​Unhustled Archives​

Hello Reader,

How many books did you read last year just because you wanted to? With no pressure, no book club, no “everyone says this is a must-read.”

In 2024, I read more than 100 books—a goal I set only after I’d read 40 or 50 books half-way through the year. But that's not what I'm most proud of from my reading last year.

My biggest accomplishment was broadening my scope. For instance, during my Cold War spy spree, I sought out female authors, and even found a Black woman who writes spy novels. Lauren Wilkenson's American Spy was a wonderful read.

Did I Read Too Many Books in 2024?

What the experts say is right about reading this many books is 100% right. Not all the books I read are memorable, in that I don't remember all the details of every book.

However, while I can’t always recall plots, when presented with the book cover, I can absolutely tell you how each book made me feel as I read them.

Much of my 2024 reading journey was to simply trust myself to remember what I needed to remember, when I needed to recall it—without the pressure of writing notes a certain way.

Breaking Free from Reading Goals

In 2024 I had no specific goals or guidelines other than, “Follow your curiosity.”

This year, I’m taking a different approach. But I'm not setting goals. What I learned from my experience is that reading is about exploration.

The stories I remember most are the ones that put me in a different time or place, a vastly different culture, or from a character's point of view I otherwise never would have considered.

What I’ve discovered through reading more than 100 books last year has absolutely nothing to do with knowledge and everything to do with personal growth.

A Reading Compass: Keep It Simple

For 2025 I created a guide I can refer to when I get bored with a genre or when I feel conflicted about which book to read next.

• Follow Curiosity, Not Pressure: Let go of rigid lists or “should-reads.” Your reading life should feel as unique and flexible as you are.
• Read What You Actually Want: Forget the lists and rules. Start with books that genuinely excite you.
• Step Into Someone Else’s World: One culture, one era, one perspective—what’s new to you?
• Challenge Yourself (Gently): Pick up the intimidating book. The one you think you’ll never finish. See what happens.

What’s fun about building a guide like this?. Zero pressure.

For example, right now, I’m hooked on Robert Crais’ Elvis Cole series. I’m about 5 titles away from completing the 20-book series. These books are 100% in the "Read what you actually want" category.

However, if I only read books like this all year, I’d miss out on so much (and be bored out of my mind).

That’s where my 2025 Reading Guide comes in. Take a look at my personal guide.

The guide is my way of gently reminding myself to step outside my comfort zone and explore new voices, eras, and ideas.

Build Your Reading Guide

If you’ve been hustling through your TBR pile or overcomplicating things with systems, it’s time to rethink. What could your reading life look like if you left space for surprises? If you let curiosity take the lead? If you stopped grinding through books and started letting them change you?

Your Reflection Questions

Rethink your reading habits with this simple form. The questions are designed to help you create a reading life that’s expansive, flexible, and guilt-free.

Most important? Your guide will be just for you, and nobody else.

​Start here.

Note: You’ll only need to provide your email address for this Google Form IF you want your responses emailed to you.

Let’s make 2025 the year we stop rushing through books and start letting them shape us. No guilt, no grind—just curiosity, challenge, and discovery.

Here's to breaking the book count expectations. Read something you love today, Reader.

— Tracy

P. S. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the online social pressures of hitting a particular book count goal, or reading what everyone else is reading.

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