2025 : Half Year Check-In
I’ve had some really great reading months this year already and its crazy to think I’ve already smashed through 60+ books. You can see all of my thoughts and star ratings on either Goodreads or Fable (should I be switching to StoryGraph, guys?) but I wanted to take a moment to pull out my top recommendations and to recap what I really enjoyed.
This was my first year reading through the Women’s Prize Shortlist so I also had some absolute top class recommendations that came from this as well.
Our Last Wild Days, Anna Bailey: I don’t read as many thrillers as I used to, but this book hooked me from the start because at its heart, this is a tale about friendships and redemption. Anna is a master of leading you down a few pathways - the scenery, the characters, the converging plot lines and then at the halfway mark I found it all came together so well. The story covers a lot of the expected Louisiana and Southern tropes - done in a beautiful and respectful way.
Babel, RF Kuang: This is a whip smart and beautiful magical realism tale examining language, empire and colonialism. I read this book spread out over a few weeks and really sat with the story and what it’s trying to convey. The scop of the research is impressive and the world building is unique, fascinating and entertaining. This would be a great book for high schoolers or even a book club that likes to think.
The Artist, Lucy Steeds: A must-pack book for your next French holiday. Best enjoyed while sipping wine and snacking on charcuterie during a delicious summer night. This book really transports you to a time and place beyond which were both pleasing, raw and attached to the trauma of the time. Lucy does a fantastic job of painting a precise picture and taking us through the character’s growth. A fabulous debut that again took me somewhere I wasn’t expecting.
The SafeKeep, Yael van der Wouden: I was transported into a unique story and perspective after WWII which is a time frame we don’t often read or hear about. The story was both painful and life affirming. With clear, concise writing, the story surprised me and didn’t take me where I expected right away. This book is very much like peeling an onion back. Perfect for a train ride.
The Ministry of Time, Kaliane Bradley. This book was a perfect genre blurring tale with hints of sci-fi, magical realism and historical fiction. I was delighted with the old school charm and left thinking with the hard-hitting questions posed at the end. It’s all a bit smoke and mirrors until the end but I was left laughing and smiling throughout. Leaves you with a mix of feelings on the state of the world and future, but still uplifting.
And audiobook wise, my favourites have been:
Remarkably Bright Creatures, Shleby Van Pelt: this book is also great to get you out of a reading slump – its soft and sweet with a bit of mystery to keep the plot moving along. I recommend the audio book if only for the voiceover for our Octopus, Marcellus. I def had a crush. This book was a delight from start to finish and a genuinely cared about all the characters. Whilst the plot is predictable it was written so well, I found myself not wanting the story to end. Just the food for the soul you look for in books. Keep an eye out for the Netflix adaptation.
Great Circle, Maggie Shipstead: With a sweeping plot that spans generations and locations this is a book you can get lost into. I listened to this over the course of a month and slowly fell in love with the characters and enjoyed piecing it all together. This book is a 2 for one – firstly we get the full life story of a women aeronaut and that is placed in contrast with a more modern tale of an actress playing our flyer. I was initially sceptical because the aviation aspect didn’t appeal to me, but while it takes a lead in much of the story it’s not overly technical. This is a pretty long book, but give yourself a good hour or so to get stuck into the characters and you will be bought in.
The Briar Club: I haven’t been able to stop recommending this book since I listened to it back in January. The voiceovers on the story are soothing classic, old school American and the storyline unfolds pleasantly with just the right amount of intrigue. I obviously may be a bit biased because I am American so perhaps the story gives me a bit of nostalgia for when Americans seemed to be a bit kinder. This is my hope the positive vibes in this book will correct some of the crazy negative energy coming from that country now.
I read most of my romance, and fantasy on my Kindle which really lets me blow through them and its my little guilt pleasure. There is a lot of Kindle Unlimited there so the quality can range a bit, however there are a few standouts that I want to highlight below. Ive realised I am a fan of dark and twisty fantasy with some very morally grey characters.
Anathema, Kerri Lake. This one is for the spooky fantasy ladies – maybe pick it up in autumn to fit the vibes of the season. Keri writes the best eerie settings, but nothing is too scary, there is just enough hint of something sinister. and I love her writing style. It’s refreshing to come back to it after other Romantasy. She’s a gothic queen. This is the perfect combination of complex world building, a hint of magic and then the romance hits more later in the story and I appreciate that slow burn which is still with you leading into book 2 which should be released in September 2025 and is titled ‘Eldritch’.
The Night Prince, Lauren Palphreyman: Its not much of a surprise that I enjoyed this 2nd book from Lauren (after I raved about Book 1, The Wolf King, all last year), but testament to her for keeping us all entertained and cleverly plotted through another 500+ pages. If you like Outlander but with more magic and wolf shifters, don’t hesitate to pick up this series. I find this to be escapism at its best, with just enough darkness in the story to make it feel grown up and sinister.
Never Keep & Echo Fort, Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti: a true enemies to lover story that packs a punch with lots of violence, lore, tension and world building. Perhaps my favourite development in this story is the unique and unsteady friendship that develops between the 2 female characters. The books read a bit young as we are at a military academy but the twists will also rip your heart out. For when you want to let the deadly teenage angst in you out.
The Plates Prisoner Series, Raven Kennedy: If you are looking for a completed romantasy series that has a dark side and some excellent side characters and spice – look no further. Some of these 6 books let me down (I’m looking at the finale especially) BUT Book 2 and 4 (Glint & Glow) where damn near perfect vibe reads. If you enjoy fantastical fae and burn the world down for you energy this is your book.
And finally here are 3 books, I wouldn’t recommend to everyone (check the trigger warnings) but enjoyed them all regardless:
Detranistion, Baby: Torrey Peters: Funny, raw and clever writing. I loved this. A beautiful and introspective analysis of the wider human condition and insight into trans fears, hopes and wants. This was a fantastic story for women everywhere and to really get into the mind of other people and to examine love that doesn’t fit strict societal norms.
Amid Cloud & Bones, Ella Fields: A fun ride and perfect if looking for an easy standalone fantasy romance story. Just when you think you know… you don’t! Perfect mood read when you went to be entertained and delighted. Dark romance with lots of fae court politics and some winged baddies. Don’t think to hard about it, be entertained. Also, extra points for an excellent cover.
Deep End, Ali Hazelwood: This was my first AH novel and I was 100% entertained. Excellent banter, tension and jeopardy which is impressive to build up in a college drama. I probably am a bit biased here in that I used to be a swimmer so I kind of relate to the mindset of control and focus. Another vibe read if you are looking for something to grab on the beach that is nice but not too nice.
In summary, I feel like I am in a fantastical dark girl era but I like to throw in some light hearted and multi-generational tales to keep it positive as well. A mixture of warmth and dark.
