Lunar New Year 2025 Mini-Challenge

Lunar New Year 2025 Mini-Challenge

Surprise! Our very first mini-challenge of 2025 is here! (It is also, the first-ever time we’ve released a mini in the month of January. More details on that below.) We wish you a very happy Lunar New Year and hope that this first mini-challenge of 2025 introduces you to some incredible new books. Let’s get reading!

How do mini-challenges work?

Mini-challenges are smaller month-long reading challenges, usually comprised of three prompts built around a specific theme. Mini-challenges are released sporadically throughout the year and not every month has one. Match one book to each of the prompts and have fun reading!

To ensure you don’t miss any future 52 Book Club mini-challenges, don’t forget to sign up for e-mails!

Lunar New Year Mini-Challenge Details:

You’ll note that we’re referring to this mini as our “Lunar New Year challenge” rather than our “January Mini.” That’s because this challenge is being released on Lunar New Year (end of January 2025) but will function more like a February mini-challenge. You can start and finish this mini-challenge at any point throughout the year. It does not have to be completed by the end of January, and most of our friends will be working on it through February and/or onwards.

Lunar New Year 2025 Mini-Challenge:

1. Set in a country that celebrates Lunar New Year

2. A wise character

3. By an Asian author

Match one book to each of the prompts (for a total of three books.) Share your picks in our Facebook group, Goodreads group, or on Instagram using the hashtag #the52bookclub2025. You can also find these listed as bonus prompts on our StoryGraph challenge.

Graphics & Printables:

Need some suggestions?

1) Set in a country that celebrates Lunar New Year — The Britannica describes the Lunar New Year as a “festival typically celebrated in China and other Asian countries that begins with the first new moon of the lunar calendar and ends on the first full moon of the lunar calendar, 15 days later.” While there are Lunar New Year celebrations across the globe, it is widely celebrated in Asian countries such as China, Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Phillipines, etc. For this prompt, we’re looking for a book set in a country that has traditionally celebrated Lunar New Year.

As long as the book is at least partially set in a country that celebrates Lunar New Year, it fits this prompt. The book does not have to be about the Lunar New Year (although that’s a fun bonus challenge!)

Examples: Lady Tan’s Circle of Women, Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor, The Space Between Here & Now, Wild Swans, Crazy Rich Asians, Dragon Springs Road, Daughters of Shandong

Goodreads list: Set in a country that celebrates Lunar New Year

2) A wise character: According to the Chinese zodiac, 2025 is the year of the snake. The snake is a symbol of wisdom and intuition. For this prompt, we’re looking for a character that reflects that — “a wise character.” (Cambridge dictionary defines wisdom as, “the ability to use your knowledge and experience to make good decisions and judgments.”)

Your wise character may be a primary or secondary character of any age. They may be described as wise, hold qualities or characteristics that you see as wise, or make a wise decision in the book. The character may gain wisdom over the course of the story.

Non-fiction examples for this prompt may include self-help books, memoirs or biographies about wise individuals, or historical reads that feature wise decisions.

As a creative twist, you might choose a character whose last name is Wise.

Examples: The Lord of the Rings, Charlotte’s Web, The Giver, A Jedi You Will Be, Wise Gals, The Best Yes, The Wise Women, How to Win Friends and Influence People

Goodreads List: A wise character

3) By an Asian author: For this prompt, we’re looking for a book written by an Asian author (a person born, raised, or living in Asia; a person whose family is from Asia, or of Asian descent.) The book does not have to be set in Asia.

Examples: Pachinko, Lunar Love, We Were Dreamers, Sunshine Nails, The Double Life of Benson Yu, Everything I Never Told You, The Joy Luck Club, Lies and Weddings, Things We Do in the Dark, You Will Never Be Me, Babel, Daughter of the Moon Goddess, Portrait of a Thief

Goodreads List: By an Asian author

Mini-challenge tips:

1) Do I have to complete this challenge in January?
Nope! This challenge is released in January but functions more like a February mini-challenge. However, you can complete this mini-challenge whenever you like. Some members prefer to focus on finishing the main 2025 challenge first, and then go back to complete all the minis afterward. Others enjoy the added challenge of completing mini-challenges in the month they’re released. Do whatever works for you!

2) Is this a part of the main 52 books in 52 weeks challenge?
Yes and no. Mini-challenges are related to our 52 books in 52 weeks challenge but are also completely optional. Some members may decide to complete the full challenge and all the minis. Other members may choose to skip mini-challenges or to complete some of the minis but not all of them. Some challenge participants might only be joining in for the minis. It’s up to you how (or if) you’d like to participate.

3) Can I use the same books as my 52 book challenge?
It all depends on your personal reading goals! You can choose to read these books in addition to your regular 52 Book Club reads (this mini-challenge makes 55 prompts for 2025), or you can double up and combine them with prompts still left on your 2025 list. Your challenge, your rules!

Comment below and let us know what you’re reading this month!