How many books should you read in 2025?

Your magic number could be anywhere between just one book next year or one novel a day, though that is probably only possible for the Booker Prize judges, who have to work through around 170 books across seven months. You could try to read one book a month, or 25 books to mark the year 2025, or even aim for one book a week! But again, don't be too hard on yourself. If you find it tough to sit with a book, begin with long-form pieces before you work your way to full-length books (it doesn’t matter, just read).

I have always read a lot. In my fourth-grade summer vacation, I read the entire Famous Five box set in three weeks, one book of the series each day. Every summer, my family travelled from Dubai, and I spent two months shuttling between the houses of both sets of my grandparents in Thrissur, Kerala. I didn't have any school friends around, my cousins' academic calendars did not match with mine, so they had school when I was on vacation, and both Cartoon Network and Pogo TV had their shows dubbed from English to Hindi, a language I barely understood at that age. These I credit for making me a reader. Now, other things compete with reading time. Here are five things that work for me, and hopefully, it will for you, too, to read more in 2025.

1. Always carry a book with you for long city commutes or waiting when your friends are late for a planned meeting. A few years back, I tried audiobooks, but that didn’t work because I often got distracted by notifications/emails.

2. Do not get bogged down by what you think you should be reading. As a teenager, I switched to literary books only because I thought that was the material one had to aspire towards to call oneself a ‘serious reader’. I have thankfully grown out of such silly notions. Reread books that brought you joy. Sometimes, a familiar read is what you need to get out of a reading slump. I am sharing three Indian KidLit books I have loved and read a few times. The best part is that all three books have a sequel, so if you/your child loves any of these titles, there is another book to look forward to!

Moin and the Monster written by Anushka Ravishankar and illustrated by Anitha Balachandran (Duckbill, 2018)

I am biased towards issue-focused books or kids' stories set in the real world, but I will make an exception for Moin's monster! The monster appears one day under Moin's bed, and he is stuck with him because of 'Monster Rules'. Rules like '#64 While travelling in the human world, a monster can flatten and fold itself to fit into a small space' prove helpful in keeping the monster a secret from his parents and teachers. But can Moin learn to live with the monster, which does nothing but eat bananas, sing silly songs and try new hairstyles? Please read it with the child in your life; I can guarantee that you will all laugh through the book and pick up the sequel, where the monster is determined to build a musical career.

Ammachi's Amazing Machines written and illustrated by Rajiv Eipe (Pratham Books)

In this beautifully illustrated picture book, Sooraj and his grandmother set out to make coconut barfi. But they aren't making it in any ordinary way - Ammachi brings out a strange contraption for picking the coconuts (which includes a saree slide!). While familiar to adults, the tools used to dehusk, crack, and grind coconuts could be new for some of the younger readers. At the end of the story, readers are also introduced to simple machines like pulleys, levers, wedges, etc.

Mayil Will Not Be Quiet by Niveditha Subramaniam and Sowmya Rajendran (Tulika, 2011)

12-year-old Mayil is an aspiring writer who talks non-stop, so much so that her father gifts her a diary to write in daily (and give their ears a rest). The book is written in diary format with helpful illustrations of her family members and things she encounters. There isn't a big plot that drives the story, but you can't help but be engaged by Mayil's often hilarious and sometimes insightful comments about her everyday life.

3. Always have many options for your next read. The screenshots folder in my phone gallery is primarily book covers - those suggested by independent bookstores and book influencers I follow on Instagram. I also watch for the shortlist announcements of credible book awards. I take recommendations from reader friends seriously because they often consider what I have liked in the past. Follow this link to answer four simple questions about your reading and I will recommend three novels tailored to your interests!

4. Be wary of book clubs that do more talking than actual reading or, worse, some members talking about the book without actually reading it! But I admit, they can be excellent accountability structures. For me, that has been putting up Instagram stories (I am at varshaxvarghese) of the books I read, and I hope it has also helped some friends discover interesting books from the past.

5. Be intentional about reading. I am much better at not starting a Netflix show than watching it in moderation. Aware of my bingeing tendencies, I consciously stay away from screen time in the evening when I am most susceptible. While I haven't personally tried it out - I have friends who have reading rituals (a fixed time they read every day or a dedicated cosy reading corner in their homes).

For those following the diverse reading challenge 2025, I wonder if you have identified ‘Indian children's books set in a library’. Comment if you have any recommendations! I will share my two picks for the January theme in the next newsletter, which will reach you mid-January.

Also, the second newsletter is reaching almost 250 subscribers! I had imagined it would take me a few months to hit this milestone. If you find value in this content, please share this newsletter, especially in WhatsApp groups with educators or young parents - my regular life is far removed from the adults in kids' lives. I am truly grateful for your support.

Until next time,

Varsha