January TBR for the 325 Reading Challenge

The first month of 2025 is over. So, what happened in the world of this reading challenge?

During December and January, eleven people officially joined the 325 Reading Challenge on The StoryGraph, which is amazing news. There has also been a positive response on social media.

So, how many books did I read in January?

The “to be read” pile of books for January was chosen in December, as per the rules. The pile includes:

The Fisherman by John Langan (fiction)
102 Ways to Write a Novel by Alex Quick (non-fiction)
House of Bone and Rain by Gabino Iglesias (fiction)
In The Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado (non-fiction)
Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde (non-fiction)

Which did I read?

Well, I read five books. But not all the ones I planned to read in December…

January 2025 update for the 325 Reading Challenge

I read four books from the challenge! I actually read five books in January, but one was for a client.

Yes, there is one book that wasn’t on the January list. The ebook for The Black Lizard by Edogawa Ranpo became available at the library and I was in the right mood to read it.

But what about the books that weren’t read?

I started to read 102 Ways to Write a Novel by Alex Quick at the beginning of January and at points throughout the month. The book is ideal for sporadic reading, so I made some progress but ran out of time to borrow it.

Later in the month, Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde became available at the library. I started reading this collection of essays but didn’t finish it in time. You don’t rush Audre Lorde. I found myself rereading parts and sitting with her words, which is a very good thing. I’ll be taking her with me into February.

January Book Reviews

This year I’m upping my game by writing short reviews for each book I read. All my reviews are on The StoryGraph. Currently, I’m avoiding using star ratings because there are so many different views on what each rating means. Instead, words will convey my thoughts on each book. You can read them by following the links:

I’ve chosen not to share the reviews with the authors, even those I follow on social media. Some authors don’t want to read reviews and I might not write a review that praises a book. Authors don’t need that news in their lives, they are busy writing and surviving. But I have let authors know when I’ve loved their work.

Well, where I can. Some have passed on, which makes them difficult to get in touch with.

Who will be joining Audre Lorde in February?

February Book TBR (to be read)

February 2025 TBR for the 325 Reading Challenge

My 325 Reading Challange pile of books for February includes:

Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde (non-fiction)
Lone Women by Victor LaValle (fiction)
Angela Y. Davis Autobiography (non-fiction)
Bunny by Mona Awad (fiction)
The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo (fiction)

Five books in twenty-eight days will be a challenge. But I’m already reading Sister Outsider. A few moments past midnight on February 1st I started reading Lone Women because of course I did.

As ever, client’s books take priority. But I’m reducing my television time and clarifying my reading per day, so I’m optimistic. I’m also really excited to get to each of these!

If you’d like to join this reading challenge, you can.

The following includes instructions from the launch blog post. If you’ve read it before or aren’t interested, you can scroll down to the last graphic.

How to take part in the 325 Reading Challenge

All you have to do is:

read 25 fiction books and 25 non-fiction books in 2025. Simple.

325 Reading Challenge Rules

So we’re all on the same page (pun intended) there are five core rules within this challenge.

Everything else is flexible.

Read twenty-five fiction books and twenty-five non-fiction books between January 2025 and December 2025. Anything you want.
Plan what to read at least a month ahead.
If you DNF (Do Not Finish) a book, you can replace it with another book.
If you can’t read a chosen book for whatever reason, you can replace it with another book.
Don’t pirate or steal a book.

Optional Reading Challenge Goals

This is for the readers who like to make the challenge even more challenging with mini goals.

Here are a few ideas, but feel free to create your own.

[number] translated works
[number] from each section of the Dewey Decimal System
[number] books from previous centuries
[number] memoirs/autobiographies/biographies
[number] books with over 500 pages (The Chonk Challenge)

What’s your favorite mini-goal? What goal would you create for this reading challenge?

All fifty books I plan to read during the 325 Reading Challange. Read with me or choose your own.

The StoryGraph 325 Reading Challenge

You can also find the challenge along with my reviews on The StoryGraph.

If you have an account, you can join the challenge by searching for 325 Reading Challenge in ‘Challenges’ or visiting The StoryGraph 325 Reading Challenge page.

I’m on The StoryGraph as mary_wyrd if you’d like to ‘follow’ or ‘add friend’.

Social Media Book and Reading Community

If you choose to share your goals and reading on social media, you can use the hashtag

#325ReadingChallenge

This is so we can connect, celebrate those reading wins, and share reading recommendations.

The hashtag is already live on Bluesky and Facebook.

Maybe make a friend or three and discover books we wouldn’t otherwise read.

Social Media Templates

If you plan to share your progress on social media or your own blog, you can display the books however you want. If you use Canva and would like to replicate my Book List designs and progress updates, you can!

I’ve created a Canva Template for you.

Five steps to your 325 Reading Challenge templates

Log in to your Canva account (if you don’t have one, you can make one for free)
Click on this link: 325 Reading Challenge Templates
Select “Use template”
The templates should open as a new design in your Canva account
Add your book covers and edit your copy of the designs

Personalize your copy of the templates, but please keep the hashtag and reference to my website so more people can join in.

If you’re writing a blog to track your reading, please include a link to the launch blog post.

February Update

I’ll be updating my Bluesky account each time I finish a book and then sharing a review.

I’m creating a fresh graphic in my own style for each book so I can grab more eyeballs and potential readers.

I’d love to see more folks getting involved and using the #325ReadingChallenge hashtag. If you’re not interested in joining the challenge as a reader, you can still make book recommendations.

Yes, that means you can promote the books you’ve written.

Am I reading any books you’ve loved?

Are you taking part in any other reading challenges this year or have your own reading goals?

Let me know in the comments or find me online.

Mary Wyrd: Creative Virtual Assistant

The go-to for your to-do list and for book recommendations.