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26ish books 2025

615 replies

Tinkhasflown · 31/12/2024 17:33

A shiny new thread for 2025.

All welcome and note 26 is just a number. Everyone can set their own target and you are welcome here even if you only read 2 books a year.

I personally count the larger novel style books I read to my children and audio books I listen to. Others don't and there are no rules.

I look forward to all your suggestions again this year.

OP posts:
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7
ReturnoftheBink · 03/01/2025 15:37

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

ReturnoftheBink · 03/01/2025 15:37

Now started on gone with the wind

Citygirlrurallife · 03/01/2025 15:41

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

Snozzlemaid · 03/01/2025 16:44

ReturnoftheBink · 03/01/2025 15:37

Now started on gone with the wind

Edited

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

MargotMoon · 03/01/2025 18:01

Citygirlrurallife · 03/01/2025 15:41

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

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!

Orangebadger · 03/01/2025 18:09
  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!

Allnewtometoo · 04/01/2025 09:45

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.

IVFmumoftwo · 04/01/2025 10:36

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!

Scout2016 · 04/01/2025 11:09

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.

ItWillBeDone · 04/01/2025 12:45
  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.

TidyupNowplease · 04/01/2025 14:03

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.

Troubledwords · 04/01/2025 18:34

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.

therewasafishinthepercolator · 04/01/2025 18:40

ItWillBeDone · 04/01/2025 12:45

  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.

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

APurpleSquirrel · 04/01/2025 18:57

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.

Chickoletta · 04/01/2025 19:19

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.

IDontDrinkTea · 04/01/2025 19:24

Citygirlrurallife · 02/01/2025 09:05

First book and a bit of a cheat as I actually started it on 30th

1: Never Met Me Go - Kazuo Ishiguro. I watched the film several years ago but the premise is revealed so slowly I think it spoiled the book for me really. I found it a bit overwritten and lengthy and wasn’t a fan of the voice of Kath and her repetitiveness though I see how he managed to sustain such a clear narrative voice was quite an achievement. Def prefer Remains of the Day

I’m glad you said this. I’ve often said this is the only example I can think of where the film is better than the book. Normally I fall asleep in films so always prefer to read rather than watch, but never let me go was a much better film!

LifeOfBriony · 04/01/2025 21:29

Hello, I’d like to join in! I think I read 26 books last year (I have a list upstairs).

I’m currently reading Orbital for my book group. A short one to start the year with.

Citygirlrurallife · 04/01/2025 22:49

Troubledwords · 04/01/2025 18:34

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.

What did you think of Old Man and the Sea? I read it a few years ago after being constantly recommended it by a (male) friend who said it was his favourite book ever. And I found it unbelievable y long and boring (and male navel gazy!) for such a short book

i really loved A Man Called Ove though. The original film is also fab, haven’t seen the Tom Hanks English language redo

ExtraDisorganised · 04/01/2025 23:17

@Chickoletta I've just started reading Death at the Sign of the Rook, having just listened to the whole Jackson Brodie series again, there are not many fiction books that I re-read but think that was my 4th time for the older ones and second time for Big Sky.

Of others mentioned so far I have loved Trespasses and Run Rose Run, been on the fence about How to Kill Your Family.

Troubledwords · 05/01/2025 06:57

@Citygirlrurallife I was the same, 100 pages and it took me 2 months. I think it would have been easier with chapters, but it just went on and on. I'm glad I read it as I can tick it off the must read lists but it's not one I'd read again.

TheDonsDingleberries · 05/01/2025 10:46

Finished my first book of the year: Winterset Hollow by Jonathan Edward Durham.

It was pretty good, but a lot of purple prose which it only got away with in part because it suited the setting (slightly antiquated, fairytale like characters living in a grand mansion). I personally would have preferred if the ending had gone in a darker direction, but really enjoyed the 'book within a book' element.

therewasafishinthepercolator · 05/01/2025 12:51
  1. How to kill your family Bella Mackie

Flew through first half. Found second half more of a chore and I didn't like the ending but that may just be me. It was silly with plot holes but I loved the protagonist's dry humour and observational wit. A bit of fun.

Enjoyed it well enough but it wouldn't be on my re- read list but I'm sure I will give her new book a go.

Have started I Know You by Clare McGowan. My usual Audible "thriller". Thank you 2 for 1 and £2.99 sales. I expect it will be fine but not set the world on fire. And that's grand.

therewasafishinthepercolator · 05/01/2025 12:53

That should be 2. Think it autocorrected. Or I'm a dope...

cromwell44 · 05/01/2025 13:00

Finished my first book of the year:

  1. The Safekeep by Yale van der Wouden. (audio book)
It took a good third of the book to get going, the reading style was very clipped and didn’t help but it was worth pursuing as overall it was excellent. Set in 1960, it dealt with personal repercussions of WWII in the Netherlands. There was lots of sexual tension but for me the interest was learning about some history I wasn’t aware of. Next book to be finished is Held by Anne Michaels which I’m struggling to finish, although it’s short. My audio book on the go is in contrast very listenable, John Boyne’s Fire. I loved his ‘ Water’ book in this series.
therewasafishinthepercolator · 05/01/2025 13:08

cromwell44 · 05/01/2025 13:00

Finished my first book of the year:

  1. The Safekeep by Yale van der Wouden. (audio book)
It took a good third of the book to get going, the reading style was very clipped and didn’t help but it was worth pursuing as overall it was excellent. Set in 1960, it dealt with personal repercussions of WWII in the Netherlands. There was lots of sexual tension but for me the interest was learning about some history I wasn’t aware of. Next book to be finished is Held by Anne Michaels which I’m struggling to finish, although it’s short. My audio book on the go is in contrast very listenable, John Boyne’s Fire. I loved his ‘ Water’ book in this series.

I love John Boyne and I'm excited to read that series this year. The Heart's Invisible Furies is one of my favourites.