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.
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.
What's On my TBR:
In no particular order or genre, here's a list of books I'd like to read in the near future.
- The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
- The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
- Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders
- Sex, Lies and Sensibility by Nikki Payne
- And Yet: Poems by Kate Baer
- Out of the Woods by Hannah Bonam-Young
- Oathbound by Tracy Deonn
- Somewhere Beyond the Sea - TJ Klune
- Beg, Borrow or Steal - Sarah Adams
- Deep End by Ali Hazelwood
- First-Time Caller by B.K. Borrison
- Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
- Emily Wilde's Enclyopaedia of Faeries
- Big Fan by Alexandra Romanoff
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