Join us for Read 25 in ’25 | Gretchen Rubin [Skip to content](#content) [ ![](https://staging.gretchenrubin.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/gretchenrubin-logo-768x344.png) ](https://staging.gretchenrubin.com) - December 17, 2024 - [Reading](https://staging.gretchenrubin.com/tag/reading/) # Join us for Read 25 in ’25 ![Read 25 in 25 illustration](https://staging.gretchenrubin.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Read_25_in_25_x3.jpg) Every year on the [*Happier with Gretchen Rubin* podcast](https://staging.gretchenrubin.com/podcasts/), my sister Elizabeth and I invite our listeners to join us in an annual challenge. For a bit of whimsy, we use the calendar year to frame the habit. So for instance, in 2020, the challenge was to [“Walk 20 in ’20](https://staging.gretchenrubin.com/articles/listeners-share-their-walk-20-in-20-success-stories-so-much-happiness/).” In 2023, it was “[Go Outside 23 in ’23](https://staging.gretchenrubin.com/articles/go-outside-23-in-23/).” This year, we’re bringing back a listener favorite with “Read 25 in ’25”: **Read for 25 minutes every day in 2025**. With this challenge, we aim to give people a practical way to achieve an important aim. And we’ve discovered that framing a habit as a yearly challenge makes it feel more fun (and more manageable). Imagine how much reading we can all do over the course of a year, in our 9,125 minutes—that’s more than 152 hours of reading time! # The “Read 25 in ’25” Challenge I absolutely love to read. It’s one of my very favorite things to do–in fact, it’s probably my *very* favorite thing to do. And I’ve learned that many people share this love of reading, and have a desire to read more, but for various reasons, find it tough to keep up the habit. Especially if you benefit from accountability, [signing up for the “Read 25 in ’25” challenge](https://staging.gretchenrubin.com/read25in25/) can help you get started and keep your momentum. We’re thrilled to be partnering with [Bookshop.org](https://bookshop.org/) to bring you curated content, recommendations, and practical tips all year long. ## Design Your Approach There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to building a reading habit. We suggest a variety of strategies and tools so you can find one that works well for *you.* ## Read what you like, how you like Sometimes, we feel like like we “should” be reading certain books. Maybe everyone is talking about a certain book, or we’ve received the book as a gift, or it feels like a subject we “should” be interested in. I’ve found that when I read books that I enjoy, I read far more. I used to feel obligated to finish every book I started; no more. Too many great books to read! ### What counts as reading? - - - Audio-books and e-books count - Re-reading counts - Reading to your children (including picture books) counts ## Make it easier and more pleasant Research shows that we’re more likely to stick to a habit when it’s convenient and pleasant to keep that habit. (That’s the [Strategy of Convenience.](https://staging.gretchenrubin.com/articles/video-for-habits-the-strategy-of-convenience/)) As you embark on the “Read 25 in ’25” challenge, try to find ways to make reading more convenient and enjoyable: - - - Create a cozy, well-lit space in your home for reading - - Upgrade your e-reader or earbuds - - Join or start a book group - - Delete a time-sucking app from your phone and replace it with a reading app - - Get a library card and app - - Keep a running list of books you’d like to read - - Get reading recommendations from sources like [Bookshop.org](https://bookshop.org/) or a podcast like [Backlisted](https://www.backlisted.fm/subscribe) or [The Secret Life of Books](https://www.secretlifeofbooks.org/) - Buy a [clip-on light](https://staging.gretchenrubin.com/articles/gretchen-rubins-gifts-for-readers/) so you can read in bed ## Track your habit Tracking is a powerful tool for building habits; it brings clarity and accountability to our efforts. It can also help us build momentum and reinforce a habit by creating a record of success. A few ideas: - - - Track a reading streak with the [Don’t Break the Chain](https://the-happiness-project.com/collections/journals/products/dont-break-the-chain-habit-tracker?utm_campaign=article-write24in24&utm_source=gr&utm_medium=web&_gl=1*qvgkc5*_ga*MzYxMzIzNjYyLjE3MzM1MTE4MTQ.*_ga_7C83YBXZPT*MTczMzk1MTY0Mi41LjEuMTczMzk1NDkwOS43LjAuMA..) worksheet - - Track titles, number of pages, or notes using the One-Sentence Journal in the [*Happier* app](https://thehappierapp.com/) - - Log the books you read in a notebook or app - - List each book you read on the back of a paper bookmark and use it throughout the year The challenge to “Read 25 in ’25” is concrete. It’s measurable. And even for a busy person, 25 minutes of reading is realistic. *Remember, whenever it is, and wherever you are, there’s always a book waiting for you.* #### YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE ![parent and child on a walk outside](https://staging.gretchenrubin.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/parent-and-child-768x512.jpg) [My Favorite Books About Parenting](https://staging.gretchenrubin.com/articles/my-favorite-books-about-parenting/) ![a person reading a book](https://staging.gretchenrubin.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/o_jkmtpcjgy-768x512.jpg) [How to plan your perfect reading retreat](https://staging.gretchenrubin.com/articles/how-to-plan-your-perfect-reading-retreat/) ![Gretchen and Elizabeth laying in the grass](https://staging.gretchenrubin.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Summer_Reading_List_blog_header-768x512.jpg) [Build Your Summer Reading List](https://staging.gretchenrubin.com/articles/build-your-summer-reading-list/) #### DISCOVER MORE # Like what you see? Explore more about this topic. - [Habits](https://staging.gretchenrubin.com/secondary_tag/habits/), [Reading](https://staging.gretchenrubin.com/secondary_tag/reading/) # Interested in happiness, habits, and human nature? From renowned happiness expert and *New York Times* bestselling author Gretchen Rubin, the “Five Things Making Me Happy” newsletter is one of today’s most popular newsletters. You’ll get a weekly round-up of what’s making Gretchen happy, as well as practical tips, research, and resources about how we can make our lives happier, healthier, more productive, and more creative. Email Submit Manage Cookie Consent To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions. 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