2025 Reading Wrap-up: A Year of Choosing Books Over Gaming

Cross-posted this from my Naver Blog. Haven't posted there in like 5 years lol. Heads up, the original was written in banmal (informal speech), so please keep that in mind. I also stripped out the Kyobo Bookstore links just in case they're a problem.

AI Translated Image

AI Translated Image

I read 70 books in 2025. Seeing that number, you might think I've always been a bookworm, but it was the total opposite until last year. I could barely finish five books a year, and whenever I had free time, I’d instinctively reach for mobile games. Late last year, I made a simple resolution: swap gaming time for reading. It wasn't about some grand goal to read a ton; it was just about repeatedly choosing 'books over games,' even for short bursts. Those choices stacked up to 70 books over the year. 1️⃣ The biggest win: actually building a reading habit Looking back, the best part is that reading became a daily habit rather than a goal. I stopped debating whether to read or not; now it's just natural to pop open a book whenever I have a spare moment. I'm still lacking in deep reading or structured note-taking, but I feel I've hit my goal by staying connected to books. The rhythm of library reading Some of the 70 books were bought, but most were borrowed from the local library. The biggest perk isn't just the zero cost, but the weird pressure of the return deadline. Having to finish by a certain date actually motivated me to get through them, increasing my completion rate. Cons? If I find a book I want to keep, I have to borrow it again or buy it. Still, for building a habit, the library was a great starting point. 2️⃣ 2025 Themes: Work, Content, and Lifestyle Looking back, there were a few common threads: - Stories of people who create through content - How to start without capital or perfect prep - Reflecting on attitudes toward work and life These didn't give me 'answers' but rather asked, 'Is my current way the best?' Books on content, startups, and productivity really shifted my mindset and actions. Memorable books and notes In 'Writing That Makes Money,' the line 'Reading is the start of writing, and writing is the completion of reading' stuck with me. After jotting that down, I finally got why I felt like I was losing info even after reading a lot. I realized you need to write to truly organize your thoughts. In 'The Product Owner,' the weight of the PO role was striking. The line 'The more you're in a position where everyone is watching, the less you should publicly display your emotions' made me rethink roles and attitudes. Beyond just job descriptions, it made me think about what it means to be in a responsible position. 'What to Say to Your Child Then' showed me how one question can change a conversation. Asking 'What made you the angriest today?' instead of 'What did you do today?' opens up a child's world—a tip that applies to all human interactions. In 'Super Shy,' the line 'The greatest gift you can give someone isn't time, but your full attention' really resonated. The message that being quiet isn't a weakness helped me accept my own temperament. Finally, 'No Plan B' mentioned the author of 'Crush It!', which I had just read, giving me a cool sense of connection. It felt like the books weren't just scattered info but were forming a context within my reading journey. 3️⃣ Retrospect: From 'Reading a Lot' to 'Leaving a Mark' Honestly, even with 70 books, a lot of it has faded. I'd nod along while reading, but if I asked myself 'What did I get from this?', I couldn't always answer. I think I'm still in the stage of just reading a lot. So my goal for next year is clear: focus more on recording and summarizing in my own words rather than just hitting a number. I want to leave thoughts that actually connect to my life and work. Closing More than the number 70, what matters is how I spend my leisure time. Gaming time naturally dropped, and books/thoughts took that space. If 2025 was the year of bringing books back into my life, I'm hoping 2026 is the year I turn that reading into actual knowledge.