At the beginning of each year, I like to sit down and reflect on what I want my upcoming year to look like. For me, a big part of that involves books and reading – because it’s a huge part of my life! I always get excited to try new bookish endeavors or reading challenges. Last year (2024) was the first year I decided to make my own reading challenge, and I wanted to continue the tradition this year. Behold: the Reader Haven 2025 reading challenge – including a printable PDF!
Bookish Reading Challenge for 2025
I put together a series of 30 prompts for this reading challenge, to inspire you to pick up a variety of books this year. (You’ll find a list of the prompts below, plus a printable PDF checklist.)
You can choose to follow them all, or just some – it’s totally up to you! (Here’s the 2024 reading challenge if you want to check that out as well!)
When it comes to reading challenges, I like to stay flexible. Rigid rules can take the fun out of reading, and no one wants that.
This challenge is flexible enough for plenty of mood reading, while also encouraging you to read more books. It’s the best of both worlds!
The books can be read at any time during the year. You can even set up your own personal cozy read-a-thon to knock out multiple books at once.
Looking for more reading inspiration? Here are some ideas for setting a reading goal (and crushing it)!
How does it work?
Each prompt should correspond to a book of your choice. Check off each prompt as you read. It’s that simple!
While I personally will be focusing on reading mostly backlist (already owned) books that fit the prompts, you’re welcome to read a combination of new, used, ARC books, or whatever you prefer.
Feel free to also use a single book to satisfy multiple prompts. (I told you it was flexible!). 🙂
2025 Reading Challenge Prompts
Here are the prompts (or categories/themes) to follow for this challenge. You can also print this PDF version of the 2024 reading challenge checklist.
Read a book that(s)…
- been on your TBR list for 3+ years
- recommended by a friend
- in a genre you don’t usually read
- by a BIPOC author
- by a debut author
- by a bestselling author
- nominated for a literary prize
- set during a historical time period you don’t know much about
- set on a mountain, in a forest, or in a rural area
- set on a college campus or in a museum
- written in first-person POV
- set during fall (or has leaves on the cover)
- set during summer (or has a sun on the cover)
- has a movie or TV adaptation
- gives you cozy vibes
- gives you spooky vibes
- published before 1940
- published before 1970
- published before 2000
- published last year (2024)
- features a culture/religion different from your own
- has a person’s face on the cover
- a retelling of a fairy tale, myth, or classic novel
- a non-fiction book about a topic that interests you
- part of a trilogy (or longer series)
- has 400,000+ Goodreads ratings
- has >30,000 Goodreads ratings
- less than 250 pages
- more than 500 pages
- set in a country you don’t know much about
I’d love to hear about your progress – feel free to comment below, or reach out on Instagram (my handle is @reader.haven) and let me know how it’s going!
Enjoy, and happy reading. 🙂