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Most-Read Authors of 2025 & 2026 Predictions

I’m back with one of my favorite year-end wrap-up posts: my most-read authors of 2025!

In first place, we have Ali Hazelwood – 4 books

Not in Love (Not in Love, #1)FirstHot for SlayerMate

Ali Hazelwood was tied for my most-read author of last year, and she stands alone at the top this year. Interestingly, she also has a shot at the crown for 2026, since I currently have 3 of her books on my TBR.

In second place, we have a tie!

Tessa Bailey – 3 books

Dream Girl Drama (Big Shots, #3)My Killer VacationPitcher Perfect (Big Shots, #4)

Tessa Bailey tied for the top spot last year with Ali Hazelwood, and this year she was demoted slightly to second place. Her books are addictive and fun; could she appear on the 2026 list too?

Elle Kennedy – 3 books (new-to-me author!)

The Deal (Off-Campus, #1)The Chase (Briar U, #1)The Risk (Briar U, #2)

One of the main reason I track these stats is that I’m always hoping to find new-to-me authors that I like so much I end up reading multiple books from them within the year, and Elle Kennedy was that for me with her addictive hockey-centric contemporary romances.

Interestingly, I have fewer two-book authors this year than I have in past years I’ve tracked this. I’m not sure why, although I can think of several authors where I was thinking of picking up another book but wasn’t quite in the mood, or DNF’d.

Tied, with 2 books each:

Agustina Bazterrica – I knew I needed to read more from her after reading and loving her short story collection at the end of last year.

Tender Is the FleshThe Unworthy

Eliana Lee (new-to-me author!) – I started the Cozyverse series that she co-writes with another author, and then started looking for backlist titles.

A Pack for Winter (Cozyverse)The Scent of Us: Part One (The Bond Dissolution Omegaverse, #1)

Emily Harding – I actually wasn’t a fan of the book she wrote solo–the characters didn’t have enough depth for me–but her co-written modern Jane Austen retellings continue to hit for me. I’m just sad that with the Persuasion retelling, the series has ended.

How Freaking RomanticAnne of Avenue A (For the Love of Austen, #3)

And that’s it! Like I said, not that many repeat authors in 2025.

 

2026 Predictions – Most of my predictions are for authors that only have 2 books on my TBR, but who knows! Maybe I’ll get hooked on a new series, or a favorite author will release books that haven’t been announced yet.

Ali Hazelwood – I have very high hopes I’m going to love all 3 of these books that are already on my physical/digital shelves.

Deep EndProblematic Summer Romance (Not in Love, #2)Bound

Tessa Bailey – So far I only have one 2026 Tessa Bailey release on my radar, but that doesn’t mean she won’t announce another. She also has a substantial backlist that I could get into.

Catch Her If You Can (Big Shots, #5)Chase Me (Broke and Beautiful, #1)

Thea Guanzon – After LOVING The Hurricane Wars, I’m really excited to pick up the sequel, and I’m also hearing great things about her other romantasy, Tusk Love.

A Monsoon Rising (The Hurricane Wars, #2)Tusk Love

Rachel Reid – I really want to read the series before I check out the TV show, and the fact that I enjoyed several hockey romances in 2025 bodes well for me to like these.

Game Changer (Game Changers, #1)Heated Rivalry (Game Changers, #2)

Ilona Andrews – This writing duo has a really exciting book coming out set in a completely new world this year, and I also never got a chance to pick up their 2025 ebook.

This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me (Maggie the Undying, #1)The Inheritance (Breach Wars, #1)

Alexandria Bellefleur – These two newer releases sound like I’m going to love them, and I’d be surprised if I didn’t read both in 2026.

Playing for KeepsThe Devil She Knows

Elle Kennedy – Since I had so much fun with her contemporary sports romances in 2025, I think I’ll probably be picking up more from her in 2026.

The Graham Effect (Campus Diaries, #1)The Charlie Method (Campus Diaries, #3)

 

Who was your most-read author this year?

2025 Reading Stats & Wrap-Up

Stats

Total books read: 100 (exactly the same as last year)

Total pages read: 30,793 (about 1,000 more pages than last year)

 

Longest book: Stamped From the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi (592p), followed by:

A Taste of Gold & Iron by Alexandra Rowland – 570p

Throne of the Fallen by Kerri Maniscalco – 564p

The Courting of Bristol Keats by Mary E. Pearson – 547p

How to Hide an Empire by Daniel Immerwahr – 513p

The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon – 472p

An Academy for Liars by Alexis Henderson – 464p

Shortest book: The Knight and the Butcherbird by Alix E. Harrow (36p)

Average book length: 307p (slightly higher than last year)

Most popular (on Goodreads): Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (shelved 2,428,685 times)

Least popular (on Goodreads): Night Beast by Ruth Joffre (shelved 436 times)

Average Goodreads rating: 4.0 stars (exactly the same as last year)

Highest rated book on Goodreads: The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin (4.55 stars)

Most-read genres: fantasy (26%), contemporary romance (21%), and horror (13%). Science fiction and nonfiction tie for 4th place, with 11% each.

Author breakdown by gender: 86% female authors, 10% male authors, 4% non-binary authors (exactly the same as last year)

BIPOC Authors: 32%

LGBTQIA+ reads: 39%

Sapphic reads specifically: 25%

Intended audience: 93% adult, 7% YA (exactly the same as last year)

New-to-me authors: 47% (interesting!)

2025 releases: 37%

Oldest book I read in 2024: Carmilla by J. Sheridan LeFanu, first published in 1872

 

 

Top 10 Favorite books of 2025:

Girl DinnerThirstLand of Milk and HoneyNot in Love (Not in Love, #1)

Girl Dinner by Olivie Blake (horror, dark academia); Thirst by Marina Yuszczuk (horror); Land of Milk and Honey by C Pam Zhang (dystopian literary fiction); Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood (contemporary romance)

We Could Be RatsThe Ministry of TimeHarriet Tubman: Live in ConcertHow to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying (Dark Lord Davi, #1)

We Could Be Rats by Emily Austin (contemporary fiction); The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley (science fiction); Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert by Bob the Drag Queen (fabulism); How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying by Django Wexler (fantasy)

A Taste of Gold and IronEat the Ones You Love

A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland (fantasy); Eat the Ones You Love by Sarah Maria Griffin (horror)

 

 

Runner-Up Favorites of 2024

The Hurricane Wars (The Hurricane Wars, #1)Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in AmericaTender Is the FleshThe Fire Next Time

The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon (fantasy romance); Stamped From the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi (nonfiction); Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica (dystopian, horror); The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin (nonfiction)

The House of My Mother: A Daughter's Quest for FreedomMateWasteland: The Secret World of Waste and the Urgent Search for a Cleaner FutureJulie Chan Is Dead

The House of My Mother by Shari Franke (nonfiction); Mate by Ali Hazelwood (romantasy); Wasteland by Oliver Franklin-Wallis (nonfiction); Julie Chan is Dead by Liann Zhang (horror, satire)

A Dark and Drowning TideFirst

A Dark and Drowning Tide by Allison Saft (fantasy, dark academia); First by Ali Hazelwood (science fiction romance)

 

Best sequels

Sunrise on the Reaping (The Hunger Games)MateA Pack for Winter (Cozyverse)

 

Favorite contemporary romance

Not in Love (Not in Love, #1)The Deal (Off-Campus, #1)Pitcher Perfect (Big Shots, #4)Dream On, Ramona Riley (Clover Lake, #1)

 

Favorite romantasy/SFF romance

The Hurricane Wars (The Hurricane Wars, #1)MateFirstA Taste of Gold and IronA Pack for Autumn (Cozyverse, #1)A Pack for Winter (Cozyverse)

 

Favorite YA

Sunrise on the Reaping (The Hunger Games)The Thrashers

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins (dystopian) and The Thrashers by Julie Soto (thriller)

 

New-to-Me Authors I’m Excited to Read More From

A Pack for Autumn (Cozyverse, #1)A Pack for Winter (Cozyverse)

Emilia Emerson & Eliana Lee’s cozyverse series was perfect seasonal reading, and I can’t wait to pick up the spring and summer sequels as well as look out for their future projects.

Julie Chan Is DeadYou're InvitedThe Deal (Off-Campus, #1)Potions, Poisons, and Policies

Julie Chan is Dead was such a creative and fascinating debut novel, so I’m really curious to see what the author does next. The next 3 authors on here already have other books out that I plan to pick up in 2026.

 

Most disappointing

Great Big Beautiful LifeThe Wood at Midwinter

I’ve given past books from both of these authors 5 stars, and both unfortunately let me down this time.

The Spellshop (Spellshop, #1)

This was my first read of the year, a romantasy pick with a pretty cover and good reviews, and it was very underwhelming for me.

 

Current reads heading into 2026

Game Changer (Game Changers, #1)Africa Is Not a Country: Notes on a Bright ContinentAn Academic Affair

I started these 3 in 2025, but they’ll count towards my 2026 stats once I finish them.

Mid-Year Reading Goals/Challenges Check-In

Let’s check in on how I’ve been doing on my 2025 Reading Goals!

Read more than one book from Olivie Blake. OK, so I’m failing at this goal so far. I haven’t finished any Olivie Blake books this year, though not for lack of trying; I did start Masters of Death at one point, but just wasn’t vibing with it, so I’m not sure if/when I’ll pick it back up. But! I did read the first short story from Januaries, her collection, and I do plan to continue. I have not given up on this goal; I’ve just been doing poorly so far.

Januaries

Read more romantasy. Here’s a goal I’ve been crushing. I’ve finished 7 romantasy books so far this year, and really loved several of them. I’m even in the middle of another as I write this. This is a good thing, since I have about a zillion romantasy on my TBR.

The SpellshopPotions, Poisons, and PoliciesThe Hurricane Wars (The Hurricane Wars, #1)A Rebel Without Claws (Southern Charm #1)The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love (Love's Academic, #1)Throne of the Fallen (Prince of Sin, #1)A Taste of Gold and Iron

Read more dark academia. Another utter failure. I’ve read zero dark academia so far this year; I honestly forgot about this goal. I’ll try to remedy this in the second half of 2025.

Read at least 5 short story collections. OK, not great, but not completely abysmal. I’ve finished 1 short story collection so far this year:

Night Beast

Unfortunately, it didn’t live up to my expectations, and I think that’s contributed to me not finishing any others so far. I did, however,  read two standalone short stories last month, one of which was 5 stars:

The Knight and the ButcherbirdUndercover (Into Shadow, #5)

And, as I said before, I started Olivie Blake’s collection also, which I intend to finish when my mood-reading brain will let me.

Januaries

Complete the 2025 Book of the Month reading challenge: I need to finish 15 BOTM titles for this, and so far I’m at 6/15, which is almost halfway. Not bad!

The Ministry of TimeThe Bones Beneath My SkinWe Could Be RatsThe Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love (Love's Academic, #1)Water MoonThe Lost Story

I’m also really excited about so many of the other BOTM titles that would potentially count for this year’s challenge, and at the moment I’m determined to finish.

How Freaking RomanticThis Princess Kills MonstersBury Our Bones in the Midnight SoilGifted & TalentedThe God of the WoodsOur Infinite FatesYou Between the LinesI Hope This Finds You WellAndromedaThe Courting of Bristol Keats (The Courting of Bristol Keats, #1)The Road of Bones (The Ashen, #1)A Sorceress Comes to CallRuthless Vows (Letters of Enchantment, #2)

 

Read more diversely. I’m doing a better job of keeping track of this goal than I have in past years; so far, 17 out of the 49 books I’ve read so far this year have been written by BIPOC authors, or 35%. Also, 26/49, or 53%, of my reads have been LGBTQIA+ reads.

Also, just a fun fact: 21/49, or 43%, of my reads were from new-to-me authors; this is another new stat I’m tracking.

 

And now let’s check in with some reading challenges:

Top 10 TBR for 2025: 6/10

I’m on track! Technically, I finished 5 of these reads:

Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in AmericaThe Hurricane Wars (The Hurricane Wars, #1)Tender Is the FleshNot in LoveCarmilla

And I DNF’d one:

This Will Be Fun

5-star ratings: 3/6

 

25 in 25 Challenge: 8/25

Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in AmericaThe Hurricane Wars (The Hurricane Wars, #1)Tender Is the FleshNot in LoveWe Could Be RatsDream Girl Drama (Big Shots, #3)Project Hail MaryCarmilla

I’m a bit behind on this challenge; I definitely thought I’d be farther at the halfway point. However, I’m currently reading 2 more from this list, and I’m going to try to step things up in general.

Most-Read Authors of 2024

One of my favorite bookish stats to track is my most-read authors; I just find it really interesting how many authors I do or don’t return to in a given year, and whether those are new-to-me authors or authors I’ve read and loved in the past. This year I had an interesting mix, and my repeat author stats were increased due to my discovery of various romance novellas.

 

Tessa Bailey – 4 books

Fangirl Down by Tessa BaileyThe Au Pair Affair by Tessa BaileyMerry Ever After by Tessa BaileySame Time Next Year

Ali Hazelwood – 4 books

Check & Mate by Ali HazelwoodBride by Ali HazelwoodCruel Winter with You by Ali HazelwoodTwo Can Play by Ali Hazelwood

 

Jon Krakauer – 3 books (new-to-me author)

Into Thin Air by Jon KrakauerUnder the Banner of Heaven by Jon KrakauerInto the Wild by Jon Krakauer

 

Tied, with 2 books each:

Ashley Herring Blake

Iris Kelly Doesn't Date by Ashley Herring BlakeMake the Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake

Emily Austin (new-to-me author)

Interesting Facts about Space by Emily R. AustinEveryone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead by Emily R. Austin

Alexandria Bellefleur

Truly, Madly, Deeply by Alexandria BellefleurMerriment and Mayhem by Alexandria Bellefleur

Roxane Gay

Graceful Burdens by Roxane GayStand Your Ground by Roxane Gay

Olivia Atwater (new-to-me author)

The Lord Sorcier by Olivia AtwaterHalf a Soul by Olivia Atwater

Abby Jimenez (new-to-me author)

Yours Truly by Abby JimenezJust for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

Ashley Poston

The Seven Year Slip by Ashley PostonA Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston

Olivia Dade

At First Spite by Olivia DadeAll by My Elf by Olivia Dade

Ilona Andrews

Magic Claims by Ilona AndrewsSanctuary by Ilona Andrews

Suzanne Collins (re-reads)

The Hunger Games by Suzanne CollinsCatching Fire by Suzanne Collins

 

Most-Read Authors of 2025 Predictions – this can get tricky, but I’ll give it a shot.

Olivie Blake – one of my 2025 reading goals is to read more books by Olivie Blake, and so she better be returning to my most-read list next year. (She made the list in 2023 but I didn’t read ANYTHING by her in 2024).

Masters of DeathJanuariesThe Atlas Complex (The Atlas, #3)

Ali Hazelwood – It looks like I’ll only have 2 available books from her in 2025, but you never know.

Not in LoveDeep End

Julie Soto – I need to actually finish Not Another Love Song in 2025, and I’m super excited for her romantasy debut Rose in Chains.

Not Another Love SongRose in Chains (The Evermore Trilogy #1)

Tessa Bailey – I feel like I’ll be in the mood for more from this author in 2025, and luckily, she has a substantial backlist I’ve yet to delve into.

Dream Girl Drama (Big Shots, #3)Chase Me (Broke and Beautiful, #1)

2020: Reading Year in Review (with Stats!)

Total books read: 109

Total pages read: 38,257

Average rating: 3.9 stars

Shortest book read: Once Ghosted, Twice Shy by Alyssa Cole (106 pages)

Longest book read: Crescent City: House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas (803 pages)

Average book length: 350 pages

Author breakdown by gender:

 

Adult vs. YA:

 

Genre:

 

Format:

 

Release Year:

 

 

Longest books read in 2020:

Crescent City 799 pages
Passage 780 pages
Possession 555 pages
Middlegame 528 pages
Serpent & Dove 513 pages
Aurora Burning 512 pages