I don’t know about you but I love having regular check-ins for my yearly goals. I thought why not start a 2025 quarter one reading wrapup where I check in on my bookish goals, track my statistics, and yap about my favorite books of the year so far.
Reflect on My Yearly Bookish Goals
My primary goals for the year were:
- Read 160 books
- Diversify my reading
- Support Indigenous, Arab, Pakistani, and Muslim authors
- Join Read-a-thons and Reading Challenges
- Collect special editions
- Support indie bookstores
- Thrift and purchase books secondhand
- Utilize the library more
- Avoid book overconsumption
- Start a book club
- Phase out Goodreads
My Successes
I’ve been quite intentional with diversifying my reading and exploring reading from various, races, cultures, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, socioeconomic statuses, and lived experiences. And, it has been such an insightful experience filled with learning and enhanced empathy towards others that have different experiences than me.
Additionally, I’ve started slowly working on building my collection of special editions. Currently, I own special editions of: A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkens Reid, If He Had Been With Me by Laura Nowlin, as well as Legendborn and Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn. It brings immense joy to see these beautiful titles grace my shelves.
I’ve prioritized supporting indie bookstores in my community and visiting a local shop in my community at least once a month. I’ve devised a plan to purchase paperback editions from indie bookstores and hardcover editions from Barnes & Noble since I’m a premium member and receive a small discount.
Furthermore, I’ve gotten good at purchasing books secondhand from either Half-Price Bookstore or Pangobooks. Looking to check out an indie-owned used bookstore in my area this month as well.
Another tremendous success has been prioritizing my library for reading new releases and new to me authors or genres. I’ve found a lot of favorites this way which I can purchase second-hand and add to my collection. So, it’s kind of helping me stick to a book budget.
Lastly, I’ve broken up with Goodreads and I’m using Storygraph to somewhat track my books. Honestly, I’m over book-tracking apps and only use Storygraph for some of its statistics as I prefer tracking my books using a Notion template and my book tracker planner. Additionally, I use Libib to track my personal collection.
Areas for Improvement
I want to make it a priority to read books from Indigenous, Pakistani, Arab, and Muslim authors. As, sadly I’m lacking these books in my collection and haven’t read from these authors often.
Also, I need to find a fun read-a-thon and reading challenge to participate in. It’s a little hard as I try to be so structured with my TBRs and reading. But this would be so fun to participate in.
While I’m proud of supporting my local library the way I have. I also know I need to do a better job of reading the books on my physical TBR as well. Since I’ve been averaging 2 books per month from my physical TBR. And I’ve acquired so many books in Q1.
Lastly, I need to get my act together and pull the trigger on launching my in-person book club. I want to launch it around May or June depending on the craziness of my schedule and how steadily I work at making this dream a reality.
Reading Statistics
Reflecting on Q1 I feel I got a solid start in January but fell off track in February and March. I didn’t hit my monthly reading goal which threw me off schedule. Currently, I’m 39% of the way towards my 2025 reading goal and have read a total of 39 books. As it stands I’m off track by four books. If I’m not able to get caught up by the end of spring I’ll consider decreasing my yearly reading goal to something more manageable as this was a stretch goal.
On average it takes me seven days to complete a book. This is an opportunity for improvement so I’m better able to reach my monthly reading goals by completing books in shorter periods. Preferably 3-5 days for short to medium books and 5-7 days for longer books.
When it comes to moods I’ve been picking up books that are mysterious, dark, and emotional and have a medium pace hitting the 300-499 page mark. 87% of what I read is fiction with 15% being nonfiction. My top genres are:
My favorite reading format has been and will always be print with 79% of the books I’ve read have been a physical book copy. 15% has been digital and 9% audio as I’ve fallen in love with tandem reading.
Top 5 Favorite Books of Q1
Black In Blues: How A Color Tells The Story of My People by Imani Perry |Nonfiction, Race, History
This gorgeously written nonfiction exploration of how the color blue, specifically indigo, is interwoven throughout black history and culture telling the story of the African diaspora and defining what Blackness means. I have never been so proud of my heritage yet enraged and heartbroken over the injustices we’ve suffered throughout history. Yet, this story isn’t all doom and gloom. Hope and resilience can be found on these pages leaving you truly inspired. Review: Black in Blues by Imani Perry
Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson | Historical
The epitome of an epic multi-generational saga exploring the beauty of storytelling across generations and how it has the power to shape the morale and character of future generations. How a seemingly plain and uninspired family heirloom is rich with history and meaning. I loved the Multi-POV and how it provided an epic scope to the story being able to see it from various perspectives. However, the star of the show for me was Ebby. She is hands down my favorite character of 2025 so far. She was written as an educated, beautiful, and dynamic being who struggled with trauma. Yet, this didn’t make her weak or gullible. She was self-aware and knew how to enforce boundaries and when to transition people out of her life. She maintained a quiet elegance and wisdom that made her a joy to read. Loved this novel!
Review Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson
All The Water in the World by Eiren Caffall | Speculative
This emotional exploration of grief, found family, and maintaining hope in a world struggling under the stress of ecological collapse had me in tears. My favorite theme of this novel was the in-depth look at grief. Not just in the context of losing a loved one but also in a way of life as we see characters finding ways to adjust to the new reality they were thrust into. Additionally, the found family and community aspect was heartwarming and balanced out the darker elements of the novel. Lastly, the continual hope for the future was beautiful to behold as these characters continued to press onward despite the bleakness of their situation. I highly recommend it. Review: All The Water in The World by Eiren Caffall
The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna | YA Fantasy
I love YA fantasies that feature strong, dynamic female leads. And, this is for sure one of those series. We explore a patriarchal society determined to oppress and subdue women out of fear and desperation for power. And, I loved seeing the women navigate this tense political climate and uncovering the truth behind their intentions as our female lead Dekka rises to overthrow a broken and oppressive system. I’m excited to continue forward into this series. Book Review: The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna
Colored Television by Danzy Senna | Literary
A dark and satirical exploration of racial identity, ambition, and who has the right to tell the stories of people of color. This book was so profound with commentary on racial identity and the biracial experience in America, history, art, literature, and entertainment. We have a deeply flawed character that you want to root for despite how she’s not realistic or honest with herself and her situation. Many of the relationships and situations are the primary forces that are holding her back from achieving what she believes she deserves and is owed. Her reckless ambition leads her to make decisions that threaten friendships while ultimately she pays the price for her recklessness in a strike of irony. I loved how this story balanced these serious issues with humor and satire while being simultaneously thought-provoking and revelatory. Ideal for book clubs and deep conversations over a glass of wine or cup of coffee. Book Review: Colored Television by Danzy Senna
While quarter one hasn’t been the banger that I was expecting it to be I’m excited about this next quarter. I’m confident that I can make serious traction toward achieving my goals. Also, there’s so much I’m looking forward to such as the San Antonio Book Festival on April 12th. And exploring some new genres this spring. Learn more about the genres I’m itching to dive into Top 7 Book Genres for Spring to Spark Reading Joy
Also, I’m hoping I can have a romantic reading date picnic in the park while enjoying a book from my spring TBR. So, there’s so much to look forward to! How was your Q1 reading? And what are you looking forward to in Q2?
