30 books before 30
The challenge is simple: Finish 30 books in one year before I turn 30 in December.
It should be easy. Or am I overestimating my abilities? No, I don’t think so. I’m currently at 17 books, halfway through my 18th, and because my goal was initially 20, I feel like a new goal of 30 should be a piece of cake. Just as long as I don’t suddenly enter a month’s long reading slump (which happened last year from March until almost the end of the year, I hated it), then all should be well.
I have no real list of which books I want to read, no specific genre, nothing at all. Just 30 books. Any genre. Any author. Any length.
I’m currently deep into a fantasy hole where I crave books with magic, preferably with witches or vampires, or just any sort of magic system in general. But I’m slowly transitioning into creepier/horror vibes with my upcoming read which is called Midnight Rooms by Donyae Coles. I found this one at my favorite local bookstore recently and the beautiful cover lured me in. So, I got it. Let me show you:
What I’m Most Excited to Read Next
Right now, I have about 20 pages left of a Taylor Jenkins Reid story called Evidence of the Affair, with Midnight Rooms after that.
Following Midnight Rooms, I have a few books that I want to immediately get to.
A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen (I just discovered this author and found out she has a huge backlog of books so I’m excited and hoping I will enjoy this one. Also, Dark Shores was on my Kindle TBR and I am just right now finding out this one was also written by her. Eep!)
Quicksilver by Callie Hart (this one was going to be number one, but I recently played AC: Valhalla and I had a craving for more Nordic storytelling, so this one went down to number two, sorry Quicksilver)
The Changeling by Victor LaValle (so pumped for this one, also I found out there is an Apple TV show for this which I am so happy to hear because Apple TV makes some immense masterpieces)
Vengeful by VE Schwab (I read and LOVED Vicious in 2023, and it was my first book by this author. I became obsessed with her writing and immediately devoured the Shades of Magic series. Also, we’re getting a third book in this series (sometime?) so I need to be prepared, of course.)
A Prayer for the Crown-Shy by Becky Chambers (I read A Psalm very recently and I read it at the most perfect time because this story stayed with me for days. I am so excited to be able to revisit these charming characters once again)
I am also REALLY looking forward to Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab which comes out in a couple of days, and fear this might make me toss out this list in favor of this one. Hoping I stay strong!
Books I’ve Loved This Year
Of the 17 books I have finished this year, some were hits, some were okay. Luckily, I have not read anything I’ve completely hated or DNFd. Of the 17, here are some of the ones that have stood out the most which have completely captured my heart and will most likely go on to be some of my most highly recommended reads:
A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers (beautiful story, uplifting in a time I need it most, characters were so lovable, and the writing is impeccable)
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang (incredibly powerful story, this author is a genius writer)
A Short Stay in Hell by Steven L. Peck (short and quick but will stay with you forever)
Slewfoot by Brom (I loved the vibes, and the main character was beautifully written)
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin (the magic in this world is incredibly unique)
Uprooted by Naomi Novik (I loved the fairytale vibes of this one and the forest magic in this one was lovely)
So far, I’d say I’ve had a wonderful reading year this 2025, and we’re halfway through the year (jesus christ!) so, I am excited to see what else I’ll be reading for the remainder of the year!
Let me know, have you read any of these books? Are any of them on your list?