beat the backlist 2025 reading challenge đź“š

XVII. a special edition for readers

December 01, 2024

Another year has come and gone, more books are being published, and our TBRs continue to grow. You know, the usual.

Hello friends, I am currently in denial that it’s December but also excited for the year to come. I’ve had a few Big Things change in my life that I’ll be adjusting to in the new year but one thing that never changes is the need to get through that backlist to-read list!

I’m pretty sure I’m closer to the 500+ range right now but those books won’t read themselves. I had a similar problem years ago. In 2017, my TBR was much like it is today and the only way I could think of to help tackle it was to set a challenge for myself. Thus Beat the Backlist began!

This year BTB turns 9 years old which is honestly amazing to me. So many backlist books have been read and more to come. Just this last year alone there were 700+ participants and over 10,600 books added on StoryGraph alone, not counting those participating outside the site.

I don’t know about y’all but that’s a LOT of books.

Now I know it’s still 2024 but I also know there are some readers who like to plan their TBR in advance so this is for you!

Banner image for the Beat the Backlist 2025 reading challenge featuring a camping scene in a forest with a tent on the left, trees in the background, and a snail on a log with a map and mushrooms nearby on the right.

the challenge

This challenge is intentionally simple to provide as much flexibility for as many readers as possible. There are two core rules:

  1. Books read must have been published in the previous year or earlier.

  2. You must start and finish the book in 2025 for it to count.

The 2025 challenge runs from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025. That’s it! You can stop right there and just read!

optional reading prompts

Since the challenge began, I’ve added optional reading prompts for those who want a bit more of a challenge. You can snag them as a list or bingo card, either as a set of 24 prompts (perfect for 2 books a month) or 52 prompts (a book a week).

Previews of the Beat the Backlist 2025 reading challenge optional reading prompt graphics including bingo cards and lists.

tracking progress

If you’re someone who likes to keep track of your reading, you can do so for Beat the Backlist through StoryGraph, or the challenge spreadsheet.

A screenshot of the StoryGraph page for the Beat the Backlist 2025 challenge.

ready to join?

Because the goal of this challenge is to just get reading and keep it simple, there is no “official” sign-up for Beat the Backlist. If you want to declare your intent to participate, you can:

  • Join the challenge on StoryGraph

  • Share on social media using the #BeatTheBacklist tag

  • Post to your website/blog

  • Tell a friend

  • Or any other ways you can think of to share!

your 2025 backlist TBR

Whether you’re participating in Beat the Backlist next year or not, I’d love to hear what books you’re hoping to read next year! 

A grid of 3 book covers. Foul Days by Genoveva Dimova includes the text "The scariest monsters are the human-shaped ones." A grayish building opens up into golden buildings in the background. In the building doorway is a young woman surrounded by black shadow creatures. The Dead Cat Tail Assassins by P. Djèlí Clark features a young black woman with her head tilted back, an ornate pale gold cat mask across her upper face and two daggers crossed in her hands. The Absinthe Underground by Jamie Pacton is tones of green with a woman wearing an ancient Greek-esque outfit and holding a glass of green liquid. People in the background have their backs turned. Decorative white outlines and colored flowers frame the image.

Looking forward to another great year of reading! đź“š

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