For obvious reasons 2025 was not the year I read a lot of books but looking back I realised I did read some very good ones. I read 47 books and rated 12 of these five stars which I think is a pretty good ratio. But the ones I expected to be the best reads were definitely not, while lots of the books I just read casually turned out to be great. I cannot recommend these ones more!
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Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
I love big books (Hanya Yanagihara is a favourite) but there is something about a short book that does so much that is intensely admirable. This book is not a theme I would naturally want to read about but I did because of well reviewed it was and how short it was. It is a beautiful book. It packs in so much emotion, atmosphere and angst in a few pages.
2. Assembly by Natasha Brown
Another short, smart book. I would not say this book is particularly plotty – more of an opinion, internal dialogue and political analysis. It is fantastic. It is so smart and makes you think. I loved it. It is one of those books that make you want to read everything else the writer has written – which I did. I also loved Universality by Brown although I didn’t rate it 5 stars.
3. The Ten Year Affair by Erin Somers *
This book is exactly what it says on the tin. It really is about a ten year affair which I understand is not to everyone’s taste. But I found this the loveliest read which is an odd thing to say about a book which centres on the premise of a affair. I loved how the book managed to portray the affair – it was such a realistic look at it. I am not saying I condone it but oddly, it was so believably written. I could totally see that happening unlike every other book or movie about affairs where it always feels slightly forced and unrealistic to me.
It usually not a selling point for a book that the finding out of an affair is not explosive but probably what actually happens in real affairs – sad, tedious and a lot less dramatic than most movies have you believe. I do feel very sorry for Somers because she has written such a fantastic book about an affair no one will ever believe she did not have one.
4. Heart the Lover by Lily King
Another one of those books that makes me want to read the writer’s full back list. Which I will this year. I have already picked up Writers & Lovers from the library. I absolutely loved this book – if you put a gun to my head to choose 1 book for this year, it will probably be this one. I will be buying multiple copies of this book to give people in my life – its that good.
Its a short book but packs in so much. Its about romance, young adult, academia, marriage, male friendship, motherhood and everything in between. It is a beautiful book, written by a very very talented writer. I know its billed as a love triangle but its so much more. I loved the fact that one of the main characters is Indian and the fact that he is Indian is treated so matter-of-factly. Finally.
5. The Widows of Malabar Hill by Sujata Massey
This was such a good read. I have had a copy in my personal library for the longest time but I don’t know why I had not read it. This is the first in a series about a woman lawyer set in Bombay in the 1920’s. Its absolutely wonderful in every way including the setting which is not something I have previously read. Its light and breezy to an extent but there are a number of dark subjects discussed especially domestic abuse and the general treatment of women at that time which is quite shocking. On the flip side the main character is refreshing and I really appreciated the fact that it didn’t end with a romantic resolution for her!
6. Flashlight by Susan Choi
A book that teaches you history and politics, is literary and almost bingably readable? That was Flashlight for me. Trust Exercise by Choi has been on my TBR forever and I will definitely move that up my list after reading Flashlight. The character descriptions in the book are amazingly written and on paper, the story sounds completely absurd but treated so well. I am not surprised this ended up on the Booker Prize shortlist and I loved this more than Flesh by David Szalay (which I also rated very well) which was the winner.
7. Three Days in June by Anne Tyler
I realise I have my ex-podcast host to thank for introducing me to Anne Tyler (and a lot of other books on this list for that matter). I received A Spool of Blue Thread for my birthday many years ago and have read so many Anne Tyler books since. This one was typical Anne Tyler – simple writing detailing intricate and unique relationships. If you are feeling down, get yourself a hot drink, put your phone away and sit down with this short book one afternoon. Your heart will be full.
8. Lost You by Haylen Beck
This was another book on my TBR for a long time and honestly, I wasn’t sure why. It seems like a regular popcorn thriller (which I love reading from time to time) but didn’t seem to be special enough to land on my TBR. Or so I thought. This book brought up so many ethical issues about having children, who should have children, how we have children in this day and age and who is allowed to keep them. I don’t want to say more and give away any spoilers but yes, definitely a slightly unique one in the sea of popcorn thrillers.
9. Evenings & Weekends by Oisin McKenna
I moved to London in my late twenties and this book is the perfect twenties young person in London vibe. It is such a vibe! This was another recommendation from my ex-podcast co-host and it was a perfect recommendation for me. My only regret is not reading it in summer because that would have added so much to my reading experience. Nothing is better than summer in London in your twenties.
10. Green Dot by Madeleine Gray
Another book about an affair but not as light a vibe as The Ten Year Affair. This one feels light but is a heavy one. I specifically brought out the ‘waiting for life’ part of an affair so well, if you know what I mean. Also because I read two books about affairs (by affairs here I use the word to mean where at least one person involved in the relationship is otherwise engaged with another romantic partner and the relationship is kept a secret) and there are different versions of it. In Green Dot, the main character is involved in an affair with a married man while she herself is not in a main relationship. The book managed to portray her loneliness and uncertainly in such a heartbreaking way you feel it yourself.
11. Fire by John Boyne
If you are in a reading slump, go and get yourself all the elements of John Boyne series. I have read all three published except Air and loved all of them or you can get yourself the compilation.
12. The Christmas Appeal by Janice Hallett
I love Janice Hallett’s books – some more than others but but this was a fun quick read. Its another great book if you are in a reading slump. All her books are written in epistolary form – basically plotted in the form of emails, notes, news items, diary entries and so on which make them very fun and easy to read.
Notable Mentions (4 stars)
13. Intermezzo by Sally Rooney
14. Table for One by Emma Gannon *
15. Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand
16. Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty
17. God of the Woods by Liz Moore
18. So Thrilled for You by Holly Bourne
19. Greta and Valdin by Rebecca K Reilly
20. Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
21. Universality by Natasha Brown
22. Flesh by David Szalay
23. Audition by Katie Kitamura
* many thanks to Net Galley for these ARCs.
Please send me a message on Instagram or email if you want to discuss a book or want any specific recommendations – I love giving and receiving book recommendations!
– Anisha
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