This might be one of the most successful January’s I’ve had when it comes to reading! I’ll have to do some research of my reading stats so stay tuned to see if I’m right. Here’s what I read:
The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi (The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi #1) by Shannon Chakroborty: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ a fantasy about a lady pirate coming out of retirement to do one last job and then shenanigans ensue? Sign me up. I loved the world building, the characters, and the way the plot played out. Anxiously awaiting for the sequel!
After Delores by Sarah Schulman: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.✨ this one is for the sapphic babes who love A24 films. I really liked the writing because when it it hit, it hit. And the way New York City was described made it feel like it was its own character. But overall, I felt disconnected from the main character, even though we were reading from her point of view.
Daughter of the Wind by Nora Carmody: I can’t say too much about this one because I reviewed it for Booklist but just know it’s a romantasy for the horse girls.
Dinner for Vampires by Bethany Joy Lenz: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ this one is for those of us who watched One Tree Hill religiously when it was on the CW. Bethany (aka Haley James Scott) recounts how she joined a cult while also filming the show, and the aftermath of leaving said cult. I definitely recommend this one on audiobook as she narrates it and other One Tree Hill actors make some appearances!
The Guy She Was Interested In Wasn’t a Guy at All (The Guy She Was Interested In Wasn’t a Guy at All #1) by Sumaki Arai: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ this is a manga about a teen who likes alt music and has a crush on an employee (thinking he’s a guy) at the local music store, but the employee turns out to be one of her female classmates. I don’t read a lot of manga so take my review with a grain of salt. The teen angst was real but I don’t know that the format is for me.
I Hate Fairyland, volume 1: Madly Ever After by Skottie Young: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ being 37, if I was stuck in my 10 year old body and have been trying to escape a make-believe world for almost 3 decades, I also might become a little homicidal. This was a fun read but not memorable for me. I will continue with the series though.
One Dark Window (One Dark Window #1) by Rachel Gillig: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ my first 5 star of the year and what a banger. I loved everything about this–magic tied to the land, legends that might be real. I just needed a little bit more of the Spirit of the Wood.
Two Twisted Crowns (One Dark Window #2) by Rachel Gillig: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ a great follow up to One Dark Window and a satisfying conclusion to the duology. I could still have used some more Spirit of the Wood though–like give me a book or a series with just her.
So that’s what I read in January! Have you read any of these? Let me know!
Reader, she was not successful with getting back into blogging in 2025. Is 2026 going to be the year? Stay tuned. In the meantime, here are my top reads of 2025.
A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna: this is my second Sanga Mandanna book that is a top read of the year (The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches being a top read of 2023), so it’s safe to say Sangu is an auto-buy author for me now. Her books are just so cute and cozy but not saccharine–I love the found family aspect in both of them and appreciate that while the books are sweet, the characters are real and deal with real shit. There just happens to be some magic involved.
Never the Roses by Jennifer K. Lambert: I was sobbing at the end. SOBBING. This is a fantasy romance with older characters which we love to see and they connect because one of them (a powerful sorceress) stole a book from the other’s (a powerful wizard) library. If that’s not a great start to a romance I don’t know what is.
Graceless Heart by Isabel Ibanez: in a fantasy, I love political intrigue and in a romance I love a slow burn. As a fantasy romance, this book had both and I ate it up.
Our Brave Foremothers: Celebrating 100 Black, Brown, Asian, and Indigenous Women Who Changed the Course of History by Rozella Kennedy: this one would make a great addition to your women’s history shelf, as it features BIPOC women who have been largely unacknowledged by history. I also liked that this collection featured prompts at the end of each profile to get the reader thinking and reflecting. If you’re a journaling kinda person, I definitely recommend!
Original Sisters: Portraits of Tenacity and Courage by Anita Kunz: besides being a beautiful collection of women’s portraits, I also thought it was one of the more inclusive “women throughout history” collections as there were multiple BIPOC, queer, and transgender women featured. Another great addition for your women’s history shelf!
The Diviners by Libba Bray: so I read the whole series in 2025 and overall the series is a 5 star series. I think the fact that this series, while debuting in 2012, still has relevant themes speaks to its longevity. The writing and character development were also well done–I found myself invested in the wellbeing of all of the main characters. I listened to most of the series on audiobook which I definitely recommend!
Columbine by Dave Cullen: in 2024 I read Sue Klebold’s A Mother’s Reckoning, which was a hard but fascinating read. After reading that I wanted to dive a little deeper and this title was already on my to-read list. Cullen does a great job relaying what he learned through is research and the writing was very accessible. A hard but necessary read.
Poverty, by America by Matthew Desmond: Evicted is one of my favorite nonfiction reads (excellent on audiobook) so obviously I had to pick up this one. While I didn’t find this one as engaging of a read as Evicted (which focused more on the human narrative), I did find the writing and information accessible and would recommend listening to the audiobook.
Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield: I really enjoyed The Thirteenth Tale by this author and this one did not disappoint either. Setterfield has a way of writing that elicits a fairytale/folktale style that is my absolute jam.
Sex and the City and Us: How Four Single Women Changed the Way We Think, Live and Love by Jennifer Keishin Armstrong: this was another author I read in 2024 (When Women Invented Television) and enjoyed, so I definitely wanted to check out her book on a television show that was a formative part of my 20s. I really enjoyed the writing and behind the scenes look and definitely recommend for anyone who is/was a Sex and the City fan (we’re not going to talk about “And Just Like That”).
Why Fish Don’t Exist: a Story of Loss, Love, and the Hidden Order of Life by Lulu Miller: this was an interesting memoir/biography about the author, an NPR reporter, who while researching David Starr Jordan, a 19th century taxonomist, came to realize he might be a model of how to find order in chaos, as she was dealing with some of her own. I thought it was well written and I definitely recommend the audiobook!.
90s Bitch: Media, Culture, and the Failed Promise of Gender Equality by Allison Yarrow: as someone who came of age in the late 1990s, this one really resonated with me as I remember seeing and hearing about how the women/subjects featured where discussed in the media at that time. I definitely recommend for anyone interested in women’s history.
Vagina Obscura: An Anatomical Voyage by Rachel E. Gross: so I’ll be honest, a lot of the science went over my head (I’m right brained, ok?) but overall this was a very enlightening read and stark reminder about how little women are taught about their own body.
Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez: this was such a cute romance that had me kicking my feet. I thought that the characters and relationship were relatable and the writing engaging. This is one of the rare first in a series book that had me wanting to read the second book before I was even finished with the first.
Surrounded: America’s First School for Black Girls, 1832 by Wilfrid Lupano: this graphic novel is about Crandall vs. the State of Connecticut, the first civil rights case in US history–and if that’s news to you it’s not surprising if you grew up in the US education system. A must read of Black history in the United States.
The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera: proof that adults can learn something too from juvenile fiction. This was a great listen on audiobook about a young Latinx girl who’s family is leaving a destroyed Earth for a new planet and what she encounters once she’s in space.
Pushout: the Criminalization of Black Girls In Schools by Monique W. Morris: the way the US education has failed Black girls is heartbreaking. Morris does a great job laying out her research that is interwoven with first person narratives from the Black girls she interviewed.
Memorial Drive: a Daughter’s Memoir by Natasha Trethewey: Tretheway is an acclaimed poet and former Poet Laureate, and it shows in the writing and the way she narrates the audiobook (which I definitely recommend). A poignant memoir that will have you reflecting on your own relationship with your mother.
The 1619 Project: a New Origin Story, edited by Nikole Hannah-Jones: this one is dense but so important of a read. A thorough history of Black Americans from the moment the first slave stepped on US soil, and the way slavery still defines the US today.
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke: this book was such a weird vibe read and I ate it up.
An African American and Latinx History of the United States by Paul Ortiz: another important read, especially if you went through the US education system. I recommend the audiobook for a more engaging reading experience as the physical book reads a bit like a textbook.
Paladin’s Grace by T. Kingfisher: I love me some T. Kingfisher, and this one didn’t disappoint. It was cute to watch the two main characters crush on each other while also trying to solve a mystery.
Nevertheless, She Wore It: 50 Iconic Fashion Moments by Ann Shen: I love Ann Shen’s artwork and found this to be an interesting look at fashion history, although I would argue that the book is more about fashion garments in history as opposed to fashion moments.
Bookish Broads: Women Who Wrote Themselves Into History by Lauren Marino: a lot of the writers featured you’ll have heard/read before, but there are quite a few new names (at least to me) that I will definitely be checking out. The writer does a great job with the short biographies and bibliographies, but I do wish she had left out JKR.
So those were my top reads of 2025! Have you read any of them? Do you agree or disagree with my thoughts? What were your favorite reads of 2025? Let me know!
Welp, here we are again. Apparently I can only update this blog once a year with my favorite reads of the prior year. Raise your hand if you heard me say I was going to try to get back into blogging last year? Do we think I’ll be successful in 2025?
Well, I’m going to try. In the meantime, here are my top reads of 2024. I’ll first share my 4 and 4.5 star reads and leave you with my two 5 star reads of 2024. Yes, only two! Your girl was a picky bitch in 2024 apparently.
Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb: After hearing Mara and Becca rave about the Realm of the Elderling saga for literal *years* I knew I had to hop on this hype train because FOMO is real. Especially book FOMO. And Robin Hobb did not disappoint. Ms. Robin can not only tell a story, but also write a story (and trust me, there is a difference). For the uninitiated, the Realm of the Elderling saga starts with the Farseer Trilogy where we first meed Fitzgerald Chivalry who grows up in his grandfather’s kingdom learning to be an assassin. And then the shenanigans go from there. And the cover!!! I’m obsessed.
The Kingdom of Little Wounds by Susann Cokal: this was such a weird little book and when I read the author’s note saying she wanted to write a fairytale about syphilis I was like “ahhh it all makes sense now”. I read this as part of the ALA Read These Banned Books 52 week reading challenge (which I was not successful in completing but it’s FINE). I’m not surprised it ended up on the list (the occult, female reproductive rights, queer characters–and in an YA book no less?? [she says with sarcasm]). But if you like a fairytale vibe with an edge (ala T. Kingfisher), which I happen to adore, then definitely check this one out.
The Guncle by Steven Rowley: this book was such a delight on audiobook. I did not anticipate enjoying a book about a gay uncle trying to help his niece and nephew as they navigate their grief but Gay Uncle Patrick made me realize that I really enjoy reading about grumpy men who are actually big cinnamon rolls.
The Curse of Sins by Kate Dramis: I can’t say much because this is the second book in The Curse of Saints series by Kate Dramis, but who knew a fantasy could also feature a workplace enemies-to-lovers romance? And when I tell you that the angst is angsting and that it was *chef’s kiss*.
Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan: this is a middle grade historical fiction about three children in the years leading up to and during World War II who are somehow connected by a magical harmonica. Very tug-on-your-heartstrings but not in an emotionally manipulative way. I definitely recommend the audiobook because there is harmonica music playing throughout.
Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb: After finishing the Farseer trilogy (which all books got 4 stars but it didn’t seem fair to have them all featured on this list), I immediately had to pick up the first in the Liveship Traders trilogy. A sentient ship, a fiery protagonist and pirates? Count me in.
Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas: turns out I was not immune to picking up the Maasverse and proceeded to consume all of her series. KoA is the final book in the Throne of Glass series so again, I can’t say much but I can say I wish to be financially compensated for the emotional damage I endured. And Manon Blackbeak is that girl.
A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas: while not the last book in the A Court of Thorns & Roses series, this is the 5th book in the series so….all I will say is that Nesta Archeron was so relatable and maybe the most authentic character SJM has written.
Five Broken Blades by Mai Corland: this is the first in a debut fantasy series, so I can say something! This follows a motley crew as they are summoned together and given the task of defeating a god-king. It suffers debut book syndrome of telling vs. showing, but the characters and action make it worth the read!
How Not to Drown In a Glass of Water by Angie Cruz: one thing about me is that I am a character reader and so I love novels that essentially just follow characters around (as long as they’re interesting) as they live their lives and/or are reflecting on their lives. And How Not to Drown In a Glass of Water does both! This follows Cara, who has lost her job during the Great Recession, as she’s set up with a job counselor to try and secure another job. During their sessions together Cara shares stories from her life that give insight to the woman she has become. This is another one to listen on audiobook as the narrator does a great job and there’s other sounds that make you feel like you’re in the sessions with Cara.
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller: on this blog we support gay love, and we support Madeline Miller. So when she writes about a romance between a Greek hero of myth and a minor prince, we will read it and we will enjoy it. Miller just has a way of lulling you into the story to where you feel like you’re just a ship riding the waves of her words across the seas of her pages. I don’t know if that make sense but I don’t know how else to describe it. Anyway, read this book!
Unlikeable Female Characters: The Women Pop Culture Wants You to Hate by Anna Bogutskaya: ok to be honest, when I first picked this up, I did not realize it was about women in film–I thought it was about women in the broader pop culture sphere. But that’s on me because this was definitely a title buy! And I wasn’t mad about it. Bogutskaya does a good job of structuring the book by different female archetypes featured throughout film history and interweaving her experience with the points she’s trying to make. And the book has a list of the films that were mentioned that I definitely need to add to my watch list!
Noisemakers: 25 Women Who Raised Their Voice & Changed the World: this is a middle grade nonfiction that features 25 profiles of famous women throughout history, with each profile being done by a different artist. One thing that I think sets this apart from the other middle grade nonfiction books of this type is that each profile features different traits the famous woman has and asks the reader what they might have in common with that person.
The Women’s Hour: the Great Fight to Win the Vote by Ellen Weiss: I listened to this on audiobook, which I definitely recommend. I thought it was well written and well researched. I didn’t realize upon picking it up that it mainly was about Tennessee’s pivotal role in ratifying the 19th amendment but that’s just me not reading the synopsis lol. I appreciate that the author also acknowledged the intersectional politics and racial discrimination that came with the US suffrage movement. Definitely add this to your women’s history reading list.
The Three Mothers: How the Mothers of Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation by Anna Malaika Tubbs: the epitome of “behind every great man is a great woman”. I think the author did a great job telling the story of Alberta King, Louise Little, and Berdis Baldwin. She didn’t have a lot to work with because unfortunately not a lot has been documented about these women but you could tell the author really cared about telling their stories with dignity and respect. I think this was a valiant effort to bring these women out of the footnotes of their famous sons’ histories.
Our Lives, Their Battlefields: War Through the Lives of Women by Christina Lamb: It’s hard to say I “enjoyed” this book because the topic is disheartening and enraging, but I definitely appreciate it for the project that it was. R*pe is a constant war tactic yet is never prosecuted as a war crime–make that make sense. And many of the women are victimized twice–physically and socially. I definitely recommend this book if you’re interested in these kind of issues, but just beware of the heaviness of it.
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration In the Age of Color Blindness by Michelle Alexander: this one expertly explores how even though Jim Crow laws have been erased, Black descendants of victims of Jim Crow laws are they themselves still living in their own Jim Crow era because of the way the legal and justice system oppresses the Black community in America. If you’re a D.A.R.E graduate like myself, you remember the “war on drugs“. This is what the author is talking about. If you like this I also recommend Caste: the Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson.
Freedom Is a Constant Struggle by Angela Y. Davis: this is a collection of the activist’s speeches and writings on the state violence and oppression throughout history and the world. This one is even more relevant 10 years later, and the true epitome of “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere“. Listen to the audiobook so that you can hear her words in her own voice.
American Like Me: Reflections on Life Between Cultures: I really enjoyed this collection of stories from BIPOC actors, comedians, athletes, writers, etc., gathered by actress America Ferrera. It is a really insightful and poignant collection of the authors’ lived experiences, and what the “American” identity means to them. I think the stories can resonate with any reader and give food for thought on what it means to be “American”.
Midnight In Chernobyl: the Untold Story of the World’s Greatest Nuclear Disaster by Adam Higginbotham: If I could sum this up in one phrase, it would be “pride goeth before a fall”. Even though I did not understand much of the science being explained, the author does a great job connecting the reader to the human stories affected by this tragedy.
What We Don’t Talk About When We Talk About Fat by Aubrey Gordon: this was a tough read for me because it made me confront my ingrained biases against the idea of being fat and how my body image is distorted by having an anti-fat bias. But I thought Aubrey did a great job with the writing and laying out her themes, ideas, and discussion. I definitely recommend this one for anyone who grew up as teen in the early oughts and had their body image affected by the rampant fatphobia of that era.
We Were Once a Family: a Story of Love, Death, and Child Removal in America by Roxanna Asgarian: I was already learning about the complexities of US adoption from TikTok (listening to the stories of adoptees and foster parents) when I picked this book up, but wow did this open my eyes to the injustices within the system. I won’t say too much because I want you to read this but just know that Asgarian does a great job with the writing and takes great care with the subject matter and the stories she’s trying to tell. This one has stuck with me the most and is the one I’ve been recommending the most since I’ve read it. I implore you to pick this one up if you want to know more about the adoption/foster care system in the US.
So those were my top reads of 2024! Have you read any of them? Do you agree or disagree with my thoughts? What were your favorite reads of 2024? Let me know!
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