Hooray! It’s time for our favorite reads of the year!
We love putting these posts together, so grab a hot beverage of your choice, find a comfy couch or chair or nook to settle into, and be ready to explode your TBR with all these scrumptious personal recommendations. These are the best books we read this year (but not necessarily published this year) and we need to tell everyone how brilliant they were.
Happy reading!
Jurgen
Tender is the Flesh – Agustina Bazterrica
Gruesome in its factual way of storytelling. It reminded me very much of books like 1984 and The Man in the High Castle, as it also covers the story of a quite ‘regular’ person in a dystopian setting. I didn’t go all vegetarian after this, but it got me as close as anyone ever did. It never gets disgusting-disgusting, but it is enough to make your skin crawl.
Dungeon Crawler Carl – Matt Dinniman
This is just so much fun.
After almost all my friends read it, and recommended it is a book that “I would surely love” , and that “has my name all over it”, I wanted to rebel against it. I’m happy I picked it up anyway. It is a fast-paced crazy ride that any nerd that’s even a little into RPG gaming would looove. It is packed with action, and it gets really funny at moments. It is the kind of book you hope they would turn in either a game or a movie.
(Note: the paperback edition will be available at the end of December/beginning of January.)
Blacksad: They All Fall Down, Part 2 – Juan Díaz Canales and Juanjo Guarnido
Blacksad is just one of my favourite graphic novels. Each time a new part arrives it just fills my whole body with electricity at the prospect to drool over the amazing art by Juanjo Guarnido. That said, the way it is written by Juan Díaz Canales (and ultimately translated into English by Diana Schutz and Brandon Kander) always makes you feel you’re in an actual film-noir detective movie. That said, this second part to the story finishes with all the heartbreak and drama it built up to in part one.
Prisoners of Geography – Tim Marshall
A longtime ABC Favorite I’ve finally picked up. It is the kind of book that helps you understand the world and society a lot better. From a geographic point of view some things make total sense. Like why Russia is so obsessed with the Crimea, why Africa never had a lot of trading while having so many resources, or why the Middle East will never cease to be a hotspot for violence.
The Devils – Joe Abercrombie
I love a good standalone. And Joe Abercrombie is a general fantasy force to be reckoned with anyway. The Devils didn’t disappoint, it was witty and gory and had quite some twists and turns that were refreshing. There is a certain point of repetition to the story, but even still Abercrombie knows how to create a good character and that keeps the whole thing rolling. And of course, who doesn’t like the story of a band of misfits?
Jilles
Whalefall – Daniel Kraus
A son who has a complicated relationship with his father shuns him when he is dying of cancer. The father throws himself into the sea as his last resting place. Wracked with guilt and trying to make up for his mistake the son decides to try and find his father’s remains. Unexpectedly he is being swallowed by a whale (something that can actually happen!) and trying to escape while dealing with his father’s relationship and death. An amazing story!
Doctor Sleep – Stephen King
The follow-up to The Shining is a whole different creature. Doctor Sleep is the story of a loser who overcomes his demons, while The Shining is the opposite. This is where Dan, an alcoholic, becomes sober and a teacher when a young girl with this gift more powerful than his is threatened by the True Knot, a group of people who are psychic vampires who live on the energy of people with the shining. Great to see Dan finally become a winner.
Infinite Possibilities – Mike Dooley
A great book about the law of attraction, the ins and outs, and everything very well explained with relatable examples. Great addition to the other books about this subject.
Last Night I Sang to the Monster – Benjamin Alire Sáenz
This is a journey into the mind and soul of an eighteen year-old man who has to fight his inner monsters and learn how to feel again. The writing of this book is liquid poetry and the book is an ultimate journey into your own soul at that age. Beautiful, powerful, and heart-wrenching.
De Palma on De Palma – Brian DePalma, Laurent Vachaud and Samuel Blumenfeld
An interview that took two Frenchmen twenty years to complete with director Brian De Palma, famous for movies like Carrie, Dressed to Kill, Mission: Impossible, The Untouchables. He talks about the changes in the film industry, his view on the business, and behind the scenes stories of all his movies. Great read for all De Palma fans.
Simone
For Love – Sue Miller
The Troubled Man – Henning Mankell
Nash Falls – David Baldacci
Good Material – Dolly Alderton
Nightshade – Michael Connelly
Renata
The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi – Shannon Chakraborty
A funny, action-packed adventure telling the story of a retired and famous lady ex-pirate who is forced to go back to the oceans to try and rescue the kidnapped young daughter of an ex-crew member. The book has everything you can imagine: tales of ancient mystery, mythical creatures, forbidden artifacts and demons. First in a promised trilogy.
The Witch and the Tsar – Salnikova Gilmore
A historical fantasy that intertwines the Slavic tale of Baba Yaga with the history of Russia and Tsar Ivan the Terrible. In the book, Baba Yaga is a healer and witch who chose to live isolated in the forest, residing in/with her small house, Little Hen. When Tsarina Anastasia, Ivan’s wife and Yaga’s long-time friend, shows signs of poisoning, Baba Yaga decides to leave her isolation and go to Ivan’s court to try to save her. Yaga discovers that Ivan is being manipulated by ancient, malevolent forces that are using his paranoia to sow chaos and death throughout the land. It’s a heartbreaking tale, but one that also showcases the resilience, compassion, and courage of the Russian people, as well as the interesting, complex, and diverse Slavic folklore. Furthermore, Baba Yaga is portrayed as a caring and loving woman, not as an evil, child-eating witch.
Dragon Rider and The Tainted Khan – Taran Matharu
Dragons, what can I say? I love dragons. Dragon Rider and The Tainted Khan are the first two books in the Soulbound Trilogy. I was lucky enough to read them in sequence. Fast-paced and action-packed.
Dragon Rider tells the story of Jai, the third son of the late Khan of the Steppes, who has been held as a political hostage in the Sabine Empire since childhood. In short, Jai accidentally forms a soul bond with a dragon, whom he names Winter. From his escape from the Sabine palace, Jai begins his adventure.
The Tainted Khan picks up immediately after the events of Dragon Rider. Jai has fled to the Great Steppe, the land of his late father. He must learn about politics, master his magic and dragon bond with Winter (delightful), and unite the different tribes, including the Tainted.
A Day of Fallen Night and Among the Burning Flowers – Samantha Shannon
Both books are prequels to The Priory of the Orange Tree. A Day of Fallen Night is set 500 years before The Priory of Orange Tree, and follows four women — a Priory sister, a queen’s daughter, a princess, and a godsinger — as they prepare for the catastrophic return of the Nameless One and a terrifying age of terror. Among the Burning Flowers tells the story of the fall of the kingdom of Yscalin to a draconic army and the plight of Donmata Marosa Vetalda. I also enjoyed reading the two books in sequence, which helped me better understand all the events in the book The Priory of the Orange Tree.
The Future – Naomi Alderman
An interesting, thought-provoking sci-fi novel about how 3 elite tech billionaires plot to survive an impending apocalypse. There is a group of unlikely heroes who will try to thwart the plan. Very actual, the novel talks about the effects of social media and the immense power of tech billionaires. I was able to identify some real-life characters. Maybe a wake up call and a light at the end of the tunnel?
Want more of our favorite reads of 2025? Click here!
