Favourite Books of 2025!

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And I'm probably mad, working on this on Christmas Day, but both me and my paartner are taking a focused hour out to work on individual projects, so that's why. 

This list has been accumilating all year long, and it's time to release it. 

I hope you enjoy my Favourite Books of 2025 list. 

1. The Pieces of Ourselves, by Maggie Harcourt

I found out about this book after re-reading Theatrical, one of my favourite contemporaries at the start of the year. After hearing about it, I immediately ordered it, because I love Maggie Harcourt's writing and I needed more of it. The Pieces of Ourselves tells the story of Flora, newly diagnosed as bipolar, who is working in a hotel after taking time out from school, and trying to get herself together in the meantime. Enters Hal, who is trying to find out the history of his grandparents, and has been led to the hotel Flora works at. As she assists him in his quest to find out the truth, and her trying to find her footing after a horrific event that led to her being diagnosed, she releases she is starting to fall for him. 

A wonderful story- emotional, truthful, extremely poignant and honest, with a raw and gritty storyline at it's core. I always love reading a new representation story, but this one has to be one of my favourites. So expertly woven, the story unweaving right before your eyes. I wish I could read this again, with fresh eyes. I need more Maggie Harcourt! 

2. The Porpoise, by Mark Haddon

Slow at the beginning, but when you reach past a certain point, suddenly, everything shifts, and you find yourself caring about nothing more than what happens to the characters in this book. Written by the award-winning author of Mark Haddon, author of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, The Porpoise was a book I always knew I was going to enjoy. I just didn't expect to care about the characters in the book so much. 

The Porpoise starts off with a catastrophe- a father is torn apart from his wife- the love of his life- and left to father the only known survivor of a horrific plane crash- his newborn daughter. This manifests years later into an unhealthy relationship, a need to protect his daughter from the dangers in the outside world. After several years, his daughter finds solace in books, a place she can live the lives of ancient warriors, women who walk miles upon miles to find safety and a job for herself. 

The best part is when you stop wishing to read more about the secluded girl, but more for the struggles, the trials and tribulations that the characters in her book are going through. 

A wonderfully, poetic novel about finding peace, and the power to escape a desperate situation when you are offered no other alternative. I hope Mark Hodden writes more soon. 

3. Psycho, by Robert Bloch 

Reading my boyfriend's book before he read it himself. Just didn't expect to like it so much. And before you comment, I am aware it's a sequel, but I don't think I'll be reading the rest. Psycho is perfect as a standalone. 

This felt like the book that started it all. The start of an era for classic horror. Other, more modern classic horrors are largely bases off some of the moments within this book. And of course, finally reading it made me appreciate the 1960s film, and the tv series, Bates Motel, all the more, for how accurate they were (especially the film). 

I have a full review for this book (so you can see more of my in-depth thoughts), so feel free to read that. I'll link it here. 

But seriously guys, if you're into classic horror AT ALL, you have to check this out. It's seriously one of the best books out there. 

4. Sunrise on the Reaping (Hunger Games #0.5), by Suzanne Collins

This one has a review as well, which I've linked into the title. But I imagine I'm not alone in putting this book on my favourite's list, because the buzz for this book was INSANE, especially as the announcement for the film was released at the same time. 

Haymitch's story takes place the morning of the reaping on the 50th Hunger Games, which also happened to be the second quarter quell. It was a good measure of how the games have progressed from the 10th Hunger Games, from the POV of President Snow (mentor), but weren't quite as polished as Katniss and Peter's Hunger Games. It was of course amazing to read from Haymitch's POV, as a young boy who just wanted to build a life for himself and his girlfriend. 

Of course, that's not what happens. 

I will most likely be re-reading them all from scratch when the movie comes out in November, but nothing is quite as good as that initial read. 

5. Rachel's Holiday (The Walsh Family #1), by Marian Keyes

Although knowing this fact won't lessen my enjoyment anymore, I was a little down-hearted when I heard that Rachel's Holiday wasn't actually the first book in a series, but the second. 

And now, after receiving a pile of Chistmas books, I have the first book in my possession and I can't wait to read it!

That's how much I loved this. In fact, I think I enjoyed it so much more because I read this one first. 

Nothing against Claire, but I think I might have cooled my heels a lot more if I was to read her book first. 

Even without reading about her other sisters, I still think Rachel will be my favourite. I love her character arc. Spoiled, in denial, convinced she can stop using any time she likes. Pretending the whole thing is a holiday, with celebrities, living their best life. It is, in fact, quite the opposite. Nothing felt unnecessary, nothing felt rushed. It was raw, it was well-written, and I'm only on the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Marian Keyes' books. 

6. My Friends, by Fredrik Backman 

FINALLY! An anticipated releases book that's actually on my Favourites List for 2025! 

I always knew I would love this, because I love every Fredrik Backman book I read. (Even though I'm still yet to read Beartown *sob*). Even if it's partly about art, which I don't usually gravitate to. 

My Friends starts with a painting. Most people think it's just a painting of the sea- but aspiring artist Louise sees something different. Three figures, extremely remote, in the corner of the painting. And she's determined to find out their story. 

It's a painting about a summer. A summer where a group of teenagers find refuge at the pier, away from their bruised, broken home, where there is solace, laughter, peace. 

We, as readers, jump back and forth between the two time frames. They weave together impeccably, by Backman's seamless story-telling, with emotion and honesty. 

Honestly can't find fault with this book. 

There was no doubt in my mind that this would make the list. 

7. FENCE, by C.S. Pacat 

If I could put a hearty-eyed emoji over the cover of this book, then I would do so. 

FENCE. 

I love this series so much- I'm anxious for more to be released. 

Thank God there's another one coming out next month. 

Obviously, this is a graphic novel series about fencing. And LGBT romance. 

I just love the entire series, all the cute moments, ALL the characters. 

I want backstories and short stories for all of the characters- even the teachers (it's a bit embarassing to think the teachers might be a similar age to myself). 

To be honest, if you like LGBT romances and graphic novels, then this is the series for you. You don't even have to like fencing. Just read it for the characters. 

Okay! Those are all of my Favourite Books of 2025! 

When comprising a list like this, I try not to have any kind of limit for the genres that I include. If I want three contemporaries on it, then three contemporaries it shall be. 

But I definitely think there's variety this time around, which I'm glad for. 

That is that I have for you all today, but I hope you enjoyed reading about my favourite books of the year, and of course, feel free to comment below what your favourites were this year! 

I hope you have a wonderful evening, and I'll see you all soon for my Yearly Wrap Up! 

Byeeeee! 

-Abi xxxxx