January 2025 Book Archive: Personal Development, Fantasy, and YA Fiction

When you think about personal development, the ongoing process of improving yourself through learning, reflection, and habit-building. Also known as self-growth, it’s not just about setting goals—it’s about changing how you think, act, and respond to challenges. In January 2025, we dug into what really moves the needle: stepping outside comfort zones, embracing failure as feedback, and building routines that stick. This isn’t fluffy motivation—it’s practical stuff you can start today, whether you’re trying to get better at your job, manage stress, or just feel more like yourself.

At the same time, a lot of the conversation around books this month centered on young adult fiction, stories written for readers aged 13 to 18 that tackle real emotions, identity, and social issues through compelling narratives. Also known as YA novels, this genre isn’t just for teens—it’s become a cultural force, shaping how we talk about diversity, mental health, and belonging. We looked at how Percy Jackson, a fantasy series by Rick Riordan that blends Greek mythology with modern teen life. Also known as Rick Riordan’s mythological universe, it has quietly become one of the most inclusive spaces in YA literature, and how MG fiction, books designed for kids aged 8 to 12 that bridge the gap between picture books and teen stories. Also known as middle grade literature, it’s where early readers learn empathy through adventure helps shape future readers. We also explored high fantasy, a genre defined by epic worlds, magical systems, and larger-than-life quests, often set in entirely invented universes. Also known as epic fantasy, it’s the genre that gave us Tolkien—and still inspires new writers today, asking what made the first one truly groundbreaking.

Mythology didn’t just show up in Percy Jackson—it showed up everywhere. From ancient gods reimagined in modern settings to folklore-based plots that feel both familiar and fresh, mythological fiction, a genre that weaves traditional myths, legends, and folktales into new stories. Also known as myth-based fiction, it’s a powerful way to explore timeless human questions through magical lenses dominated the conversation. We asked: why do these stories still work? Because they’re not just about dragons and gods—they’re about power, loss, courage, and identity. And if you’re wondering how fantasy differs from history, we broke down the line between historical fiction, stories set in real past eras with fictional characters or events. Also known as realistic historical narratives, it’s grounded in facts and historical fantasy, the same time periods, but with magic, monsters, or supernatural forces woven in. Also known as fantasy-infused history, it bends reality to tell deeper truths. Meanwhile, we tackled the confusion around Goodreads ratings, the crowd-sourced scoring system that influences how books are discovered and judged. Also known as book review scores, they’re not always a measure of quality—sometimes they’re a mirror of reader expectations.

What you’ll find below is a snapshot of what readers and writers were talking about in January 2025: books that help you grow, worlds that pull you in, and stories that make you feel less alone. Whether you’re looking for your next read, trying to understand why a book got bad reviews, or just curious about how fantasy evolved, everything here was chosen because it matters—not because it’s trendy. Let’s get into the articles.