A Year of Bookish Adventures: Seasonal Reading Bucket Lists

If you’re anything like me, your love for books extends beyond just reading—you want to experience the magic of books in every season. That’s why I’ve created these Bookish Bucket Lists to inspire cozy, creative, and meaningful reading habits all year long!

Whether you're sipping cocoa by the fire in January or pressing flowers between the pages of a book in April, there’s always a way to make reading even more special.

January: Cozy Reading Goals

Winter is the perfect season to curl up with a good book, set new goals, and create a reading routine. Here are some ways to make the most of those chilly days:

Buy a New Book: Not going to lie, this will be a monthly prompt! LOL.

Read in a Coffee Shop: This may or not be an excuse to buy a favorite beverage. (wink)

Create a Reading Plan: Get yourself organized for a fantastical year of books!

Buy Cozy Reading Socks: Socks & books are the perfect pair(ing)!

Start a Book Journal: Track your progress & look back in December & be amazed!

Read a Classic: Do the hard things first is this prompt's motto!

Set a reading goal: Challenge yourself with a number of books to read this year.

Read by the fire: Nothing beats a cozy fire and a great book.

Get a Library Card: Just in case you don't have one, this is your motivation.

Light a candle & read: Set the mood for a relaxing evening.

February: For the Love of Books

February is the month of love, and what better way to celebrate than by diving into a swoon-worthy romance? Whether you’re indulging in a classic love story, discovering a new rom-com, or writing love letters to your favorite fictional characters, this month is all about embracing the heart of reading. Light a candle, grab a cozy blanket, and let yourself get lost in a book that makes your heart skip a beat!

Create a book nook: Every book lover's home deserves a book nook!

Visit an Indie bookstore: Support the fellow book aficionado in your community.

Share a book with a friend: The best friends are book friends.

Read a love story: Love is in the air! Capture the moment in book form.

Buy a new reading mug: It is almost impossible to enjoy reading time without your favorite beverage by your side.

Join a book club IRL or online: You will never regret this decision.

Buy a new book: You knew this prompt was coming!

Start a list of good books: Instead of a TBR list, create a Great Books list so you always have a handy recommendation.

Read a book with a strong female MC: Romance novels are all about the female lead, make her a strong one!

Put a book of poetry on your nightstand: Read your love a sweet nothing before bedtime each night to add a little romance to your life.

March: Luck, Adventure & Middle Grade Magic

March is a month of luck and literary nostalgia! Whether you're searching for a story filled with adventure and good fortune or celebrating Middle Grade March, this is the perfect time to dive into heartwarming, whimsical, and inspiring reads. From magical tales to childhood favorites, middle-grade books have a way of reminding us why we fell in love with reading in the first place. So grab a lucky charm (or a library card), and let's get reading!

Read aloud to a child: Ensure the love books lives on to the next generation!

Pair a book & spring bouquet: This is my favorite book pairing.

Go to a book event: Grab your bookish friends and go to a book signing or author talk. You'll gain so much insight into the books you love.

Read a middle grade book: It's Middle Grade March & this genre never disappoints!

Spring clean your bookshelf: This comes first!

Donate a book: This comes second.

Go thrifting for books: Now you have room for these!

Buy a new green book: And this one too!

Read a book with "Luck" in the title: If you're stuck on this one, may I suggest We Were the Lucky Ones It was so gooooood!

Enjoy a day reading in bed: If it's going to rain, you may as well read!

Pair a book & spring scented candle: A rain scented candle may go well with your rainy day in bed.

April: A Springtime Refresh

Spring is all about renewal, and what better way to refresh your reading life than with some book-inspired activities?

Spend an entire day reading: Give yourself permission to escape into a book for hours. Buy flowers to press: Then, press them into a book for a lovely keepsake.

Create book-inspired art: Express your love for a book through creative art.

Clean your bookshelves & donate: Spring cleaning, bookworm style!

Read a book in the Christian genre: Easter is the perfect time to rekindle your faith.

Buy a new reading mug: Mugs are a book-lover's necessity. Treat yourself!

Read outside: You've been cooped up all winter, it's time to greet the outdoors again!

Listen to an audiobook: While you're outside, go for a walk & listen to a good story!

Read a free book: Trade books with a friend and be blessed.

May: Celebrating Mom, Spring, & Stories

There’s something about May—flowers bloom, the days stretch a little longer, and the world seems to slow down just enough for us to pause and enjoy a good book. It’s the perfect setting for our May Bookish Bucket List: a whimsical, intentional way to savor the beauty of stories, support authors, and spread some literary love.

Leave a book behind: One person's lost book is another reader's lucky day!

Sign up for an author newsletter:  Inbox full? Not when it’s filled with bookish joy!

Share a book online: Post about your fav read—it deserves its moment in the spotlight!

Read an award-winning book: See if the critics have it right!

Buy a new bookish shirt: Dress like the literary hero you are.

Read & Walk with an audiobook: Plot twists hit different when you’re dodging squirrels.

Create your summer TBR: Nothing says summer like big book stacks & unrealistic expectations.

Gift a book to Mom: Flowers wilt—books say "I love you" on every page.

Start a library for a child: Build a bookish starter pack for the next generation of story lovers.

Buy a pretty book:  Judge the cover. Buy the book. No regrets.

June: Bookish Summer Vibes

Summer is here, and it's the perfect time to soak up the sun and some epic stories. Whether heading to the beach or staying close to home, this June Bookish Bucket List is packed with simple bookish adventures to kick off your summer of books!

Donate to your closest Little Free Library (#LFL): Surprises are the best treasure.

Read at your favorite Coffee Shop: Summers are for relaxing!

Leave a review: Your 5-star words might save someone from a 1-star reading slump!

Read a book on your TBR: It's time to stop ghosting that book you've been ignoring.

Buy a beach read: Sunscreen, flip-flops, & a steamy paperback are summer essentials.

Create a book-inspired drink: Bonus points for naming it something punny!

Donate books to your school: Clear your shelves- future readers are waiting!

Read a book with your love: Couples who read together avoid awkward small talk.

Gift a book to Dad: Give his "Back in My Day" stories a plot twist.

Create book-inspired art: Let time float by and your creativity soar high.

July: Bookish Fun in the Sun

Create a reading playlist: Let freedom sing! Make a soundtrack to match your current read or set the vibe for any reading sesh.

Post about your latest read: Wave your bookish flag! Share your latest read and let your reading community know if it’s a five-star firecracker or a dud.

Pack a book & a picnic: Soak up the sun and the story—bring a blanket, some snacks, and your current read to your favorite patch of paradise.

Take a bookish road trip: Hit the open road with books in your bag and adventure on your mind—bonus points if you visit an American author’s hometown.

Send someone book mail: Declare your independence from boring mail—brighten a friend’s day with a surprise book-shaped package—because stories are better when shared.

Start your Christmas book list: Christmas in July? Yes, please! It’s never too early to plan your bookish gifts.

Read a historical fiction: Honor the past by diving into a story set in another time—maybe even around 1776, if you're feeling extra patriotic.

Watch a book-to-movie adaptation: Pop some popcorn and watch your favorite novel come to life on screen (and yes, you’re allowed to say the book was better).

Buy a limited-edition book: Celebrate life, liberty, and the pursuit of beautiful book covers—snag that collector’s edition you’ve been eyeing!

Do a buddy read: Unite for a buddy read! Choose a book and read alongside a friend—because reading together is better than reading alone.

August: Back-to-School Bookish Fun

Let's not despair the end of summer—instead, let's lean into the bookish vibes back-to-school season brings. Have a grand time checking off every item on this August Bookish Bucket List. Who knows, August may be your new favorite month!

Annotate a Favorite Book: Dissect all the goodness of that book you love!

Tuck a Note in a Child's Lunch: Slip a little love & a bookish quote into their PB&J-powered day.

Start a Book Journal: So helpful when you can't remember anything about the book you finished last week.

Read Under the Stars: If you're going to read into the wee hours of the night, you might as well have a good view.

Start a Book Club: If the kids are getting academic, shouldn't you?

Go on a Bookish-Inspired Field Trip: If the kids get field trips, shouldn't you? lol

Read a Banned Book: Enjoy the perks of adulthood!

Buy a New Book Tote: After all, every great story deserves to travel in style.

Gift Books to a Classroom Library: Share the magic of stories you love.

Create an Outdoor Reading Nook: Why limit your reading to indoor spaces?

More Seasonal Bucket Lists to Come!

These are just a couple of the seasonal Bookish Bucket Lists I’ve put together. Each season has its own unique way of enhancing our reading lives, from twisty summer beach reads to autumn nights spent with cozy mysteries, from fresh spring romances to long winter nights lost in thick historical fiction novels.

Which bucket list activity are you most excited to try? Let me know in the comments!

Happy reading,

Stacey Faubion

If you want to brush up on book and reading-related acronyms, check out 100 Terms for Book Lovers and Bookstagrammers!