The dawn of a new year often brings with it the tradition of setting resolutions, be it hitting the gym, picking up a new hobby or kicking an unhealthy habit.
A common resolution is to reduce screen time and increase reading hours.
However, despite starting the year with high hopes, statistics reveal that over 90 percent of New Year’s resolutions are discarded within a few months.
Fear not, as there are practical steps to help maintain your resolution, such as setting achievable goals.
For instance, if you haven’t read any books this year, aiming for 100 next year might be overly ambitious, regardless of how effortless BookTok makes it appear.
Instead, consider setting realistic targets. If you’re seeking some motivation, here are some reading challenges to embark on in 2025.
1. Alphabet reading challenge
As implied by its name, the goal of the alphabet book challenge is to read a book beginning with each letter of the alphabet. Note that ‘A’ and ‘the’ don’t count if they’re at the start of the title, so for C, you could opt for ‘A Court of Thorns and Roses’.
You can pre-select all your books or choose them as you progress through the challenge.
2. Complete a series
Alternatively, you could aim to finish a series by the end of 2026. This challenge offers flexibility, allowing you to pick a series of any length.
For a dose of nostalgia, why not revisit a beloved series from your past?
Consider immersing yourself in J.K. Rowling’s magical world of Harry Potter or the epic saga of George R.R. Martin’s A Game of Thrones.
3. Read all of an author’s books
Alternatively, select an author and embark on a journey through their entire bibliography. Goodreads and BookTok users often recommend authors such as Sarah J. Maas, Rebecca Yarros, Ali Hazelwood and Emily Henry, but any writer can offer this literary adventure.
4. Embark on a global reading tour
The ‘read around the world’ challenge encourages you to choose a different country each month and delve into books penned by authors from that nation. This could lead you beyond your usual reading habits, introducing you to fresh genres and writers.
5. The 52 book challenge
If you’re an avid reader seeking a more demanding task, consider the 52 book challenge. This involves devouring 52 books throughout the year, averaging one per week.
You can undertake this independently or participate in the official 52 book challenge, which provides 52 unique prompts for book selection. Previous prompts have included a book with a sticker on its cover, a book with a yellow spine, and a book featuring a wedding.
