I remember clearly in the festive break of December 2024 / January 2025 taking the time to pull together a TBR list and really get ahead on my reading. I felt so organised and on top of things heading into the new year, and that was definitely reflected in my January reads.
I was fully on track to read everything on my list. Then something happened…
In late January, I picked up Fourth Wing. My first foray into romantasy, I totally bought into the hype I saw everywhere around the release of the third book in the series, Onyx Storm. I thought, if SOOOOOOOO many people I know are obsessed with this series, maybe I’ll give it a go and see what it’s about.
In short, LOVED IT. As is the way, I worked my way through more romantasy classics this year (read the five books of the ACOTAR series but had mixed feeling on those, moved onto Crescent City and also loving that) but the thing is, all these books are long. Over 500 pages long, so they are a time-commitment and by default have brought down my yearly book average. But I’ve made my peace with that. It’s a genre that wants the commitment from its readers, you’re in it for the long haul.
I haven’t just become a romantasy reader though, I still very much like to palette cleanse with other genres between those books and particularly enjoyed my non-fiction reads this year. From being highly entertained by the wonderful Miriam Margolyes to discovering all the juicy secrets behind the scenes at Facebook, they were excellent reads.
In summary, I’ve loved my 2025 reading journey. The blend of being so much better at DNFing books that aren’t doing it for me (even if they come with rave reviews) and honestly reading what I’m in the mood for has worked so well. I’m thrilled to have discovered a new genre that’s bringing me so much escapist joy because really, isn’t that what reading is all about?
Wishing you all a very Happy New year and may your 2026 be blessed with amazing reads! x
Books on the 7:47 