As the year winds down, I pause and look back at the stories that kept me company. Reading has always been my favourite way to unwind and escape. It is a quiet pocket of calm in otherwise busy days, and this year, books played that role more than ever.
I began January with a modest goal of 60 books, only to raise it to 75 midway through the year once the momentum kicked in. Not every pick was a win though; there were a few disappointments and some DNFs, largely because I spent too much time chasing curated lists instead of my own reading instincts.
While most of my reading usually happens on a Kindle or via Audible, this year saw a surprising return to physical books. The real highlight, however, was joining a book club that perfectly matched my vibe. I finally found my tribe and a space where conversations about books feel just as rewarding as reading them.
This year, poetry drew me back to familiar ground revisiting verses I first encountered in college literature classes. William Shakespeare’s sonnets still feel astonishingly timeless, proving how little human longing has really changed. Oscar Wilde was undeniably beautiful, though it was difficult to get to the depth of his words as they need a lot of context. The most emotionally arresting, however, was Rifqa. It is heartbreakingly tender and fierce in equal measure.
I also returned to romance after a long break, wary because of past disappointments with casually glorified misogyny. Thankfully, this year’s picks were a relief: easy, comforting reads with female characters who had agency, voice, and dignity—and for once, I read without fuming.
Poems by Oscar Wilde
My first introduction to Wilde’s poems were the powerful lines from The Ballad of Reading Gaol. “Yet each man kills the things he loves,…The coward does it with a kiss, The brave man with a sword!”
As for this book of collected poems, I’ll admit there were plenty of times I had to check for the context and meaning of the poems online. Many of them have references to Christianity as he struggled with being accepted as a gay man. I read them just 2 or 3 at a time because they do take time to absorb. There are some gems in there, but many that just went over my head.
Rifqa by Mohammed El-Kurd
This is a book of poems on the poet’s life, remembering his grandmother, and his move to Atlanta and how he reconciles with living there with the trauma of war on his people. It is divided into four parts talking about his early life in Palestine, the ongoing violence and deaths of Palestinians, his concept of home as he has moved to Atlanta, and how he tries to get the world to notice the Palestinian struggle.
There is strong imagery and emotion in what he writes. In the poem This is Why We Dance, he talks of his resilient people and how he fluctuates between anger and pride when he hears the news, and how the world needs to hear more of what’s happening in the world outside their bubble even if it makes them uncomfortable.
Read my full review here: Palestinian Stories
Sonnets by William Shakespeare
I had read some of the Bard’s sonnets in college and was intrigued by the word play. Of course, no one quite describes love like he does: Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds. However, reading them in sequence, I was surprised how insistent he was about having children! Even if it is to continue the beauty blood line. Some of the words and phrases need translation where LitCharts helped. Otherwise, it is a charming collection. I go back to some of my favourites again and again.
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
A light, cosy witchy romance you can speed read for a quick pick-me-up. Mika is a cheery witch who hasn’t had a great life but is making the best of it. She gets called to teach 3 little witches who live with their non-magic guardians. She finally finds love and a home.
Humorous and easy to read, it was a nice change of pace to read a romance novel that did not have me cringing.
Do Me a Favor by Cathy Yardley
Willa moves into a new home and meets the man of her dreams. Simple enough and no major conflicts, except that each of them needs to learn to prioritise themselves and seek help when needed.
It was a good speed read between books for me. I liked the characters and the fact that they’re 40+ and more secure – none of the “I’m not good enough for him” inner monologue. Good storyline too.
Bridgertons Series (Books 1-3) by Julia Quinn
I was intrigued enough by the series to read a few of the books that inspired it all. I read the first three books in the series: The Duke and I, The Viscount Who Loved Me, and An Offer from a Gentleman. The books are nowhere close to the detailing as the show, but they were quintessential romance novels with simple plots and basic character sketches; nothing complicated, just pure escapism. There are many characters that are not part of the books, the Queen being the main one. Even Lady Whistledown seems quite tame as compared to the show’s snarky gossip paper. However, I liked reading the origin story. They’re not lengthy books and get straight to the point of the story without unnecessary descriptions and plot points.
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
A story about a bookstore filled with book references is the perfect rainy day romance read. It’s about a grumpy man who has love thrust upon him that transforms him into a softy.
A.J. is down in the dumps after his wife’s death. He then has his rare collectible book stolen. A book rep he liked has also died and been replaced with someone who doesn’t understand him. Now, someone has left a baby in his care. Then slowly there’s laughter and love in his life.
It is a feel-good story with stellar book recommendations. I loved Lambiase’s idea of a police book club with books on cops solving crimes. However, many of the instances in the book seemed contrived to fit into the plot and tied up neatly by the end. That was disappointing as I was expecting much more nuance after reading Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow.
Also check out my other lists for 2025:
Note: Some links are part of an affiliate program, which means that if you click on a link and buy something, I might receive a percentage of the sale, at no extra cost to you.
Love, Life, & Beyond 
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