So, you’ve decided you are going to read 50 books in 2025? Fifty sounds like a lot, but trust me—it’s totally doable. And the best part? You don’t have to spend a fortune to get there. With a little planning and some budget-friendly strategies, you’ll be flipping through pages (or listening to audiobooks) in no time. Let’s dive into how to make it happen!

1. Your Library is the Real MVP

If you’re not already best friends with your local librarian, this is your sign to fix that. Libraries are chock-full of treasures waiting to be unearthed. Grab a coffee and spend 20 minutes perusing—this is a time that it’s truly ok to judge a book by its’ cover! If you are looking to read the hottest new releases, don’t forget to plan ahead — placing holds early ensures you’ll get them as soon as they’re available. Also, make good use of your library’s request system! My librarian bff (well, she doesn’t know she’s my bff, but she totally is!) is always open to ordering in something new for mes. Living in a rural community, I also have 2 separate digital-only library cards to larger library systems. These allow me access titles that may not be available on my local Libby card.

2. Thrift Like a Pro

Thrift stores and used bookstores are goldmines for affordable books, but don’t stop there. Check out Facebook Marketplace ads for book bundles or specific titles. Many used bookstores also offer store credit when you sell your old books—I think I’ve racked up about $450 in credit at my local shop, While Away Books. They’ve got a $.25 table outside, the largest monstera I’ve ever seen, and a cozy corner to sip on espresso while you browse. It’s this book lover’s paradise. Finally, make sure to hit up the library book sales! My own local library hosts one 4 times a year, and let me tell you, I’m always first in line clutching my reusable tote bag like it’s a prized weapon in a bookish battle royale.

3. Start a Book Swap

Book swaps are a fantastic way to refresh your collection without spending a dime. Gather a group of friends, neighbors, or coworkers and host a swap party. Each person can bring books they’re ready to part with and trade for something new-to-them. You can even theme your swaps—think genre-specific nights or seasonal favorites. For an extra layer of fun, set up a “blind date with a book” table where books are wrapped in paper with only a few descriptive hints. It’s an easy way to share your love of reading, discover new titles, and bond with fellow bookworms. This would also be a great idea for an established book club, if you’re lucky enough to be involved in one. Or this could be your impetus to start one!

4. Shop Your Own Shelves

Confession time: How many unread books do you already own? I won’t judge—I’m as guilty as the rest of you. Make 2025 the year you finally tackle that TBR pile. One of my favorite Booktubers, @BookswithEmily Fox, does a Read It or Unhaul It challenge that inspires me every year to clear out my shelves. I could easily read 50 books in 2025 just from the TBR stack in my bedroom! Revisit those impulse buys and long-forgotten finds gathering dust on your shelves. You’ll rediscover books you were excited about once upon a time and give them the love they deserve.

5. Explore Bookish Challenges

Booktok, Bookstagram, Booktube, Goodreads—these platforms are treasure troves of inspiration and motivation. You’ll find reading challenges tailored to every niche: LGBTQIA+ reads, fantasy marathons, horror extravaganzas, classics deep dives…the possibilities are endless. One challenge I have done is to tackle a “big book” over the course of the year—for instance, in 2023, I read Les Misérables by committing to one short chapter a day. It’s a manageable way to check off a bucket list read without feeling overwhelmed. 2024’s goal of War and Peace on the other hand…

6. One Book a Week (ish)

Fifty books in a year sounds intense, but when you break it down, it’s about a book a week. Audiobooks make this goal easier than ever. Listen while you’re cooking dinner, doing dishes, getting your steps in, tackling the morning commute, or driving kids to soccer practice (yep, I’m that mom in a minivan with fruit snacks, shin guards, and AirPods). Multitasking for the win!

7. Mix It Up

Tender Is The Flesh
Agustina Bazterrica
Horror Novella
(Please review all
Trigger Warnings.)
This is dark.

Beach Read
Emily Henry
Quick, light romance read. Rivals to lovers.
This one is so fun!

Every Heart A Doorway
Seanan McGuire
Part of the Wayward Children Series. YA novella, but so so magical!

Heartstopper: Volume 1
Alice Oseman
Queer YA graphic novel. Friends to lovers. Modern classic, and full of queer joy. For adults too!

Not every book has to be a doorstopper or a literary masterpiece. Sometimes I just need some junk food rom-coms in my literary diet. Mix shorter reads like novellas, graphic novels, or poetry collections with longer books to keep your reading momentum going. I love mixing in some plays, essay collections, and short story anthologies. Variety keeps your reading life fresh and exciting.

8. Track Your Wins

There’s something so satisfying about watching your “read” list grow. Whether you use Goodreads, Storygraph, Substack, a spreadsheet, or a book bullet journal, tracking your progress helps keep you motivated—especially if your goal is to read 50 books in 2025. Speaking of journals, keeping a reading journal is a great way to document your reads—log favorite quotes, doodle covers, or jot down mini-reviews. You could even reward yourself at regular intervals—every 5 or 10 books—with a special treat. Maybe a fancy bookmark, a new book, or a trip to your favorite used bookstore for espresso and browsing?

9. Find Freebies (And Nearly Freebies)

Free books are everywhere if you know where to look. Sites like Project Gutenberg and Open Library offer tons of classics, while Kindle Unlimited gives you access to thousands of titles for a low monthly fee. And if you’re an Amazon Prime member, don’t forget to grab your free book each month through the Amazon First Reads program. And keep an eye out for Stuff Your Kindle Day, which happens a few times a year, when hundreds of books are free to download.

10. Read What You Love

Here’s the thing: reading should be fun. I really ought to take my own advice on this one—I’m notorious for complaining to my wife while slogging through something I’m not enjoying. She always says, “Just DNF it!”, but my stubborn streak refuses to listen. Don’t be like me. If a book isn’t working for you, it’s okay to move on. There are too many great books out there to waste time on ones you’re not loving.

Let’s Make 2025 Your Best Reading Year Yet

You’ve got this. With a librarian’s guidance, a thrift store’s bargains, and a solid plan, you’ll crush your goal to read 50 books in 2025. Who knows—you might even exceed it. Along the way, you’ll discover new favorites, revisit old ones, and maybe even fall in love with your local library (or librarian!). Honestly, wouldn’t that make a great premise for a romance novel?

Happy reading!