A Year in Books: What Shaped Your Reading Life in 2025

Your reading year tells a story—discover the moments, books, and shifts that shaped your 2025.

As the year winds down, I always find myself thinking less about goals and numbers and more about moments—the stories that stayed with me, the characters I kept thinking about, and the little pockets of calm I carved out to read. Before we step into a fresh year of new books and big TBR dreams, it feels grounding to take a breath and look back at the reading year we just lived.

This post is your gentle invitation to reflect on your reading life and set meaningful, realistic reading intentions for 2026—no pressure, no guilt, and absolutely no “failed challenge” vibes. Just honest reflection, cozy intention-setting, and a chance to imagine the reader you want to be in the year ahead.

How My Reading Life Actually Looked This Year

Before planning your reading goals for 2026, it helps to step back and look at how you really read this year—not the version you hoped for, but the version that actually happened.

Here are a few questions to guide your reflection. You can jot them down in a journal, your Notes app, or your reading tracker:

• When did you naturally read the most—mornings, lunch breaks, evenings, weekends?
• What types of books did you reach for when you were stressed, tired, or overwhelmed?
• Which stories made you feel something big—comforted, hopeful, seen, swoony?
• Where did you love to read the most? Bed, couch, patio, recliner?
• Were there stretches when reading felt hard or you slipped into a slump?

If you hit a slump this year, you’re not alone—it’s part of the reading life. I wrote more about this here:
👉 Discover 9 Practical Tips to Avoid a Reading Slump

Your Bright Spots: Favorites, Surprises & New Loves

Now for the fun part—celebrating what lit up your reading year. Think back and make a list of:

• Your top 3–5 favorite books
• Any new-to-you authors you want more of
• Genres or tropes that truly delighted you
• Stories that surprised you (in the best way!)

You might notice patterns—maybe historical romances stole your heart this year, or maybe novellas saved your reading life during busy months. These patterns are gold. They help you shape reading intentions that feel like a treat instead of a task.

The Quiet Wins That Made This Year Meaningful

Reading wins don’t have to be big or flashy. Sometimes the small ones are the most meaningful:

• A book you’ve wanted to finish for ages
• A series you finally caught up on
• A comforting reread during a rough week
• Trying a new genre that surprised you
• Any stretch when reading felt joyful again

If even a handful of stories made your year softer, brighter, or more interesting, that absolutely counts as a win.

Crafting Reading Goals That Fit Your Life Right Now

Once you’ve reflected on your year, it’s much easier to shape reading intentions for 2026. Focus on goals that feel realistic, flexible, and genuinely exciting.

Some gentle ideas:

• Choose one comfort read a month—purely for joy.
• Try one new-to-you author every season.
• Pick a “signature genre” to explore more deeply.
• Tackle one intimidating book you’ve been avoiding.
• Leave room for rereads when you need them.

If you’re curious, try writing one sentence about the kind of reader you want to be next year — not how much you want to read, but how you want reading to feel.

A cozy snapshot of my reading year — the books, the moments, and the memories worth reflecting on.

A Reading Rhythm That Works for Your Real Life

Reading doesn’t require a perfect chair, a stack of candles, or long stretches of free time. You can build an easy, nourishing rhythm by anchoring reading to moments you already have.

• Read for 10–15 minutes with your morning coffee.
• Keep your current book visible and grab it whenever you have a spare moment.
• Pair reading with a ritual—tea, a cozy blanket, or a quiet Sunday block.
• Let go of page goals. One chapter—or even a few pages—counts.

If you want to make reading feel even smoother and more doable, this guide is a great companion:
👉 How to Read More in Less Time (Without Losing Joy)

Choosing Presence Over Page Counts

In a world full of distractions, reading can feel like a quiet rebellion. One of the simplest intentions you can carry into 2026 is this: when you read, let yourself truly read.

If you want to transform your reading time into a relaxing ritual, this post walks through simple, sensory ways to elevate the experience:
👉 How to Create the Perfect Reading Experience

Here’s to Your Next Chapter

Your reading life doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s. Maybe 2026 will be your year of cozy small-town romances, bold historical adventures, or comforting rereads. Or maybe it will simply be the year you give yourself permission to read at your own pace.

Whatever your intentions look like, I hope they bring more comfort, connection, and joy into your life. Here’s to a new year of stories worth savoring.

Join the Conversation

I’d love to hear about your reading year and what you’re hoping for in 2026:

• What book stayed with you this year?
• Are you setting any reading intentions for 2026?
• Do you choose a theme or word for your reading year?

Share in the comments—I love cheering on your reading journey.