September Reading Wrap-Up

Mixed bag, this month

1. At The Bottom Of The Garden by Camilla Bruce

Enjoyed it, but it dragged a bit

2. The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton

DNF

3. No Exit by Taylor Adams

Really good 'survival in isolated location' story

4. The Mental Load Diaries by Cat Sims

DNF

5. Verity by Colleen Hoover

Not bad, not great

6. The Overnight Guest by Heather Gudenkauf

Enjoyed it, another good 'survival/isolation' story

7. And The Trees Crept In by Dawn Kurtagich

DNF

8. Imaginary Friend by Stephen Chbosky

Started good, got progressively weirder.

9. The Starving Saints by Caitlin Starling

DNF

10. Episode Thirteen by Craig DiLouie

Another one that started good, got progressively weirder

11. Brother by Ania Ahlborn

DNF

August Reading Wrap Up

Definitely hit a bit of a slump in August. I've been doing a lot of housework, decluttering, that kind of thing, which has kept me so busy that I haven't had time to read much. So this is all I've managed:

1. Dear Committee Members by Julie Schumacher

Funny in places, but overall a bit disappointing.

2. Dead Silence by S. A. Barnes

Quite enjoyed it, sci-fi horror

3. Before And After by Andrew Shanahan

Unusual take on a zombie apocalypse

4. How To Survive A Horror Story by Mallory Arnold

Even though it was a horror story, so really 'anything goes', for some reason I had trouble suspending my disbelief.

5. Six Of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

I thought I might've liked this, but I really struggled with all the weird names and it was putting me off straight away! I know that weird names are a given in fantasy novels, but these ones just felt a bit OTT, so I DNF'd quite quickly.

6. When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill

I actually read quite a lot of this before I DNF'd it, I'm sure I was well past 100 pages. I wasn't too keen on the switching back and forth between the story and the scientific reports, I think I'd have preferred just Alex's story, though I understand the 'science stuff' filled in a lot of what she didn't know. Other than that, I found some elements to be very repetitive, and I just got to a point where I wasn't really bothered about reading any more.

July Reading Wrap Up

Well, this will be a quick one!

I don't know where the time has gone this month, but I haven't even touched my TBR choices!

1. Before They Are Hanged by Joe Abercrombie

I'd started this in June, and didn't finish until the 9th July. Really enjoyed it, as expected.

2. They Both Die At The End by Adam Silvera

This wasn't planned, but my son was reading it (a school library book) and as I had my own copy, I thought it would be fun to read together. It was pretty good.

3. Last Argument Of Kings by Joe Abercrombie

I'd started reading this straight after book 2, but broke off for a bit to read the Adam Silvera book, so this one took a bit longer to finish.

And that's it! 

June Reading Wrap Up

June wasn't a great reading month, I was definitely in a bit of a DNF / changed my mind kind of slump.

1. The Outsider by Stephen King.

The first SK book that I actually quite enjoyed.

2. The Lamplighters by Emma Stonex

Interesting and moving.

3. Let Me Lie by Clare Mackintosh 

A DNF

4. Red Queen by Christina Henry

Not bad, but not as good as Alice.

5. The Ghost Woods by C. J. Cooke

It was ok, but I'm getting bored of botanical horror.

6. Yellowface by Rebecca F. Kuang

Cringeworthy, love-to-hate main character.

7. The Witches At The End Of The World by Chelsea Iversen

A DNF.

8. There Is No Antimemetics Division by qntm

Bizarre!

9. The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

Bleak, sad, depressing. But good writing.

10. A Haunting On The Hill by Elizabeth Hand

A disappointing DNF.

I didn't get around to reading The Whispering Muse by Laura Purcell.

May Reading Wrap Up

May's TBR list wasn't the most successful, so I veered away from it a bit, still with mixed results (7 DNFs)

1. The Examiner by Janice Hallett 

Pretty good, very similar to The Appeal

2. Mrs England by Stacey Halls

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would.

3. Hare House by Sally Hinchcliffe

I liked the mystery around the hares

4. All The Colours Of The Dark by Chris Whitaker

Great story, if a little bleak

5. Carrie by Stephen King

Telekinetic female revenge

6. Box 88 by Charles Cumming

Spy thriller - DNF

7. In The Woods by Tana French

Thriller - DNF

8. The House On Cold Hill by Peter James

Haunted house, but still a DNF

9. Graveyard Shift by M. L. Rio

DNF

10. We Used To Live Here by Marcus Kliewer

Mostly brilliant, quite creepy

11. 'Salem's Lot by Stephen King

Vampires, so a DNF

12. The White Road by Sarah Lotz

Spelunking and climbing Everest - terror at either extreme, really good

13. Abandon by Blake Crouch

Abandoned town called Abandon - very creepy

14. The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon by Stephen King

Baseball fan lost in the woods - meh

15. Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

Beautiful, magical, fever dream!

16. Pet Semetary by Stephen King

DNF

17. Gerald's Game by Stephen King 

Not even a DNF, just decided I didn't want to read this at all. I don't think my Stephen King challenge is going to be very successful...

18. Just For The Summer by Abby Jimenez

Cute romance

19. Revival by Stephen King

Another DNF

April Reading Wrap Up

A real mixed bag this month. A couple of five star reads, but a few DNFs too. I feel like my reading has been slower than usual; this may be a combination of reading quite a few non-fiction, and also because towards the end of the month I finally got around to catching up on all the Outlander series 8 episodes (so far).

1. Rainforest by Michelle Paver. 

I was really looking forward to this but didn't enjoy it as much as I'd hoped I would.

2. Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney. 

A DNF; I'm definitely not into thrillers as much as I once was

3. The Sword Of Kaigen by M. L. Wang. 

My first 5 star read for a while, I was very pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this!

4. Ascension by Nicholas Binge. 

Quite enjoyable, though some of the science aspects lost me.

5. Glimmers by Nadia Narain and Katia Narain Phillips

A DNF, but kind of a 'skimmed through it and got the idea' one.

6. Little Addictions by Catherine Gray

Another DNF, same as above.

7. Hold On To Your Kids by Dr Gordon Neufeld and Gabor Mate

Really interesting book about parenting and ensuring that you are your child's 'compass'. One to re-read and make notes on.

8. Dark Voyage by Helen Susan Swift

A disappointing DNF. I was really looking forward to getting into this series, but the writing style really put me off. It had loads of good reviews though, so maybe it's just me?

9. Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing

This was an extra book choice because I wanted another kindle book to read. I started reading it on my kindle, but then switched to the audiobook, which wasn't exactly word for word the same. It was funny and poignant, just like the tv series. (So sad to hear the news today that Ted has gone to the big briefcase emporium in the sky).

10. A Head Full Of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay

This was decent, I don't remember much about it now.

11. Tress Of The Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson

An enjoyable, swash-buckling kind of adventure, but cosy fantasy isn't really my thing, and I'm a bit worried about whether I'll enjoy other Brandon Sanderson books.

12. The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

Saved for this month as it was a book club choice. Big twist at the end!

13. The Watchers by A. M. Shine

Peeping Toms with teeth and claws. Might watch the film.

14. Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy

Gorgeous book about family, love and loss, and the effects of climate change.

TBR choices that I didn't manage to get around to:

The Witches At The End Of The World

Red Queen 

We Used To Live Here

I'm putting these back on the shelf, but if I pull out the same prompts, I'll re-choose these again.

March Reading Wrap Up

 

16 books in total, but 5 DNFs.

1. Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

Heartwarming novel about grief and learning to move on. And a remarkably bright octopus.

2. Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

A DNF - just a bit too cosy and twee for me.

3. Weyward by Emilia Hart

Witchy revenge!

4. Blood On Her Tongue by Johanna Van Veen

Made me feel a bit nauseous

5. A Short Stay In Hell by Steven L. Peck

Existential dread

6. Tender Is The Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica

DNF

7. The Frozen Silence by Dr James Pennington

Really interesting account of the search for the Franklin Expedition

8. Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

A story about loneliness, friendship and kindness. Bit of a slog at first, but a (mostly) happy ending.

9. Carl's Doomsday Scenario by Matt Dinniman

Reluctant DNF.

10. A Taste Of Darkness by Various

YA horror, but didn't like the first two stories, so DNF.

11. Alice by Christina Henry

Dark, twisted reimagining of Alice In Wonderland. Really good!

12. The Five People You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom

A reminder that we all matter to someone.

13. The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

DNF

14. Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Mushrooms, so many mushrooms!

15. The Unexpected Joy Of The Ordinary by Catherine Gray

Non-fiction, interesting reminder that being ordinary is perfectly ok.

16. The Impossible Fortune by Richard Osman

Funny, heartwarming, clever; great to be back with the gang. [Should've been an April read].

February Reading Wrap-Up

                              

14 books read, 2 DNFs

1. Bitter Passage by Colin Mills. 

Loved this! Another book about the Franklin expedition to navigate the NorthWest Passage, or rather, the recovery service which sets out to find Erebus and Terror, 4 years after they left. There was no supernatural element to this book, instead it focused on Lieutenant Robinson and Assistant Surgeon Adams, and their very different motives for trying to find Franklin and his men. This was an Amazon First Reads that I've had on my Kindle since 2024, I don't know why it's taken me so long to read it.

2. When The Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy

Was very excited to read this. Thought it was going to be a straightforward werewolf type of story - wasn't. At all. Gripping and fast-paced with some pretty horrific outcomes for several characters.

3. Bloom by Delilah S Dawson

A sapphic romance which takes a very dark turn! 

4. The Hollow Places by T. Kingfisher

Very creepy story about a wormhole opening up between worlds, good characters, lots of humour too.

5. The Apparition Phase by Will Maclean

Not quite the ghost story I was expecting

6. The Hunger by Alma Katsu

Fictionalised retelling of The Donner Party's failed attempt to cross an inhospitable mountain range, with a bit of a supernatural twist.

7. Hungerstone by Kat Dunn

Hunger! So much hunger!

8. The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie

Grimdark fantasy, but actually really good fun! Looking forwards to reading the rest of the trilogy, but just feel like I need breaks in between.

9. Night Watching by Tracy Sierra

This was a DNF.

10. The Storytellers by Sue Heath

Another DNF

11. The Other People by C. B. Everett

'Locked room'(/house) mystery with a twist that I didn't particularly enjoy

12. The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones

Elk revenge.

13. What Moves The Dead by T. Kingfisher

Botanical horror!

14. The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

A descent into madness

15. Ledge by Stacey McEwan

Icy fantasy with a cliffhanger ending!

16. Penpal by Dathan Auerbach

Random childhood memories recalled in later life, which, with hindsight, lead to a terrifying conclusion.

January Reading Wrap-Up

Thoughts on my January reads:

15 books read, 3 DNFs.

1. The Taker by Alma Katsu

2. The Reckoning by Alma Katsu

3. The Descent by Alma Katsu

I originally gave these three books 4 stars each, but I'm having second thoughts about that now. I really wanted to love this trilogy, because although it wasn't really full fantasy, it still felt like my first time dipping my toe into that kind of genre. The MMC was not a good person though, and I don't think he's even 'morally grey' - he raped and murdered people. I can't get past that.

4. I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman

This was bleak and emotional, and left the reader with more questions than answers, yet there were moments of love, hope and warmth too. I can't really say that it was an enjoyable story, but I'm glad I've read it.

5. The Spell Shop by Sarah Beth Durst

Cosy cottage-core fantasy. The FMC was blue, there were characters who were half human(ish) and half animal, there was a sentient spider plant. It was a lot to get my head around, but it was perfectly fine and a nice light read.

6. One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig

7. Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig

This was The Shepherd King Duology, and it was brilliant. Really had me hooked. The main 'love interest' couple from book 1 seemed to take a back seat in book 2 for a new couple to come forward, but if you accept that it was always going to be about that new couple, then it works. Good world-building, interesting magic system.

8. Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Heard so many good things about this that I just had to try it, and I wasn't disappointed. The science and maths mostly went over my head, but I still understood enough to know what was going on, and it turned out to be so much more than just a sci-fi story.

9. A Court Of Thorns And Roses by Sarah J. Maas

10. A Court Of Mist And Fury by Sarah J. Maas

11. A Court Of Wings And Ruin by Sarah J. Maas

12. A Court Of Frost And Starlight by Sarah J. Maas

First three, brilliant, fourth one, not so much. Chunky books, felt like I needed a break after them.

13. The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore. 

First DNF of the month, this was over the top cutesy romance which I thought I'd be ok with, but it was just too Hallmark Movie for me.

14. Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman

Loads of good reviews for this LitRPG series, so I thought I'd give it a try, despite it not really being my cup of tea, and it was quite a pleasant surprise! Interesting plot, funny with a lot of heart too. I think there are 8 books in the series so I wasn't sure if I was going to read any more, but I've already downloaded the second one. If they stay on Kindle Unlimited, I might give them a whirl.

15. Dark Tales by Shirley Jackson

Another DNF, and the second book of short stories by her that I've given up on. Just because I enjoyed The Haunting Of Hill House, I have to accept that I might not like any of her other work.

16. Deity by Matt Wesolowski

The fifth in the Six Stories series. I wasn't feeling too enthusiastic to read this, but as with the others, it drew me in and it turned out to be pretty good.

17. Disappearance At Devil's Rock by Paul Tremblay.

A story about a teenage boy who goes missing and is eventually found dead. Every parent's worst nightmare. This was good, but I can't really say that I enjoyed it.

18. Affinity by Sarah Waters

DNF, couldn't get into the writing style at all. Read some spoilers afterwards and I'm glad I didn't struggle through it as I don't think I would've enjoyed it anyway.

If I was going to pick a favourite book of the month, I'd probably go for A Court Of Thorns and Roses as my introduction to that series, although books 2 and 3 are arguably better in terms of character development.

2025 Five Star Reads

These are the books I rated 5 stars on Storygraph in 2025:

Dark Matter by Michelle Paver

The Solitude of Thomas Cave by Georgina Harding

An Echo In The Bone by Diana Gabaldon

Written In My Own Heart's Blood by Diana Gabaldon

Go Tell The Bees That I Am Gone by Diana Gabaldon

The Body: A Guide For Occupants by Bill Bryson

The Haunting Of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

The Terror by Dan Simmons

The Fisherman by John Langan

Do I still agree with all of these? I would say yes to the Outlander books, just because the whole series has been so enjoyable, and I can't fault Diana Gabaldon's writing. The Body is the only non-fiction, but I found it so interesting and it was written with Bryson's usual humour and accessibility. Dark Matter will always be a 5 star read, obviously! I'm not sure if I like The Solitude Of Thomas Cave, and The Haunting Of Hill House as much as I think I do, or as much as I think I should, but they are stories that have lingered with me afterwards, when so many don't. The Fisherman was weird, and there were aspects of it that I struggled with, if I'm being really honest, but I also loved it, and I loved the writing style. It certainly didn't disappoint. And what can I say about The Terror? Just phenomenal!

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