I read 45 books in 2025
Last year I shared that I read 33 books. When I kicked off 2025, I set a personal goal of reading 45 books, which averages out to around 3.75 books per month, or nearly a book a week. This was a pretty big goal considering my other work and family responsibilities, but I thought I could do it if I read every day.
As I mentioned last year, a big part of my professional contribution to the world is defined by writing. I think about writing papers the way that some may think about a math problem. I turn over what I want to accomplish in my head, I try different formulas, I add words, I subtract words, and at the end I hope I have solved the ‘problem’ of explaining something in a way that is compelling and makes sense.
Reading, to me, is both pleasure and professional development. Hearing stories enhances my empathy towards humanity and my craft. I had a friend recently tell me that they didn’t like one book I recommended because of the “SAT-level language” but those kinds of books stretch my brain in a way that I find fun.
My sister teases me that the question I want to be asked most is “do you have any book recommendations?” Queue my face lighting up like a Christmas tree! My favorite responses to my usual Katie’s Notebook emails are from people who have read a book I suggested and loved it. Reading builds community!
So, if you are looking for something to cozy up with during the holidays, a perfect gift for a fellow book-worm, or planning your own TBR (to be read) list for 2026, I hope this is helpful. My favorites from the year have a star at the end. There were a lot of other books I really enjoyed but the ones with a star got into my bones.
As we wrap up this year, consider this my gift to you, sent with love.
Books I read in 2025
Listed in the order I read them, starting with January 2025.
The Nightingale, by Kristin Hannah | Historical Fiction ⭐️
Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books, Kristen Miller | Contemporary Fiction
Perfect Strangers, J.T. Geissinger | Romance
The Idea of You, Robinne Lee | Romance
The Dutch House, Ann Patchett | Contemporary Fiction
A Letter to Three Witches, Elizabeth Bass | Witchy Rom Com
Onyx Storm, Rebecca Yarros (the third book in the series) | Fantasy
The Rivals, Jane Pek (a sequel) | Contemporary Fiction
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, Gabrielle Zevin | Contemporary Fiction (FAVORITE BOOK OF THE YEAR!) ⭐️
The Fall Risk, Abby Jimenez | Rom Com
Spark of the Everflame: The Kindred’s Curse Sage, Penn Cole | Fantasy
The Peculiar Garden of Harriet Hunt, Chelsea Iversen | Dark Magical Realism
The Briar Club, Kate Quinn | Historical Fiction
Glow of the Everflame, Penn Cole (book two in a series) | Fantasy
Artemis, Andy Weir | Science Fiction
The Whalebone Theatre, Joanna Quinn | Historical Fiction ⭐️
Kills Well with Others, Dianna Raybourn (sequel) | Crime/ Humor ⭐️
How to Age Disgracefully, Clare Pooley | Contemporary Cozy Mystery
Beg, Borrow, or Steal, Sarah Adams | Contemporary Rom Com
The Stolen Queen, Fiona Davis | Historical Fiction
Throne of the Fallen, Kerri Maniscalco | Fantasy
Raider of the Lost Heart, Jo Segura | Adventure Rom Com
Temple of Swoon, Jo Segura | Adventure Rom Com
Great Big Beautiful Life, Emily Henry | Rom Com
Martyr!, Kevah Akbar | Sad and odd. This is possibly the only book I’ve ever hated.
A Spy in the House, Y.S. Lee | Mystery
Be Ready When the Luck Happens, Ina Garten | Autobiography
Deep End | Contemporary Romance (This is VERY spicy)
Portrait of a Thief, Grace D. Li | Contemporary Heist ⭐️
The Night Circus, Erin Morgenstern | Fantasy
Atmosphere, Taylor Jenkins Reid | Contemporary Adventure/ Romance ⭐️ (Second favorite of the year!)
Instructions for Traveling West: Poems, Joy Sullivan | Poetry ⭐️
The Once and Future Witches, Alix E. Harrow | Historical Fiction with some Fantasy ⭐️ (Third favorite of the year!)
The Ex Hex, Erin Sterling
Magic Lessons, Alice Hoffman | Historical Fiction with some Fantasy ⭐️
The Kiss Curse, Erin Sterling | Witchy Rom Com
The Impossible Fortune, Richard Osman (the latest in a series) | Mystery
A Peculiar Combination, Ashley Weaver | Historical Mystery
The Diamond Eye, Katie Quinn | Historical Fiction ⭐️
A Darker Shade of Magic, V.E. Schwab | Fantasy
The Love Hypothesis, Ali Hazelwood | Rom Com
The Rose Code, Kate Quinn | Historical Fiction
The Kamaogawa Food Detectives, Hisashi Kashiwa | Contemporary Mystery
The Unmaking of June Farrow, Adrienne Young | Time Travel Mystery Fiction ⭐️
The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year, Ally Carter | Mystery Romance
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