Wrapped in Mystery: The TBR Challenge for 2025

My 13 secretly wrapped books from my partner who went through my TBR bookshelf. Each new moon of 2025 means a new book to unwrap!

If you're like me, your TBR (To Be Read) bookshelf might feel more like a TBR mountain. I’ve often stood in front of it, torn between the allure of a shiny new book and the guilt of neglecting those already waiting. This year, though, my partner introduced a genius idea—one that not only brings some excitement to my reading but also helps me tackle that ever-growing pile. And the best part? It all started with a little inspiration from some videos on TikTok.

The idea is simple yet brilliant: wrap books from your TBR shelf, assign them numbers, and open one at a set time to reveal what you’ll be reading next. It keeps the mystery alive while motivating you to work through your collection. I loved the concept and my partner decided to take charge, curating 13 books in secret from my shelves—one for each new moon of 2025, plus an extra for Christmas.

On Christmas Day, I opened the first book: One Year Wiser: 365 Illustrated Meditations by Mike Medaglia. It couldn’t have been more perfect. This beautifully illustrated book offers a daily

quotation, paired with a short reflection, to inspire mindfulness and positivity. Each day, I not only get to pause and reflect but also learn something new about the person behind the quote. It’s a small, meaningful ritual that I will undoubtedly fall in love with, and it feels like the ideal way to start my year of wrapped surprises.

The first wrapped book of the TBR Challenge

Book #1: One Year Wiser: 365 Illustrated Meditations by Mike Medaglia

I’m already counting down to the next reveal, which will happen on the new moon of December 30. There’s something so special about the anticipation—knowing that a thoughtfully chosen book awaits me, but not knowing which one it is. My partner even numbered the wrapped books in a certain order, so I’ll be working through them one by one throughout the year, each new moon bringing a fresh literary adventure.

This idea has added such a fun and intentional element to my reading life. It’s not just about ticking books off a list; it’s about creating an experience—a little bit of mystery, a lot of joy, and the thoughtfulness of someone who knows my reading tastes so well. And isn’t that what reading is all about? Discovering new ideas, finding unexpected connections, and savoring the moment?

So, if you’re looking for a way to tackle your TBR pile in 2025, I highly recommend trying this! Whether you do it yourself or enlist a friend or partner, it’s a simple yet creative way to keep your reading fresh and exciting. Plus, it’s a lovely reminder that books, much like life, are best enjoyed one surprise at a time.

Here’s to a year of unwrapping stories, new moons, and literary adventures. I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me!

Reflective Questions

💬 How could you bring a sense of mystery and joy into your own reading habits?

💬 If someone else chose books for you to read, what would you hope they would pick and why?