Originally created by Jamie @PerpetualPageTurner, I saw this mega wrap-up over on Dini’s blog, @DiniPandaReads and I just had to do it myself because stats and wrap-ups are my favourite.
This is part two, and you can read part one here. Part 1 was all about the books, and this part is about blogging and looking forward to 2026.
Blog Recap
New favourite book blog/bookstagram/YouTube channel you discovered in 2025?
I only started blogging here seriously in 2025 so everyone I discovered this year counts! Here are a bunch that I have particularly enjoyed reading and engaging with:
- @DiniPandaReads
- @KeirasBookmark
- @librofulltime
- @PagesUnbound
- @TheBookwyrmsDen
- @ADanceWithBooks
- @GemsBookTalk
- @ReadYouLeyre
Favourite post you wrote in 2025?
The post I am most proud of will appear later, but for this I chose two that I am happy with for different reasons. The first is an LTB post about how I got into reading, and I loved reminiscing! The other is a wrap up from Non-fiction November, and while it’s not long or detailed, it was so great to connect with so many people through the posts and comments on this particular post.
Favourite bookish-related photo you took in 2025?
This one was so hard to pick! I took some lovely ones with my cats, but I was actually most pleased with my image for International Women’s Day. I’d not long been in my new house and finding different areas of the garden to take photos in was fun. The pink clematis rambled down to the wall and ended up providing a lovely frame for a lot of my pictures through the spring!
I post most of my photos on my Bookstagram, find me here @pages_of_emma
Best bookish event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, etc.)?
Sadly, I didn’t attend any bookish events this year! I had such a busy time with moving house and settling into my new county that there wasn’t much room for anything else. I plan to attend at least one in 2026 though!
Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2025?
Meeting so many amazing people! Books have bought me some great friends, both in person and online. I don’t go a day without speaking to someone about books now, and I am thrilled about it.
Most challenging thing about blogging or your reading life this year?
As of the autumn onwards, balance! The start of the year after moving I devoured books because I only worked 2 days, and the rest was spent in the garden and exploring my new county. I am so grateful that I was able to do that, and it gave me so much time to develop this blog and read so much good stuff! Since starting university in September though it has been a lot harder to find a balance between everything I want to do, and my blog has definitely suffered for it.
Most popular post this year on your blog (whether it be by comments or views)?
My most popular post is the one that I am actually most proud of, and that is my discussion on book buying:
How and Why I Curbed My Book Buying Habit and Some Resources for Choosing Better Places to Buy Books
It was a response to this LTB post on intentional book buying, and I shared a ton of resources and tips. I am very pleased with it, and with the reception it got!
Post you wished got a little more love?
I’d love to see my reviews in general receive a bit more love! I know reviews are hit and miss with this blog though, and that’s okay since they do well over on Instagram. Here are some of my favourites that I’d love more people to see (the images are links):
Best bookish discovery (book-related sites, bookstores, etc.)?
Pagebound, hands down.
It’s my new favourite bookish website, and it complements my use of Storygraph perfectly. It’s designed to be social, and I’ve met some fab people in the book forums!
It also looks super cute, and you can earn fun badges for completing quests. Honestly I am on it all day every day haha. Come be friends with me!
Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?
I discussed this in detail in my 2026 Reading Plans & 2025 Goals Review post, but in short, I did not do so well in completing my reading goals last year. The only things I achieved was to continue reading diversely and I am also on track to complete r/Fantasy Book Bingo 2025. And honestly, those are the two that were the most important to me! I’ve really scaled back this year in response to this.
Onto 2026
One book you didn’t get to in 2025 but will be your number 1 priority in 2026?
Black Water Sister by Zen Cho.
I have been putting this book on various tbrs for yeaaaars now. I am desperate to read it, so I have no idea why I don’t pick it up.
Book you are most anticipating for 2026 (non-debut)?
This was really hard, and I almost went with The Elsewhere Express, but who am I kidding, it has to be Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett. As a cat lover who works in a cattery, I cannot get enough of fantasy books with cats.
2026 debut you are most anticipating?
The Forest on the Edge of Time by Jasmin Kirkbride.
Time-travel climate fiction, need I say more?
Series ending/sequel you are most anticipating in 2026
A Trade of Blood by Robert Jackson Bennett.
I am very ready to be back in the world of Shadow of the Leviathan with Ana and Din already. I believe this is the final book (?), so I cannot wait to see what happens next.
One thing you hope to accomplish or do in your reading/blogging life in 2026?
I hope to try and get through a good chunk of my physical backlist! I have 140-ish physical books unread, and that is far too many for my liking. As for the blog, I want to try and engage a lot more. I tend to write and schedule my posts in batches because I am quite busy during the week, and then I forget to check other blogs. I need to put some time aside to read and comment on other blogs more!
A 2026 release you’ve already read and recommend to everyone (if applicable)
Stay for a Spell by Amy Coombe.
So cute, so romantic and so cosy. This is a debut, and I know its going to be so popular!
Synopsis:
One curse, seven princes, and a bookshop that you’ll never want to leave…
Princess Tanadelle of the Widdenmar longs to build a life of her own making. During a royal visit to the cosy town of Little Pepperidge, Tandy’s dream comes true when she finds herself cursed to remain in a run-down bookshop until she finds her heart’s desire.
More than a little thrilled, she hires a new assistant, teenage goth Sasha, and settles into life among the stacks. Despite the infuriatingly handsome pirate, Bash, who keeps showing up at the shop with his good looks and his own curse to figure out, Tandy’s new life might just make her happy.
There are just seven, minor, problems. With her royal duties unfulfilled, the frantic King and Queen send the seven princes of the realms to bestow upon Tandy a kiss, each one hoping to break the curse.
After all, what more could a princess want, than a prince?
Pages of Emma 
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