A curated list of books that stuck out to me (in a good way) in 2025. Please grab your library card and enjoy a variety of my favorite books each month.
Map
Sections
12
January
February
March
April
May
June
January
This was Onyx Storm prep month so it was all about the Empyrean series
Unpopular opinion about Onyx Storm: It was perfect.
Onyx Storm (Wing and Claw Collection, 3)
February
Strictly trying to stay out of a book slump after Onyx Storm, so I stuck with what I knew I would like.
I’ve yet to read an Adrienne Young book that I didn’t thoroughly enjoy. I will forever recommend anything she writes.
Namesake: A Novel|Paperback
March
A stacked month and probably the best month of reads
Bride is a gateway drug to the Omega-verse.
Bride
A fun YA fantasy book. As a fan of the movie Quest for Camelot, I had a lot of fun with this one.
Silver in the Bone #1 - Alexandra Bracken
The last of the duology and it wrapped it up really well. A satisfying conclusion.
The Mirror of Beasts (Silver in the Bone, #2) by Alexandra Bracken
A bit spooky so may be a great pick for spooky season. If you’ve played the game Until Dawn, it gives that kind of vibe.
What the Woods Took by Courtney Gould
April
It was my birthday month so minimal reading was done. However, this month contained one of my favorite books of the year.
Avatar the Last Air Bender meets Divergent. This one caught me by surprise. 5 ⭐️
Heir of Storms by Lauryn Hamilton Murray
May
Tough month of books part 1
A popular romantasy that is appropriately hyped.
Blood & Steel (The Legends of Thezmarr, #1) by Helen Scheuerer
A Dawn of Gods & Fury (Fate & Flame, #4) by K.A. Tucker
July
Camp Galley with a surprising 5 star read
Perfect for readers who loved The Unmaking of June Farrow
The Book of Lost Hours
August
Trying to prep for spooky season while it’s still 90F outside was difficult
A great transition book to get into the spooky falls vibes.
Boys with Sharp Teeth by Jenni Howell
September
Life threw me some curveballs and that was a common theme in the books as well. Let’s not do that again.
A top read of September 2025. The tone of and vibes were immaculate.
Nevernight (Nevernight Chronicle #1)|Paperback
A story that will stick with you. It was interesting to look at the parallels that were happening in the ear of the Vietnam War and what is happening today.
The Women: A Novel
October
Spooky vibes only
Book 2 of the Nevernight Chronicles. It doesn’t suffer from second book syndrome, and we get to see Mia become even more bada**.
Godsgrave (Nevernight Chronicle #2)|Paperback
Do you like spooky, alien vibes? This might be for you.
Cold Eternity
November
A month of a ton of reading, but very few really stood out to me. As the list suggests these were my favorites of the month.
Transformers meets Asian culture. This one caught me by surprise. I would recommend it if you’re a fan of YA. Dabbles in a bit of romance but it doesn’t overwhelm the plot.
Iron Widow
Book 1 in a series. Fun romantasy of star crossed “enemies” to lovers.
Heavenly Bodies
Emmerson Hoyt put something magical in this because I’ve been addicted. Small town, contemporary romance. Modern day Robin Hood retelling. Found family. Perfect, 10/10 reading experience.
September Doves: Jackals and Vipers Duet
December
Reading goal? Met. Vibes? Immaculate. Rounding out the year with some really great books.
A political romance set in the Greco-Roman era. Easy recommendation because Adrienne Young writes magic.
Fallen City by Adrienne Young
A satisfying conclusion to a god tier series for me. If you want closure, this most definitely provides its. 10/10 story.
Darkdawn (Nevernight Chronicle #3)
Super cute holiday read with a touch of family trauma. Be ready to shed a few tears.
Good Spirits: A Novel|Paperback
Fae and vampires. I went in blind, and enjoyed my time. It had me hooked, but it was a slow start. Finished strong with not too much of a cliff hanger.
