited to what your library has available, and you may have to wait a on a waitlist for a bit to get a popular book. But you can have multiple library cards.

I did link all of these on Amazon, because I know quite a few of you love to do Audible or Kindle, too! Before you close this tab, comment below which books are on your list for 2025. I’m hoping to get through more than 25, so the more suggestions the better! by Katie Linder | Jan 11, 2025 | Blog, Books and Reading, Goal Setting and Follow Through, Habits and Routines, Lists and Planning As you know, reading is a huge part of my life. I use it for self-discovery and learning, recovery time, and just for fun.

Heading into this new year, I have a bunch of books on my radar that I’m looking forward to reading. Here are 25 books (and trilogies and series…) I hope to read in 2025 (and a little about why): Altogether, I’m really looking forward to this pile of to-be-reads for 2025! What’s on your TBR pile in this new year? Join this email list to get monthly reminders of upcoming AMA sessions with Katie throughout 2025. One of my reading goals for the New Year is to participate in more reading challenges.

Hence, I chose the 25 Books for 2025 challenge. In this challenge, you select 25 books you must read before the end of the year. After much thought and reflection, I’ve narrowed down the 25 books I prioritize reading this year. Let’s chat about them. In 2023 I read the first novel in this duology If He Had Been with Me and like many who it was moved to tears. The story follows childhood friends Autumn and Finn who once upon a time were close until an event puts a strain on their friendship pushing them apart.

However, in the second book, we follow Finn’s perspective of events. Immediately I was intrigued. Although I failed to read it when it was released last year I’m making it my priority to read it this year because I need closure after that traumatic ending! 😩 The synopsis for this novel shares that this is a coming-of-age story and I’m a sucker for those! We explore the odd relationship between eleven-year-old Ella, living in a segregated town in Mississippi during the eighties, and an older white woman Ms.

St. James who moves into this neighborhood causing tension especially when she develops a relationship with Ella and begins tutoring her. However, secrets abound in this story and as secrets do they come to light creating devastating consequences for all involved. At first glance, this story comes across as a poignant exploration of mental health and the friendship dynamics between Whimsy and Faerry. How they’re able to connect because of their similarities and are forced to confront their darkest fears. I’m excited about reading this book as it’s told in verse and features a Black female protagonist managing depression.

25 Books On My 2025 Reading List Medium

People Also Search

Not A Medium Member? Read The Full Story Here. 2024

I Have Short-listed These 25 Books That I Want To

As A Reminder (and Helpful Tip!), I Try To Utilize

I Think That’s What Keeps Reading Special And Enjoyable For

The Maid’s Secret - Nita Prose (coming April 2025) I've