As we wrap up another trip around the sun, I find myself looking back at the stories, lessons, and worlds I’ve inhabited over the last twelve months. While every year has its own rhythm, 2025 was a year of steady habits and diverse genres.
In total, I finished 37 books this year, totaling 8,412 pages.
There’s a part of me that always wishes I had read more. In years past, I’ve managed to hit anywhere from 50 to 100 books. But as life gets busier, I’ve learned to value the quality of the habit over the quantity of the list. What matters most to me is that I made time to read every single day, whether I was flipping through a digital page on my Kindle or listening to a narrator bring a story to life on Audible (a platform I’ve come to absolutely love).
The 2025 Reading Breakdown
My reading list this year was a bit of a “choose your own adventure” across three main categories:
1. Graphic Novels & Comics
I spent a lot of time in the visually stunning worlds of Batman and the high-stakes intrigue of James Bond. There’s something uniquely refreshing about the pacing of a graphic novel that keeps my momentum going between longer reads.
2. Mysteries & Thrillers
Nothing beats the “just one more chapter” feeling of a good mystery. This year’s highlights included:
- Nobody’s Fool by Harlan Coben
- Dark Harbor by Stuart Woods
- Murder, She Wrote: A Killer Christmas (perfect for the holiday season!)
- A nostalgic revisit to The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown—though this time, I opted for the Young Adult version to see how the adaptation held up.
3. Memoirs, Biography, & Non-Fiction
I love diving into others’ lives and picking up new habits along the way. My non-fiction shelf was quite eclectic this year:
- The Hollywood Perspective: The Book of Sheen by Charlie Sheen and the hilarious It Seemed Like a Bad Idea at the Time by Bruce Vilanch.
- Self-Improvement: I finally tackled the modern classic Atomic Habits and explored the mindset shifts in The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins.
Looking Ahead to 2026
If 2025 taught me anything, it’s that reading is a marathon, not a sprint. I’m incredibly happy with the diversity of titles I picked up this year. Whether it was a gritty Gotham alleyway or a practical guide to habit-stacking, each book offered a new perspective.
As I look toward 2026, my goal remains the same: keep the habit alive. I plan to continue carving out that daily space for reading for many years to come.
How many books did you check off your list this year? I’d love to hear your recommendations for my 2026 TBR list!
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