Finding answers in 2025: My reading plans for the year
Goals, whys, and anticipated releases
If like me, you’ve spent the last week heartbroken seeing the wildfires ravage the LA area, sharing this article from the LA Times with a helpful list of organizations to support. A few bookstores collecting and distributing donations to consider supporting: Octavia’s Bookshelf, Stories Books and Cafe, and All Power Books. Also sharing this CA company owned by a friend of a friend who lost their home. UPDATED: Sharing this post from
on ways to help.Ah January, the freshness of a new year. It’s hard to resist the pull of creating goals, intentions, promises to yourself. And reading life is no different, thinking about how to approach the pages in the coming year. I’m not into numerical goals, I roughly aim for about a book a week, knowing there will be books that slow me down, or ones I tear through, vacation stacks, or times I may find it hard to pick up a book.
from had a great post last year that has stuck with me. She wrote about how asking “why” may be better than “what” when it comes to choosing books. I recommend reading the whole post, but a snapshot:“Thinking about why I read has freed me up to explore stories, genres, and styles I would not have readily defined as to my taste. It has helped me approach books with a more open and curious mind. It has given my reading life variety and meaning. And as an added bonus, it also helps me appreciate more of the books I read.”
After reading the post back in October, I jotted down some of my “whys” in my morning pages:
To get lost in a place or time.
For the art of it, getting lost in the language, the sheer brilliance of a plot unfolding, to marvel at how lucky I am to experience it.
To learn more about the human experience different than my own.
To feel connected—with ideas and characters (their quirks, sense of humor, struggles), and with the people who recommended the book or reading alongside me.
As I select books this year, I want to keep these in mind to feel grounded each time I pick up my next read. Here are my specific reading goals:
Goals
Continue working through the catalogs of Ann Patchett and Percival Everett. Reading more Patchett was a 2024 goal I’m looking forward to continuing. After reading my first two Percival Everett books last year, I’m eager to dive into more of his catalog as well. Both of these authors amaze me in their storytelling ability.
Listen to more nonfiction.
I still prefer spending time with the words on the pages to listening, but I’ve found nonfiction titles are a good option for audio. Some like essays or memoirs are a breeze, but also some denser books I can absorb while making dinner or doing a puzzle.
Read David Copperfield. No, really.
I’m coming clean, this has been a reading goal of mine for years. First inspired after reading Nick Hornby’s Ten Years in the Tub and hearing his love for Dickens. Then, with the esteem for Demon Copperhead, I told myself it was the perfect time to first pre-read Dickens. And then Hornby reminded me once again when I listened to Dickens & Prince last year. So this year, really, I’m taking it on—who’s with me?
Most anticipated releases
Dream Count, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: March 8
Adichie is one of my favorite authors, so of course I’m excited for this new story of interconnected female characters.
Everything is Tuberculosis, John Green: March 18
Green has become a passionate advocate for awareness of tuberculosis. Following him on Instagram and hearing his passion for sharing the inequities of this treatable disease, and after loving the writing in The Anthropocene Reviewed, I trust that I’ll learn a lot from this book.
Dear Writer, Maggie Smith: April 1
From her poetry, to her memoir, to her newsletter,
, Smith is a writer I endlessly learn from. I’m eager to dive into this book on creativity and craft.The Book of Alchemy, Suleika Jaouad: April 22
Between Two Kingdoms was such an impactful read and after completing The Artist’s Way last year and starting a morning pages practice, I look forward to this new book on the art of journaling.
Totally and Completely Fine, Elissa Sussman: July 8
Sussman’s Funny You Should Ask is my favorite romance so I’m so excited for the follow-up, a love story from the same universe and still in my favorite troupe, celebrity/normal person.
Loved One, Aisha Muharrar: Aug. 12
I was introduced to Muharrar years ago through the Gilmore Guys podcast, she was one of my favorite guests. Since then, I’ve followed along with her career—a writer for two shows I really enjoyed, Parks and Recreation and The Good Place. When it was announced she would be publishing a book, I immediately took note. Her debut novel is a love story in reverse that sounds so captivating.
Tell me: What are you reading “whys”? How about your goals for this year? Do you have a most anticipated release? What book has been on your TBR list for years?
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I aim to be an Ann Patchett completist, I just love her writing! I was hoping to get to Bel Canto late last year, buuuut I didn't. It's on my TBR shortlist!
wow, really enjoyed your articulation about “why’s” behind reading - and I, too, read Demon Copperhead after reading Ten Years in the Tub and was just thinking it’s probably time I read the actual David Copperfield!