Books Read in 2025

At the end of every month, I share my ‘reviews’ of books I read in 2025, and where I stand for the year relative to the goal of thirty-three, I set for the year. Many of you have written that you enjoy and appreciate my ‘book reviews’ (if you can call them that!), but I always struggle with not giving too much away and am also cognizant that my likes are not everyone else’s.

I am participating in the Goodreads Reading Challenge again this year. Last year, I read twenty-one books, though my goal was thirty-three. But if we count the eleven Charles Dickens and two Tolstoy audiobooks, I made it to thirty-four!

Here is my quick and dirty review of the books I read in 2025, with one to five thumbs-up. I recently added an ‘eye-roll’ emoji 🙄 for any book that doesn’t even deserve one thumbs-up!

And, if you are looking for good podcasts to listen to, here are some of my favorite podcasts.

What I’ve Read Thus Far This Year

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1. I thoroughly enjoyed The Running Grave, 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼the most recent book in the Cormoran Strike series by Robert Galbraith, the pseudonym of J.K. Rowling. I am very attached to the two main characters and am anxious for them to realize their mutual, though as yet unrealized, love for each other while they solve mysteries and murders. Coming in at just under 1000 pages, it is a humdinger of a book. This one primarily focuses on the nefarious doings of religious cult.
2. I followed up with a lovely palate cleanser, Remarkably Bright Creatures, 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼by Shelby Van Pelt. When I first became aware of the book, I was put off by the talking octopus…just not my gig. But, after hearing many positive reviews, I put aside my prejudice against talking octopi and gave it a whirl. I’m glad I did. It was an easy read with lovely messages.
3. I just finished God of the Woods by Liz Moore. Hmmm…I really liked the story. I think she did a great job of flipping back in forth in time and with different characters. The characters were well developed. I don’t want to give anything away, but if you have read it, let me know your thoughts on the ending. Email me at [email protected], and let’s chat. I’m holding off giving thumbs until I can talk to others who have read the book.
4. I started The Women last night…I’ve got to be honest; I’m not sure I will read it. Maybe I’m being a harsh critic, but already twenty pages in, it feels a little forced and contrived. So many people recommended it, though! Ugh! I loved her book, The Nightingale, but was less enthused by The Great Alone, which also felt contrived.

What I’ve Listened To Thus Far This Year

I’ve treated myself to an Audible subscription. It is a bit of an indulgence for me, but I’m hooked and enjoying every dollar. Like any good story, the narrator makes a world of difference, and the narrators for these three are/were fantastic. I decided I would listen to every one of Charles Dickens’s books, which I did last year. I had never heard of many but enjoyed them as much as the well-known books.

This year, I’m continuing with Russian authors:

• Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy. I did a good bit of research on narrators as I quickly learned that the narrator is equally as important as the written words. This narrator is pretty good.
• War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy, narrated by Thandiwe Newton. She did an excellent job! This was a free version, so I was not optimistic, but she exceeded all my expectations! I printed out a list of main characters that I could refer to until I memorized them, which I highly recommend.
• I moved on to The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky, which also has an EXCELLENT narrator.
• Now, I’m listening to Crime and Punishment by Dostoevsky with another great narrator.

So, what are you reading, or what have you read recently that you loved? Please pass the titles on to me; I always look for good books.

Happy Reading!

Thanks for making my day by SHARING!!