A Year in Books: What I Read, Love, and Couldn’t Put Down
If there’s one thing I’ve learned this year, it’s that a good book can completely transform your day—and in some cases, your outlook. Over the past 12 months, I’ve read across genres, moods, and emotional spectrums. From suspenseful thrillers to heartfelt fiction, each title gave me a reason to pause, reflect, escape, or dream.
Here’s a look back at the 18 books that kept me turning pages—plus a few thoughts on the ones that stuck with me the most.
Thrillers That Kept Me Guessing
My year had no shortage of psychological twists and domestic suspense—especially thanks to Freida McFadden and Liv Constantine, who know exactly how to write a page-turner that’ll make you say “just one more chapter”… five times in a row.
Each book added a layer of “can I really trust this narrator?” that I couldn’t get enough of. If you love high-stakes drama, morally gray characters, and stories that unravel one shocking truth at a time, these are for you.
Top Pick: The Last Mrs. Parrish – It had me hooked from the first chapter, and the twist? Chef’s kiss.
Emotional Fiction That Stayed With Me
Sometimes the best books are the ones that make you feel everything all at once. I turned to authors like Kristin Hannah, Anne Patchett, and Rebecca Serle for stories that explored love, loss, and the complicated beauty of human connection.
• The Women by Kristin Hannah
• Home Front by Kristin Hannah
• Tom Lake by Anne Patchett
• In Five Years by Rebecca Serle
• Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín
These novels were tender and moving in a way that stays with you long after the final page. The Women especially stood out—it was powerful, raw, and a necessary reminder of the untold stories behind historical events.
Top Pick: Tom Lake – A quiet masterpiece about memory, storytelling, and the roads we don’t take.
Smart & Quirky Reads That Made Me Smile
A bit of wit and warmth is always welcome, especially when life gets chaotic. These books were refreshingly clever and totally bingeable.
• The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary
• The Switch by Beth O’Leary
• It’s Getting Hot in Here by Jane Costello
• Statistically Speaking by Debbie Johnson
Top Pick: The Flatshare – A charming, original love story with so much heart. It’s like a rom-com in book form.
A Little Paranormal Romance
• Layla by Colleen Hoover
This one was a bit of a curveball—a blend of love story and supernatural suspense. Definitely different from Colleen Hoover’s usual style, but intriguing in its own right!
Final Thoughts
This year reminded me how books can challenge, comfort, and change us. Whether I was looking for a heart-racing thriller, an emotionally rich narrative, or a quirky romantic escape, I found something in these pages that made me pause—and keep reading.
Have you read any of these? What should I add to my 2025 list?
Let’s Chat:
Tell me your favorite read of the year in the comments or DM me your current TBR (to be read) stack—I’m always looking for my next obsession.
