The Final 13 of 42 Books I’ve Read In 2025
And just like that 2025 is coming to a close🥲. My reading goal for this year was at least four books a month, which should have given me a total of 48 books for the year; alas, life is unpredictable. Nevertheless, I’m still pretty dang proud of having read 42 books in 2025🥳.
For the remaining 13 books I’ve decided to share a simple rating (out of 5) for each of them. But if you’d like to know more details on any of them just drop a comment and I’d be happy to share my thoughts or read about yours. The most exciting part of reading all these books is hearing the different perspectives we have on the stories and characters.
My Sister The Serial Killer
Quirky, intriguing, a little dark and surprisingly fun. I finished this book in a day and enjoyed every moment of it. It would make for a really good holiday-read.
A Little Life
Sheer brilliance! Although it should come with a disclaimer; VERY emotionally heavy themes.
Small Things Like These
I'd known nothing of the Magdalene Laundries before reading this book. It had me heading head first down that rabbit hole once I'd finished.
Girls That Invest
Ever women needs to have this book! I would give it a 5 outta 5 but I need to put what I've learnt into practice first and see how well I do.
Still Born
An interesting take on motherhood and feminism.
Reminders Of Him
I guess I've outgrown Hoover's books. This one read pretty much like all her others; nothing particularly special.
To Kill A Mocking Bird
Such a good read! Enjoyed it way more now than I did in grade 8; even shed a few tears.
Flashlight
Korea-Japan history will always interest me and this story took on a perspective that I'd yet to encounter. Really gripping stuff!
The Thing Around Your Neck
In 2025 I've read 3 of Adichie's books and this one was my favourite. Each of the 12 short stories had me hooked.
Murder On The Orient Express
A classic for a reason. I enjoyed Christie's writing so much so that I went out and bought two more of her mystery novels to read in 2026.
Fahreinheit 451
I understand the hype of Bradbury quite accurately predicted the future but the writing style just wasn't it for me. It took me far too long to finish this tiny book.
Desire
I'm pretty neutral about this book; nothing special and nothing particularly bad. Maybe short stories aren't really where it's at with Murakami.
Half Of A Yellow Sun
I am officially convinced that you can't go wrong with Adichie. I've loved every one of her books that I read this year and plan to read a lot more in the year ahead. She is a literary genius!
I set the goal of 4 books a month as a fun little challenge for myself. Reading had been a cute hobby and I wanted to know how far I could go with it. Well… as it turns out, that ‘little challenge’ completely shifted the trajectory of my life.
I fell so deeply into the stories, the writing, the characters and the faraway lands that I unknowingly uncovered a part of myself I’d been in search of for over 20 years. I want to pursue a life in the world of literature— be it editing, creating, teaching…whatever! I want it.
Sharing my thoughts, feelings and interpretations of the dozens of books I’ve read has made me feel more alive than ever. So, I’ll be applying for online master’s degrees in English literature, and (God willing) I’ll be a student again in 2026📚. I’d always been so sure I’d never go back to studying, but the thought of learning about something that I feel genuine passion for makes me giddy with excitement.
If you’ve been on this journey with me— or if you’ve just popped in now— I want to leave you with this reminder: even the smallest of changes toward something that brings you true joy can end up being more fulfilling than you ever imagined.
