Introducing the 2025 Beyond the Bookshelf Reading Plan
Exploring life and literature together
Exploring Life and Literature
Dear friends,
During the first year of publication, I just winged it from week to week and didn’t have a great plan for how things would work together. Now, as we step into the second year, I am trying to be a little more professional by having a bit of a plan ahead of time. Your support and feedback have been invaluable. Last month, I introduced you all to the Deep Reads Book Club and explained how that would work. Those essays will come out each Friday.
Each month during 2025 will have a topical theme. I have previously mentioned some of these to you, but today, I am sharing the full schedule. The list below shows the year’s reading plan and the books I will be reading in preparation for the monthly topics. You are welcome to read the same books along with me if you desire, or perhaps you will want to read another selection on the topic. Whatever you choose is great, and I look forward to having your participation in the discussion each month.
You can purchase copies of most of these books at my personal bookshop on Bookshop.org. This website supports local independent bookstores. However, you may be able to find the books elsewhere cheaper. This is an affiliate link, so I receive a small commission on any sales.
Beyond the Bookshelf Book Shop
Beyond the Bookshelf is a reader-supported publication. If you are looking for ways to support Beyond the Bookshelf, please visit my support page and see the ways you can help continue the mission of exploring the connection between life and literature.
Until next time,
Any book list with Borges on it is a good one! Good luck, Matthew!
Wonderful reading plan for the year ahead! So happy to see my husband Peco's novel included in the list. June is a perfect month to read it, as we'll be spending a couple of weeks on the Camino in Spain for our "Pilgrimage out of the Machine" (anyone is welcome to join us!). For those who want to take a book club to the next level, walking along this ancient trail and enjoying meals together would be a splendid setting for book discussions :)
I'm also intrigued by The Summer Book by Tove Jansson and look forward to giving it a try.