Redefining My Reading Journey: A More Mindful Approach to Books in 2025

As I sit here surrounded by towering stacks of unread books and a Kindle filled with impulse purchases, I can't help but reflect on my past reading habits. Like many book lovers, I've fallen into the trap of quantity over quality, chasing ambitious reading goals that left me feeling more exhausted than enriched. This year, I'm taking a different approach.

The Numbers Game

Let's address the elephant in the room - yes, I still have a numerical goal (200 books), but this number isn't meant to be a source of pressure. Instead, it's a natural reflection of my reading pace when I'm genuinely enjoying what I read. The key difference? I'm no longer forcing myself to finish books that don't resonate with me just to hit a target.

Tackling the Physical TBR Mountain

My bookshelves are groaning under the weight of unread books, each one a reminder of past enthusiasm and impulsive book hauls. This year, I'm making peace with my physical TBR (To Be Read) pile. Before adding new books to my collection, I'm committing to exploring the treasures already waiting on my shelves. There's something special about holding a physical book, and I want to honor these stories I once deemed worthy of precious shelf space.

Broadening Horizons Beyond Romance

Don't get me wrong - I still love a good romance novel. However, I've noticed my reading diet has become a bit too comfortable, too predictable. This year, I'm challenging myself to venture beyond my comfort zone. Literary fiction, horror fiction, mysteries, and thrillers - the literary world is vast, and I'm ready to explore its diverse landscapes.

Embracing the Library Community

There's a certain magic in library books - they carry stories within stories, marked by the invisible threads of previous readers. By borrowing more from libraries, I'm not just saving money; I'm joining a community of readers, supporting a vital public institution, and reducing my environmental impact. Plus, the built-in return dates provide a gentle nudge to keep reading!

The Rising Tide of Audiobooks

Life doesn't always allow for curling up with a physical book, and that's where audiobooks come in. They've transformed my commutes and household chores into opportunities for literary exploration. This year, I'm embracing audiobooks not as a "lesser" form of reading, but as a valuable tool in my reading life that allows me to engage with literature in different ways.

The Non-Fiction Adventure

While fiction will always have my heart, I'm discovering that non-fiction offers its own kind of magic. From memoirs that open windows into different lives to books about science that make me see the world anew, non-fiction helps me understand both myself and the world better. This year, I'm aiming to alternate between fiction and non-fiction, creating a balanced reading diet that nourishes both my imagination and intellect.

A More Selective Approach to ARCs

Advanced Reader Copies (ARCs) have been both a blessing and a curse. While I'm grateful for the opportunity to read books before their release, the pressure to read and review them quickly has sometimes turned reading into a chore. This year, I'm being more selective with ARC requests, choosing only those books I'm genuinely excited about and know I'll have time to review thoughtfully.

The Heart of the Matter

At its core, this shift in my reading habits is about rediscovering the joy of reading. It's about quality over quantity, depth over breadth, and intention over obligation. I want each book I read to have the space to resonate, to challenge me, to change me in some small way.

Reading isn't a race to be won or a checkbox to be ticked. It's a journey of discovery, a conversation with authors across time and space, a way to expand our understanding of what it means to be human. In 2025, I'm looking forward to a more mindful, more meaningful reading journey.

What about you? How are you approaching your reading goals this year? I'd love to hear about your literary intentions and the books that are calling to you.