My 2025 Bookish Goals

We are DONE with 2024. Last year truly tested my resilience. From enduring the stress of a toxic workplace to facing the devastation of a house fire, it felt as though reading—one of my greatest joys—was pushed to the farthest corner of my life. When the fire struck in the middle of the night, it not only destroyed my home but also severely damaged a vast portion of my beloved book collection. Despite these challenges, I’m grateful that 2024 is now behind me, and with that, I’m choosing to embrace 2025 as a year of renewal and growth, especially when it comes to my reading journey.

For 2025, my goal is to expand my horizons beyond the cozy garden and kitchen-themed fiction that has always been my sanctuary. While those stories will forever hold a special place in my heart, I feel inspired to dive into new genres and explore different perspectives, voices, and settings. Whether it’s fantasy, historical fiction, or contemporary narratives, I’m excited to immerse myself in books that challenge me and broaden my literary world.

Without further ado, these are my 2025 bookish goals! Here's to a year of rediscovery, personal growth, and the joy of reading once again.

  1. Find the Joy of Sitting Still and Just Reading: In 2025, I’m making a conscious effort to embrace the simple joy of sitting still and getting lost in a book. Life can be so fast-paced, and sometimes I forget how wonderful it is to just pause, find a quiet space, and immerse myself in a story without distractions. It's a habit that brings peace and a sense of mindfulness, and I’m looking forward to making more time for these uninterrupted reading moments.

  2. Read more books in Spanish: I want to read more books in Spanish to reconnect with my native language and improve my language skills. Despite Spanish being my first language, I’ve found that I don't read as much in it as I would like. Ultimately, this goal will help me rediscover the joy of reading while reinforcing my connection to my roots.

  3. Repeat Reading My Favorite Books: There’s something so comforting about revisiting my favorite books—they’re like a warm blanket, offering familiarity and solace. In 2025, I’m making a point to reread the stories that hold a special place in my heart, as they always bring me peace and joy. After the fire, one of the first things I did in the weeks that followed was reorder the copies of my beloved books that were lost in the fire (hello, Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen!). These cherished stories have a way of grounding me, and I look forward to diving into them again and again.

  4. Take Time for Reading Before Bed Instead of Watching a Movie: This year, I’m making a conscious effort to replace late-night movie sessions with reading. Not only does reading before bed allow me to unwind in a more peaceful, calming way, but it also helps reduce screen time, improving my sleep quality. It’s a healthier habit for both my mind and body, and I look forward to making it a part of my nightly routine.

  5. Continue to Embrace My "Mood Reading" Habit: One of my favorite reading practices is mood reading—picking books based on how I feel in the moment rather than sticking to a set list or schedule. In 2025, I’m excited to keep this spontaneous approach, as it makes reading feel more intuitive and enjoyable. It’s a flexible and stress-free way to keep my love for reading alive!

  6. Write More Reviews on My Blog: Since books are such a big part of my life, I’ve decided to dedicate more time in 2025 to sharing my thoughts and reviews on my blog. Writing about the books I read not only helps me reflect on them more deeply, but it also allows me to connect with others who share my love of reading. It’s a great way to combine my passion for books with my desire to express my thoughts and engage with fellow readers.

  7. Join More Book Blog Linkups: In 2025, I’m excited to get more involved in the book blogging community by participating in book blog linkups. These linkups are a fantastic way to discover new books, share my thoughts, and engage with fellow book lovers. By joining these events, I’ll not only expand my reading list but also build connections with other bloggers and readers. ’m looking forward to becoming more active in these communities and exchanging ideas with fellow book enthusiasts.

  8. Only Buy a Book After I Finish Reading One: This year, I’m adopting a more mindful approach to book buying. Instead of accumulating piles of unread books, I’m committing to only purchasing a new book once I’ve finished the one, I’m currently reading. This will help me focus on the books I have, reduce clutter (especially now that we are at my mothers-in-law until our house is rebuilt), and make my reading experience more intentional.

  9. Finish the Book I Started Writing in College: This year, one of my most personal goals is to finally finish the historical fiction book I started writing in college. I’ve let it sit unfinished for far too long, but I’ve decided it’s time to revisit and complete the project. Writing that book was a labor of love, and I’ve always felt a deep connection to the characters and story. I’m determined to see it through to the end, whether it’s for myself or to share with others. Completing this book is not just about finishing a long-standing creative project, but about reclaiming a piece of my passion that’s been dormant for years. I can’t wait to bring it to life in 2025.

  10. Keep Up with My Goodreads Reviews: One of my goals for 2025 is to stay on top of my Goodreads reviews. I’ve let this slip for far too long, and it’s time to get back on track! Writing reviews helps me reflect on the books I’ve read, track my progress, and connect with other readers. I love being part of a community that shares a passion for books, and keeping my reviews updated will help me stay engaged and accountable.

Angie's bookshelf: to-read

Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands
tagged: to-read and in-my-shelf
The Spellshop
tagged: to-read
The Garden Plot
tagged: in-my-shelf and to-read
Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries
tagged: to-read and in-my-shelf
Vinegar Girl
tagged: to-read
A Spool of Blue Thread
tagged: to-read
Royal Holiday
tagged: to-read

goodreads.com

Angie's bookshelf: read

Hiding in Plain Sight
it was amazing
I loved this book! This was my first book by this author, and loved it so much I had to write her. This was an engaging storyline that hooks you from the beginning, all the characters have depth and a clear connection, but there was also...
The Summer Cottage
really liked it
First of all, let me say that I was suprised to discover that Viola Shipman is indeed a man. My bestie and I loved this book and it was not until the follow up book, The Heirloom Garden, that we realized it. For some reason we truly beli...
The Little Teashop in Tokyo
liked it
While I always love a good travel romance, I sadly did not like this book. I wanted to love it, but I could not connect with the two main characters-- Fiona and Gabe. I found them both annoying. Fiona, with her insecurities stemming from...
The Seaside Cafe
liked it
I wanted to read the Seaside Cafe because the premise is one I love in books-- women reinventing their lives, food, coastal living and North Carolina. Unfortunately the book left me underwhelmed and I attribute it to one reason: the stor...
Stay with Me
it was amazing
I was introduced to Becky Wade's books in 2018 when I read True to You, which in my opinion, was her best work. Or so I thought at the time. I have read all her books since then, but after reading Stay with Me, I have to say that Becky W...
Read  Pray through the Bible in a Year: Morning and Evening Devotions for Women
it was amazing
Read and Pray Through the Bible in a Year is a simple devotional that invites the reader to get closer to God by becoming more knowledgeable in His Word. The format of the devotions is simple and that makes it very welcoming. I really li...
The Sunday Potluck Club
it was amazing
The Sunday Potluck Club was a lovely story of four women who, through their shared experiences as caregiver, become not only friends, but also family. I loved this book because I connected with the story on a personal level. I was my dad...
Island Affair
really liked it
I loved, loved, loved Island Affair! This contemporary romance was a fun read and had everything I would want in a romance book-- likable characters, character development, a great story, and lots of chemistry! Oliveras struck the right ...
The Nantucket Inn
really liked it
Synopsis. When Lisa Hodges’ husband dies, she discovers he had a gambling addiction that is threatening her life on the beautiful island of Nantucket. She has not worked in thirty years, and her savings are almost gone. She needs to make...
Rosie’s Travelling Tea Shop
it was amazing
I loved, loved, loved this book so much! My #1 requirement in a book is that it keeps my interest, and this one did from the get go. I loved how the main character, Rosie, found herself after her personal crisis, the friendships she forg...

goodreads.com