2025 End of the Year Book Survey
It’s that time of year! Goodreads has reminded me that 2025 is over and that it’s time to set my new reading goal for 2026.
I’ve been looking through my list of books that I read this year and there have been some very fun ones! In an attempt to reflect and remember all of my favorite reads from this year, I’m going to be participating in an end of year book survey
These questions were created by Jamie over at The Perpetual Page Turner.
2025 Reading Stats:
Number Of Books You Read:
66
Number of Re-Reads:
2
- The Villa
- A Simple Favor
Genre You Read The Most From:
Looking over my books read for last year, I think it would thriller or mystery. I read quite a few thrillers as well as a couple of new cozy mysteries by authors I love (and new authors!).
Best in Books:
Best Book You Read In 2025
Discontent by Beatriz Serrano
It was just so different from anything else I read this year! I found the main character Marisa really funny in a dark and cynical way. I related to her love of Youtube. And even though she could be manipulative at times, I found it funny how well things worked out for her most of the time. At least, until they didn’t.
Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More, But Didn’t
Maine Characters by Hannah Orenstein
I liked this book in concept. And it wasn’t terrible! But Lucy and her Mom bothered me with how entitled they felt to the Dad character. It rubbed me the wrong way. I liked the setting and the writing style though.
Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read
Hot Air by Marcey Dermanskey
I knew this book was going to be insane from the first chapter, and it delivered. I don’t know if I would re-read it, but I’ve recommended it to my brother and my sister in law as a book that is “insane and so interesting”. Lol. Sometimes that’s just the kind of book you want to read.
Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did)
I’ve talked about The Favorites by Layne Fargo a lot. I love to read about ice skating and that one was very satisfying to me. I hope I’ve influenced other people to read it!
It was sad to hear that Michelle Trachtenburg passed away during 2025. She was the star of one of my favorite movies: Ice Princess. So I’m always looking for new ice skating content to read and watch.
P.S. There’s a new show coming out on Netflix called Finding Her Edge that I’m really excited for! It’s based on the book by Jennifer Iacopelli.
Best series you started in 2025? Sequel? Series Ender of 2025?
My favorite series that I started this year is the Crescent Moon Mysteries by Tara Lush. I wound up reading books one, two, and three. The characters are so charming and I can’t wait to read more about Amelia and her friends soon.
Favorite new author you discovered in 2025
I first found out about Adrian Andover through instagram. And I had the pleasure of reading his first cozy mystery this year! If you’re looking for a fun cozy mystery, you’ll love his first book Whiskey Business, about a new literary lounge in a small town.
Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone
The Ash Trials by Amy Suto. I’m new to the romantasy genre and I thought I didn’t like fantasy. But it turns out I do!
Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?
I adored Julie Chan is Dead by Liann Zhang. I wouldn’t call it an action book, but it is a fun and contemporary thriller with a lot of twists and turns. If you like books about influencers I would highly recommend. It’s crazy how social media and the internet can add so much craziness to a story.
Book You Read In 2025 That You Would Be MOST Likely To Re-Read Next Year?
Either Finlay Donovan is Killing It or Thank You For Listening. Both of these stories really hooked me in different ways.
The first is a mystery with so much humor. And the second is a romance with great side characters and backstory. It’s about an audiobook narrator and I would highly recommend listening to the audiobook version if you can. I believe I listened to it through the libby app.
Favorite cover of a book you read in 2025
I adore the cover of Salem’s Fall by Rektok Ross. It’s so spooky and inviting.
Most memorable character of 2020
I think it would be Finlay Donovan from the Finlay Donovan series by Elle Cosimano.
Most beautifully written book read in 2025
Semi-Well-Adjusted Despite Literally Everything by Alyson Stoner
This is a memoir and it’s just very beautifully written. I’m always in admiration of people who share their stories with the world including the good and the bad.
Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2025
I really enjoyed the message behind Passion Project by London Sperry. Personally, the book was a little too sad for my taste. But I really liked the projects that the characters participated. Books like these remind me that we only have a set amount of time in this life, and that we should use it to the best of our advantage!
Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2020 to finally read?
The Housemaid! Lol. I knew that the movie was coming out in 2025 and that I wanted to read the book first. I still don’t think Freida McFadden is a great writer but I think The Housemaid is much better than some of her other books.
Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2020?
“It took me a lifetime to find my place in this world. But it was worth it—’cause it’s with you.”
― Julia Whelan, Thank You For Listening
Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2025
The Shortest: Merry Ever After which is a short story by Tessa Bailey.
The Longest: The Ash Trials by Amy Suto
Book That Shocked You The Most
I think that award goes to Best Offer Wins by Marisa Kashino. This book definitely took a turn that I did not see coming. If you like thrillers that shock you I would highly recommend.
OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!)
Valencia and Gideon from The Holiday Hookup List. Even though this book had a lot of spice in it, it was also very sweet. I appreciated how as a couple they really uncovered a lot of past emotional issues as they got to know each other again. Communication is always key, isn’t it?
Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year
Amelia and Liz in the Crescent Moon Mysteries Series are definitely best friend goals!
Favorite Book You Read in 2025 From An Author You’ve Read Previously
I’m going to go with Smut by Karina Halle. She’s one of my favorite contemporary romance authors and this was a new one for me. I really enjoyed it!
Best Book You Read In 2020 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure/Bookstagram, Etc.
Bunny by Mona Awad. I feel like I’ve seen a bunch of the booktuber girlies talk about this one. And I didn’t really care for it. To be honest, I didn’t get it. So maybe that’s why I didn’t like it. I’m just not on that level. Haha.
Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2020?
Noah from the Men of Evercrisp Orchards. (IYKYK)
Best 2025 debut you read?
I’m going to say Best Offer Wins by Marisa Kashino. I was so pleasantly surprised by this one!
Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?
The Ash Trials by Amy Suto. I’ve always been convinced that fantasy books are not for me, but I think romantasy is changing my mind! I really loved the worldbuilding in this story and I’m highly anticipating the second book. Hopefully Amy announces something this year!
Book That Put A Smile On Your Face/Was The Most FUN To Read?
The Holiday Hookup List was really fun and cute! The main couple made me smile as they slowly fell in love with each other. Like, Valencia and Gideon had matching Christmas pajamas. That’s couple goals if you ask me.
Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2025?
I don’t think any book made me cry this year! And that’s a good thing. I don’t really like sad books or movies so I try to stay away from them. Lol.
Hidden Gem Of The Year?
Almost Ravaged by Abby Millsaps. I was not expecting to like this book so much but I did. I could care less about Tytus, but I loved Sawyer & Mercer & Noah.
Book That Crushed Your Soul?
Adrift by Will Dean. This one is coming out in February so I read a review copy last year. It was a good book (his always are) but one of the main characters just made me really angry. You’ll have to check it out to know what I mean!
Most Unique Book You Read In 2020?
Good Spirits by B.K. Borison. A lot of people write A Christmas Carol retellings, but this one felt different. Good Spirits wasn’t really a retelling. It just took a character (the ghost of Christmas past) and built up a story around him. It was a really cozy book and I found the plot to be very unique!
Book That Made You The Most Mad
The Tenant by Freida McFadden. It’s just so… dumb. Haha. I think I’m going to finish The Housemaid series out of morbid curiosity, but after that I will not be reading any more of her books.
Somebody on threads said that she “writes thrillers for concussed people” and I think that’s very true.
Your Blogging & Bookish Life:
New favorite book blog/Bookstagram/Youtube channel you discovered this year?
I recently started watching Bibliolifestyle and Under The Covers Book Blog on youtube. Both of them are book bloggers and they have a channel where they talk about branding and blogging. It’s really interesting. I love their personalities and I’ve really been enjoying their content!
Favorite post you wrote in 2025
I watch a lot of Youtube and listen to a lot of podcasts. I wrote a post about Cozy Podcast Recommendations that I think is good! It gets a decent amount of traffic and is perfect for readers who are looking for something new to listen to.
Favorite bookish related photo you took in 2025
I love this instagram post I made about Good Spirits.
Best bookish event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, etc.)?
My friends and I had a book swap party where everybody brought a stack of books that they were done with and we all chose new books to take home with us! It’s a fun way to circulate books when you know you aren’t going to re-read them.
Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2025
2025 was my first full year in Journey by Mediavine. That’s the program that I use to run ads on my blog. It’s so fun to be able to make a little money doing something I love. It helps fund my book buying habit for sure. Haha.
Most challenging thing about blogging or your reading life this year?
It’s been hard to find a balance with writing posts that are SEO friendly vs writing posts that aren’t SEO friendly (but I actually want to write about them!). I’m learning to find balance with my book review, reading lists, and other cozy lifestyle topics.
Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog
Also my cozy podcasts post!
Post You Wished Got A Little More Love
The Best Thanksgiving Cozy Mysteries to Read
Best bookish Discovery
I found out that Book of the Month offers audiobook selections every month which is really cool! I like to listen to audiobooks when I’m at the gym or when I’m doing housework (or cooking dinner) so that’s very fun to me.
Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?
I didn’t finish my goodreads reading challenge this year! But that’s okay. I still made great progress and read over 60 books, which is a win in my book.
Looking Ahead
One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2020 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2026?
I bough a copy of Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry when it came out, but I haven’t had the chance to read it yet. That is definitely on my 2026 TBR List.
Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2021 (non-debut)?
I’m looking forward to Lena Dunham’s book, Famesick. This will be her second published work and I believe it’s another memoir.
2021 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?
I’m super excited for Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke.
Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2026
That’s a tough one. Oh, I know! Elle Cosimano is releasing the latest installment in the Finlay Donovan series. I will be highly anticipating that.
One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2026?
I would love to attend a book signing and write about it on the blog this year. Maybe while I am in Rehoboth Beach since Browseabout Books seems to host a lot of events and authors there.
A 2026 Release You’ve Already Read & Recommend To Everyone
I’m currently reading an advanced reader’s copy of Paper Cut by Rachel Taff. It’s very good so far. Definitely recommend it if you’re interested in how the true crime scene has developed over the past few years.
In Conclusion
So there you have it! I had a lot of fun looking back on my reading journey for the year of 2025. I hope you enjoyed my answers to the 2025 End of Year Book Survey.
It’s always fun to look back at stats. I’m a little surprised by how many books I was able to read and review this year. Last year was a very enjoyable reading year, and I’m hoping to accomplish just as much during 2026.
