Welcome to May’s 12 Months of Reading! Each month in 2025, I will host a different reading challenge category. These categories are broad to fit a variety of reading preferences.
The May 2025 12 Months of Reading Challenge category is: a book published 25 years ago or 125 years ago.
For those of you who, like me, have no desire to math at the moment: you’re looking for books published in 2000 or 1900.
This may be a slightly more tricky category, but I hope you have some fun with it. Of course, I’ve got four recommendations for you to quickly pull from. If none of them strike your fancy or you’d rather the challenge, you can always ask your friendly neighborhood librarian to help you find some options.
True to my commitment to broad categories, this one has no specifications aside from the publication year.
I am big on readers reading what they love. For that reason, my book club has no set book! And that is why when I set reading categories for 12 MOR and my other challenges, I make them as broad as possible.
If a reader prefers nonfiction to fiction, they should still be able to participate. If they prefer short form writing or poetry or anything else, again, they should be able to mold the category to their preferences.
I am also quite flexible on what fits each category. If a reader is uncertain of a category, they need only ask. At the end of the day, my top priority is encouraging readers to read more.
My Recommendations
Again, these four books are simply my suggestions to fit the category. Readers may choose any book they’d like that the category can mold to.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
Yes, Potterheads, it really has been 25 years!
Since this is the fourth book in the series, this would be best as a reread for someone who adores this book as much as I do. Honestly, this is my favorite of the books. My favorite movie is probably Prisoner of Azkaban, though. I just didn’t think the movie captured the excitement and intrigue of Goblet as well as my imagination did.
If you don’t already have one, get your copy here: https://bookshop.org/a/95576/9780439139595.
On Writing by Stephen King
This must-read for every writer is one I have yet to read. Perhaps this month I will remedy that oversight.
From what I have heard, this book not only gives insight into one of the most successful authors of our time, but it also encourage writers to find their own process.
If you want to join me in getting a behind-the-scenes look at the King, you can order a revised edition of On Writing here: https://bookshop.org/a/95576/9781982159375.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by Frank L. Baum
Again, I have never read this hundred-year-old classic. I’m curious to see how different it is from the movie and if I’ll prefer it over the movie.
Like J.R.R. Tolkien’s works, this book was birthed from oral stories, told at the bedside of the author’s children.
Check out this gorgeous 100th anniversary edition for readers ready to add The Wizard of Oz to their shelves: https://bookshop.org/a/95576/9780060293239.
The Three Sisters by Anton Chekov
My fourth recommendation is another from my unread shelf and comes based on the suggestion of my home bookstore owner, Andrew Labit, of Andrew’s Book Sack.
Andrew is a connoisseur of Russian literature and a fan of Chekov. I am interested in the fact that this is a play. I really enjoy reading plays, with their stage directions and openness for the reader (and actors) to insert their imaginations.
A personal copy can be purchased here: https://bookshop.org/a/95576/9780802132765.
12 Months of Reading Challenge Reminders
My heart’s desire for 12 Months of Reading is that it encourages timid readers, stokes the embers of readers’ passions that have grown cold in the busyness of society, brings readers and authors together to share the joy of stories and spreads a splash of fun throughout the year.
For competitive readers who choose to read a book in each month’s category, they may download and print out a 12 Months of Reading Challenge Tracker PDF. Once they complete their twelfth book in December, they can scan or snap a picture of the filled-in PDF and email it to me for a prize: a stylish calendar with next year’s 12 Months of Reading categories.
To purchase a current version of the calendar (supplies are limited) and to participate in 12 Months of Reading, download free graphics and the PDF tracker, find links to each month’s book recommendation post and more in one spot, visit www.joyerancatore.com/12-months-of-reading.
Comment below with what you plan to read and then return to share a review. If the comment section is not working, feel free to email me. Let’s #ShareTheRead!
(If you use the bookshop.org links above to order, I receive a small affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting me and independent bookstores by using them for your online bookstore purchases!)
Remember to #ShareTheRead! Tap the graphic below to download each month’s graphic to share on your social media. How many reader friends can you bring to the party?
Tap the image above to download each month’s graphic. Share graphics on social media with #ShareTheRead and #12MonthsOfReading and tag @joyerancatore!
Tap the graphic above to join LAM Book Club for an extra way to #ShareTheRead with fellow readers! No set book. Meet virtually once a month. Share what you’re reading or ask for recommendations.