Book List

Let's face it, if you're a reader then you're in the market for book recommendations.  I write about the books that I'm currently reading in my weekly posts and do a "best of the best" list in my year end wrap up, but after accidentally writing an "everything I read in 2022" post I thought it would useful to keep a live page of this year's books.

Here is the real time list of what I'm reading in 2025.  I'll keep this page updated and then archive it into a regular post at the end of the year.

Just want to see a spreadsheet instead of my ramblings?  Here is my 2025 book spreadsheet.

Disclaimer about DNF's and negative comments: it takes two to tango.  If I don't like a book, that's a reflection on both the book and me.  I used to avoid saying anything negative about anything, but I think that it's helpful for you to see what I don't like so that you can assess how well my reading tastes line up with yours.  I just want to be very clear that because I don't like something at a particular moment in time doesn't mean that it's bad or that it won't work for you.  I also like to point out that my number of published books is zero, so it's at least one less than any author whose work I don't like.

2025 Booklist

I is for Innocent by Sue Grafton.  This was a perfectly fine, but not outstanding entry in the series.
  • How I heard about it: continuing the series.

The Blue Sisters by Coco Mellor.  DNF at 10% - I was already getting the sisters confused and not connecting with them.  Honestly I wanted The Blue Sisters to be The Shred Sisters, which it is not.

The Shining by Stephen King.  DNF after a few chapters.  I loved the movie, and I Ioved 11/22/63 by the same author...and for whatever reason I just couldn't get into it. 
  • How I heard about it: everyone has heard about this

I'd Rather be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life by Anne Bogel (audio).  This was a delightful two hour lover letter to reading by MMD (Modern Mrs. Darcy) herself.

  • How I heard about it: well originally I heard about it on the MMD website, but Engie's rave is why I read it.
J is for Judgement by Sue Grafton
  • How I heard about it: continuing the series.

 Money for Couples by Ramit Sethi.

Crow Mary by Kathleen Grissom.  A novel based on a true story of a young Native American woman who married an older white trader and traveled with him to Canada.  When a Bad Thing happened, she took care of business.  I loved this book.
Wake Up and Open Your Eyes by Clay McLeod Chapman.  DNF.  I wanted to like this satire about a man whose parents have fallen under the spell of "Fax News" but it quickly became a zombie-ish slasher book which wasn't what I was looking for.  It's the right book for somebody, just not me.
  • How I heard about it: NYT article
 
Chemistry by Weike Wang.  When you're an up and coming PhD student, your perfect boyfriend proposes, and your life falls apart.
  • How I heard about it: I heard about another book by the same author that has a long Libby hold.  Lisa alerted me to this book, which was the author's first.

K is for Killer by Sue Grafton.

  • How I heard about it: continuing the series

The House of My Mother by Shari Franke (audio).  When the scene on YouTube and the scene behind the cameras are very different.

Annie Bot by Sierra Greer.  When you're the perfect girlfriend.  And you're a robot.

  • How I heard about it: everyone has heard about this.  Stephany's review pushed me to get on Libby and check it out.

Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney.  A famous writer's wife disappears while driving home, leaving a slew of unanswered questions.  A year later there is an island, a crossover with Yellowface, and a woman who sure looks like his wife.  This was a "good enough to keep reading" low key thriller.

Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera.  When you wake up covered in blood and your best friend is dead but you don't remember anything until five years later someone does a podcast about you.  I love books, and I love podcasts, but I usually don't do well with books about podcasts.  This was another "good enough to finish" thriller.

  • How I heard about it: everyone has heard about it.

The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery.  Move over Anne with an E!  This book was a delight from the first page to the last. 😻😻😻

  • How I heard about it: Engie!  It's the current CBBC book.

Funny Story by Emily Henry.  When your fiance decides to leave you for his lifelong best friend, and you need to start your life over.  Who can relate?  Your ex-fiance's best friend's ex-boyfriend knows exactly where you're coming from.  Let's hear it for the "romance with some meat on its bones" genre!

  • How I heard about it: everyone has heard about this.

The Strange Case of Jane O by Karen Thompson Walker.  A woman goes missing and can't remember where she was but remembers a therapist that she met at a party long ago and asks to talk.  The first few chapters were interesting, but I quickly lost interest and skimmed my way to the end.

L is for Lawless by Sue Grafton.  I felt like the story pushed the boundaries of probability at times (Kinsey takes a case for free and the next thing you know she's fronting her own money for airfare?), but I was more than willing to suspend disbelief and eat it up.

  • How I heard about it: continuing the series

Currently Reading

The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry.  When you and your long lost sister made up stories to get through WWII and fifteen years later you find them written down in a manuscript - any chance your sister is about to get found?  This "book about a book" is catnip to me.

  • This is one of those books that I've lost count of how many people I know loved it but just never got around to reading.  Elisabeth finally got me to take action and read it already.

 

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