For the past 10 years, I've been setting myself a reading challenge on Goodreads. Every year, I'd start with the intention of reaching my goal. Some years I read more, some years less — but somehow, the challenge always remained unfinished.

Until this year.
It might seem like a small achievement to some, but it feels genuinely special to me. It's not just about reading 25 books; it's about finally reaching a goal I've been setting for myself for a decade.

This year's reading journey took me through thrillers that kept me guessing, stories that made me pause and reflect, books that transported me to different worlds, and characters who stayed with me long after I turned the last page.

From the twists and turns of The Housemaid and Never Lie, to the reflective experience of The Vegetarian, the comforting world of Days at the Morisaki Bookshop, the moving As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow, and the adventure of Project Hail Mary — each book brought something different to my reading year.

Not every book became a favourite. Not every story stayed with me in the same way. But each one meant a little more time spent doing something I love. Reading isn't a race, and there's no perfect number of books anyone needs to finish in a year. But sometimes, reaching a goal you've carried for years gives you a quiet kind of happiness that's difficult to explain.

My 25th book, Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden, turned out to be the perfect book to mark the occasion. I finished it feeling satisfied with the story — and even happier to see that 25/25 on my Goodreads challenge.
Here's to the books I've read, the stories I've discovered, the characters I've met, and all the books waiting for me next.