2025 Reading Preview

Several days ago I posted my 2024 Reading Wrap-Up. Now, I'd like to look ahead and try to envision what literary delights are on the horizon with a reading preview for 2025.

As I noted in the wrap-up I don't like to impose too many goals on myself. I like to choose books as naturally as possible, preferring to stumble upon a book that sounds interesting and give it a shot.

I'll keep this post similarly short and sweet. (Editor's note: this proved difficult. There's so many books out there that excite me. It was too easy to write and write about what wonders 2025 may hold. This post has been reduced by 75% to prevent boredom.)

Goals

Main Goal: Read 50 books

Thanks to my handy-dandy spreadsheet I know that I've read 50+ books in a year twice since I started tracking my reading in 2016. In 2016, I read 51 books. In 2018, I read 51 books.

Reading 50 books in a year then is achievable but by no means easy. With a little focus and determination I should have no problem achieving this goal.

Mini Goals

Read 1 book written by John Steinbeck

A few years ago I could unquestioningly proclaim John Steinbeck as my favorite author with my favorite works of his being The Winter of Our Discontent, Cannery Row, and East of Eden. If asked who my favorite author is now I would hesitate not because Steinbeck has fallen in my estimation, I would hesitate only because authors I've since been introduced to like Tad Williams and Robin Hobb have also passed the threshold to be considered a favorite.

I have now read over half of Steinbeck's bibliography and would like to one day complete it. Which of his works will I read this year? My initial inkling is to read Cup of Gold, Steinbeck's first novel and a pirate adventure to boot. Considering I just finished reading The Red Pony a few weeks ago, it'll be a few months before I think about returning to Steinbeck. By then I very well may be drawn to another work.

Read 1 book written by a Norwegian author

Five or six years ago I began learning Norwegain on a whim. In 2023, my wife and I were lucky enough to spend two weeks traveling the country. Each year I like to read at least one book written by a Norwegian author. Last year I read two by Hanne Ørstavik and one of them ended up on my top 10 list. Again, I'm not sure which book I'll pick up this year. I'm leaning toward discovering a new author to accomplish this goal.

What I'll Be Reading: A Preview

I have a handful of books and authors picked out for the year. Let's split them into broad genres.

Literary

• Intermezzo by Sally Rooney

  • I bought this book when it was released but never got around to reading it these past few months. I imagine I'll tackle this very early in the year.

• The Human Stain by Philip Roth

  • The final book of Roth's "American" trilogy. It's been a few years since I read the first two and I'd like to wrap up the series and get it off my mind. The first two were phenomenal.

• Lila by Marilynne Robinson

  • Similar to Roth, I'd like to continue Robinson's series. Robinson's writing is amazing. I'm not religious so I'm doubly impressed by how powerful and beautiful I find her writing (especially in the first entry in the series Gilead) on faith and what it's like to be faithful.

• Stay With Me by Hanne Ørstavik (published 4/15/25)

  • As I read two of her books in 2024 this very well may not happen. Regardless, I will be purchasing the book upon publication.

Science Fiction

• Empire of Silence by Christopher Ruocchio

  • This series has been on my radar for a little over a year. The continual praise it generates online drives it ever up my TBR list.

Epic Fantasy

• Mordew by Alex Pheby

  • I'm a sucker for a wild premise. This book intrigues me.

• The Devils by Joe Abercrombie

  • One of my friend's favorite authors. I can guarantee we'll both be reading this as soon as it comes out in May.

• The Bright Sword by Lev Grossman

  • Though I haven't read nearly enough King Arthur works to be as enamored with its legendarium as I am, I am nevertheless stoked for this book.