26ish books 2025

Thanks for the new thread - always a great place for inspiration.

I’ve just finished my first book of the year so off to a good start.

1. Death at the Sign of the Rook by Kate Atkinson
I really loved this, the latest Jackson Brodie detective novel. I think I’ve read them all over the years but not for a while. I don’t normally do crime fiction, but these books are really character-driven and exciting. This one’s got a fun, metatheatrical side to it as much of it is set at a murder mystery weekend. Highly recommended.

Not sue what’s next - will browse the thread for inspiration.

Oh can I join? I want to read more books.
I finished Elektra by Jennifer Saint today - it's taken a few weeks as I found it a bit heavy going to start. I've enjoyed her other two books - Atalanta & Ariadne though.

Today I've started Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch - already 100 pages in & loving it.

Thanks for recommendation. I've read and enjoyed a couple of his books so think I'll put this on the list.

My goal over the last few years has just been to read more, however I'm adding finish the books you start to that goal!

So I finished The Old Man and the Sea, and now I'm reading another I started last year A Man Called Ove.

I’d love to join to. I tend to read about 20 books a year.
I just finished a Milly Johnson Christmas book yesterday and so my 1st book of 2025 is The Mercy Chair by M W Craven. It’s book 6 in the Washington Poe series. I’ve absolutely loved all the others.
i look forward to my tbr list increasing rapidly from this thread.

1. I haven't been entirely honest with you, Miranda Hart

1. The Cracked Mirror, Chris Brookmyre

The Cracked Mirror had me hooked and had the most unexpected twist. Would recommend.

1 Run, Rose, Run by Dolly Parton and James Patterson. This was really fun and very easy to read. Might fit your bill @Allnewtometoo ? Chapters of a couple of pages long, pacy storyline and lots of cheese. Perfect for the post festivities slump.

Fiesty young girl trying to escape her mysterious troubled past seeks to make it in Nashville.

Dolly did a companion album of the songs in the book. Most weren't at all how I imagined them in my head but that said I'm not very imaginative and it's a great idea. All the lyrics are at the back of the book too.

Book One I am reading the last Hilary Mantel book- The Mirror and The Light. I have read the other ones in the series. It is heavy going but I am trying to do about fifty pages a day. Not too bad so far!

I started a thread asking for easy enjoyable reads to get me started again so am going to work my way through a few of those first, before looking at the books in my TBR pile..

Book 2 started yesterday - How to kill your family

I'm yet to get into it, but it's early days. I'm one of those who likes to finish a chapters and found them loooong.

1. Maurice by EM Forster

1st book of the year, well I started last year. I always try to read 1 or 2 classics every year and realised late that I hadn't read any in '24.

Probably not his most well written book but a great book. Written in 1913 but he asked for it to be published after he died, so was not published until 1971. Basically about gay love and relationships in an era when it was illegal. From a social historical perspective really interesting but also sad, but there's a happy ending!

I've just reserved it from the library!

I'm always late to the party - got a secondhand copy of Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow a few months ago that I haven't started yet. I think that was really popular on the 2022 thread!

Hope you enjoy it. I loved it when I read it a few years ago. What a story!

We’re going to have to try to find The Mercies for 2025, I think it was far and away the thread favourite

Now started on gone with the wind

First one done - started long ago in 2024. The price of time. Non-fiction. Dry, very dry.

Oooh, looks like there's a new Wally Lamb out in May, The River Is Waiting.

I would like to read the work he did with female prisoners but I'm reluctant as apparently one or more have said they weren't happy with the publication. If anyone on here has read them I'd be interested on your views.

First book finished!! Really pleased! I've had an ill child so we've been lolling around at hone, so I read instead of mindless doom scrolling.

The Hike by Susi Holliday. Completely ridiculous but easy reading and got me started. I think it was an amazon freebie.

@DiggoryVenn
Oh wow, I didn't realise that John Irving is still writing!
He used to be my favourite author back in the days of Owen Meany, Hampshire Hotel and (personal favourite) Cider House Rules.

@Snozzlemaid
If you like short stories with a frosty/wintery theme, try Antarctica by Clare Keegan.

Now I think of it, the content isn't frosty but the title and cover (beautiful btw) are!

Oohh so much love for The Mercies here, I chose it for my book group this year. Can't wait to read it.

I managed 17 books last year, I have a lot of time to read but I'm not a particularly fast reader!

Currently reading and LOVING Chris Whitaker's All the Colours of the Dark.

I'll join you too. Managed a poor 16 books last year but really want to read more. I have such a big pile to read.

I've started a selection of short stories by different authors, The Winter Spirits, Ghostly Tales for Frosty Nights. About half way through and really enjoyed every story so far.
Perfect ghost stories for this time of year.

I'm joining this thread.
I have a few books to read and I've decided that I'm going to do less social media and more reading this month at least. Hopefully to start me off.

@therewasafishinthepercolator I do love Bob Mortimer and I'm on the Avocado Hotel. It's just Gary is genuinely whiny and a bit of a red flag. He latches on to women who are down and need love. I have loads of love for Grace and Lassoo 😹

My next books are

• Guenther Steiner - Unfiltered
• Richard Cole's - Murder at the Monastery
• Matt Whyman - inside Mercedes
• Rob Rinder - the suspect

And two Freida McFadden books

I've also got three in my Amazon cart because I want to complete more Goodreads challenges this year

😆 I read read The Satsuma Complex and liked it will enough - love Bob Mortimer- so got the sequel on Audible. But I've yet to start. For some reason I'm just never in the mood for it. It'll be on my list this year though.

Not sure why the reluctance- maybe its because the main character is a needy whiny creep. 🤔🤣

I started How to Kill your Family - Bella Mackie today. Have it in book form and on Audible. Is FAR better in book form. I prefer the protagonist's voice in my head far more than the Audible narrators. But handy to switch to some chapters when I'm cooking / driving. Glad to get back to book though.