What a year! Despite being very busy on the writing and publishing fronts, I managed to read 60 books in 2025, and it’s time to share my favorite reads of the year.
– STARLET by Danger Slater (horror, bizarro, humor): it was immensely fun and fucked up, exactly how I like my books.
– CASUAL by Koji A. Dae (science fiction, dystopia): more people need to read that book. I’m serious.
– THE WITCH’S LENS by Luanne G. Smith (historical fantasy): the good surprise of the year, the book I had no expectation for that I ended up devouring.
– REDUNDANCIES AND POTENTIALS by Dominique Dickey (science fiction): my book of the year. Novella writing at its best. I want to be like Dominique Dickey when I grow up.
– NOUS by Christelle Dabos (young adult, dystopia, fantasy): Christelle Dabos is officially my favorite contemporary author. She’s so good at what she does!
– RESTAURANT KID by Rachel Phan (memoir): the best memoir I’ve read in a while! If you haven’t read it yet, you’re missing out.
– THE FLOATING CASTLE by L.N. Holmes (epic fantasy): another great surprise. I didn’t know I would love it so much when I started it. My self-pub book of the year!
– TO BE TAUGHT, IF FORTUNATE by Becky Chambers (science fiction): I’m in love with Becky Chambers’s novellas.
– RAGE OF THE RAVEN QUEEN by Andrew LiVecchi (epic fantasy): a glorious sequel to SON OF THE THUNDER GODDESS. If you like epic fantasy with gripping battle scenes and a lovely cast, run to read this series!
– THE REVENANT OF SUROLIFIA by Florence Chien (political fantasy): another favorite I knew I would love before reading it, but I didn’t expect to love Lucas (the protagonist) so much.
– LOVE LETHAL, DEATH DIVINE by Jelena Dunato (dark fantasy): I gobbled it up! It’s so good.
– CHANGING PLANES by Ursula K. Le Guin (science fiction, short stories): I try to read one book by Ursula sensei per year and this one did not disappoint. An amazing of collection of interconnected short stories!
I hope this list helps you find books to add to your tbr. I strongly recommend each and every single one of them. Happy reading!
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