Top Books Of 2025

Just looking at my reading journal and thought I'd try and choose my favourite (and maybe least favourite, not including DNFs) books from each month, and then my favourites for the whole year.

January

I re-read Dark Matter, finishing it on the 1st, so that would be my favourite. I liked the other two books also, so I'm not going to choose a least favourite.

February

In Feb, I only read books 7 and 8 of the Outlander series, so they can both be a tie for favourite.

March

In March I read book 9 of Outlander, so that was my favourite. Least favourite was The Drift by CJ Tudor, not what I was expecting, and not my cup of tea.

April

I think the best book I read in April is going to be The Body: A Guide For Occupants by Bill Bryson, because it was so well-written and interesting and accessible. Close second is Ghostwriting by Eric Brown, an unexpectedly good short story collection. I think maybe Dolly by Susan Hill was a bit of a disappointment.

May

The Haunting Of Hill House was a re-read in May, and although I struggle with some of the writing, it's still a favourite overall. The Ritual by Adam Nevill didn't live up to the hype for me.

June

Absolutely no question, The Terror by Dan Simmons blew everything else out of the water! The Supernatural Enhancements by Edgar Cantero was just weird, and a struggle to get through.

July

No really good books in July, but I did enjoy The Turn Of The Key by Ruth Ware. All The White Spaces by Ally Wilkes was disappointing.

August

Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton was just beautiful. If You See Her by Ania Ahlborn was another that didn't live up to the hype.

September

I only read three books in September. Pandora by Susan Stokes-Chapman wasn't amazing, but it did keep my attention, and I enjoyed being able to discuss it with the Thrive Book Club. Wintering by Katherine May went right over my head, and Bat Eater by Kylie Lee Baker wasn't as good as I was expecting it to be.

October

At the time I absolutely loved At Home With The Horrors by Sammy Scott, although I can't really remember any of the stories now. Hell House by Richard Matheson was of its time I guess, and not good. 

November

Another month of only three books. We Solve Murders by Richard Osman was definitely the best and most fun of the three. The Haar by David Sodegren was weird, but ok. Near The Bone by Christina Henry was good and I want to read more books by her.

December

The Fisherman by John Langan - outright winner for this month! I did struggle with the cosmic horror, but I loved the writing. The Twyford Code by Janice Hallett was probably the biggest disappointment, because I'd enjoyed The Appeal so much earlier in the year.

And if I had to choose my three favourite books for the whole year, I think it would be as follows: 

1. The Terror by Dan Simmons

2. Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton

3. The Fisherman by John Langan