For consistency, were looking pretty good as it hasn’t been half a year since my last post. I’ve been thinking, and have decided, the best way for me to recap my reading into manageable chunks, would be to do this by season. I know, 4 posts a year is definitely more than 1 (if annually) or 2 (if bi-annually) posts on recapping reads, but I feel personally it would take the grand nature of the task away. I’m always mildly panicked every time I want to do these because of how many books I’d have to recount and remember. BUT, I digress.
First things first, let’s talk about our current reads.
I’d also like to note my current podcast of choice is Books Unbound hosted by Ariel and Raeleen. I’ve been a fan of Ariel’s content for a while watching her home renovation series, and this podcast honestly settles my brain and is just a joy to listen to. I also get so many reccs on books to read, graphic novels to get and films to watch as well.
So this winter, we managed to read 20 books. I gathered some stats for you,
Big Wins:
– Read 2 ARCs
– Finished 1 series (2 if we count the one I DNF’d)
Formats Read:
– 9 eBooks
– 1 Audiobook (3 if you count immersive reads)
– 10 Physical Books
Genres Read:
– 7 Fantasy
– 3 Romantasy
– 3 Romance
– 1 Horror
– 3 Sci-Fi
– 1 Literary Fiction
– 1 Non-Fiction
For the recaps, I will do a 1/2 line review for each book, highlighting my standout/favourite book of that month
2025 was a strange rollercoaster of mainly 2 and 3-star reads for me. The fact that this changed in December, although the number of books read was small, meant we had a relatively great reading month.
- Freeset by Sarina Dahlan – This was the final book in The Four Cities, and it was a satisfying conclusion imo. Definitely recommend reading Reset, then Preset (prequel), and finish with Freeset if you choose to pick up this series.
- I’m Glad My Mom Died by Janette McCurdy – I was late to picking this up, but I finally understand the hype (not the word I want to use, but the best to describe the various reccs I’ve seen for this book); very raw and unfiltered account of her life. Not a light read, but an important one
- Artificial Condition by Martha Wells – We Stan ART in this household and that is all I will say on that
- A Magic Girl Retires by Park Seolyeon – This queer magical realism tale, following a depressed millennial turned magical girl, was a whimsical and charming read with a strong message. Also, magical girls have debt too, and I felt seen
My highlight book for December was What Does It Feel Like? by Sophie Kinsella.
I touched on this in my initial review, via the various tracking apps, that I had picked this book up when it was released, but it never moved from my TBR pile until she passed. This book, although short, was raw. Mixing her real experiences with fictional elements, exploring the grief and struggles felt when suffering from a terminal condition and the effects it has, both on the self and those around.
Exceptional writing from an exceptional author.
The new year rolled around, and my mojo for reading was rekindled. If you were to see my tracking, you would know that January is never my strong month. It’s never consistent, with little to no reading taking place.
- Alchemy of Secrets by Stephanie Garber – I’ve only read one other Stephanie Garner book and I had a great time with it. This book took my love for film (you’d never know from this blog this was the case) and my love for magical realism. Looking forward to the rest of the series
- Picnic and Promises at Strawberry Farm by Victoria Walters – Our first ARC of this month and honestly such a cute book. Very easy going, small town romance
- First by Ali Hazelwood & Bait by Adrianna Herrera – I grouped these two together as they came from the same collection I backed on Kickstarter. I’m not going to lie, I didn’t vibe with these. Great potential, just not the best sadly. Will I make it through the rest of the collection?
- The Romance Rivalry by Susan Lee – A romance novel based on romance tropes found in novels; who doesn’t love books about books. A sweet, K-pop-esqe, palette cleanser
- An Arcane Inheritance by Kamilah Cole – Our second ARC for this month. Deep exploration of classicism, racism and elitism in a university setting shrouded in magic and mystery was just a great time.
- Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros – Tracking apps will convince you this took me a year to read, but in truth, I got about 150 pages in and gave up reading it for a year. But we finally made it through, and I guess that’s what counts in the end. Very eh book in the series, here’s hoping books 4/5 are great
- Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells – Martha is insistent on introducing me to robots in this universe, and then proceeds to abruptly remove them from my life. And I’ll still give it 5 stars, even if I’m emotionally devastated
My highlight book for January was The Hating Game by Sally Thorne.
I picked this up on my train trip to Wales, and proceeded to devour this book like it was sustaining my life. The plot was fun, the chemistry was great, the humour was great. This book was honestly the serotonin boost I needed.
A genuine joy to read and who knows I might watch the film adaptation XD
February was apparently the month I decided that retellings of classics was my vibes (maybe I channelled Wuthering Heights in cinema energy). It was also the month we had our first DNF of the year.
- Between Jobs by W.R. Gingell – This book felt like a fever dream and I’m still unsure where I sit with it overall
- Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage – First in the Blue Rebel Ranch saga and I enjoyed it for what it was. Is it bad to say I’m sticking it out because I want to read Teddy’s story #westanchaoticqueens
- Lady Macbeth by Ava Reid – Our first retelling for the month and it was a take on Macbeth, but focusing more on Lady Macbeth (I’m not sure why I’m explaining this as the title gives this away). Very dark, and I can still hear the sounds of waves and dripping water till this day
- Our Vicious Oaths by N.E. Davenport – I enjoyed this book but if I can be honest for a second, there was a lot of smut in this one. If the characters weren’t doing it, they were thinking about doing it or just never ending horny. I’m not a prude in any way shape or form, you can see from my read pile, but it did take me out of the plot for a bit sadly
- What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher – Our second retelling of the month and this was a take on the Fall of the House of Usher. Not a classic I have read so I have no thoughts in that department. I will say however, Fungi, whilst fascinating, has always been deeply unsettling at times
My highlight book for the month of February was Fable for the End of the World by Ava Reid.
As I work my way through Ava’s back catalogue, I’m finding more and more that I really enjoy her writing. This book was a sapphic, enemies-to-lovers, dystopian standalone that left me wishing this book was longer.
I have seen people complaining about the ending, and I won’t spoil it here, but to me it felt needed. I would have hated a generic HEA after the trauma and character development we went through.
Mention of honour was my first DNF of the year, and that goes to The Atlas Complex by Olivie Blake. I think it was a mixture of me not caring for the characters or plot, and the gap between my completion of the second book in the series and picking up this one. I don’t think I have the energy to reread the other books before trying again. Also, the audiobook has like 10 narrators and that overstimulated me to no end. I still love you Olivie, and will buy pretty much everything you write.
So that was winter. I hope you have enjoyed this post and I will post again soon (once I’ve finished my assignment) noting what books I plan to read this spring :3
Toodles!
elizalilysmiles 