2025: The year I read...more, maybe?

Last year was the first year I set a reading goal for myself. I set off to read 30 books, and I read 30 books. For 2025, I decided to set the bar high at 50 books. Now, if I ignored my responsibilities as a mom, teacher, friend, functioning adult in society, then 50 books would be a walk in the park. Alas, I still live in the real world with real responsibilities and real consequences for my actions or lack thereof (boooo!).

That was January. Fast Forward to October....

Everything that has happened this year has been unexpected. Well, aside from graduating in May (yay!), most of the life events I experienced were definitely not on my 2025 bingo card. But that's ok! As far as my reading goal, I am only 12 books in. If you do the math, that means I have 3 months to read 38 books. Given that I, you know, live in the real world, I think I can safely say that I will not be reaching my original goal. And you know what? That's ok. The phrase, "quality over quantity" comes to mind, but really it's not just that. First, like I said, this year has been A LOT. Real life has thrown me enough plot twists that I was too exhausted to immerse myself in any sort of book, fictional or non-fictional.

Admittedly, saying/typing that kills me a little bit inside. Given that I had such high hopes for my bookish life this year, being so far behind in my reading goal is discouraging. But I'd like to focus on the concept of a "bookish life." There is much more to being a bookish person than reading. A love of reading is, to me, the biggest characteristic of a bookish person, and that has not changed. But there are other exciting bookish things I have done this year.

1. I finally went to explore some independent book stores in El Paso.

2. I grew my home library; I have over 300 books and counting!

3. Purchased lots of cool new bookish gear. Maybe not quite the flex I'm making it out to be considering I tend to have very little self-control, but I'm going to take it as a win.

The point I'm trying to make is that even though I haven't read many books, I am still a bookish person. And even though I haven't blogged about anything in months, I still have a bookish blog - and I plan on getting back to it.

So if you're finding yourself in the same boat I am, free falling further and further away from your 2025 reading goal, don't be too hard on yourself. Those books aren't going anywhere (hopefully, but that's a whole different conversation). Even if there's only 3 more months left of the year, it's never too late to adjust your goals.