2025 Reading Wrap Up!
Hi Everyone, it’s me!
I mentioned Fable in the last (i.e first) PhD in Rest Mode blog. And one thing I absolutely love is their ‘Reader Summary’
In case you’re interested, I’m currently a ‘Supernatural Seeker’ - I read thrilling fantasies with supernatural elements, explore battles between good and evil, and my reading list brings uncanny thrills to my life. .. Erm, it’s kind of spot on!
But this post isn’t meant to be a plug for Fable.
I love tracking my reading throughout the year, on the app, and in my own journals. And as this is the first year I’ve had my own platform, I wanted to take a page out of Fables’ book (hah!) and do a Reading Wrap-Up.
I said before I have been in my Romantasy Era, and I’m not ashamed of it! Below is a list of all of the books I have read (and listened to) this year. I’m not going to meet my target, unfortunately, but it’s still been the best year for reading I’ve had in about a decade.
I set myself a Reading Goal of 40 books - I will probably come in at 33 books which I’ve grouped by genre and author.
Happy Christmas! Here’s to a New Year and NEW BOOKS!
Fantasy & Romantasy
Sarah J. Maas
My most-read and top author this year by far!
I am actually really glad I am so late to the SJM party, because I have been devouring these books!
A Court of Thorns and Roses series
I ate up the entire series this year!
If you haven’t started this series or got a bit stuck on book 1, PLEASE push through. This series is perfection! READ IT!
A Court of Thorns and Roses
A Court of Mist and Fury - actually amazing
A Court of Wings and Ruin
A Court of Frost and Starlight (novella)
A Court of Silver Flames - incredible!
Throne of Glass series
I’ve got the boxset ready to go, but read only the first book this year.
It hasn’t hit as hard as ACOTAR yet, but I’ve heard the series is perfect.
Throne of Glass
Rebecca Yarros
The Empyrean Series
What can I say? If you’re into fantasy/ Romantasy, you’ve likely already read it.
I was late to this series too and, again, I’m happy about it. I’m currently reading book 3, so will have completed the entire series released so far this year.
Highly recommend!
And again I definitely recommend The Fantasy Fangirls Podcast, as they do incredible Deep Dives, chapter by chapter - there’s so much I missed on a first-read! (Currently listening to the entire ACOTAR series)
Fourth Wing (Hello Shadow-Daddy Xaden!)
Iron Flame
Onyx Storm
Holly Black - The Folk of the Air series
The Cruel Prince
The Queen of Nothing
The Wicked King
Kristen Ciccarelli - The Crimson Moth duology
I ate this duology up in less than a week. It’s not the best story ever. But something about The Crimson Moth in particular was just addictive!
The Crimson Moth
Rebel Witch
Sarah A. Parker -
The Moonfall Series
When The Moon Hatched
The book that started it all! My first read of the year; I gave it 5* and it made my heart yearn for more Romantasy!
Retrospectively, is it the best book I’ve read this year? No. So if I’m going to give SJM and Rebecca Yarros 5* I would probably have to drop this one down. But I still loved it and can’t wait for book 2, and can’t thank it enough for pulling me out of a fantasy reading slump.
V.E. Schwab
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue - I would sell my soul to Luc every time tbh
Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil - likely one of my last books of the year, I’m listening to the audio right now. I’m undecided… Sometimes I’m hooked, other times I just don’t care.. hmm
Leigh Bardugo - Shadow and Bone (Shadow and Bone series Book 1)
I’m sad, because I didn’t love this one. But I’ve heard the Six of Crows duology is incredible so I’m going to push through this series so I can get there!
Ursula K. Le Guin - A Wizard of Earthsea (EarthSea Cycle series Book 1)
Rebecca Ross - Divine Rivals - I fell for my BookTuber’s rec and did not appreciate it
M. L. Wang - Blood Over Bright Haven - stick with the magic system, and please read this standalone fantasy!
Historical Fiction , Literary Fiction & Thriller
Satoshi Yagisawa - Days at the Morisaki Bookshop
One of the prettiest books on my bookshelf, but this fell flat for me unfortunately. I got lost somewhere in the middle of the book and didn’t connect with the characters. But I would recommend this one for a cosy afternoon - you could get through it in one go and that might help hold it together.
Nick Bradley - Four Seasons in Japan
Something about Japan and the Japanese Culture calls to me, and I am desperate to travel there. So I was looking forward to this one so much. It didn’t live up for me. Devastated.
Oyinkan Braithwaite - My Sister, the Serial Killer - Short, great audio, thumbs up.
Percival Everett
James - READ IT! READ IT! READ IT! Or, as I did, LISTEN to it - one of the best audio narrators I’ve come across. Along with….
Erasure - … also one of the best audio narrators I have ever head. Absolutely loved it! Some parts of this book, mostly the excerpts, confused me (this is where reading not listening might help), but along with the film American Fiction (Oh Jeffrey Wright, I love you!), I highly recommend! Can’t wait to read more by Percival Everett.
Romance
Ali Hazelwood
Bride duology
Bride - Yes, I read it, and I’m not going to talk about it! Hah. My favourite Ali Hazelwood book; it’s so different to her STEM romance. But the genre of fantasy / paranormal maybe isn’t for me.
Emily Henry - Funny Story
Katherine Center - The Rom-Commers - this one was … boring.
Laurie Gilmore - Dream Harbor series
…. I mean, they’re fine, and cosy. And the Completionist in me wants to finish the series. But would I recommend… no? Maybe?
The Pumpkin Spice Café
The Cinnamon Bun Book Store
So, overall best books of the year for me?
No question - Sarah J Maas A Court of Mist and Fury, but literally the ENTIRE series
Rebecca Yarros - Fourth Wing - need I say more?
Percival Everett - Erasure
M. L. Wang - Blood Over Bright Haven
And that’s a wrap on 12 months of reading! Please, let’s talk about books - I’m desperate for my book bestie.
Until next time, have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
x
