Happy New Year, everyone! I hope everyone's year is off to a great start (or honestly, just a neutral start is probably fine with most of us, right?).
For some quick blog notes, my annual best books of the year posts and 2025 reading stats posts will be up probably mid-January in the next week or two (hopefully, at least), as usual. For anyone who doesn't know, I always wait to post my 'best ofs' and stats until January because I'm usually still reading up until the end of December, and you never know what may become a favorite (and it needs to be included in the stats, of course!). I also usually post my most disappointing reads in December, but I haven't decided if I want to make that post this year, so stay tuned. I'm looking forward to taking a deeper look at everything I read in 2025 and sharing it all with you. I'm also even more excited to check out everyone else's end of year posts and will hopefully be catching up on everything! I also need to desperately update my blog... but I'm not sure if that'll happen...
December was a ridiculously crazy month, as I'm sure it is for most people, and I absolutely failed on the blogging front, haha. I'm pretty sure I only got about one review up and then my weekly Can't-Wait Wednesdays, and the rest was an impromptu blogging break. That being said, I have already prepped some reviews for January, February, and March (I'm in shock, too), so hopefully we will be getting back on track soon!
In personal news.. It's been busy! I actually had a job interview and will likely be starting that (part-time) job soon if it ends up being a good fit for me. Other than, same old busy things with family, mental health, etc., and I'm still very much enjoying my aerial journey. I actually got to see some of my incredible instructors and fellow students perform at a NYE show and it was absolutely incredible to see them all--I am just in awe of the beauty and talent I'm surrounded by!
In reading news, December ended up being a pretty productive reading month for me. I somehow just felt very motivated and energized to get some reading in and try out some graphic novels/comics I'd been hearing about as well, so I'm pretty happy with how things went overall. I've been using Libby for a long time now, but I do appreciate how much I've been reading from my library lately, and I'm hoping to make some time to actually physically get books from my library again this month, haha.
# books read: 16
Thoughts: This was one of my most anticipated releases and sequels of 2025 and it was such a ride. Islington always keeps us readers on our toes and this was no exception. My mind is always blown and I'm going to need to do such a re-read or recap before the third one finally comes out, haha.
Thoughts: This was an intense, gore-soaked dark fantasy that I was pretty compelled by. I didn't love it as much as I'd honestly thought I would, but it's still a very solid fantasy.
Thoughts: This book stole my heart and soul a little bit and absolutely made me cry. It was written so beautifully and I just really loved it. I need to write a review for this one, still.
Thoughts: I had no idea how much I needed this novella, but I really think I did. This was perfect and made me miss spending time with Vonvalt and Bressinger. I was really impressed with how well Swan crafted this novella and how fulfilling it really was.
Thoughts: This was not the most unique story or premise, but it was still an engaging story and I think Chinaza Bado has created a really intriguing world.
Thoughts: This was a fantastic collection of horror stories! Johnny Compton continues to really know his way around telling a creepy story.
Thoughts: This was a weird reading experience and something about this book felt different, even though the premise didn't sound all that unique. I really enjoyed everything the author did with this story and would definitely read more from her in the future.
Thoughts: This was such a cute little story. I don't read much YA these days, but I had a good time with this one and enjoyed the general premise.
Thoughts: I've seen this one around for a while and the cover and title always intrigued, so I finally thought to check if it was on Libby--and it was! I enjoyed this one and am currently reading the second volume.
Thoughts: This came up likely because of the recent movie adaptation, but I figured it was time to check it out. I'm going to continue my current thought that I'm not sure Stephen King for me. I get the appeal and his stories aren't bad, but the style just never really clicks for me. Still, I was fascinated by this premise (and still am)!
Thoughts: It's been a journey with TJ Klune. I loved the first book I read from him, then was quite disappointed with the next two, so I had sworn off him... but then I saw this on Libby and thought, why not? And this was pretty good! I actually had a good time with it and was honestly pretty surprised.
Thoughts: I see Molly Burke pop up on my social media feeds fairly often and I'm always curious about her story and everything she has to say about disabilities, so I figured I'd give this a read. It was incredibly enlightening and compelling, and a great read for those with disabilities and those without--you can relate, learn, or both!
Thoughts: I read this mainly because one time when I opened Libby it was on the front page and it had such a cute cover that I thought I'd give it a read. It's a really sweet middle grade story that read slightly younger than I'd usually read, but I'd absolutely still recommend it to young readers (or adults, it's still fun!).
Thoughts: This one came up as a recommendation after I finished Eden of Witches and it sounded familiar to me, though quite different from what I usually read. I ended up being really pleasantly surprised by this story and I think this has set up for what could be a really interesting journey, so I'll be checking out the next one as well.
Thoughts: This is another cute middle grade that popped up (probably because I read The Lost Library, haha) and is perfect for kids for the spooky season.
Thoughts: I read this one at the recommendation of my sister and thought it was really cute!
I actually plan to finish this one this month, but I did set it aside in December to read some other books that were grabbing my attention more, so I figured I'd include here in this section.
The Faithful Dark by Cate Baumer
This just was not grabbing me at the moment, so I'm setting it aside for now and will return to it in late January/early February to prepare for its February release. I just am not feeling the magical religious stuff going on right now, so hopefully I'll be in a different mood later because the premise is definitely intriguing.
(and... that's it. As mentioned, this was a shamefully slow review month, haha)
12/3: Pedro the Vast by Simón López Trujillo, A Beast Slinks Toward Beijing by Alice Evelyn Yang, & Polar War by Kenneth R. Rosen
12/10: To Ride a Rising Storm by Moniquill Blackgoose, Kokun by Nahoko Uehashi, & The School of Night by Karl Ove Knausgård
12/17: A Spell for Drowning by Rebecca Ferrier & Escape! by Stephen Fishbach
12/24: Detour by Jeff Rake & Rob Hart, This is Where the Serpent Lives by Daniyal Mueenuddin, & Dragon Cursed by Elise Kova
12/31: On Sundays She Picked Flowers by Yah Yah Scholfield, The Last of Earth by Deepa Anappara, This House Will Feed by Maria Tureaud, & Just Watch Me by Lior Toreneberg
