2025 Reading List

What I read is usually kept a secret. My reading list is usually for my eyes only because let's be real, everyone looking at my reading list sort of feels like people taking a peek at my diary? It just feels so intimate! And people can be so judgmental. BUT, for the sake of encouraging y'all to read more this year, I'm sharing my 2025 reading list.

2025 Book Superlatives

This year I read 63 books (my most in a year ever!) This blog post shares every single book I read and my review. I made some superlatives to share some of my favorites from this year.

• Most Endearing Characters: Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett
• Most Beautifully Written: Maame by Jessica George
• Favorite Rom Com: One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune
• Favorite Series: Harry Potter
• To Read with a Book Club: Remarkably Bright Creatures
• Favorite Memoir: Awake by Jen Hatmaker
• Favorite Non-Fiction: Anthropocene’s Reviewed by John Green  
• To Get Out of a Reading Slump: The Briar Club by Kate Quinn 
• The Book I Thought Most About After Finishing: Manacled by SenLinYu 
• Favorite Cozy Mystery That's Not a Thriller: Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andrews  
• Book that Could Be a Movie: These Summer storms by Sarah MacLean  
• Most Deserving of the Hype: Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reed or Harry Potter
• Book I'm Surprised I Haven’t Read Before This Year: Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen 
• Best Book to Read in One Sitting: A Psalm for the Wild Built by Becky Chambers 
• Favorite YA Series: Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor 

Notes

Here's some things to keep in mind when you're looking at my list.

• I'm an average reader. As in, I love to read and wish I could do it all the time, but I'm also a mom who works full-time so the reading time is limited. My goal is 50 books a year!
• I read books all over the place. My favorite genres are fantasy, historical fiction, and romance, but I try to read a bit of everything.
• My biggest beige flag is that I don't read what a book is about before I start reading. I start a book of the cover (so yes, I'm afraid I sometimes do judge a book by its cover!), vibes, and other peoples' recommendations.
• Please don't trust me completely. I might love a book you don't enjoy, and vice versa. We all have our own reading experiences and preferences. My biggest goal is that we can all encourage each other to read, learn, and grow.
• I don't feel confident in my star rating system! If I absolutely LOVE a book, like it's perfect and I have no notes, I give it 5 stars. An average book is 3, and above average is 4 and up. I could give something a 3.5 one day and then change it upon reflecting. All of this to say, take my rating system with a grain of salt!

January Reading Recap

January is usually one of my biggest reading months because it's dark, dreary, and being cozy on the couch with a book is so dreamy.

Total: 8 Books

Favorite Reads

• Manacled by SenLinYu - This book was my very first fan fic! I have no idea why I waited so long to enter the world of fan fic because these authors are TALENTED. This is a Harry Potter fan fic but you don't have to be a Harry Potter super fan to read this book (I haven't even seen all the HP movies, don't judge me, okay?) But listen, this book is DARK. It's emotional, dystopian, there's complex relationships, and has so many trigger warnings. I also loved it. It's heartbreaking and I read all 873 pages in 48 hours.
• Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt - This book was emotional but also full of hope. I found myself cheering for every character, even the octopus named Marcellus. This was so cute, I loved it!

Other Reads

• Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros - If the thought of dragons, a war college, adventures, romance, and friendships peaks your interest, you're going to enjoy this. This is a fantasy series I love and this was a reread to jog my memory before reading Onyx Storm.
• Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros - Start reading this book immediately after you finish Iron Flame! It has all of the same elements and will leave you wanting so much more.
• Honey & Spice by Bold Babalola - This is a contemporary romance that's lighthearted and the ending is wrapped up in a bow. I listened to this as an audiobook and the narrator was fantastic.
• Caraval (#1) by Stephanie Garber - This book follows the adventures of two sisters, Scarlett and Donatella. The sisters are given the opportunity to change their lives when they enter into a game called Caraval. This is a YA Fantasy and a quick, little read. This is book 1 in a 3 book series.
• Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen - Set in South Carolina among the Dellawisps. There are birds, some magic, and ghosts (but not scary ghosts). There's themes of friendship, self-discovery, loss, and ends on a happy note.
• Tom Lake by Ann Patchett - This is a reflective, emotional book with a lot of character development. It follows the story of a mom & 3 daughter and does a deep dive into her past.

February Reading Recap

For being the month of love and romance, I had some depressing and emotional reads this month. I really wanted to have a month full of romance books, but I'm at the hands of the library gods who kept me on the waitlist for everything I REALLY wanted to read this month. In the end, I did enjoy this month of emotional and thought-provoking books (but am really hoping some FUN and light-hearted books are next month!)

Total: 8 Books

Favorite Reads

• The Briar Club by Kate Quinn - It's 1950 and there's an all-female boarding house. Briarwood House is filled with an oddball group, but you'll fall in love with every single character as you hear their story. There's secrets, friendship, and even a murderer?!?! I loved the female friendship in this story & sped through this.
• Maame by Jessica George - This book follows a young Ghanaian-British woman living in London. She feels the weight of cultural identity, is working through complex family dynamics, and is trying to find her place in the world. As someone who really enjoys action-adventure books (not this), I thought this character-driven and self-discovery was beautiful. Also, I listened to this on audio and the voices were so engaging!
• Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko - I can always count on a young adult fantasy to get me out of a reading rut! They're usually adventurous, emotional, but not too dark or complex. I loved the storytelling in this book and the setting of the magical empire of Aristar. This is the story of self-discovery, loyalty, and sacrifice for people you love.
• Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green - This is a collection of personal essays that review different aspects of human impact on the planet. It's moving, has so many parallels to life right now, and there's beautiful storytelling. Also, bonus for this being is my first non-fiction book of the year!

Other Reads

• Weyward by Emilia Hart - This book follows the stories of three women across five centuries. As you read about each women, you'll discover their connections and find yourself in awe of their resilience. I was hooked and appreciated the combination of historical fiction and magical realism. Note: check out the trigger warnings before you read!
• We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman - This book follows the story of woman's last month in hospice. The pov is from a girl losing her best friend, and all the emotions with that experience. This is heavy, and while I can appreciate the importance of sharing this story, it was not for me.
• Redemptor by Jordan Ifueko - This is the sequel to the previously mentioned Rayearer. There's new characters, but the continuation of the story from book 1. Again, this is a YA Fantasy and while not too deep, I was able to speed through this one.
• From Sand and Ash by Amy Harmon - This is the story of a forbidden love between a Jewish woman and a Catholic priest. To make things even more devastating, this is set during WWII during Nazi invasions. An emotional, heavy story that offers insight into clinging to faith and hope during tragedy.

March Reading Recap

Cheers to a month of fun little fantasies! I read a few series, some romance, and was able to speed through some audiobooks. I listen to audiobooks while cleaning, driving, and working, which is one way I keep up with reading.

Total: 11 books

Favorite Reads

• A Prayer for the Crown-Shy (#2) by Becky Chambers - This delightful little story (book 2 in the series) is a great introduction to science fiction. From the words of a reviewer on Goodreads, "It's like a cozy existential crisis with tea"
• A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams - This love story set in the backdrop of Harlem & Renasiisance glamour, sucked me in. There's a little magic, despair, romance, and overlapping stories from past & present.
• Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett - Set in the early 1900s in rural Norway, this historical fantasy novel is full of faerie lore. There's magic, friendship, and love in the start of this fantasy series.

Other Reads

• Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman - This book makes me reconsider how I interact with people in the world. I really enjoyed following the story of Eleanor and the highlights of mental health, friendship, and personal growth.
• Deep End by Ali Hazlewood - This sports romance follows a competitive diver & swimmer who become obsessed with each other. Honestly, this book was meh for me and while I can appreciate the growth of the characters, this romance felt shallow, despite being Deep 🤪
• A Psalm for the Wild Built (#1) by Becky Chambers - This is the story of a tea monk & a robot who try to find out what people need in the world. I know, I know, a tea monk & robot aren't your typical characters but this science fiction novella can be read in one sitting & has themes to get you thinking.
• Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune - This is book 2 of the Cerulean Chronicles series and I think it's such a heartwarming series. The stories in this book are important!
• The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer - This lovely young adult fantasy series reimagines fairytales in a futuristic world. I love that the stories in this series build on each other and more lovable characters are introduced with each book. I sped through this series!
  • Cinder (#1)
  • Scarlet (#2)
  • Cress (#3)
  • Winter (#4)

April Reading Recap

This month I really wanted to focus on romance and light-hearted reads! Most of these books would be perfect for the beach or a relaxing evening on the patio.

Total: 8 books

Favorite Reads

• Strange the Dreamer (#1) by Laini Taylor - This book completely sucked me in. If you love adventurous fantasies with lovable characters and a dream, this is for you.
• Muse of Nightmares (#2) by Laini Taylor - This is book 2 (final book) in the above mentioned series and I loved this just as much as the first one! Same characters, more perspectives, more romance and emotion, and so much adventure. Loved this one!
• Out of the Woods by Hannah Bonam-Young - This book will have you in your feels. It's emotional, the characters are trying to find themselves again, but it's also full of hope and love.
• Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andrews - A friend recommended this book to me after saying it was her favorite read of the year so far and after reading, I completely understand why! It's a mystery with twists and turns, but lighthearted and cozy. It sort of reminded me of the White Lotus but from the employee perspective. I loved this one!

Other Reads

• Beg, Borrow or Steal by Sarah Adams - If there's two things I'm a sucker for in a rom com, it's the enemies to lovers trope and the small town setting. This book has both of those, and is book 3 in the series so there's even more.
• PS I Hate You by Lauren Connolly - This romance is a bit on the heavier side as there's characters navigating grief and complex family dynamics. The lack of communication between the characters drove me nuts, but there's a happy ending.
• Big Fan by Alexandra Romanoff - This is a witty, fast-paced romance that's lighthearted with a happy ending. This would be perfect for reading during an evening on the patio!
• First Time Caller by B.K. Morrison - This is a heartwarming, slow-burn romance with playful banter. Also, just to pitch B.K. Morrison a bit, she wrote the Lovelight Farms series which is just the cutest small town romance series.

May Reading Recap

Okay so May was crazy and I didn't read much! I read one book for fun and one that I thought would be practical.

Reads

• Comedic Timing by by Upasna Barath - This is a quick, lighthearted romance you can read in one sitting!
• How to Keep House While Drowning by KC Davis - This is a practical read that gives a ton of really great advice for keeping up with the house. I needed this for my early motherhood stage!

Total: 2 books

June Reading Recap

Okay another really slow reading month for me. Not because I'm not interested (I currently have 8 books ready to go on my Kindle!!), just because it's crazy busy this summer!

Favorite Reads

• One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune - When I say I want a summer romance, this is what I mean. A lighthearted love story set on a lake with main characters you'll cheer for. Loved this!
• Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jiminez - While still a romance, this is a bit more emotional. This is a contemporary romance with hope and I think it's perfect to read this summer!

Other Reads

• The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein - This is a classic fantasy book full of adventure, creatures, magic, and fun. I really enjoyed! As a side note, my husband and I are going to read the entire Lord of the Ring series together! We've never read a book together before & he picked the Hobbit to start.

Total: 3 books

July Reading Recap

Give me all of the summer beach reads!

Favorite Reads

• Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood - This is an enemies to lovers summer romance story set in Italy and for those reasons alone it's an easy, breezy read!
• Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry - I'm obsessed with Emily Henry and will probably love everything she writes. This is the story of two writers competing to tell the story of a woman, and I love following the stories of both of them and how this book is written.

Other Reads

• Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino - Aliens, the human experience, coming of age, and life tied up together — my book club read this & it felt different than many of my summer reads, in a good way!

Total: 3 books

August Reading Recap

More love stories, please!

Favorite Reads

• These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean - I was so into this book filled with billionaire family drama, side romances, and big secrets all set on a private island. It had vibes of White Lotus, Knives Out, and this was definitely my favorite book of the month.

Other Reads

• The Love Haters by Katherine Center - Another little romance set on the beach, of course. This one follows a video producer who is about to lose her job as she makes a promo about the US Coast Guard. She falls in love, obviously, but also has a lot of personal growth and self-discovery.
• Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle - This is a "friends to lovers" and "second chance" romance that follows the many love stories and relationships of Daphne. The main character is given a piece of paper with a name and length of time for every relationship she has, and you get to follow along her journey.
• The Perfect Couple by Elin Hilderbrand - A love story meets murder mystery set on Nantucket. This emotional mystery is just lighthearted but will keep you guessing as to whats next.

Total: 4 books

September Reading Recap

It still feels like summer outside so I'm reading a few more beach reads before turning to cozy, fantasy and all the fall books.

Favorite Reads

• Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen - This book has been on my list for YEARS. I'm talking, my middle school English teacher gave me this book to read and I just never did. After reading, I can see why so many love it! It has romance, comedy, drama, and is a classic (actually). I loved this and have plans to watch the movie!
• It's a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan - I can't stop, won't stop with the light-hearted romances. This witty little love story will have you cheering for all the main characters.

Other Reads

• If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia - If you're looking for a cozy, nostalgic romance that takes place in a small town in Vermont, this is it. This has Gilmore Girls vibes and was a cute read.
• Heartburn by Nora Ephron - This story has love, betrayal, humor, food, and a rollercoaster of emotions. It's the story of a cookbook writer who discovers her husband's affair (while she's pregnant!!) and is kind of devastating... but also beautifully written!
• Maine Characters by Hannah Orenstein

Total: 5 books

October Reading Recap

Favorite Reads

• Awake by Jen Hatmaker - This is my favorite memoir of the year! It's Jen's journey through a midlife crisis (caused by her husband's affair, gross) and explains how she finds hope and rebuilds her life after things fall apart. There's talk of faith, grief, relationships, identity, love, friendships, and hope. I loved the audio of this!
• Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling - One of the most iconic fantasy series of all time! There's magic, friendship, challenges, love, courage, adventure, and stories that suck you in! I read the first few books in 5th grade but wanted to read the whole series and I'm obsessed.
• Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid - This historical fiction is about the first women astronauts in NASA. I hadn't read anything with this storyline and really enjoyed it!

Other Reads

• The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali - This is the story of complex, lifelong friendships between two Iranain girls in the 1950s. I wasn't expecting to like this book but I love/hated the themes of women's rights and the revolution.
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling - Book 2 of the Harry Potter series covers the second year at Hogwarts where Harry and friends must figure out how to fight the troubles from the Chambers of Secrets.

Total: 5 books

November Reading Recap

Some Christmas reads to get into the holiday spirit!

Other Reads

• Good Spirits by B.K. Borison - This is a magical holiday romance about a ghost who haunts (but not in a scary way) a girl who tends to be a people pleaser with complicated family relationships. The two fall in love and both explore their pasts. I was unsure about the love story between a ghost and girl, but its a cute, easy read!
• Christmas Fling by Lindsey Kelk - This is a Christmas romantic comedy that is the story of a fake relationship while going home for the holidays.

Total: 2 books

December Reading Recap

Ending out the year with the books that became available from the library ha!

Favorite Reads

• The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett - This story has the most endearing characters and unexpected adventures! Everything about this book was compelling, and the story is an emotional roller coaster.
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling - This is my favorite in the Harry Potter series so far!
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling - Yet another Harry Potter book (#4) that I really enjoyed.
• The Opposite of Loneliness: Essays and Stories by Marina Keegan - This book exists to share Marina's writing. I don't always love nonfiction & essays but I enjoyed these. It's heartbreaking because Marina (the author) had a job lined up at the New Yorker but died in a car accident a few days after graduation. Her family & friends put these pieces together so we could all read her work.

Other Reads

• Yours for the Season by Emily Stone - Christmas and summer are my favorite time of the year to read rom coms! This story had a lot of miscommunications in character (which I don't enjoy reading) but overall a lighthearted and easy read.

Total: 5 books