I had an AMAZING reading month in November! Not only did I have multiple reads in the 5-star range, but I discovered fantastic new authors and read a mixture of fall and winter seasonal reads. Let’s get into it!

Stats

Total books read: 11

Physical books: 4

Fall vibes: 4

Winter vibes: 4

Girl Dinner by Olivie Blake (5 stars) – Olivie Blake blew me away with this biting, satirical, unconventional dark academia story featuring two heroines with intertwining narratives, a successful sorority with mysterious practices, different forms of misogyny and discussions of inclusive feminism, and the author’s signature gorgeous prose. This may be my favorite book of 2025.

The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin (5 stars) – I’ve been meaning to read James Baldwin for years, and this month my brother and I both finally read The Fire Next Time. His writing is incredible, and I’m definitely going to be reading more from him.

The House of My Mother by Shari Franke (4.5 stars) – This was a very tough read emotionally, but extremely brave and well-written. I ended up voting for this one in the Goodreads Choice Awards in the memoir category.

Mate by Ali Hazelwood (4.25 stars) – I loved this even more than Bride; I think part of that was being more used to the worldbuilding. I’ll read anything Ali Hazelwood comes out with, and this one exceeded expectations. It was my romantasy pick for the Goodreads Choice Awards this year.

A Pack for Winter by Eliana Lee (4 stars) – This was the second Cozyverse book I read this month, and I honestly would have gone straight into another if it had been published already. Unfortunately, I’ll have to wait until spring and summer to read the next installments, but I unexpectedly liked this one even more than the Autumn book. Our heroine this time is very career-focused and tends to over-work herself, which I can definitely relate to, and this author’s writing voice fit in seamlessly with the previous book’s. They both are great at relationship development among multiple partners, and this series is just so cute and sweet.

Anne of Avenue A by Audrey Bellezza and Emily Harding (4 stars) – This was the third, and unfortunately final, book in these co-authors modern Jane Austen retellings, and I’m really sad to see the series end. I wasn’t sure how I would feel about this one, despite loving the others, since Persuasion isn’t my favorite story of Austen’s, but I really liked how the authors adapted it. The second-chance romance worked well, and the side characters were excellent.

A Pack for Autumn by Emilia Emerson (4 stars) – I discovered this delightful new series, the Cozyverse quartet, co-written by two authors and set in a small, apparently very seasonal, town, and featuring poly relationships in an Omegaverse world. I liked that this one featured a plus-size heroine, and the author did a great job building relationships between her and all of the male leads. The multiple perspectives worked well, as did the fun cat instigator. I immediately started the second book in the series after I finished.

An Academy for Liars by Alexis Henderson (3.5 stars) – I love dark academia, and have been meaning to read more of it in 2025. I’m glad I finally got to An Academy for Liars; there are a lot of really interesting things about this book’s form of magic, and I enjoyed the protagonist and the friendships she finds at school. However, the romance didn’t really work for me; I just don’t like a student/professor relationship, and I also think the worldbuilding could have been more thorough.

Merry and Bright by Ali Rosen (3.5 stars) – This was a fairly fun Chrismakkuh holiday novella, which I appreciated, but it needed more time and development. I’d maybe read from this author again, but I checked out her full-length novels on Goodreads and didn’t vibe with the premises.

All Wrapped Up in You by Rosie Danan (3 stars) – This holiday novella was fine, but needed more time for its relationship to develop. I think it could have worked in a longer format.

The Courting of Bristol Keats by Mary E. Pearson (2 stars) – Ugh, reading this book was so frustrating. It had a premise with potential, but the main characters (actually, all of the characters) had absolutely no depth or personality, and therefore the romance was also completely dull. The family secrets plotline was really the only thing that kept me reading, and it just wasn’t worth it.

My fall reading started off with a bang with these great September reads! Even though I didn’t have a full 5-star, I really, really enjoyed almost everything I read this month, and the seasonal vibes were perfect, even though the weather still thinks it’s summer. I was on vacation for the end of the month, and finished 4 books during that time, which I was very happy with. Let’s get into it!

Stats

Total books read: 9

Fall vibes books: 8

Physical books: 5

BOTM: 2

A Dark and Drowning Tide by Allison Saft (4.25 stars) – This was a really great fantasy read, my first from this author, that was an interesting combination of dark academia, complicated friendship dynamics, murder mystery, Sapphic rivals-to-lovers romance, and historical commentary on anti-Semitism. I thought the writing was great and the characters complex, and the romance worked very well for me. The plot went in different directions than I expected, which wasn’t at all a bad thing, and I was left really glad I finally picked this one up. This definitely won’t be my last read from Allison Saft!

Play Nice by Rachel Harrison (4 stars) – I have high expectations when it comes to Rachel Harrison, and so even though I think this was a great book, it wasn’t close to my favorite of hers. I did really like how the book’s present-day action was interspersed with snippets of her mother’s book, and also the protagonist’s relationships with her two older sisters that really anchored the story. The romance, though, didn’t really feel necessary to me, and I could have used a bit more horror in its place.

You’re Invited by Amanda Jayatissa (4 stars) – This was a really well-written mystery/thriller that I apparently wrote down years ago when it was recommended on a BookTube video and never really thought about picking up until I was scrolling through audiobook options on Libby. The wedding setup, friendship/family relationship gone wrong, “unlikable/unreliable” narrator, and influencer aspects all really added up to a great book that I’ll be recommending a bunch.

My Killer Vacation by Tessa Bailey (4 stars) – A very fun romance with a murder mystery subplot that I really enjoyed reading while I was on my own vacation, which thankfully included no murders. I’m glad this was a Tessa Bailey that worked for me; I’ve read a bunch that have, and a few that haven’t, but this was great.

Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera (4 stars) – Why are mystery/thrillers featuring podcasts so much more appealing to me than those without? I really enjoyed this on audio, despite the fact that I’m not much of a mystery/thriller reader. It’s a good hook, and even though I find an amnesia plot kind of frustrating, I enjoyed the pacing, mystery, and podcast segments in this one.

ZomRomCom by Olivia Dade (4 stars) – This was less zombie horror and more spicy romance with a side of quirky fantasy characters than I was expecting, but definitely not in a bad way. I liked both the romance and the plot in this one, and Dade sets us up well for possible sequels featuring other characters and supernatural species in the future.

Apprentice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer (4 stars) – This series continues to be a fun and funny romantasy, with a combination of action, romance, and silliness that works great when I’m in the mood for it. I’m less interested in the overarching plot than I am in all of the lovable characters, and I’ll definitely be continuing on with Accomplice to the Villain at some point.

The Night Guest by Hildur Knutsdottir (3.5 stars) – This was a short, creepy horror audiobook that really worked for me this month. Even if it wasn’t a perfect read, I was intrigued and enjoyed the writing style as well as the dawning horror of the plot.

Follow Me to Ground by Sue Rainsford (3 stars) – This was my only disappointing read this month. I’ve had it on my TBR for years, and always assumed that I’d really enjoy this short horror novel. Instead, I really wasn’t into either the writing or the story itself.

Stats

Total books read: 10

Physical books: 5

Audiobooks: 4

ebooks: 1

BOTM: 3

2025 releases: 4

This Princess Kills Monsters by Ry Herman (4 stars) – This was an unexpectedly really great and unique take on fairy tales, which is one of the very specific sub-genres I love. The characters are well-drawn and easy to root for; the protagonist is great; her relationship with her family members was so much fun to read about; both love interests were interesting in their own way. I don’t think it’s as popular as it should be; it’s a book that so many people are going to love. I’ll also be really interested to see more from this author!

Cobalt Red by Siddharth Kara (4 stars) – This was a very informative, investigative piece of nonfiction focusing on a deep dive into cobalt mining in the DRC. I learned a lot, particularly about the concept of “artisanal mining,” and how harmful the demand for rechargeable batteries has been for the people of the Congo. I think this is an important topic, and I’d definitely recommend checking this one out.

Bloom by Delilah S. Dawson (4 stars) – This was a short, unsettling Sapphic horror novel featuring a cottagecore romance and creeping unease. It’s a perfect book to pick up during the fall; well-written and an easily one-sitting read.

Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross (4 stars) – I feel like I’d have preferred this duology to be a standalone historical fantasy romance, but I still enjoyed reading about Iris and Roman, even though they were separated for the majority of the book. I’m glad I finished their story, and I think Rebecca Ross writes well–I’m just not sure that this book was actually necessary in its entirety.

White Tears, Brown Scars by Ruby Hamad (4 stars) – Another nonfiction I picked up this month and would recommend; this one focused on how harmful the actions of white women have been historically, and still are today, towards people of color, and the need for greater awareness and action.

Chlorine by Jade Song (4 stars) – Even though I gave this 4 stars, this was kind of a disappointment, as I had envisioned it as a clear 5-star read. I love both fabulism and mermaids, so this seemed like it would be a slam dunk–and it was good, just not as amazing as I’d built it up in my head. Sometimes my expectations are the problem!

The Risk by Elle Kennedy (4 stars) – This was my 3rd Elle Kennedy sports romance of 2025, and they continue to be really fun.

Looking for Group by Alexis Hall (3.5 stars) – I’ve been a fan of Alexis Hall for many years, and I did enjoy this contemporary gaming-focused romance, but it wasn’t as strong for me as many of his other works have been.

Room for Two by Lana Ferguson (3.5 stars) – This was my introduction to Lana Ferguson, and I have several of her books on my TBR. It was a cute contemporary romance novella; I liked it but didn’t love it. It hasn’t really made me any more or less eager to try her other books, and I probably will at some point.

How Freaking Romantic by Emily Harding (3 stars) – I was disappointed by this contemporary romance from one of the co-authors of the modern Jane Austen retellings that I love (Elizabeth of East Hampton, Emma of 83rd Street). I didn’t feel like the characters had enough depth, and I didn’t enjoy the romance very much. The protagonist seemed very immature and under-informed for a law student, and I just wish I’d liked this one more than I did.

I kept with my annual tradition of reading only LGBTQIA+ books during Pride month, and ended up with my most productive reading month of 2025 so far! I was also able to give the first half of the year a strong finish, with 2 excellent books in the 5-star range and a bunch of other really enjoyable reads. Let’s get into it!

Stats

Total books read: 11

Pride month reads: 11

Audiobooks: 7

Audiobooks narrated by Natalie Naudus: 3

Ebook stories: 2

Physical books: 2

Eat the Ones You Love by Sarah Maria Griffin (5 stars) – I really, really loved this one. The audiobook really enhances the reading experience, in my opinion; the narrator giving voice to the sentient plant has this extremely creepy voice that blended perfectly with the gorgeously eerie writing. It’s a great book to pick up during the fall; it’s horror, but very manageable for those who scare easily, and it’s so well-written.

The Knight and the Butcherbird by Alix E. Harrow (5 stars) – This was a big surprise for me; it’s an ebook available on KU from an author I have read from before, but this was, without a doubt, my favorite thing she’s ever written. Sometimes short pieces just really distill down the best things about a story and its writing, and that was definitely true for this post-apocalyptic horror.

A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland (4.5 stars) – This was the longest book I’ve picked up in awhile, and it was excellent; it’s romantasy with court intrigue in an Ottoman Empire-inspired fantasy world, featuring a slow-burn romance between a prince and his bodyguard while the two work to solve a mystery that’s attempting to undermine the country and the crown. The romance is very lovely and sweet, and the book has a great mix of dialogue and action; I’m very glad I chose this as my long fantasy read for June.

Wild Things by Laura Kay (4 stars) – This was a fun contemporary in which four friends living in London opt instead to buy a house in the countryside together, which leads to them discovering more joy and love in their lives. It’s been categorized as a romance, but the romance is a lesser part of the story, in my opinion; it’s more of a friendship novel with a side of romance, and I really enjoyed it.

Single Player by Tara Tai (4 stars) – This was an enjoyable contemporary romance set in the world of video games and featuring an enemies-to-lovers romance. I liked it, but didn’t love it; my main gripe was that the “enemies” phase seemed a bit forced to me.

Your Driver is Waiting by Priya Guns (4 stars) – This was a really unexpected and surprising pick for me. First of all, it wasn’t on my TBR, and I randomly found it while searching through my library’s Libby app for audiobook ideas for Pride month. It’s also a book where I had no idea where the plot was going at any given time, which was a good thing. The writing was very immediate and visceral, and I was hooked by the plot and also the audio narration. I haven’t seen it talked about very much, but it’s definitely worth the read.

Love in Focus by Lyla Lee (4 stars) – Another cute contemporary, this time a second chance romance, which was sweet and a fun listen on audio.

Amelia, If Only by Becky Albertalli (3.5 stars) – This didn’t quite live up to my extremely high expectations after LOVING Imogen, Obviously, but it was still a fun and cute road trip story featuring lots of queer friendship and a dash of romance.

Homebodies by Tembe Denton-Hurst (3.5 stars) – This contemporary novel was slow-paced and depressing at times, but well-written, and explored interesting themes.

Undercover by Tamsyn Muir (3.5 stars) – This one may have suffered by comparison since I read it right after The Knight and the Butcherbird, which in my opinion was a much better post-apocalyptic short story. This one was interesting and disturbing, and much more straightforward than Muir’s novels.

Ace: What Asexuality Reveals About Desire, Society, and the Meaning of Sex by Angela Chen (3 stars) – I was really interested to pick up this book and learn more about asexuality, which I felt like I was really lacking knowledge about, and I’m glad that this book exists to provide information to allosexuals like me and solidarity to those who are asexual. However, I read a lot of nonfiction, and for me, the writing just wasn’t very strong, and the text was extremely repetitive; it’s a short book, but I feel like it could have been a lot shorter and still provided just as much content. I feel bad, because I wanted to really enjoy it and I know it’s an important book for so many people, but I just didn’t feel that it was well-written.

I had a fun and productive reading month in April, participating in Dewey’s 24-hour readathon and finding two 5-star reads from new-to-me authors. Let’s get into it!

Stats

Total books read: 8

Physical books: 6

2025 releases: 4

BOTM: 2

Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert by Bob the Drag Queen (5 stars) – This book was FANTASTIC. I loved Bob on RuPaul’s Drag Race; he was consistently hilarious and quick with comebacks. I had no idea that he was also a fiction writer, and an extremely skilled one at that. This book has a creative premise but a very human message, drifting between the broad and fabulist and the deep and personal effortlessly. I’ve been recommending the crap out of it, particularly the audio, ever since I finished it.

How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying by Django Wexler (5 stars) – This was such a fun and hilarious fantasy read that takes on tropes head-on, with both humor and heart. There weren’t any dull moments; I loved the writing style with footnotes; Davi is an addicting main character to read about. I can’t wait for the sequel, which luckily comes out very soon.

The Unworthy by Agustina Bazterrica (4 stars) – So far my least favorite of Bazterrica’s works, but it’s a high bar. The Unworthy is a dark, disturbing, and fascinating post-apocalyptic horror that’s well-written and absorbing; it was a great pick for a readathon as it’s short and intense.

The Chase by Elle Kennedy (4 stars) – My second Elle Kennedy contemporary college sports romance of the year, this one featuring a Legally Blonde-esque plotline alongside the opposites-attract romance. Her writing style is addicting and fun, and this one did tackle heavier topics as well. I immediately started another after finishing.

The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer (4 stars) – This was an interesting and unexpected portal fantasy featuring two boys, now adult men, who were lost for months as teenagers in a national park and reunite to help a girl find her missing sister. I didn’t predict where the story was going and enjoyed how it played out.

Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao (4 stars) – This was a very dreamlike book with various fantastical places and people connected by a thread of a quest that the main character is following. The stakes are high but it still feels surreal; I thought it was lovely but could have used a bit more grounding at times.

The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar (4 stars) – This was a great readathon read, a fantasy novella featuring fairies and the bond between sisters and emphasizing the power of love both familial and romantic. It was well-written and enjoyable, but lacked the unique freshness of the author’s first novel, This is How You Lose the Time War.

The Practice, the Horizon, and the Chain by Sofia Samatar (4 stars) – This was a difficult and disturbing science fiction novella featuring a rigid and horrifying class structure employed on spaceships, and the child who grows to challenge it.