I fell in love with reading years ago, and since then I’ve upped my reading goals every year. At beginning of every year, when I set my goals, I plan to read an increased number of books. I was doing so well until 2024, when I read only eight books. Yes — e-i-g-h-t. By December, I was alarmed by how poorly I had done. TEven though I accomplished other things that year, I wasn’t happy about this.

I love reading because it improves my vocabulary, helps me learn new things, transports me to different worlds, and keeps me sane. So, I knew I had to do something to change this in the following year.

In 2025, I became more intentional about my reading goals. I planned to read a minimum of two books each month so that, by the end of the year, I would have read 24 books. There were months I struggled to finish two books, but I made up for it in others. By the end of the year, I had read 25 books — a major achievement in comparison to the eight I read the previous year.

And no audio books were involved. I dedicated time to read every word.

Here’s the list of the 25 books I read in 2025 below.

1. Everything Is Fucked – Mark Manson

2. Between Friends and Lovers – Shirlene Obuobi

3. A love Song For Ricki Wilde – Tia Williams

4. The Housemaid – Freida Mc Fadden

5. The Housemaid’s Secret – Freida Mc Fadden

6. The Housemaid’s Wedding – Freida Mc Fadden

7. The Housemaid is Watching – Freida Mc Fadden

Y’all know I just had to talk a bit about The Housemaid. The books had me hooked. There were a lot of what?! and OMG moments, and I loved how twisted the stories were. A good thriller keeps you on edge, and that’s exactly what these books did. I was so pleased when I found out a movie was being made based on the first book. Everything I imagined while reading was now going to come to life on screen. The movie was released in December 2025, and I’m yet to watch it, but I plan to before the month ends.

8. The Wife Before – Shanora Willimas

9. The Rules of Everything – Richard Templar

10. The Little Cottage on The Hill – Emma Davies

11. The Next Girl – Carla Kovach

12. The Seven Laws of Spritual Success – Deepak Chopra

13. The Decision Book – Mikael Krogerus and Roman Tschäppeler

I found this book in my Dad’s library. I struggled with indecision for a long time, but I discovered a method three years ago that helps me make decisions faster. Now, I’m not going to share my secret with you, so stop wishing. This book, though, is magical because it’s filled with 50 decision-making theories and strategies to guide you. It’s great for people in leadership roles that require a lot of strategic thinking. It’s a book I’ll always keep beside me while I work.

14. Death of An Author -Aidan Marchine

15. A Broken People’s Playlist – Chimeka Garricks

16. Manuscript Found in Accra – Paulo Coelho

17. Songs of Ourselves: The University of Cambridge Anthology of Poetry in English

18. Children of Anguish and Anarchy – Tomi Adeyemi

19. Sweet Heat – Bolu Babalola

20. Only Big Bum Bum Matters Tomorrow – Damilare Kuku

21. Yinka, Where is Your Huzband – Lizzie Damilola Blackburn

22. Madly in Love With ME – Christine Arylo

23. Dream Count – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

24. Before I Let Go – Kennedy Ryan

25. This Could Be Us – Kenndy Ryan

The Skyland books had me hooked. Thanks for recommeding them to me, Jummy. The push and pull from the first book, followed by the wonder and disbelief in the second, had me anticipating the third book like mad — even though I didn’t get to read it until this year. I love how Kennedy Ryan keeps us invested, weaving romance through so many tirals and tribulations. I do have to say though, why are the men (male love interest) so gorgeous and perfect? If you’ve read the books, you know exactly what I mean. It’s hard for me to choose whose story I love most. I love Yasmen’s story for certain reasons, Soledad’s for different reasons, and even though Hendrix’s story surprised me the most, I still can’t say it’s my favourite.

So far, I’ve read three books this year, and I hope to keep the momentum going. Do you have a reading goal for the year?

Mariam Shittu