Starting a brand new blog is daunting as I try to play catch up, adding the reviews of all the books I’ve already reviewed elsewhere this year.. I don’t think I’ll possibly catch up! But I’ve read so many fantastic books this year, discovered new authors and enjoyed so many series. Some old books (but new to me), some brand new released just this year.
Some stats
I love seeing the stats on my end of year recap. I’ve been using Goodreads as normal whilst experimenting with Fable and Storygraph.. not sure I’m sold on either yet – have you used either?
I do find them interesting, didn’t realise I read a lot of lighthearted books this year, I can only recall one! Reflective and sad I thought would be bigger, but I guess it comes down to how books are tagged. Overall it’s a nice insight into my reading habits.
No denying I had a good reading year. I read so many wonderful books, some of which I’m kicking myself I didn’t pick up sooner. Also, a lot of series. Which I love finding a new series, but I discovered Robin Hobb’s 16 book series this year and that is chunky! How to find time to read other things?
Reading highlights
Considering all I’ve read, what are the books I keep thinking about? The ones that have stuck with me?
Books that have stuck with me
Starting strong with Please Look After Mother. This book changed my perspective on so many things. This story is about a a group of siblings looking for their missing mother. We see them dive into their memories of their mother and recall their childhood. Sometimes I think we forget that our parents used to be young children, they used to have dreams, and ambitions, and hope. We forget to see our parents, especially are mothers as individuals. To us, they’ve always been mum, it’s hard to imagine who they were before. This book really brings that to life and I stared to see my own parents a little bit differently. It’s a truly beautiful written book and I think so many more people need to read it.
Following this one, before I dive back into fantasy (there’s been a lot of fantasy this year!) is That Beautiful Atlantic Waltz. A story set in the Shetland Islands of a father and son embarking on daily life. Discovering who they are and what they want. This is a very short story and it is incredibly moving, and sad. I did not feel okay after finishing this one, and remember staring at the wall in disbelief. It is a story of grief and friendship, of hope and music. The author actually wrote an album to accompany the book which gave this a completely immersive experience. I am Scottish so I may be slightly biased, but I do enjoy a bit of folk music every now and then.
Thinking of this story brings back every emotion and thought I had whilst reading it. This book is beautifully written and explored. Seeing through the eyes of a mother and son that are each fighting their own battles against their familial responsibilities, ideas of right and wrong, their wants against expectations. It is a painful book and for an author to have such control of her words to move a reader so deeply is incredible.
This is one I’ve seen so many reviews strongly dislike, however I adore The Starless Sea. This is an incredibly imaginative story of a library that opens to those that need it. But there is trouble afoot and a larger mystery when our main character finds a book that details a memory from his childhood that no one else could possibly know. The writing, the storytelling, I fell in love with. It’s completely character driven which is where I feel others dissatisfaction comes from. There is not a huge plot, but I found this to be such a unique idea and the author pulled it off incredibly well.
Similarly with above, this is another completely character driven story. Addie makes a deal with the devil and ends up living a thousand lives spanning centuries, yet no one remembers her. This is such a powerful story. Addie is desperate for a new life, a life away from her current narrow world of marriage and children. She wants to explore, to experience but she may get more than what she’s bargained for. Schwab is a wonderful writer and I felt her prose on an intimate level. Her words moved me and this will forever be a book I cherish.
Quotes that I can’t forget
Blink and you’re twenty-eight, and everyone else is now a mile down the road, and you’re still trying to find it, and the irony is hardly lost on you that in wanting to live, to learn, to find yourself, you’ve gotten lost. – The Invisible Life of Addie Larue.
“Strange, isn’t it? To love a book. When the words on the pages become so precious that they feel like part of your own history because they are. It’s nice to finally have someone read stories I know so intimately.” – The Starless Sea.
…I have so many dreams of my own, and I remember things from my childhood, from when I was a girl and a young woman, and I haven’t forgotten a thing. So why did we think of Mom as a mom from the very beginning? She didn’t have the opportunity to pursue her dreams, and all by herself, faced everything the era dealt her, poverty and sadness, and she couldn’t do anything about her very bad lot in life other than suffer through it and get beyond it and live her life to the very best of her ability, giving her body and her heart to it completely. Why did I never give a thought to Mom’s dreams? – Please Look After Mother
It unsettled her how the same words could mean such different things to different people. How it might be possible for two sets of eyes to witness the same events and later give accounts at odds with each other. – The Book That Wouldn’t Burn.
“Some people believe that if they keep their heads down and stick to their safe routine and trust that nothing bad will befall them, then it won’t. They see things happening to others, but they think they’re different; they’re special; it could never happen to them. They believe that nothing can get better, but also that nothing can get worse. They’re cowards, in one way, because they won’t fight, but they’re also brave, because they’re willing to accept their lot in life. Glupava smelost, we called it. Foolish courage.” – The Song Rising.
Pride and shame, she thought. Both enemies of a long life. He needs some ice in his blood, to see more clearly. – The Shadow of the Gods.
Anticipated 5 star reads of 2025
There are so many books coming out next year that I’m excited about. I’ve already done a blog post on the ones I’m most excited about, but what about the books already on my shelf? Which ones am I reading next year that I anticipate being 5 stars?
The Fires of Vengeance – Evan Winter. This is book two in The Burning series and I cannot wait to get my hands on this. Book one was a rollercoaster of emotions, and I was screaming by the end. I’m amazed I manage to wait this long to get my hands on book two.
Blood Song – Anthony Ryan. I have heard so many good things about Ryan as an author and this seems to be a good place to start.
Daughter of the Empire – Raymond E. Feist & Janny Wurts. I’ve read a few of Raymond’s book before and I was embraced with his writing. I’ve not heard much about this book but it definitely sounds up my street. Plus, when trying new books it’s good to start with an author whose writing you know is fantastic!
I’m going to keep it at that so I don’t overwhelm myself or raise the bar too high!