My Favorite Books of 2025

Hi everyone

Looking back at my reading year, I realize I must have been very critical in 2025. Out of the 95 books I read, only 13 earned the full five stars from me. But those five-star books; they were so worth it!

Here are the stories that stole my heart, made me think, or just swept me away completely:

- Katherine Addison: The Tomb of Dragons  

- Ilona Andrews: Magic Strikes 

- Becky Chambers: A Prayer for the Crown-Shy 

- Roald Dahl: Matilda 

- Jonathan French: The True Bastards 

- Eowyn Ivey: To the Bright Edge of the World  

- Cameron Johnston: The Maleficent Seven 

- Brian McClellan: Promise of Blood

- Harriet Muncaster: Isabella Maan gaat naar de kermis 

- Emma Newman: Before Mars

- Terry Pratchett: The Fifth Elephant 

- Dennis E. Taylor: Not Till We Are Lost  

- Jen Williams: The Ninth Rain 

Each of these books stood out for a reason; whether it was the characters, the world, or the way they made me feel. They’re the ones I’ll remember, recommend, and reread for years to come.

What were your favorite reads of 2025? Did any of these make your list too? I’d love to hear what five-star books you (re)discovered! 

Happy reading!
Helena 

Wrap Up: 2025

Hi everyone

Happy new year!

2025 had its ups and downs, like every year, but I’m grateful to say there were no major problems in our family. Instead, it was a year filled with lots of fun together; family time, cozy evenings with just my husband and me, catching up with extended family, and, of course, plenty of me-time with a book nestled in bed or on the couch.
For me, reading is my perfect way to recharge; curling up with a blanket and a cup of tea, especially when the world outside is cold and rainy. And in 2025, I did a lot of that.

I read a total of 95 books in 2025, not counting the books I didn’t finish.  

Series I started reading:

- Ilona Andrews: Kate Daniels 

- Jim Butcher: Codex Alera 

- Robin Hobb: The Rain Wild Chronicles 

- Benedict Jacka: Inheritance of Magic 

- Brian McClellan: Powder Mage

- Jen Williams: The Winnowing Flame 

 

Series I continued reading:

- Ben Aaronovitch: Rivers of London 

- Terry Pratchett: Discworld 

- Patrick Rothfuss: The Kingkiller Chronicle 

- Dennis E. Taylor: Bobiverse 

 

Series I finished reading:

- Katherine Addison: The Cemeteries of Amalo 

- Peter Brown: The Wild Robot  

- Becky Chambers: Monk and Robot

- Emma Newman: Planetfall

- Shelley Parker-Chan: The Radiant Emperor 

- Terry Pratchett & Stephen Baxter: The Long Earth

- Dennis E. Taylor: Quantum Earth  

Series I started and finished reading:

- M. R. Carey: Pandominion 

- Jonathan French: The Lot Lands

Series I quit reading:

- Joe Abercrombie: The Age of Madness

- Trudi Canavan: Millennium's Rule 

- Glen Cook: Chronicles of the Black Company 

- David Dalglish: Shadowdance 

- Fonda Lee: The Green Bone Saga  

- Tasha Suri: The Books of Ambha 

- Rebecca Thorne: Tomes & Teas 

- Martha Wells: The Rising World 

Here are all the books I read this year with a link to the review.

- Benedict Jacka: An Inheritance of Magic 

- Eowyn Ivey: To the Bright Edge of the World 

- Fredrik Backman: A Man Called Ove 

- Grant Snider: I Will Judge You By Your Bookshelf 

- Rebecca Thorne: Can't Spell Treason Without Tea 

- Jonathan French: The Grey Bastards 

- N. K. Jemisin: Emergency Skin 

- Greg Pizzoli: Worstje en zijn vrienden

- Robin Hobb: Dragon Keeper

- Sam Harris: The End of Faith

- Sarah Andersen: Adulthood Is a Myth

- Fonda Lee: Jade City 

- Ilona Andrews: Magic Bites

- Tasha Suri: Empire of Sand

- Philippa Perry: The Book You Want Everyone You Love To Read

- David Dalglish: A Dance of Blades

- Darren Hardy: The Compound Effect

- Julie Leong: The Teller of Small Fortunes

- Joe Abercrombie: The Trouble With Peace

- Dennis E. Taylor: Earthside

- Terry Pratchett: The Last Continent 

- Becky Chambers: A Prayer for the Crown-Shy

- Stephen King: The Dark Half 

- Neil Gaiman: The Ocean at the End of the Lane 

- Bessel van der Kolk: The Body Keeps the Score

- Richard Matheson: A Stir of Echoes

- Peter Brown: The Wild Robot Escapes

- Terry Practhett & Stephen Baxter: The Long Mars

- Jim Butcher: Furies of Calderon 

- The Poetry of Emily Dickinson

- Harriet Muncaster: Isabella Maan gaat naar de kermis

- Harriet Muncaster: Mirabelle heeft een slechte dag

- Paul van Loon: Birthday Surprise

- Paul van Loon: Full Moon

- Shelley Parker-Chan: He Who Drowned the World

- Emma Newman: Before Mars

- Rachel Joyce: Maureen Fry and the Angel of the North

- Yoko Ogawa: Revenge 

- Stephen Aryan: Of Gods and Men

- Jonathan French: The True Bastards

- Trudi Canavan: Thief's Magic

- Martha Wells: Witch King 

- Brian McClellan: Promise of Blood

- Yuval Noah Harari: Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow

- Ilona Andrews: Magic Burns

- Peter Brown: The Wild Robot Protects

- Christian White: The Nowhere Child

- Terry Pratchett: Carpe Jugulum 

- David Dalglish: A Dance of Mirrors 

- Marie Brennan: The Waking of Angantyr 

- Margaret Atwood: Surfacing 

- T. J. Klune: Under the Whispering Door

- Tommy Orange: Wandering Stars

- Neil Gaiman: Coraline 

- Glen Cook: The Black Company 

- Vernor Vinge: A Fire Upon the Deep 

- Katherine Addison: The Tomb of Dragons

- Brandon Sanderson: Tress of the Emerald Sea

- Terry Pratchett & Stephen Baxter: The Long Utopia 

- Lori Gottlieb: Maybe You Should Talk to Someone

- Brian Jacques: Redwall

- Robin Hobb: Dragon Haven

- M. R. Carey: Infinity Gate

- Jim Butcher: Academ's Fury

- Mark Manson: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

- Cameron Johnston: The Maleficent Seven

- Ben Aaronovitch: The Masquerades of Spring

- Roald Dahl: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

- Jonathan French: The Free Bastards 

- Terry Pratchett: The Fifth Elephant

- Grant Snider: The Art of Living 

- Delia Owens: Where the Crawdads Sing

- Dennis E. Taylor: Not Till We Are Lost 

- Jen Williams: The Ninth Rain

- Emma Newman: Atlas Alone

- Patrick Rothfuss: The Narrow Road Between Desires

- Werner Herzog: Of Walking in Ice

- Terry Pratchett & Stephen Baxter: The Long Cosmos

- Nikki Erlick: The Measure

- Benedict Jacka: An Instruction in Shadow 

- Debbie Mirza: The Covert Passive Agressive

- Brian McClellan: The Crimson Campaign  

- M. R. Carey: Echo of Worlds 

- Claire Keegan: Small Things Like These 

- Roald Dahl: Matilda

- Sequoia Nagamatsu:Where We Go When All We Were Is Gone 

- Lindsay C. Gibson: Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents

- Leslye Penelope: Daughter of the Merciful Deep 

- Ilona Andrews: A Questionable Client 

- Samantha Harvey: Orbital

- Ilona Andrews: Magic Strikes

- Ilona Andrews: Magic Mourns

- Ilona Andrews: Magic Dreams 

 

I already have a list (of course I do!) with about 25 books I definitely want to read in 2026. But aside from those, I plan on reading whatever I want. Because reading should be fun, not a chore.
In 2025, I reread some children’s books with my eldest daughter and even read a few of her favorites just because I wanted to. It reminded me that there’s no “should” in reading. Never let anyone tell you what you should or shouldn’t read! I try to live by the saying: “You do you.” 

Do you have any book recommendations for me? Or did you read something amazing in 2025 that I could add to my list for next year? Let me know in the comments; I’d love to hear from you!

Wishing you all a wonderful 2026 filled with incredible books and cozy reading moments. Here’s to another year of adventures between the pages!

Happy reading
Helena 

Wrap Up: December 2025

Hi everyone

December is always one of the busiest months in our house (and I suspect it’s the same for most of you!). Between Sinterklaas, Christmas decorating, ordering and wrapping gifts, writing holiday cards, entertaining family, and visiting loved ones, it’s a whirlwind. 
But we managed to end the year on a high note with a short getaway to Center Parcs with our children, and we had a really, really lovely time. 
I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season too! 

Even with all the holiday hustle, I still found time to squeeze in some reading. Here’s what I dove into last month:

- Debbie Mirza: The Covert Passive Agressive

- Brian McClellan: The Crimson Campaign  

- M. R. Carey: Echo of Worlds 

- Claire Keegan: Small Things Like These 

- Roald Dahl: Matilda

- Sequoia Nagamatsu:Where We Go When All We Were Is Gone 

- Lindsay C. Gibson: Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents

- Leslye Penelope: Daughter of the Merciful Deep 

- Ilona Andrews: A Questionable Client 

- Samantha Harvey: Orbital

- Ilona Andrews: Magic Strikes

- Ilona Andrews: Magic Mourns

- Ilona Andrews: Magic Dreams 

Did you find time to read in December, or were you too busy with holiday prep? Did you discover any new favorites or reread old ones? I’d love to hear what you’ve been reading!

Happy reading!
Helena 

Wrap Up: November 2025

Hi everyone

November has arrived, and with it, the start of the cold, dark, and wet months here in Belgium. October usually treats us to a few sunny days, but by November, those are few and far between. To chase away the gloom, we’ve put up fairy lights around the house, I’m drinking more tea than ever, and my blankets are always close by; ready to snuggle under with a good book.

Here's what I read last month: 

- Jen Williams: The Ninth Rain

- Emma Newman: Atlas Alone

- Patrick Rothfuss: The Narrow Road Between Desires

- Werner Herzog: Of Walking in Ice

- Terry Pratchett & Stephen Baxter: The Long Cosmos

- Nikki Erlick: The Measure

- Benedict Jacka: An Instruction in Shadow 

How was your reading month? Did you discover any new favorites, or revisit an old one? I’d love to hear your recommendations; what should I add to my list for December or next year?

Happy reading!
Helena 

Wrap Up: October 2025

Hi everyone

October has been the perfect month for cozy evenings in; rainy, dark, and chilly. There’s nothing better than curling up on the couch with a good book, a warm cup of tea (or a diet soda, if I’m feeling rebellious), and maybe a little snack. Wrapped in a blanket, lost in another world, what could be more perfect? 
And I read some great books!

Here's what I read. 

- Mark Manson: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

- Cameron Johnston: The Maleficent Seven

- Ben Aaronovitch: The Masquerades of Spring

- Roald Dahl: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

- Jonathan French: The Free Bastards 

- Terry Pratchett: The Fifth Elephant

- Grant Snider: The Art of Living 

- Delia Owens: Where the Crawdads Sing

- Dennis E. Taylor: Not Till We Are Lost 

And there was one book I could not finish

- Michaeleen Doucleff: Hunt, Gather, Parent 

How was your reading month? Did you discover any new favorites or revisit old ones? I like rereading and discovering new books. What about you? I’d love to hear what you’ve been reading!

Happy reading!
Helena 

Wrap Up: September 2025

Hi everyone

September flew by in the back-to-school and -hobbies chaos, rainy Belgian weather, and weekends filled with fun excursions. The girls seem to have grown at least 10 centimeters since the end of the last school year. They astound me with their growth and their amazing personalities.
Now that fall is officially here, I’m looking forward to even more reading time (preferably under a blanket with a cup of tea and a peace of delicious chocolate).

Here's what I read:

- Lori Gottlieb: Maybe You Should Talk to Someone

- Brian Jacques: Redwall

- Robin Hobb: Dragon Haven

- M. R. Carey: Infinity Gate

- Jim Butcher: Academ's Fury

How was your month? What did you read? Let me know; I’d love to hear your recommendations!

Happy reading!
Helena 

Wrap Up: August 2025

Hi everyone

August flew by in a blur of laughter, cake, and way too many books! We went on a family holiday, celebrated my daughters turning 8 and 4 (how are they growing so fast?!), and my husband and I toasted to 11 years of marriage. Summer was packed with joy, and now we’re easing back into the school routine—though the Belgian weather seems determined to remind us that autumn is just around the corner.

As always, I found rest, relaxation and adventure in the pages of some wonderful books. 

Here's what I read last month:

- T. J. Klune: Under the Whispering Door

- Tommy Orange: Wandering Stars

- Neil Gaiman: Coraline 

- Glen Cook: The Black Company 

- Vernor Vinge: A Fire Upon the Deep 

- Katherine Addison: The Tomb of Dragons

- Brandon Sanderson: Tress of the Emerald Sea

- Terry Pratchett & Stephen Baxter: The Long Utopia 

What about you? Did August bring any gems your way? Or maybe a new favorite? Let me know! I’m always on the lookout for recommendations!

Happy reading!
Helena 

Wrap Up: July 2025

Hi everyone

July was a fantastic reading month for me! We were on holiday for two weeks, which meant fewer chores and more time to relax; especially in the evenings. With two daughters (3 and 7) and plenty of fun activities during the day, finding quiet time to read can be a challenge, but I managed to sneak in some pages whenever the girls were playing together. And, of course, once they were in bed and everything was tidied up, it was my time to dive into a book and my husband's time for gaming or watching a series.

Here's what I read in July:

- Brian McClellan: Promise of Blood

- Yuval Noah Harari: Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow

- Ilona Andrews: Magic Burns

- Peter Brown: The Wild Robot Protects

- Christian White: The Nowhere Child

- Terry Pratchett: Carpe Jugulum 

- David Dalglish: A Dance of Mirrors 

- Marie Brennan: The Waking of Angantyr 

- Margaret Atwood: Surfacing 

And there's one book I didn't finish:

- Blake Crouch: Dark Matter 

How was your reading month? Did you find more time to read, or did life get in the way? Do you read more or less when you’re on holiday? I’d love to hear how you balance reading and relaxation!

Happy reading!
Helena 

Wrap Up: June 2025

Hi everyone

June has flown by. Summer vacation has started for the children, my husband and I are still working but in a couple of weeks we'll be going on holiday and we're all looking forward to that.

Here's the list with links to the books I read in June.

- Rachel Joyce: Maureen Fry and the Angel of the North

- Yoko Ogawa: Revenge 

- Stephen Aryan: Of Gods and Men

- Jonathan French: The True Bastards

- Trudi Canavan: Thief's Magic

- Martha Wells: Witch King 

Did you read anything amazing in June? I’d love to hear your recommendations, especially if you’ve got a hidden gem I should add to my list!

Happy reading!
Helena 

 

Wrap Up: May 2025

Hi everyone

May was a good reading month. Because I didn't really enjoy Parker-Chan's He Who Drowned the World; I read a few children's book alongside and I really liked this combination.

Here's what I read: 

- Terry Practhett & Stephen Baxter: The Long Mars

- Jim Butcher: Furies of Calderon 

- The Poetry of Emily Dickinson

- Harriet Muncaster: Isabella Maan gaat naar de kermis

- Harriet Muncaster: Mirabelle heeft een slechte dag

- Paul van Loon: Birthday Surprise

- Paul van Loon: Full Moon

- Shelley Parker-Chan: He Who Drowned the World

- Emma Newman: Before Mars

How was your month? Did you read anything you'd like to recommend?

Happy reading!
Helena

Wrap Up: April 2025

Hi everyone

April was wonderful; we had plenty of sunshine breaking through the typical Belgian grey skies, and I read a ton too! I’m excited to share what I dove into. 

Here's what I read:

- Dennis E. Taylor: Earthside

- Terry Pratchett: The Last Continent 

- Becky Chambers: A Prayer for the Crown-Shy

- Stephen King: The Dark Half 

- Neil Gaiman: The Ocean at the End of the Lane 

- Bessel van der Kolk: The Body Keeps the Score

- Richard Matheson: A Stir of Echoes

- Peter Brown: The Wild Robot Escapes

What about you? How was your reading month? Did you find any new favorites or re-read an old beloved book? I’d love to hear what you’ve been reading!

Happy reading!
Helena

Wrap Up: March 2025

 Hi everyone

I read more than expected last month! March 2025 was a great reading month for me, and I’m excited to share what I dove into. 

Here’s the full list

- Tasha Suri: Empire of Sand

- Philippa Perry: The Book You Want Everyone You Love To Read

- David Dalglish: A Dance of Blades

- Darren Hardy: The Compound Effect

- Julie Leong: The Teller of Small Fortunes

- Joe Abercrombie: The Trouble With Peace

There was also one book I could not finish.

- Nick Cutter: The Troop 

Did you read anything amazing in March? Or maybe you discovered a hidden gem? I’d love to hear about your favorite reads; let’s swap recommendations!

Happy reading!
Helena 

Wrap Up: February 2025

 Hi everyone

February is finally over and honestly, it felt like double its actual length, just like January. The cold, grey, and rainy Belgian autumn and winter have a way of making time drag, but they also gave me plenty of cozy evenings (after my daughters were asleep) curled up on the couch with tea and a book. There’s something so very comforting about that, isn’t there?

Here's what I read in February:

- Greg Pizzoli: Worstje en zijn vrienden

- Robin Hobb: Dragon Keeper

- Sam Harris: The End of Faith

- Sarah Andersen: Adulthood Is a Myth

- Fonda Lee: Jade City 

- Ilona Andrews: Magic Bites 

What did you read in February? Did you discover any gems last month? Or maybe you revisited an old favorite? I’d love to hear about your February reads!

Happy reading! 
Helena

Wrap Up: January 2025

 Hi everyone

January felt so long, cold, dark, and a little depressing. But you know what? It was also the perfect time for cozy evenings filled with books and endless cups of tea. There’s something so comforting about curling up with a good story when the world outside feels gray.

Here's what I read last month:

- Benedict Jacka: An Inheritance of Magic 

- Eowyn Ivey: To the Bright Edge of the World 

- Fredrik Backman: A Man Called Ove 

- Grant Snider: I Will Judge You By Your Bookshelf 

- Rebecca Thorne: Can't Spell Treason Without Tea 

- Jonathan French: The Grey Bastards 

- N. K. Jemisin: Emergency Skin 

Did you discover any gems last month? Or maybe you revisited an old favorite? I’d love to hear about your January reads; let’s swap recommendations!

Happy reading!
Helena