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Books of 2025 Thread
I can now start this one off after completing my first book of the year!
Book 1 - The Dragonbone Chair by Tad Williams
A very solid first book to a series. A slow build up to an excellent finale. Classic fantasy with a lot of the tropes you'd find. Second third dragged a little and a bit clunky. Not fully invested with Simon, the main protagonist.
3.5/5
Book 2 - In Order to Live by Yeonmi Park
An often difficult and harrowing read of Park's escape from North Korea to being trafficked into China, eventually getting to South Korea.
Questions raised of the veracity of parts of the story and facts given on background reading.
4/5
Book 3 - James by Percival Everett
An outstanding retelling of Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of Jim, the slave. It's visceral and grim reading at times, but cut through with a wry humour. It tackles themes of racism, identity and slavery. It feels like an important book.
4.5/5
Book 4 - Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
For such a short book, this has provoked some of the most thoughts for a while. A lot of the themes are still very valid, others maybe not so much. Montag's character arc is something else!
4/5
Book 5 - Misery by Stephen King
My first foray into King's work and thought it was excellent. It managed to keep the tension and intensity up throughout and I loved the character study of Annie and Paul. A couple of pacing issues and an alright ending were my only complaints.
4/5
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Book 6 - The Emperor's Soul by Brandon Sanderson
I thought the discussion about human nature and what defines art was good. The central relationship between Shai and Gaotana was excellent. It lacked tension at the end, as everything felt too easy.
3.5/5
Book 7 - I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman
The novel brilliantly tackles themes of what it means to be human, love, grief and our drive to continue living. It's invariably a tough read, but there is a smattering of hope and humour to eleviate that.
5/5
Book 8 - The Stone of Farewell by Tad Williams
The most middle of middle books. Not a massive amount happens for such a long book. The pay off isn't as good as the first. My main issue is the characters and how unconnected I am to them...
Book 9 - The Women Of Troy by Pat Barker
In the aftermath of the fall of Troy, Briseis has to navigate the rising tensions in the camp, to rally + help the enslaved women. It tackles grief + living in a father's shadow. Doesn't quite have the emotional impact of the first book.
3.5/5
Book 10 - The Map of Bones by Kate Mosse
A fitting end to the Joubert Family Chronicles. Focusing on two women's journeys to find answers about their family in theCape Colonies. Very well researched & at the heart of it a story of women breaking through the societal norms. The final journey of Isabelle in the 19th century was a bit rushed, so never fully engaged in that part of the book.
4/5
Book 11 - Children Of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky
It explored evolution and how we have evolved through time was excellently done. The flicking between perspectives of human and spider societies only highlighted the juxtaposition between the two. I will be thinking about the ending for a while.
Book 12 - My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante
I loved this. It's full of contrasts, and the mundanity of ordinary life is bought sharply into focus with short, sharp bursts of violence. I was engrossed in Lila and Lenu's losses, victories, and frustrations.
4.5/5
Book 13 - The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie
Easily my favourite Poirot book so far. The writing seems to be more polished and the comedic elements elevate it. The twist at the end is an all timer! Bonus - no Hastings!
4.25/5
