Hello! I already talked about my general reading and bookish year so far in this LTB post, but I thought it’d be nice to delve more into the books themselves and this tag seemed like the perfect way to do it! I feel like I’ve had a fantastic reading year so far, so it’ll be nice to highlight some books. I’ll try not to repeat books and authors if I can help it.
I found this tag on @Pages And Tea, though I am not sure who the original author was.
1. Best book you’ve read so far in 2025:
It has to be Gorse by Sam K. Horton.
This book was incredible. I love books based on folklore and with great atmosphere, and Gorse delivered both in spades. I just could not put it down, and the fact that it was set where I live made it even better.
I am so excited that the sequel is out this year too!
2. Best sequel of 2025 so far:
Shockingly, I have only read a grand total of 2 sequels this year (not counting my rereads here). Definitely need to work on that stat!
The best of the two was hands-down The Battle Drum by Saara El-Arifi. The world in this series is so cool, the magic so unique and the characters are just brilliant. This book definitely was miles away from the second-book syndrome. In fact, I liked it more than book 1!
3. New release you haven’t read yet, but want to:
Definitely The Incandescent by Emily Tesh.
I am a sucker for a magic school, and I love unique POVs, so the fact that this one is from that of a teacher is so exciting! I’ve heard some great things about this one already.
4. Most anticipated release of the second half of 2025:
My favourite series ever, Green Rider by Kristen Britain, gets book 8 this year!
I actually have an e-arc of this which I am planning to read as soon as I have finished my reread of book 7.
SO excited.
Also definitely obsessed with the cover art.
5. Biggest disappointment of 2025:
Sadly, Pod by Laline Paul.
I was really looking forward to reading this one for Rewild YourShelf book club, but I just could not get into it at all.
I gave it to about 25% but the writing was just not for me and it was feeling like a chore.
6. Biggest surprise:
This was my other contender for favourite book. Mischief Acts by Zoe Gilbert took me totally by surprise. It shouldn’t have, because it’s the most folklore-y of folklore stories, but the historical aspect made me nervous, as that’s not something I always vibe with. Needless to say, I loved it.
7. Favourite new author (debut or new to you):
It has to be Robert Jackson Bennett. I have read 3 of his books so far this year and I cannot believe I didn’t try him sooner! I have been loving his Shadow of the Leviathan series, reading books 1 & 2 (they are up there with my top favourites!), and I also really enjoyed Foundryside earlier in the year too. I am definitely going to be continuing these series.
8. Newest fictional crush:
This… definitely is not a question that will ever apply to me haha. I don’t get crushes on characters ever. I very rarely even get emotionally attached to characters unless they’re cats tbh.
9. Newest favourite character:
I loved Nancy Bligh from Gorse a lot. She’s determined, smart and strong, and I really loved following her journey as she discovered that about herself.
Adunni from The Girl With the Louding Voice, and, And So I Roar by Abi Daré has also really stuck with me. So young, yet so brave, strong and determined (I am noticing a theme here…). Her story really affected me, and has stayed with me since I read it.
10. Book that made you cry:
None. I don’t cry at books. I’ve said before that I am not an emotional reader, and it’s very, very rare that I’ll ever tear up. I do get emotional when I read some non-fiction because I feel very strongly about the state of nature, but that’s about it really.
11. Book that made you happy:
I have 2 books for this, and both made me happy for different reasons.
The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst was such a sweet, magical book. The literary equivalent of a hug and I adored it.
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir was the most fun I have had with a book in a long time. I highly recommend the audio for this – you’ll have fun.
12. Favourite book to movie adaptation of 2025 you’ve seen:
I have only seen one adaptation this year, and that was the first episode of the Murderbot series. It was pretty good, though I think I want to read more of the books before continuing.
13. Favourite post/review you’ve written this year:
My favourite post is my discussion on book buying that I wrote in April:
How and Why I Curbed My Book Buying Habit and Some Resources for Choosing Better Places to Buy Books.
It is something that is very important to me, and I was really happy that it resonated with some of you too!
My favourite review so far is the one I wrote for Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao.
Another book I almost chose for favourite, and I hope I caught the dreamy magic of it with my review!
14. Most beautiful book you bought or received this year:
Again I have two! A Dance of Lies by Brittney Arena has the most gorgeous stained glass cover with gold foil. Stunning. I also received a copy of to have or to hold by Sophie Pavelle from Bloomsbury, and I am just in love with the striking illustration of plants and bugs. Nature books have some of the best covers in my opinion.
15. Books you need to read by the end of this year:
So many. So, so many…
Immediate priorities however are:
Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton, The Sun Blessed Prince by Lindsey Byrd and Paladin’s Grace by T. Kingfisher.
Pages of Emma 
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