Author: Tamsyn Muir Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ / 5 Medium: Audiobook + Feely book Length: 512 pages Genre: Fantasy/SciFi/Mystery Synopsis After rocking the cosmos with her deathly debut, Tamsyn Muir continues the story of the penumbral Ninth House in Harrow the Ninth, a mind-twisting puzzle box of mystery, murder, magic, and mayhem. Nothing is as it seems in the halls of the Emperor, and the fate of the galaxy rests on one woman's shoulders.

Author: Darcy Coates Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ / 5 Medium: Paperback Length: 352 Pages Genre: Horror/Thriller Synopsis A remote cabin in the snowy wilderness. Eight strangers. One killer. Nowhere to run Christa…

Author: Spencer Quinn Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ / 5 Medium: Hardcover Length: 305 Pages Genre: Mystery Synopsis Meet Chet, the wise and lovable canine narrator of Dog on It, who works alongside Bernie, a down-on-his-luck private investigator. In this, their first adventure, Chet and Bernie investigate the disappearance of Madison, a teenage girl who may or may not have been kidnapped, but who has definitely gotten mixed up with some very unsavory characters.

2025 was another good year of books. I continued reading more in the world of fantasy, with more science fiction and mystery/thriller books sprinkled throughout. It was a good mix of continuing series that I've had ongoing, but also finding enough standalone books to keep things interesting. I also found myself to be a lot more critical of books if I didn't enjoy them as much.

Author: Frances White Rating: ⭐1.5 / 5 Medium: Hardcover Length: 464 pages Genre: Fantasy Thriller Synopsis For a thousand years, Concordia has maintained peace between its provinces. To mark this incredible feat, the emperor’s ship embarks upon a twelve-day voyage to the sacred Goddess’s Mountain. Aboard are the twelve heirs of the provinces of Concordia, each graced with a unique and secret magical ability known as a Blessing.

Author: Stuart Turton Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ 3.5 / 5 Medium: Audiobook Length: 16h 42m Genre: Mystery/Thriller Synopsis Evelyn Hardcastle will die at 11:00 pm every day, until Aiden Bishop can identify her ki…

Author: Asako Yuzuki Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ / 5 Medium: Hardcover Length: 464 pages Genre: Fiction, Thriller Synopsis Gourmet cook Manako Kajii sits in Tokyo Detention Center convicted of the serial murders of lonely businessmen, who she is said to have seduced with her delicious home cooking. The case has captured the nation’s imagination but Kajii refuses to speak with the press, entertaining no visitors.

Author: R. F. Kuang Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ / 5 Medium: Audiobook Length: 21h 45m (544 pages) Genre: Historical Fantasy Synopsis Robin Swift, orphaned by cholera in Canton, is brought to London by the mysterious Professor Lovell. There, he trains for years in Latin, Ancient Greek, and Chinese, all in preparation for the day he’ll enroll in Oxford University’s prestigious Royal Institute of Translation—also known as Babel.

Author: Lisa Tuttle Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ 4.5 / 5 Medium: Paperback Length: 93 Pages Genre: Horror(ish) Fiction Synopsis A widowed writer begins to work on a biography of a novelist and artist—and soon uncovers bizarre parallels between her life and her subject’s—in this chilling and singularly strange novella by a contemporary master of horror and fantasy. My Thoughts (Spoiler-Free) I had to read this book twice to fully appreciate it.

She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 / 5 | Historical Fantasy

Author: Hana Lee Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ / 5 Medium: Paperback Length: 368 pages Genre: Fantasy Synopsis Jin-Lu has the most dangerous job in the wasteland. She’s a magebike courier, one of the few who venture outside the domed cities on motorcycles powered by magic. Every day, she braves the wasteland’s dangers—deadly storms, roving marauders, and territorial beasts—to deliver her wares. Her most valuable cargo?

Author: Matt Haig Rating: ⭐⭐ 2.5 / 5 Medium: Hardcover Length: 288 pages Genre: Fantasy? Synopsis Between life and death there is a library. When Nora Seed finds herself in the Midnight Library, she has a chance to make things right. Up until now, her life has been full of misery and regret. She feels she has let everyone down, including herself.

Here’s the first some a few “catch-up” posts I want to do, to go over some books I read before I revived this blog 2024 was a great year in books. I finally was able to up the num…

Author: Anthony Bourdain Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 / 5 Medium: Paperback Genre: Memoir, Non-Fiction Synopsis New York Chef Tony Bourdain gives away secrets of the trade in his wickedly funny, inspiring memoi…

Author: Richard Osman Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ 3.5 / 5 Medium: Paperback Length: 382 pages Genre: Cozy Mystery Synopsis In a peaceful retirement village, four unlikely friends meet up once a week to investigate unsolved murders. But when a brutal killing takes place on their very doorstep, the Thursday Murder Club find themselves in the middle of their first live case. Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron might be pushing eighty but they still have a few tricks up their sleeves.

Author: Lynn Buchanan Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 / 5 Medium: Paperback Synopsis In the country called One, dollmakers are vital members of the community. An artisan’s doll is the height of society’s accomplish…