2025 in Review: The ClayReads Book Awards

I read 72 books in 2025.

That is 3 books short of my 2024 total, but in my defense, I read much longer books this year. The longest clocked in at 1,312 pages, and it wasn’t a fantasy epic, it was a historical account of the Roman Empire.

I don’t share these numbers to brag, but to give insight into my life. People often ask how I find the time. The secret is simple: I read 10 pages at a time. I listen to audiobooks during commutes and chores, and I steal moments whenever I can. Reading 72 books isn’t a superhuman feat; it’s just how I choose to fill the gaps in my day.

2025 Reading Stats

• Books finished: 72
• Total Pages: ~22,000
• Longest book: The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon
• Shortest book: Ahriman: Gates of Ruin by John French

Reflection

I didn’t get to re-read as many books as I would have liked this year. I’m a big believer in re-reading to absorb details I missed the first time, but I had so many exciting new books queued up that I just kept moving forward.

However, I did achieve a major milestone: starting this blog. Except for a few technical hiccups, I hit my goal of posting reviews every Friday, which is something I’m genuinely proud of.

And now, for the main event: The 2025 ClayReads Awards.

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The “Money Mindset Shift” Award

Winner: You Are a Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero

There is a lot of content out there about “abundance mindsets” and manifesting dreams, but it really clicked for me with Jen Sincero. Whether it’s the frequency illusion or just the current cultural moment, I feel like my life has objectively improved since reading this. I am happier with my progress and more focused thanks to this shift.

The “Romantasy I Didn’t Know I Needed” Award

Winner: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Yes, I know I am way behind the culture on this one! But this was something different for me, and I surprisingly enjoyed it. I even found myself reading passages aloud to my wife while we were in bed. (I don’t think she was a fan, but I certainly was).

The “Genre I Want More Of” Award

Winner: Dead of Winter by Darcy Coates

This thriller was fantastic, and it left me hungry for more. I am currently looking forward to reading Hunted by Coates; I’m just waiting for my local library to get it in stock.

The “Make Me Sound More Interesting” Award

Winner: Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari

Another book I am late to the party on. I found this fascinating. It completely changed how I viewed the Natural History Museum in London when I visited recently. It also answered questions that have always puzzled me, like how early humans learned that cooked food was better for them.

The “Pushing Entrepreneurial Boundaries” Award

Winner: 12 Months to $1 Million by Ryan Daniel Moran

2025 was a year where I ventured out and built new businesses. I am nowhere near $1 million in revenue (so don’t ask me for loans just yet!), but this book gave me the blueprint I needed. It helped me chart a clear direction for 2026 to grow my income streams and create the economic freedom I am pursuing for my family.

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2026 Goals: Chasing “Elite” Status

A long time ago, in a college far far away, in my freshman year, I decided to read through the 100 Greatest Books of All Time.

At 18, I determined this list would make me a “well-read individual” and grant me entry into the high status of intellectuals. To my credit, I got through a handful of them, but I eventually stalled out after Tropic of Cancer and before I could tackle Moby Dick.

Over the years, I have checked several more off the list, but my goal for 2026 is to be intentional. I want to always be reading at least one novel from that list so I can finally achieve that intellectual status I’ve been chasing since my freshman dorm days.

I will let you know how it goes at the end of the year!

What were your favorite books of 2025? And what are your reading goals for 2026? Let me know in the comments below.