26ish books 2025

5: Ultra Processed People - Chris van Tulleken

listened to this on audiobook and he is BRILLIANT narrating his own work, it’s interspersed with conversations between Chris and his twin brother as well which really brings it alive and makes it feel intimate. I think I’ll get it in paper and pick parts to read out to my family. I’ve had two friends die in the last 18months from bowell cancer, both aged 40, and that’s freaked me out about UPFs but this book was scary and illuminating. Just how it’s permeated every food system we have and how politicised it is too. I did have a moment of despair listening to the chapter on the impacts on climate change and the environment and “what the hell CAN I eat” moment but his manner never feels patronising or judgemental. Has def made me want to crack down harder on DC particularly who buy themselves all sorts of crap on a weekly basis

What a shame that everyone is finding Birnam wood cold..... it was on my "to read" list! And so it was the girl with the louding voice. So must move that one up....

Book 2 - Damon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver.

Love it. Love it. Love it. Not only is fabulous story, but it has so much heart and warmth. There are some pretty distressing moments, but my love for the main character carried me through. I was so much in love, that I felt it was a betrayal to start a new book!😳Don't think this has ever happened before!

But start book 3 and 4, I have.... listening to "night at the museum", and reading "Queenie". Still missing Damon....

I finished 3 books in January - and loved them all!

The Cheesemongers Guide to the British Isles - Ned Palmer.
Very interesting if you like history (which I do) and cheese (which I do A LOT). I started this before Christmas and just kept dipping in and out.

The Mercies - Kiran Millwood Hargrave
I think lots on this thread have read this, and I echo the recommendations. This one pulled me in immediately. The relationships between different female characters were so beautifully drawn, and carried you through even when the story got pretty dark.

The Girl with the Louding Voice - Abi Daré
Another one that pulled me in straight away. I loved Adunni from the start. This is essentially a Cinderella tale. There's a sequel which I will definitely read.

So a good start to the year. Last year I only managed 17 which was my lowest for a long time. I do listen to a lot of podcasts which reduces my audiobook time, but it was mostly because of getting into TV series and too much scrolling that I lost reading time. Would like to get back to my pandemic year high of 35 books or thereabouts this year.

3: Wicked - Gregory Maguire
I haven’t seen the show or the movie, but I hope (and imagine) they are better than the book! It was a bit of a slog to get through and not a whole lot happened overall. Sometimes a bit too political for my liking. Glad I have read it though. Will not be reading the other 3 books in the series!

Book #4 will be Gravity - Tess Gerritsen.

4: Birnam Wood. As above and the ending left me cold

Thanks @Citygirlrurallife. I think you’ve hit the nail on the head, Birnam Wood left me cold. No sympathetic characters.
I have Doppleganger as an audiobook and Intermezzo next.

@cromwell44 I’m currently reading Birnam Wood and agree with your consensus - it was recommended to me but I do so love a book that sucks you in and punches you in the gut and makes you fall in love with the characters and this…..isn’t that. Probably doesn’t help that I’m reading a book for work that is also tech related related thriller and much more character driven even though the writing isn’t as good (I don’t include books for work on my list though)

3. Mrs Weber's Diary by Posy Simmonds. Entertaining, enjoyable and undemanding which is what I needed as I've had flu.
Graphic novel / comic strip.

Another vote for miss bensons beetle I read it a few years ago it's fab.

I'm about to start "that bonesetter woman"

Mrs Benson’s Beetle is a lovely read.

2: What I Ate in One Year by Stanley Tucci
I do find Stanley very entertaining and I loved this book. There’s nothing earth shattering in it, but his love of food, family and friends are what shines through. A real comfort read.

….and I’m still ploughing through The Last Chairlift…

I'm struggling too! Traitors did take over my life though!!!
I have dipped in and out of a couple of non-fiction books (a self help and one on a film genre I like) but I don't really like including non-fiction in this.
I have been to the library today though and picked up Mrs Benson's Beetle and Dear Edward. Not sure which to read first but both sound good so am hoping they will kick start my 2025 reading!

I'm struggling too, watched a few things (traitors....) which took up some time . I have read yesterday and a bit today though, trying to make a conscious effort to sit diwn for half an hour probably doesn't help that the book I'm reading isn't gripping me. But I'm also conscious that TV and social media has ruined my attention span.

Really been struggling to get reading time we've had illness after illness here with the children. My 4 year old has lots of hospital appointments and feel like we've been every week since the start of the year

I read Poor last year @Tinkhasflown what an inspiring story.

On to my third book of the year - a reread of Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
Last read it as a teen & enjoying it more now I can understand the language & setting better. Decided to take a break from the Rivers of London series & go for something completely different.
Previous books so far:

1. Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch
2. Moon over Soho by Ben Aaronovitch

using the thread to keep track so

1. The Safekeep by Yale van der Wouden
2. Fire by John Boyne.
3. Birnham Wood by Eleanor Catton. I’m a bit perplexed by this book of two parts. It is a sort of an eco-thriller with the relationship between an Elon Musk type billionaire baddie and a guerilla gardening group. Very cynical about the power of the ultra-rich, very prescient. The first half established relationships and politics of young people developing into a pacy thriller in the second half. Well written and a good's read but not up there with my favourites, too much thriller for my liking.

2 Gone with the wind. Epic, some challenging norms and language presented around slavery and race to put it mildly, but an amazing story

2 - Joho Moyes - Someone Else's Shoes

Bit of light chicklit but was an enjoyable read!

Now reading another Jodi Picoult The Book of Two Ways - about a third of the way through - a good story and enjoying the history about Egypt and the whole death process/mummies etc!

Will move onto some Kristin Hannah after this I think.

3 At the Existentialist Cafe - Freedom, Being and Apricot Cocktails by Sarah Bakewell.

I loved this book, it's really interesting on the origins of a lot of modern (and navel gazing) thought, loads of political stuff, and philosophers as people. I felt like I knew Simone de Beauvoir after reading about her (but also know not to bother reading the early translations of The Second Sex!)
Took me about 6 years to read though!

3- Intermezzo by Sally Rooney
I read mixed reviews of this but I actually enjoyed it a lot, interesting to read a story about the complicated relationship between the two brothers. It slowed a little in the middle but overall I liked it a lot.

@CordylineCapybara I have read the first off The Thursday Murder Club last year and ever since have been undecided on whether to finish the series or not. I didn’t get the hype or find it funny. My husband says they get better as you go through the series though.

Finished books 1 and 2 over the weekend.

Hercule Poirot's Silent Night - Sophie Hannah
DH bought me this for Christmas because he knows I'm into Agatha Christie but didn't know which ones I'd already read. I was a bit sceptical but it was actually quite enjoyable.

We Solve Murders- Richard Osman
I've read all the Thursday Murder Club books (which are not amazing but entertaining enough) but couldn't really get into this. I think it was just too out there with the private jets/assassins/celebrities, I prefer a low key cosy crime!