2025 ALU Reading Resolutions

Lauren’s Resolution: Seek (and save) literary wisdom!

My 2025 reading resolution is to seek (and save) literary wisdom. I’m always envious of the people who have a kernel of wisdom in the form of a literary quote, so this year, I’m going to start jotting things down. First for 2025: I’ll be revisiting Sarah Schulman’s Conflict is Not Abuse (Arsenal Pulp Press). This book gave me great comfort and insight during the first Tr*mp presidency, and I took many phone pictures of salient pages of this book when I read it then (but of course, can I find those pictures anywhere?). This time, I’ll approach it with a pen and notebook at the ready, and be able to dispense literary wisdom as needed.

Mandy’s Resolution: More literary translations!

I’m not great at resolutions, but I like the idea of setting some reading intentions for the year. For 2025, I’ll be picking up more literary translations, which I really enjoy. I’m in awe of translators who can skillfully find the spirit of the original text and bring it to life in English. And I’ve already got my first book: Sugaring Off by Fanny Britt, translated by the incredible Susan Ouriou, which won the GG in its original French. I picked this book up at Book*hug Press’s table at the Meet the Presses Indie Lit Market back in November and I’ve been looking forward to dipping in.

Tan’s Resolution: Crafts & books!

My 2025 reading resolution is a crafty one! I am planning to perfect my crochet game by making a Granny Square Book Blanket that reflects my reading in 2025. I was inspired by this youtube video.

I typically aim to read 50 new books each year, which should make for a nice cozy lap blanket. I plan to use the outside round of each square to indicate whether the format was print (White) or audio (Grey), and the rest of the colours will be inspired by the cover. My first pick is Jarret Hartnell’s Shout Revel Kill (Renegade Arts), a horror-western-fantasy graphic novel with a gorgeous cover. 

Laura’s Resolution: Read more plays & playwriting craft!

I’ve collected more than a few plays and haven’t had time to read most of them yet. This intriguing craft book, Two Ways About It: The Inside and Outside of Playwriting by John Lazarus (J. Gordon Shillingford) has also been on my TBR list, so I’m starting the new year with that. Then I’m going to make a point of seeing as many plays as possible! More drama, that’s what 2025 needs.  

Barb’s Resolution: Keep a reading journal!

My New Year’s resolution for 2025 is to start keeping a reading journal. I found an old one from 2003, and can see that it petered out due to the length of the journal entries (what a pedant I was!). This time I will keep them shorter. What I did like to see was that even in 2003 I was keeping track of which were Canadian titles, I’m quite impressed with younger, pre-publishing school me! I have a massive TBR pile, but I think my first read of 2025 will be Junie by Chelene Knight (Book*hug Press).