2025 in Literature
In Reading
In summary…
Reading goal: 15
Books read: 9
Station Eleven — Emily St. John Mandel
I adore this book. I love the dual timelines, the immediacy of it from the beginning that the world ends, but then there’s a kind of slow reveal as we learn more and more of the pandemic that led to society’s collapsing. Mandel’s writing is beautiful and flows so well. The characters are charming, some funny, witty, bringing light and whimsy to an otherwise dark, bleak, post-apocalyptic world. Not easy to do. Mandel nails it.
5/5
China Rich Girlfriend — Kevin Kwan
Such a fan. Pure entertainment. Like eating sour patch kids—tangy, sweet, sour. Delightful.
4/5
Rich People Problems — Kevin Kwan
Ditto.
4/5
Piranesi — Susanna Clark
This book utterly mystified me. It quickly became one of my favorite reads. Some reviews criticize the lengthy descriptions of halls and statues, and honestly I may not have enjoyed it quite as much if I hadn’t been listening to the audiobook. It felt so immersive that way. I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of this book: the writing style—the meticulous recordkeeping of “Piranesi”, the thoughtful analysis, the worldbuilding (quite literally, I suppose?)—I don’t want to spoil too much. This is a book you don’t need to know much about before diving in, and it may be better that way. The mystery will reveal itself in time.
5/5
Project Hail Mary — Andy Weir
I love Andy Weir. I love how into the science and mathematics he gets. He builds a fascinating scenario and science and world here. I also love how endearing this story was—I was not expecting to smile or cry so much. I really, really enjoyed this one.
4.8/5
The God of the Woods — Liz Moore
I enjoyed this one—it’s well written and the mystery elements are strong. The pacing works well. This is me reading a bit beyond my usual genre, and honestly I thought there would be more supernatural elements based on the name (hah). But I enjoyed it nonetheless!
4/5
Annihilation — Jeff VanderMeer
I enjoyed it. I should really do these reviews right after reading though—without remembering much of the detail, I remember how much this book fascinated me. The voice is a bit dry for how compelling the story and mystery is. I really wanted to like it more and read the rest of the series too but it just didn’t thrill me.
3.5/5
The Wedding People — Alison Espach
I loved this one! It’s deep enough to be meaningful, light and funny enough to be enjoyable. The characters are well written, dynamic, flawed, compelling. Really well done.
4/5
A Court of Thorns and Roses — Sarah J. Maas
Reading outside my usual genres—normally don’t read much fantasy, let alone romantasy. I listened to this one because a friend talked about it so much. This book is okay. The story’s not bad. I liked it well enough but I’m sick of hearing the words “cringe”—and please, please Sarah stop using the phrase “watery bowels”.
2.5/5
In Writing
Ideas for a novella or short story about identity/fracture/grief set against the Mt. St. Helens eruption. A touch paranormal. Working title Fault Lines.
Got a tattoo of a burning matchstick on my right wrist—to complement the pine tree on my left. Death, rebirth, fire, renewal, all that.
Otherwise, just chugging away at LOOKOUT edits and refinement. I’ve done some pretty major rewrites—especially after some feedback from a few beta-readers. It’s been nervewracking but highly constructive, hearing what people think of this story I’ve spent so many years developing. Scary at times—especially when one of my friends comes in, sets her Kindle down on my table and starts off with: “I have notes.”
Thank you friend—I’d rather hear these notes from you and make this story better before it makes out into the open world.
It’s coming together. Hoping 2026 is the year!
