January 2026’s newsletter: “My Reads from 2025”
This is the time where I would usually send out an article ranking my reads from the previous year.
I decided I didn’t like ranking the books I read. I was stressing while reading each book on how I would rank them, which goes against the point of reading for fun. So I decided to just write an article about what books I enjoyed throughout 2025 and leave it at that.
I will tell you which books I think deserve 5 stars. I don’t call a book a “5 star read” that often because I think that title should be saved for the best.
I think any of the books or series on this list can be worth checking out, so I hope you find something you enjoy!
Fiction
Five Star Reads
“Stormlight Archives” series by Brandon Sanderson
The most epic of epic fantasies.
I’m glad I waited to read this series until the first arc was complete, because if I had to wait months between books, I’d go insane!
An expansive, immersive world chalk-full of countries and cultures, characters who feel like real people with real problems while remaining amazingly heroic, a unique magic system in the classic Sanderson style, and a complex conflict with more layers revealed in each book. They’re extremely long, but they never felt like it.
I’ve done a series of comedic reaction reels for the Stormlight Archive books on Instagram, so if you want to see those, you can find them on my Instagram account.
“The Other Ones” by Fran Hart
A romance with vivid setting descriptions that’s perfect for an autumnal read! Without giving away spoilers: I expected the story to be a ghost hunt with romance, but instead got “Heartstopper” except one of them lives in a haunted house. That’s okay because it’s so cute and heart-wrenching! The romantic leads are super charming, and it’s an adorable grumpy x sunshine romance. I spent the whole time squealing, and when the plot got intense, I almost couldn’t keep going because I was so emotionally invested.
“The Spellshop” and “The Enchanted Greenhouse” by Sarah Beth Durst
Sarah Beth Durst wrote she wanted “The Spellshop” to feel like drinking a mug of hot chocolate, and I think she captured it perfectly. It’s like putting on a soft, warm sweater and curling up on the coach with a cat.
I don’t tend to like series where the main character changes, especially if the original MC isn’t in the sequel much. So “The Enchanted Greenhouse” had an up-hill battle. When I started, I also thought it was going to be the same plot repeated. A librarian flees the capitol’s rebellion, meets the obvious male love interest but they don’t like each other at first, and has to save a small island with illegal magic and a sentient plant while she falls in love with her opposites-attract love interest.
“The Enchanted Greenhouse” proved my assumptions wrong.
I think I ended up enjoying it even more! I adored the dynamic between the FMC and MMC, and the slow-burn romance between them was exceptionally well done. One of the story’s themes is how family can hurt each other, but also still love each other. I thought it was an interesting topic to explore. Terlu, Yarrow, and Lottie all have to work through their complicated emotions surrounding their families, and the unconditional love they give each other supports them through it.
Adult
“The Summer War” by Naomi Novik
Naomi Novik is one of my favorite authors these days. She brings us another fairytale with a mix of classic and modern themes. Brave knights, cunning minstrels, beautiful but tricky fey, and a lady trapped in a tower. A gay knight searching for true love, a powerful sorceress plotting her own destiny, and siblings learning to love in a cold family.
At its heart, this story revolves around a complicated sibling bond. Celia, Roric, and Argent were taught to seek power over each other, but they each choose love. Their evolving and growing dynamic was the best part of the novella. (I’m a sucker for sweet sibling plot lines!)
“Daindreth’s Assassin” and “Daindreth’s Outlaw” by Elisabeth Wheatley
What I enjoyed most about the first two books in this series was the aversion of the typical “brooding MMC x gentle FMC” dynamic. That dynamic is overused in my opinion, so I enjoyed having it gender flipped! Amira is stabby and mistrustful, while Daindreth is a noble ray of sunshine. They remind me of Vin and Elend from the Mistborn series. (And I always love when the badass heroine rescues her love interest!)
However, I felt the second book dragged, for me. Which was a shame, because I enjoyed the first one quite a bit. There was a lot of travel and repetition in the second book. Amira is cynical, Deindreth is optimistic, they argue about their chances, they decide to keep pushing forward. Rinse and repeat. Nothing much else happens except encounters on the road until the end, so there wasn’t enough to keep me engaged. That being said, I still care about the characters, so I hope the third book will bring my enthusiasm back to the series.
“Every Voice Heard” by N.Y. Dunlap, D.T. Powell, and Sarah Hanks
I had the opportunity to be part of these three Christian novellas’ ARC team.
The novellas were written from a Protestant Christian point of view, which was interesting for me as a Catholic. They’re a similar viewpoint to what I’m used to, as we’re both part of the Christian faith, but different enough that they still felt like a peek into a new world. They explored communities I’m not a part of, but who love Jesus like I do.
You can read my more in-depth review of these novellas on Goodreads here.
Young Adult
“Don’t Let the Forest In” by CG Drews
Lyrical writing.
Lush, vivid descriptions.
Gothic, creepy pacing.
There are two major twists. I guessed the truth about the monsters before it was revealed, but the other twist caught me by surprise. It was well seeded— I can look back and see the foreshadowing throughout, now I know what to look for. In fact, the book is full of great foreshadowing.
It also has you questioning Andrew’s sanity. Is he reliable? We know some of the horror does exist, but how much of the monsters and invading forest is real, and how much is in his head? We follow him down into his spiral. And it’s the love he and Thomas share that holds them together.
“The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy” by Mackenzi Lee
So apparently this is a sequel, and I never read the first book. Whoops.
One of my favorite things about this book is the variety of powerful women. We have Felicity, the spirited and intelligent main character who prefers science and wild adventure to gowns and balls. Sim is an action-ready pirate. And Johanna is sweet, feminine, and stubbornly determined. Johanna is comfortable hiking across the wilderness and dazzling a ballroom.
Felicity is unusual for her time period for wanting to be a doctor. But she also has to recognize her own internalized misogyny, and that Johanna can be brave and competent while still enjoying beautiful dresses. Johanna doesn’t have to be masculine to be strong or deserve to be taken seriously.
Of course, feel free to read “A Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue” first, rather than diving straight into “The Lady’s Guide” like I did. And I just noticed there’s a third book while straightening my library’s shelves, so I’ll have to check out the full series sometime!
“Every Heart a Doorway” by Seanan McGuire
This book is for readers who grew up on middle grade portal fantasies.
Our childhoods were spent following young heroes through doorways to wonderful, magical worlds. This story takes us back to these young heroes after they’ve returned to the real world and find themselves longing for their lives of adventure. We recognize our childhood archetypes all grown up.
It’s an interesting spin on an old story. And I always love reading books with an ace main character. You can be certain I’ll check out the rest of the series from my local library.
“Love at Second Sight” by F.T. Lukens
I love F.T. Lukens’ books! I look forward to every one that comes out.
Although this book is a romance, it feels like less of a romance and more of a friend-group story. Don’t get me wrong: the romance is still a major part of the plot. But the story’s heart is about the main character Cam coming to terms with who he is and finding a group of oddballs who love and accept him, in a world that wants to use or change him. Oh, and they’ve got to prevent a murder, of course.
I loved it because I adore stories about oddball friend groups!
“The Taking of Jake Livingston” by Ryan Douglass
This book deals with school shootings, racism, and homophobia. It follows the relationship between Jake and the ghost of a school shooter, as both Jake and the reader learn the shooter’s history and psychology that led him to do such a terrible thing. It mixes real world horror with ghost horror. The scene descriptions are vivid, almost cinematic, and often otherworldly once the hauntings get started.
Trigger warnings: school shootings, suicide, child abuse, SA, racism, homophobia, body horror/gore, bullying, depression, spiders/bugs
“Lovely Dark and Deep” by Elisa B. Bonnin
“The Scholomance” meets “Don’t Let the Forest In.” A dark academia following a queer, first generation immigrant who attends a magic school that contains deadly secrets. If you love a scrappy found family of outcasts, and also creepy forests with botanical horror, this book is one to check out. If I had to say what the story’s central theme is, it’s Faith finding strength in herself with help from the unconditional support of her friends. Personally, I loved ever Red Stripe member!
Middle Grade
“Kiki Kallira Breaks a Kingdom” by Sangu Mandanna
Have you ever dreamed about visiting your own imaginary world?
For Kiki Kallira, it isn’t a dream, but a reality. We get to follow Kiki into the city she drew, as she learns to believe in her own strengths and become a hero.
Kiki is relatable for anyone who’s struggled with anxiety and self-doubt. And when she finds her own strength and uses it to defeat the monster– and the monster in her own mind– she proves anyone can do the same.
“Cattywampus” by Ash Van Otterloo
“Cattywampus” gave me strong “ParaNorman” vibes, with a spooky/whimsical feel that only middle grade can capture.
“Cattywampus” is a story about outcasts who find themselves in their familial heritage and the healing friendships they make with each other. As a stand-alone, it’s a short time commitment for a great story. I’m a big believer in giving kids diverse books. It’s important we can all see ourselves in the heroes we read about and the stories we tell.
I did a full book review of “Cattywampus” that you can read here.
“The Magic Misfits” by Neil Patrick Harris
I had no idea Neil Patrick Harris wrote a series!
And it’s a ton of fun, too. Follow our young hero Carter as he meets a cast of lovable characters and is welcomed into a heartwarming group of friends— a place for misfits who love magic!
The story has a hilarious, Lemony-snicket-type narration that pulls you in right away.
And it actually teaches you magic! Clearly Neil Patrick Harris is not only a master of magic, but also loves the art. The story is full of the joy of performance and sharing that joy with others.
The first and final books in this 4-part series were my favorite. The first kicks it off, and while I thought the second and third were slow at points, the fourth book has both heart and action. It pulled me in and kept me on the edge of my seat, and I had tears in my eyes at the finale.
“Percy Jackson and the Triple Goddess” by Rick Riordan
I think I’ll never get tired of Percy Jackson. No matter how old I am or how many installments Riordan writes, I just love Percy, Annabeth, and Grover.
This book focuses on their friendship. They’ve been through so much together, and their trust is unshakable. Even when one of them messes up, they work through it rather than lashing out or sitting and letting the problem fester. They truly love each other, and it shows.
Not to mention this trilogy captures the daunting task of getting into college. Trying to jump through all the college hoops while still maintaining grades at school? Worrying about leaving behind friends and family even as you’re looking forward to new experiences? It’s all very real.
I think that’s one thing this series does well: setting real-world problems against a mythological backdrop.
And it’s fun watching how our heroes have grown up. I can barely believe they were only 12 years old in “The Lightning Thief”! Now they’re seniors working on college applications. It makes me feel like a proud older sister.
“The Many Hauntings of the Manning Family” by Lorien Lawrence
This stand-alone MG paranormal is like walking through a haunted house. The main characters Gabby and Trent are trapped in an abandoned theater for most of the story, and we follow as they run into spooky encounters in each room. It’s reminiscent of the Goosebumps books, but with more focus on the twins’ family dynamics and the burden they carry from their famous grandparents’ legacy.
“The Dark Times of Nimble Nottingham” by Ryan James Black
This MG historical fantasy set in WW2 London is– on the surface– about kids defeating a terrifying, soul-eating shadow-monster. But it’s really about lost children coming together to form found families and find belonging during dark times. Dark times never last, even when the world is literally exploding around you. I think it’s a poignant message, especially given our current dark times.
Graphic Novels
Young Adult/Adult
“The Adventure Zone: The Suffering Game” by Clint McElroy, Griffin McElroy, Justin McElroy, Travis McElroy, Carey Peitsch
I’ve been reading this series over the past few years, but somehow the previous five graphic novels haven’t made it onto my reading lists. I’m not sure how that happened. I guess I forgot to add them?
This is “The Adventure Zone” series’ sixth book, based on the popular D&D campaign. Readers can enjoy the goofy and epic story without having to listen to 80+ podcast episodes.
The drama is ramping up. Magnus, Merle, and Taako are getting answers on their quest to recover the Grand Relics, but they’re uncovering even more questions along the way. About the Grand Relics, the red-cloaked wizards, the organization they work for, and their own pasts. The previous five books’ status quo has been shattered, and I can’t wait for book 7!
“Hey, Mary” by Andrew Wheeler and Rye Hickman
A graphic novel about a devout catholic teen coming to terms with his queer identity.
When you’re both queer and christian, it can feel like you don’t fully belong anywhere. Too many christians aren’t welcoming of your queer identity, and people in queer spaces often distrust religion and don’t understand why your faith is important to you. This graphic novel is a blending of both identities. It shares the stories of saints who could’ve been queer, if their histories weren’t rewritten to fit the narrow, heteronormative narrative. They’re stories I’d never heard of— even one from our modern time! The book made me feel seen.
It doesn’t shy away from the church’s darker parts either. There’s a lot of pain perpetuated in the world by people who claim to be people of faith. But closeness with God can still be something good that we seek, each in our own way, if that’s what we desire.
“The Ghostkeeper” by Johanna Taylor
This YA graphic novel is about mental health, trauma, and self care… with ghosts! As someone who knows quite a few caregivers, watching Dorian’s journey of self care and struggle to carry the weight of those around him was particularly poignant. It’s sweet and sad, but also hopeful. A gentle reminder that all people need care and love, including the caregiver.
Middle Grade
“Amulet” by Kazu Kibuishi
This MG fantasy-scifi graphic novel series starts as a classic portal fantasy and builds into an epic, save-the-world saga. The artwork is gorgeous, particularly the landscapes. And it’s surprisingly dark for a middle grade novel. In the first book, the heroine Emily watches her father die in a car crash, her mother stolen by a monster, and an old man die in front of her. The artwork even zooms in on the man’s eyes as his pupils dilate. And that’s just in the first few chapters! It’s not a series that pulls its punches, so I wouldn’t recommend it for any kids who can’t handle frightening or dark themes.
But if you or young readers enjoy darker stories that blend fantasy and science fiction, I’d recommend giving this one a try. Sadly, the eighth and ninth books were checked out of my library at the time of writing this, so I have to wait to continue the series.
“Estranged” and “The Changeling King” by Ethan M. Aldridge
A MG fantasy graphic novel duology that gives us a changeling fairytale in the Labyrinth’s classic, creepy style. Beautiful but flighty fey. Strange and unexplained magical encounters. A world of adventure hidden in the tunnels under our streets. The second book continues where the first picks off with more mysterious magic, character growth for our protagonists as they struggle to find their places after their changeling swap, and shifting dynamics between the siblings.
“The Legend of Brightblade” by Ethan M. Aldridge
This stand-alone, MG graphic novel was a ton of fun. It has a unique music-based magic system that I found quite interesting, and I enjoyed watching the trio come together and form their bardic troupe. I came to care about the characters in a short amount of time. And I was left wishing it wasn’t a stand-alone so we could follow the troupe more on their adventures!
“Squire” by Sara Alfageeh and Nadia Shammas
This YA fantasy graphic novel mixes lovable characters with serious themes. It’s a story about colonialism and war in an alternate history Middle East/North Africa setting. It discusses serious topics without turning the book grimdark. It puts you in the heroine Aiza’s shoes, makes you feel everything she does, and shows you the world through her eyes. You fall in love with her and her friends, flaws and all.
“Fantastic Tales of Nothing” and “Lost Legends of Nothing” by Alejandra Green and Fanny Rodriguez
A fun fantasy for kids and teens. It has some classic tropes: the reluctant, unlikely hero, a prophetic quest against a world-ending evil, a feud between humans and animal people, and mysterious magic. It also keeps the story fresh with some new elements, such as the backstory behind the mythological figure Lerina who last banished the ancient evil.
“Lunar Boy” by Jes and Cin Wibowo
A heartfelt, MG sci-fi graphic novel about belonging, identity, and growing up in a changing world. I read this book in one afternoon because I couldn’t put it down. Indu’s journey was at times so sad and at times so sweet. I’d definitely recommend giving this stand-alone graphic novel a read.
Manga
“Snow White with the Red Hair” by Sorata Akidzuki
My parents and I watched the anime, and we loved it so much we had to continue where the story leaves off with the manga. It’s such an adorable, well done romance. I love a romance where the characters talk about their problems and respect each other’s boundaries. The plot doesn’t rely on miscommunication, break-ups, jealousy, or other annoying, cheap devices to keep the tension. Instead, it explores how a relationship between a commoner and a prince would realistically work and the challenges they’d face to be together.
The story also has a great cast of secondary characters, and part of the reason I love it so much is because of the wonderful friend group. It isn’t just about the two romantic leads and everyone else gets shuffled off to the side. The platonic relationships are as important as the romantic one.
I’m having a blast reading it with my parents; the manga isn’t finished yet, so we’ll have to keep checking our library as more volumes come out.
“Is Love the Answer?” by Uta Isaki
This Manga was too real.
Now, I didn’t relate to everything the heroine Chima experienced— not every asexual’s experience is the same, after all. I’ve never had people shame my identity and I’ve never been called an alien.
But I could relate to that awkward moment when people are sharing their romantic experiences and the whole room expects you to have a story. Or having to tell a guy that you may never be interested in going out with him and you can’t even say why. Or how so much as holding hands feels uncomfortable.
The story’s message is that there isn’t any such thing as “normal.” Even for heterosexual people, everyone has their own ideas and needs when it comes to love. It’s important we each find our own connections and make our own kinds of love that feels right for us, whether we’re aro-ace, gay, straight, or any other sexuality.
NonFiction
“The Making of Biblical Womanhood” by Beth Allison Barr
I found this book fascinating.
American Historian Beth Allison Barr lays out the historical basis to explain how Christian patriarchy is in fact not a mandate from God, but instead came about due to human historical and societal circumstances. Dr. Barr is writing from a Southern Baptist perspective, but even so, many of her points still rang true to me as a Catholic.
She explored women’s history in the church that I never knew. Women were deacons, and women were apostles. Women were preaching the church’s teachings even in medieval times. This is history we’re simply not taught in Sunday School!
I would recommend this book to every Christian, regardless of gender or denomination.
I read 49 books in 2025, if we count the “Snow White with the Red Hair” manga as 1. (I don’t remember how many manga volumes I read! But manga tends to feel like one continuous story anyway, so let’s count it as 1, shall we?) Considering I was working my way through the Stormlight Archives for a good half of 2025, I’m pretty surprised how many other books I ended up reading.
I started my new job as a library page in the children’s section last fall, and as a result, the number of middle grade books I read went way up! I also went on a graphic novel binge at the end of 2025, as you can tell from the number of graphic novels on this list.
What were your favorite reads from 2025? My TBR is always growing!
Thanks for reading!
-S. Labrecque
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