2025 Reading Wrap-Up and 2026 Reading Goals
The end of a year is a reflective time. For us readers, we carry inside our hearts the many adventures we embarked upon that lived between book covers. We also begin to feel invigorated for the new world’s we will dive into next. But before we officially close the door, let’s reflect on those tales. The one’s that held us through a dark night or fueled us on a sunny day. I’m closing out 2025 having read 30 books (apart from client work and my manuscripts) in this end-of-the-year reading wrap-up. I’m sharing book reviews from quarters three and four, which includes 15 titles. Grab a cup of coffee and dive in!
If you’re interested in the book reviews I read for the first half of the year, you’ll want to start with this blog post. In that article, I shared 15 other book reviews and discussed how to get out of a reading slump. I endured an intense reading fatigue—uncertain if I was going to come out of it. But I did. And in that blog post, I shared exactly how, so if you’ve ever had a tough reading slump, you’re going to want to read that article.
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Quarter Three Reading Wrap-Up
This time I only DNF’d ONE book in the second half of the year compared to SIX in the first half. So, the strategies I utilized for my reading slump worked wonders for me.
Okay, let’s dive into the book reviews:
Lake of Glass by V.K. Dixon
1984 by George Orwell
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
The Blooms that Broke Us by Ashley Dill
The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey
Lake of Glass (Archives of the Warden, #1)
by V.K. Dixon
★★★★★ | Xenia House Press October 18, 2022
Summary: Two brothers are beckoned into a small town when their estranged great-aunt passes away, leaving everything to them. But… there are more secrets in this town than they ever imagined. The brothers feel like they just stepped into one of their own stories as they uncover supernatural entities and multiple animal attacks. Do they choose to leave this spooky town after finally inheriting financial freedom and time to write? Or do they stay and fight against the darkness?
Book Review: I absolutely adored this story. V.K. Dixon markets this book series for readers who enjoyed the popular sci-fi/fantasy CW fantasy stories of the 2010’s, which included, The Vampire Diaries, The 100, Regin, etc. She upheld this promise. What’s genius about V.K Dixon’s writing is that she sets up her chapters much akin to a tv show, therefore, her books felt similar to the experience of watching the aforementioned programs. This series was also set up with a similar plot; it’s a small-town ghost story, with secrets, and supernatural beings. Her worldbuilding was immersive and the characters had such great dynamics. V.K. Dixon became one of my top recommended independent authors to read, and I am currently reading book two in the series. I highly recommend checking out her work.
1984
by George Orwell
★★★★★ | Berkley May 6, 2003
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Summary: Winston Smith works a dull life for the Ministry of Truth, where Big Brother and the Thought Police monitor everyone’s movements. It’s not until Winston falls in love with Julia that his eyes open to the tyranny of the Party, he discovers that there is so much more to live for. Will he join the rebellion and live to tell the tale, or will the oppression of the government reign on?
Book Review: This book was haunting. 1984 is timeless and beautiful, yet horrific. I loved this story. It is one of those books that needs to be ingested slowly— at least for me. They say that history is cyclical, and it felt like George Orwell was speaking about the current era, yet this novel was written years prior, set in 1984. If you haven’t read this book, this is your sign to pick up this novel and read it. I listened to the audio version on audible and the narrator did a fantastic job.
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine
by Gail Honeyman
★★★★★ | A Pamela Dorman Book / Viking | An imprint of Penguin Random House LLC JUne 5, 2018
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Summary: Eleanor Oliphant says everything she thinks and lives within the confines of her routine; she goes to her nine-to-five office job during the week, schedules weekly phone calls with Mummy, and indulges in flatbreads with vodka on the weekends. When Eleanor needs IT help, the new guy Raymond comes to the rescue; he's unhygienic, but witty and vibrant. Their lives collide when they rescue Sammy, an elderly man after he falls. They get pulled into his world; Sammy becomes an anchor for their friendship. Soon Eleanor and Raymond form a stronger bond and begin to see the inner depths of each other. Hidden inside, they find darkness, adoration, and addiction.
Book Review: This was a reread. Not only was it one of my favorite books from 2024, but I use it as a story example within the novel planning notebook I launched in 2025. I felt compelled to reread this story for research to enhance that writing tool and I was reminded why I loved that story.
The Blooms that Broke Us
by Ashley Dill
★★★ | Ashley Dill Paperback December 12, 2023
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Summary: Miranda finds herself tired of living in fear from her abusive boyfriend. She takes her son and leaves. She collides with her ex-husband while on the run because she’s come back to her old town to see about an inheritance she’s promised—well they’re promised. The two of them are both quickly pulled back into each other's lives due to the guidelines of the inheritance, forcing them to work together. But the closer they get, the more their past is dug up, and Miranda can’t help but wonder if maybe they should leave it where it lies.
Book Review: I loved We Redeemed the Rain by this author, so decided to give her work another read. And while it was good, I wasn’t entirely moved in the same way I was in the previous novel. This book is heartfelt yet grounded in its themes, and overall, I enjoyed it. I’d recommend this book.
The Snow Child
by Eowyn Ivey
★★ | Paperback by Back bay Books november 6, 2012
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Summary: In 1920’s Alaska, a couple live on a homestead enduring winter after winter. One day, torn by loneliness, they build a child out of snow. The next day, it’s gone and a child is running through the woods. Could this be the wish they’ve been asking for? Or did they just jump into a fairy tale?
Book Review: The premise reminded me of Pinocchio. I thought for sure I’d love it. I thought it would be a heartfelt tale following a family who simply wanted and received a child—it was quite different. The story completely pivoted from the miracle buildup, betraying the characters and theme of the book. I was thoroughly disappointed with the ending of this tale.
Quarter Four Reading Wrap-Up
6. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving
7. Cormoran Strike, #1: The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith
8. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
9. My Friends by Fredrik Backman
10. Crossroads by Devney Perry
11. The Horse Whisperer by Nicholas Evans
12. The Winner Stands Alone by Paulo Coelho
13. Little Women by Louise May Alcott
14. What the Wind Knows by Amy Harmon
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
by Washington Irving
★★★ | Paperback Penguin Classics September 30, 2014
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Summary: Ichabod Crane came to Sleepy Hollow to educate young minds, but the tales of the ghosts that haunt the town terrify him greatly. One night, the stories aren’t just that— Ichabod collides into a figure so menacing, he runs. Legend has it that Ichabod Crane was never seen again.
Book Review: This story is a classic to read during the spooky season. It’s a short fantastical piece that I wish I had more to explore because the action was so fast. After a slow introduction, the story was suddenly over.
Cormoran Strike, #1: The Cuckoo’s Calling
by Robert Galbraith
★★★| Hardcover Mulholland Books April 30, 2013
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Summary: Cormoran Strike lost his leg in Afghanistan and is trying to make a living as a private investigator. When a man comes to him with a case about the death of his sister ruled a suicide, Strike uncovers a darkness that just might consume him.
Book Review: This story is a crime thriller. While I love this genre, I simply wasn’t hooked. It seemed that I couldn’t connect with the characters— it was a masterfully plotted novel but left me feeling unfulfilled. Honestly, I was bummed about this because I thoroughly enjoy Rowling’s mystery writing, but I did not continue the series.
The Nightingale
by Kristin Hannah
★★★★★ | Paperback St. Martin griffin April 25, 2017
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Summary: On the precipice of occupied France in 1939, the Nazi’s invade and terrorize the people. This story follows two sister heroines, Vianne and Isabelle as they make an impact within their radius during WWII.
Book Review: This book ripped my heart apart. The Nightingale goes down as my favorite Kristin Hannah book to this day. I was hooked and devastated by this story. Stop what you’re doing and add this book to your TBR. If you read any of this author’s books, this is the only one you need to read.
My Friends
by Fredrik Backman
★ | Simon & Schuster Audio May 6, 2025
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Summary: A novel about art and friendship. Louisa is given a painting after her childhood friend tragically passes— she then takes on a journey to uncover more about the painting itself and plunges into more than bargained for.
Book Review: I DNF’d this story about halfway through. I’m not sure if it was solely because of the narrator, or the storytelling. Maybe it was both. I couldn’t finish it. The narrator read this story with a pseudo-intellectual bravado, emphasizing—every—single—word. It was distracting and made for a terrible reading experience. Secondly, the storytelling was a bit selfindulgent. Don’t get me wrong, I love when authors get creative and imbue metaphor or any other literary device within their writing becuase a lot of modern writing is lacking in it. However, there’s a difference between weaving it through your story and overindulging in metaphor. This book felt like it was trying to be artsy but missed the mark. I also didn’t care for the characters or their inner worlds. I didn’t connect with this book, which is unfortunate since I’ve enjoyed Backman’s work in the past.
Cross roads
by Devney Perry
★★★ | Brilliance Audio June 4, 2024
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Summary: A small-town romance about a woman going back to the rural town she spent her summer vacations in youth. It was a place she cherished small moments and a romance with West Haven— the boy who stole her heart. But life pulled them apart. She returns to it as the new owner, not just a paying vacationer. The changes she makes gives her more enemies than friends—including West. His family owned it prior to her purchase and let’s just say he’s not happy about it.
Book Review: I went into this novel looking for a small town, heartfelt story. And it did provide, however, this book is spicy, which I hadn’t anticipated. They were honestly overdone. The structure was mostly plot with little character dynamic buildup, which made me believe the book solely counted on the spice elements, and not the storytelling. It’s an easy-read and I got through this title within a week.
The Horse Whisperer
by Nicholas Evans
★★★★ | Reissue by Sphere 2020
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Summary: A snowy morning changes four lives forever. When Grace and her horse endure a life-altering riding accident, can they overcome their trauma? Her mother, Annie, does everything she can to heal them. She even travels to rural Montana to find a legendary horse whisperer. He might be their last hope at wholeness.
Book Review: I loved almost every moment with this novel. It’s the kind of book you digest in bite sizes because it’s so layered. The ending is tragic, which I expected since I’d seen the movie adaptation directed by Robert Redford. However, the endings are different, and I honestly didn’t like either. But, because the character transformation is so profound, I highly recommend this book.
The Winner Stands Alone
by Paulo Coelho
★★★★ | Hardcover by HarperOne April 7, 2009
Buy on Amazon
Summary: Celebrity is ever-consuming. Eager to please and be chosen for the limelight transforms the psychology of each individual. There are deals to make and a darkness that looms in the world of fame.
Book Review: Paulo is one of those authors whom I immediately read whenever I can. The title intrigued me and I was seeking a novel of substance and depth. Paulo always provides. This novel is outstanding as a psychological breakdown of fame and other elements within the entertainment industry. The themes explored were profound and I was left in awe. I wasn’t too fond of the thriller muder element of this book, but everything else was insightful.
Little Women
by Louisa May Alcott
★★★★★ | Sterling Publishing February 11, 2004
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Summary: This classic novel follows the lives of the March sisters from adolescence through adulthood. It explores the many beautiful small moments and larger hardships one endures within life. It’s an exploration of love, sisterhood, and grief.
Book Review: I adore Little Women. This novel took me an entire year to read and I’m grateful I took my time with it. There are technically two novels within this story, and I took a significant break between them, treating it more like a duology. This book can be read anytime; it’s a slice of life kind of tale that explores various themes of the human condition.
What the Wind Knows
by Amy Harmon
★★★★★ | Paperback Lake Union Publishing March 1, 2019
Buy on Amazon
Summary: A love story that conquers time. Anne Gallaher always loved her grandfather’s stories and just might be the lead in one of them. After his passing, she finds herself spreading his ashes in his homeland, Ireland, when she’s swept through time. Anne travels eighty years into the past, where war is imminent for the Irish. A doctor discovers her injured and nurses her back to health, there she finds her grandfather is a child. Anne must grapple with loss and love within a time she wasn’t ever meant to know.
Book Review: This novel is a historical time travel tale that explores love, grief, and time. This story blew me away. The plot was captivating, as were the characters. I loved how the author wove this story together through our main protagonist's narration, the letters from the love interest, and connected everything to the theme. She also introduced every chapter with a poem by W.B. Yeats, which I felt added another layer of her breathtaking storytelling skills. Every element propels the story with a captivating style. This book is truly beautiful and I highly recommend it.
That’s it! The second half of 2025 was a much better reading experience. I am grateful to the many authors whose worlds I stepped into last year, and I look forward to the next.
Reading Goals for 2026
Okay— now that 2025 is in the rear-view mirror, it’s time to discuss reading goals for 2026. A new year always feels abundant with reading possibilities; we get to dive into new worlds, we may even find our next favorite book.
I’m apparently determined to read more fantasy books as I peek at my reading list below. I also noticed a handful of non-fiction and classic books on the docket.
Upon reflecting, the last couple of years, my reading has mostly consisted of contemporary fiction, so I’m stoked for this new reading adventure.
Tell me in the comments below: what are your reading goals for 2026?
Although I have several books, I’m excited to read, I’m determined to not over plan too many because the one thing I’ve learned about myself is that I am more of a mood-reader. Overplanning my reading list makes it feel more like homework than fun. However, since I can average (outside of editing client work) reading 33 books/year. Therefore, there are about twelve books I’m making a goal to read this year, the rest will be determined by mood or will be part of the in-person book club that I’m a member of.
Before we dive into that list, I’m currently in the middle of three books that I need to finish reading from 2025.
The Traveling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa (77%) | Kindle Edition by Viking October 23, 2018 | Amazon
Vault of Stone (#2: Archives of the Warden) by V.K. Dixon (12%) | Kindle Edition by Xenia House Press October 17, 2023 | Amazon
Paradise Lost by John Milton (18%) | Paperback, by Sterling Publishing August 26, 2004 | Amazon
Twelve new books I want to read in 2026:
Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson | Tor Books | Amazon
Dune by Frank Herbert | Ace, 2019 | Amazon
Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert | Ace, 2023 | Amazon
The Iliad by Homer | Wordsworth Editions Limited 2000 | Amazon
The Odyssey by Homer | Wordsworth Editions Limited 2000 | Amazon
The Light and the Glory 1492-1793, God’s Plan for America by Peter Marshall and David Manuel (revised and expanded edition) | Revell 2009 | Amazon
Bad Therapy: Why the Kids Aren’t Growing Up by Abigail Shrier | Sentinel 2024 | Amazon
Get Signed by Lucinda Halpern | Hay House LLC 2024 | Amazon
Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody | Ten Speed Press 2018 | Amazon
The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien | William Morrow 2024 | Amazon
The Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle | Baker Street Classics Reprint 2022 | Amazon
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling | Arthur A. Levine Books 2003 | Amazon
Technically, I’ve planned about half of the books I intend on reading for entertainment and research for 2026, but I am beyond excited to read all of these books.
Let’s dive into why I chose to add these books to my list.
I’m excited to read Dune; I have the hardcover of the first book. I recently watched the first two films, which left me feeling inspired—enough to read the novels. It’s my goal to read the first two books in preparation for the movie Dune Messiah (Film Part Three) scheduled for release on December 18, 2026, directed by Denis Villeneuve. I’ve been listening to the score since watching the film, which is a great album to listen to. Hans Zimmer is one of the best composers of this era. If you’re looking for some writing music, add his work to your list.
I’m preparing to read Homer in preparation for Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey," which is coming out July 17, 2026.
I have a few non-fiction titles this year, something I want to try and pick up more of throughout the year. As I mentioned, the majority of my focus was on fiction last year, which is my favorite genre. However, I do believe it’s beneficial for my growth and skillset to branch out into other genres.
Finally, I have epic fantasy adventures to embark on. I’m stoked to begin my journey in The Lord of the Rings. I’ve never read them! I thoroughly enjoy the movies. I’m also diving into Sherlock’s world; I’m huge on detective crime stories, such as Batman, Heat, and many others. I cannot wait to dive in.
And finally, I am getting back into the wizarding world of Hogwarts. I sadly haven’t read Potter the last two years but I adore the world, and find J.K. Rowling an inspirational writer. I’m stoked to continue the series.
I have some ambitious goals—no doubt—but am beyond inspired by each of these titles, and that’s when reading is most enjoyable to me.
There you have it! This is my reading wrap-up for the end of 2025 and here’s to reading more books in 2026!
Thank you for being here and happy reading!
