2025: My Year in Books

I read a lot this year, as usual. I sometimes wonder if perhaps I should read fewer books and spend more time on each one. I wonder what I’m running from or running towards. I wonder how, where and when I squeeze in the time to read.

Then another batch of books shows up at the library and I’m back at it.

Adult Books

In 2025 I read 131 adult books this year (plus a sprinkling of YAs). Standouts in a few categories include:

Romance:

Overdue by Stephanie Perkins: Immersive, rich setting, slow-burn romance and a wonderful cast of characters.

The Ladies Road Guide to Utter Ruin by Alison Goodman: Also a mystery, this and its sequel show the power of deep historical knowledge to make a story shine. Adored and raced through these two books.

Thank You For Listening by Julia Whelan: Gorgeously, humorously and honestly told story.

Eddie Winston is Looking for Love by Marianne Cronin: Elderly protagonist, quirky setting, heart-warming.

Mystery:

Welcome to Murder Week by Karen Dukess: Fun UK setting, two story types in one, and diverse personalities.

The Spy Coast by Tess Geritsen: Retired spies living in a village in Maine and backstory that is as engaging as the contemporary storyline.

Memoir:

Bookworm: A Memoir by Lucy Mangan: Funny, relatable (to me!) reflections on a life with books with a UK twist.

Rough Magic: Riding the World’s Loneliest Horse Race by Lara Prior-Palmer: Lyrical story of her participation in a remote, dangerous horse race in Mongolia.

Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism by Sarah Wynn-Williams: An insider’s experience at Facebook.

Creativity:

How to Write One Song by Jeff Tweedy: Accessible reflections on creativity (and how to literally write a single song).

We Need Your Art: Stop Messing Around and Make Something by Amie McNee: The kick you need to value your own creativity and get creating.

Other Adult and YA Books: 

Welcome to Glorious Touga by Francesca Segal. Remote setting and strange entanglements.

Crooked Cross by Sally Carson: Written by a British writer based on her experiences in Germany just prior to WWII , this powerful story has stayed in with me.

Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts by Oliver Burkeman. Soothing ways of thinking about overwhelm and making meaning in life.

The Raven Boys: YA graphic novel by Maggie Stiefvater, Stephanie Wiliams and Sas Milledge. Cool combination of fantasy, contemporary setting, and powerful emotions.

Picture books

I read about 200 fiction picture books and 60 non-fiction picture books. A few standouts among many include:

Fiction:

Evelyn Witch Gets a Pet by Beth Ferry and Charles Santoso: Pure fun and lyricism

Our Lake by Angie Kang: Powerful exploration of grief

Mira and Baku by Sara Truuvert and Michelle Theodore: Beautiful combination of fantasy and history

The Capybaras by Alfredo Soderguit: Delightfully minimal and subversive

Non-Fiction:

In the World of Whales by Michelle Cusolito and Jessica Lanan: Stunning lyricism in a study of free diving and whales

I Am We: How Crows Come Together to Survive by Leslie Barnard Booth & Alexandra Finkeldey: WOW. Mistressful storytelling.

Cassini’s Mission: A Spacecraft, a Tiny Moon, and the Search for Life Beyond Earth by Katie Venit and Julia Blattman: Transports the reader into space and brings this spacecraft to life.

Middle Grade

I read around 50 middle grade novels (prose, novels in verse and graphic novels). I loved most of them, including Continental Drifter by Kathy MacLeod, a graphic novel about her experiences growing up biracial in different countries; A World Without Summer: A Volcano Erupts, a Creature Awakens, and the Sun Goes Out by Nicholas Day and Yas Imamura, a lyrical non-fiction tale of the Mount Tambora 1815 eruption and its impacts; and The Trouble With Heroes by Kate Messner, a novel in verse about grief and mountain climbing.

Writing in 2025

This was a full writing year. While my writing rhythm is still evolving, I found time to write a majority of days, even if only a little. Lots of time spent in revision, critique groups and working with critique partners means that I could feel my writing craft grow over the year, something I’m thrilled to keep building on.

My major projects included:

• A few rounds of revision on my contemporary middle grade novel (including one notable revision where I cut approximately 17,000 words)

• Developing and polishing five picture books and drafting a number of others

• Another draft of my cozy mid-apocalyptic chapter book series.

• Started my next middle grade novel

I couldn’t have done this without my many amazing writing friends who offered feedback, encouragement and companionship. Writing alone would be a sad business and I’m beyond grateful for everyone I’ve met and get to spend time with in the writing world. I also learned through Inked Voices, an SCBWI ongoing course on chapter books with Marcie Colleen, and a mentorship with Jasmine Fang.

What’s next: I’ll share more in upcoming newsletters about my writing plans for 2026. Thank you for being here!