My Big, Guilt-Free, New Year Book List To Get Obsessed About
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Each year I try and read at least a few books. It’s a little hobby I do to continue to focus on my personal and professional development. I track everything in Goodreads using their annual Reading Challenge tracker and choose books as I go along.
However, I’m doing things slightly differently this year by planning ahead what I’m going to read over the next 12 months, which I’m calling my Big, Guilt-Free, New Year Book List!
This year I didn’t set a challenge as things have been crazy and reading had taken a backseat. However, I’m striving to add more balance to my routine (it’s too easy to fill your day with work when you have your own business). With that in mind, I’m going into 2025 challenging myself to read 5 books or 1 book a month!
Related: Read More Books This Year With These 15 Tips
My New Year Book List Challenge Details
Although this is a personal challenge I set for myself, you’re more than welcome to use it as inspiration for your own or even copy my New Year book list for yourself.
Below are the details for how I’m setting this up:
1. I’m Finishing One Book Every 1-2 Months
To finish at least 5 books in a year I would need to read 1 book over 2 months.
To make things simpler I’m going to attempt 1 book per month, which will give me some flexibility if one takes longer (I’m looking at you 3000 pagers) or sh*t happens.
In addition, I’m making it a rule that 2025 has to have a combination of fiction and non-fiction to keep things balanced.
2. In My World Audiobooks Are Fair Game
To make it easier to reach my reading goals in the new year I’m allowing audiobooks.
Some of you may disagree with me and feel that listening to an audiobook isn’t the same as sitting down and reading one. But honestly, in the modern age, we need to squeeze in reading whenever we can and sometimes that means listening to a book while you shower or drive your kids to school.
3. I Tried to Combine Short and Long Books
I’m including a combination of short and long books. If every book was the same length as a George R. R. Martin novel we would all be doomed.
4. I’m Embracing the DNF
If you’ve never heard of DNF (Do Not Finish) this is going to change your reading life.
Forcing yourself to finish a book you aren’t enjoying is counter-productive. I’m giving myself permission to move on from a book I’m not enjoying and still count it as a book read as long as I share my thoughts in a Goodreads review.
My New Year Book List (and reading recommendations)
Below is my New Year Book List broken down by season and month. To track my reading progress make sure to follow me on Goodreads!
New Year Book List – Winter
January-February
Talking to Strangers
by Malcolm Gladwell
Published September 2019
Not only was this book a Kindle daily deal, but it also targets one of the skills I wish I was better at!
I purchased a copy hoping it will help me improve my networking skills.
New Year Book List – Spring
March-April
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine
by Gail Honeyman
Published May 2017
This is the heroic story of a quirky woman who doesn’t quite fit in anywhere. I’ve heard about it and am finally taking the time to read it in 2020!
New Year Book List – Summer
May -June
Ask Me About My Uterus: A Quest To Make Doctors Believe In Women’s Pain
by Abby Norman
Published March 2019
After my own health scare in 2018, I’ve been invested in women’s health and educated myself and other women about what to look for.
July-August
The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein
by Kiersten White
Published September 2018
This book was included in my 2018 book recommendations. When I saw it as one of Amazon’s daily deals for Kindle I had to grab it. Looking forward to revisiting Dr. Frankenstein and that fictional world.
New Year Book List – Fall
September – October
The German Midwife
by Mandy Robotham
Published December 2018
A historical fiction book set during the Second World War. It’s received amazing reviews on Goodreads and I can’t wait to dive in!
November – December
The Silent Patient
by Alex Michaelides
Published February 2019
At the time of writing this post, I had just gone through Goodreads Choice 2019 winners. The Silent Patient was #1 in Mystery and Thriller. I want to see what all the hype was about, plus the synopsis sounded interesting.
