Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
Summer Reading List 2025
20
items I read 200+ books every year, and this is what I’m picking up in the Summer of 2025. Many of these are buzzing on TikTok/BookTok, and I’ll give you my honest opinion — even if a book isn’t my favorite.
Some links may be affiliate links, which means ...
Sections
6
Horror
Psychological Thriller
RomComs
Romance
Historical Fiction
The Hunger Games Series
Horror
Spine-tingling reads that keep me up at night. These are the horror books I couldn’t put down in 2025.
Skip this one. The concept and Handmaid’s Tale comparisons intrigued me, but this dystopian psychological thriller about a society labeling people “unfit” felt dark and unsettling without being worth the read.
The Unworthy, Agustina Bazterrica
A cult horror classic that warps reality, format, and your brain. Experimental, eerie, and unforgettable — perfect if you like haunted house stories with a twist.
House of Leaves: The Remastered, Full-Color Edition
It takes a lot to fool me in a mystery—I usually spot the ending early. But here, I didn’t know who or even what was going on until the very last page. A tense home-invasion thriller with a mother’s fierce survival at its core. Gritty, atmospheric, a...
Nightwatching, Tracy Sierra
Psychological Thriller
Mind games, unreliable narrators, and disturbing twists — if you love tense, cerebral stories, check these out.
A twisty psychological thriller about a prison nurse whose ex is now an inmate—and maybe a killer. Fast-paced with jaw-dropping reveals.
The Inmate, Freida McFadden
This one wasn't my favorite. It's a bestselling psychological thriller with an unreliable narrator, buried secrets, and a missing woman..
The Girl on the Train, Paula Hawkins
A chilling psychological thriller about a woman who befriends a stranger — only to discover she’s being watched. Creepy, clever, and full of twists.
None of This Is True, Lisa Jewell
RomComs
Funny, flirty, and full of charm. These romantic comedies brought joy to my 2025 reading list.
A darkly funny road trip novel about grief, friendship, and facing the afterlife — literally. Weird, heartfelt, and unexpectedly profound.
Earls Trip, Jenny Holiday
A quirky, emotional sequel about healing, relationships, and what it means to truly live. Whimsical and heartfelt with a side of existential crisis.
Manic Pixie Dream Earl
A charming, feel-good romantic comedy about second chances, sisterhood, and rewriting the story of your life. Uplifting, funny, and full of heart.
The Love Haters, Katherine Center
Romance
Swoon-worthy stories with heart. These are my favorite romance reads so far this year.
A total hot mess train wreck — I didn’t like it… but I kinda did. Couldn’t stop reading. A messy, addictive love story set in London’s elite social scene. Think Gossip Girl meets Euphoria — with heartbreak, drama, and designer shoes.
Magnolia Parks, by Jessa Hastings
A smart, witty rom-com about starting over, astrology, and finding love when the stars (and your past) won’t cooperate. Perfect for fans of cosmic chaos and second chances.
Miranda in Retrograde, Lauren Layne
A heartwarming beach read about healing, family, and finding joy after loss. Uplifting women’s fiction with a coastal setting and emotional depth.
Promise Me Sunshine, Cara Bastone
Historical Fiction
Books that transported me to another time and place. These picks balance strong storytelling with rich historical settings.
A haunting fantasy about a girl cursed to be forgotten — and what it means to leave a mark. Lyrical, romantic, and unforgettable.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, V.E. Schwab
A gritty, emotional thriller about survival, love, and the secrets that haunt us. Raw, gripping, and beautifully written.
All the Colors of the Dark, Chris Whitaker
A glamorous family drama set in 1980s Malibu — with secrets, surfing, and one unforgettable party. Emotional, fast-paced, and full of retro vibes.
Malibu Rising, Taylor Jenkins Reid
The Hunger Games Series
write some stuff A full re-read (or first-time read) of the iconic dystopian saga — plus thoughts on the prequels and how they hold up in 2025
A dystopian YA classic where teens fight to the death on live TV. Gripping, brutal, and impossible to put down.
The Hunger Games (Hunger Games Series #1), Suzanne Collins
The rebellion sparks in this high-stakes sequel as Katniss returns to the arena. Tense, emotional, and packed with twists.
Catching Fire (Hunger Games Series #2), Suzanne Collins
The explosive finale of The Hunger Games trilogy — war, sacrifice, and the fight for freedom. Dark, powerful, and unforgettable.
Mockingjay (Hunger Games Series #3), Suzanne Collins
A Hunger Games prequel about a young Snow and the origins of the Games. Dark, ambitious, and surprisingly emotional.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (A Hunger Games Novel), Suzanne Collins
My favorite book in the series by far. The next Hunger Games prequel set during the 50th Games — Haymitch’s Quarter Quell. Highly anticipated, with a return to the arena and deeper Capitol politics.
Sunrise on the Reaping (A Hunger Games Novel), Suzanne Collins