My Top Books of 2025

Oops. I don't want to start every single post apologising for the absence on this blog, so this shall be the last time I'll do so!

Finally getting down to wrap up my reads of 2025. 

Total books read: 62

(down from 67 in 2024. 55 only in 2023, yikes. All pathetically far from my goal of 100.)

See all of my 2025 list here.

Lately I have difficulty liking the books I've read. Books I don't rate on Goodreads are usually books I found okay, so-so, or fine but not great, but I don't want to rate them and pull down the overall score. (I just feel so rude.)

As a result I usually only rate books that are 4 or 5 stars to me, and 2 stars to those that really anger me. 

My favourites of the year:

All the books I've read from Robin Hobb.  Easily one of my new favourite authors. What a gem.

The Farseer Trilogy + The Tawny Man Series

Funny thing is I had her books sitting in my Kindle for years and never got around to reading them (and yes, I thought the books were authored by a man.) It is only recent that I've discovered the wonderful world of Robin Hobb.  They are tomes of magic. Excellent relationship and world building. Five stars all around.

I enjoyed these:

• Early Riser by Jasper Fforde
  
  
  

  
  
• Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy
  
  
  
  
  
• A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson 
  (I also watched the show on Netflix!)
  
  
  
  
• The Original Daughter by Jemimah Wei
  
  
  
  
• Buttermilk Graffiti: A Chef’s Journey to Discover America’s New Melting-Pot Cuisine : Edward Lee
  Did not expect a cookbook/ food writing to be so interesting. A new genre for me to explore!

I had a whole 'witch' era in 2025 and read a whole bunch of 'witchy' books. 

• Born Wicked 
• A Harvest of Hearts
• Uprooted
• The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches
• The Witch's Heart
• The Spellshop

Somehow I couldn't find something with enough weight and 'spookiness' for me. (Already read Alice Hoffman and Deborah Harkness before. The search continues...)

I only liked this out of the lot:

The Nature of Witches : Rachel Griffin

An angsty, weather witch? This was interesting to read! 

Interesting premises:

Shark Heart by Emily Habeck

This book is quite out of the world. I love how it is so outlandish.

I also tried a whole bunch of books from Japanese and Korean authors since they were topping all the book charts, but they were really not my cup of tea. (Strange Pictures, all books that have some kind of cafe, bookshop, or restaurant in the title. lol) If any of you enjoyed those, please tell me why. I really want to understand.

Fun to read:

• 
  100 Side Hustles: Unexpected Ideas for Making Extra Money Without Quitting Your Day Job
  
  
  
  Fun, inspiring stories! Makes you want to jump off the couch to start your own project.

• The Shape of Ideas: An Illustrated Exploration of Creativity

Show was better than the book:

Sounds sacrilegious even to me, but I'm shocked to find that there are even books in this category. For me, it was The Magicians by Lev Grossman. The TV series simply outperforms the original source material. 

Disappointing:

This category is sad because these books are from authors I like and therefore expect more out of. Breaks my heart. 

Sister Snake

Was anticipating this book from Amanda Lee Koe, and wished it was more. More bold, more building up the supposed strong sisterly relationship. 

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

Really enjoyed Leigh's other books, especially the Six of Crows series, so this was a let-down.

Made me mad/ waste of my time...:

Katabasis by R.F. Kuang

IS THE ONLY GOOD BOOK FROM R.F. KUANG BABEL? (even with its flaws)

This book made me so MAD and so impatient. 

A Harvest of Hearts by Andrea Eames

Blob: A Love Story by Maggie Su

DNF: 

Alchemised by SenLinYu

I can't believe this book is topping so many lists! I found it problematic and couldn't sit through the whole thing. 

........... end..............

Overall, I don't know if I have become a cynical (or discerning?) reader, or basically most of the stuff on book charts are no good? Practically everything is a 'best-seller' nowadays.

I believe that maybe my personal leanings to certain genres have tainted my overall taste too. I guess it's part of growing up, just like how older people tend to dislike the works of younger authors/artists.  Guess I'm in the old club now, because I'm going to revisit books from the older eras. 

Update for 2026 reading so far: 22/100

I pray that I encounter great books this year. It's getting harder and harder to sift through everything and find something I enjoy. RECOMMENDATIONS WELCOME.

Love,

Skye