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25 Books I Read in 2025
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items 25 books i read last year, my rating, and whether i recommend them. Spoiler alert: I recommend almost all of them. Read what you want.
I rated The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt four out of five stars, though looking back it may be changed to five stars. It's a wonderful novel with a very complex narrative, I would definitely recommend everyone to read this at least once.
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston. This novel was amazing. I was so sure when I started it that it would take me weeks to finish it, but I simply couldn't put it down and finished within a few days. I rated it 4.5 stars, simply out o...
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
A beautiful queer story of two girls, one being Chinese-American, living in San Francisco Chinatown in the 1950's during Red Scare. I found each character and their relationships with each other to be something so interesting to read about. I rated t...
Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
Let me be honest with you: I didn't really enjoy this one. While I do recommend you read it, only because it is an important read, I didn't like it. I gave it 3/5 stars, and I much preferred Animal Farm.
1984 by George Orwell
Wow. Five Stars. I definitely recommend. I don't have much to say about plot or characters, but just know that this novel is a beautiful read that with be worth it in the end, AND it had a t.v. series adaptation.
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
I gave this book two stars. I did not enjoy it whatsoever. I think everyone should read the summary and reviews, and then decide whether they'd like to read it, but I personally do not recommend.
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
This book is something I think everyone should read. I gave it 4.5/5 stars, but hell why not make it 5. I think about it all the time, and it makes me feel things. I for sure recommend. Please read this book.
Stoner by John Williams
4/5 stars, yes I recommend. The title is very straightforward, it is a story about a crime, and a punishment. There's a lot of scenes of just Russian guys yapping, but overall a really good read.
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
5/5 stars, yes I recommend. This is one of the weirdest books I've ever read, but it was honestly amazing. The ending is crazy, and it might drive you up a wall with its absurdity, but I loved it.
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Süskind
I almost dnf'd this one, not because it's bad, but because it's real. Far too real. I do recommend this one, I left it unrated because I don't feel like we should rate the stories of peoples lives. Check trigger warnings if sensitive to such subjects...
Beautiful Boy by David Sheff
I gave Normal People 3/5 stars, I think mostly because it's pacing was throwing me off, but looking back I think I would recommend, especially if you'd like to get into Sally Rooney. I did prefer Conversations with Friends and Intermezzo, and also re...
Normal People by Sally Rooney
Another 5 star read. It's dystopian, but if you're looking for explanation or resolution then maybe this isn't the read for you. But I recommend.
I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman
I gave this one 4/5 stars, and I recommend. I didn't read the 1818 version, so I have no comparison of the two, but I enjoyed the version I did read.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
I gave this one 4 stars. I recommend the book over the movie, or at least read it first before watching. I think the novel was written beautifully.
Bones and All by Camille DeAngelis
this is one I think every woman and girl should read. 4/5 stars.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
I really liked this one, it's about two brothers, and they're so different but also so alike. 4/5, yes I recommend. I also recommend the audiobook, it was so calming.
Intermezzo by Sally Rooney
I gave this one 3/5, and would only recommend if you enjoy sci-fi as well as romance. I don't gravitate towards either of those genres often, which might explain my feelings towards this book. I liked the characters though.
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
I gave this one 4/5 strictly because I liked that vibe and setting. Pretty much all the characters are annoying, but I might recommend it if you're really into literary fiction because annoying characters frequent the genre.
Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors
3/5, my first shakespearean comedy. If you enjoy Shakespeare in general, or just enjoy a comedy, OR enjoyed the film “She's the Man”, I would recommend.
Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
4/5, if you love the Hunger Games, I recommend. I did personally have to download the audiobook because I kept DNFing it because I didn't like reading from Snow's perspective, lol.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes - Suzanne Collins
3/5: Did I enjoy it? No. Would I recommend it for someone who is just starting out with reading classics, or someone who enjoys feminist literature? Yes. Beware of the blatant racism.
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
Okay, 3/5, and I only would recommend if you are really into thrillers or Alex Michaelides. His book “The Silent Patient” is what got me into thrillers in the first place, but I have felt a massive decline in the quality of his novels. However, to ea...
The Fury by Alex Michaelides
5/5 stars. This is feminist literature. It's translated from Japanese, so it's sort of dream-like like most translated works, in my opinion. But it really is a beautiful book about what it is to be a woman; I recommend.
Breast and Eggs by Mieko Kawakami
I'm sorry, I'm a little confused. I gave this one 2 stars because I just felt confused the entire time. It's a novella, so there wasn't nearly enough time to tell our characters apart, and the multiple point of views didn't really help. If you're loo...
Graveyard Shift by M.L. Rio
I did give this one 4/5 upon finishing, while giving all the other books I've read by Kawakami 5/5. However, it is the one I think about the most, the one I feel is best, and I think after this I'm going to go change my original rating. Please just r...
All the Lovers in the Night by Mieko Kawakami