Hey guys, this is Abi here,
And what do you know? We're at the end of another year! Where has the time gone?
I've done so much this year- which I'll get into in a minute.
I still haven't got a cat though.
Doesn't matter. Next year, for definite.
Anyway...
Without further ado, I hope you enjoy my wrap up on 2025.
~Books Read in December~
As usual, we start with the usual, December Wrap Up. I read a total of 3 books in December, and honestly, I'm not really bothered. I finished American Gods, which was my main goal for this month, and anything else is just extra.
1. American Gods (American Gods #1), by Neil Gaiman
This book was frustrating at times, but then there were other times where I couldn't help but wonder what was going to happen next. The entire book I was trying to work out a pattern, or a select number of themes at least, but this book kept me guessing constantly- I never did quite work it out.
American Gods is my largest Neil Gaiman book to date- to say I was intimidated by it is a bit of an understatement. But that's why it took me the longest to read, because it was always going to.
I'm just so relieved that it has a sequel- Anansi Boys- which I intend to read soon.
American Gods is about Shadow, a recently released convict, who joins Mr. Wednesday on a road trip around America, after his wife Laura, dies in a mysterious car crash, just days before his release. But this is no ordinary road trip. There are events happening behind the scenes, a war is about to break out, and Mr. Wednesday is trying to organise recruits. They are almost out of time, and Shadow and Mr. Wednesday are both in the firing line.
Not my favourite Neil Gaiman book overall, but definitely the most out there, from what I've read. I'm interesting to see how this wraps up, to be honest. Hopefully I'll get on that in January.
2. Twilight (The Twilight Saga #1), by Stephenie Meyer
3. New Moon (The Twilight Saga #2), by Stephenie Meyer
It's been so nice to go back to these. I started thinking about them last year, as a, I would like to re-read these sometime soon, but definitely not priority back then. But then, after following a set TBR for nearly six months, now felt like the perfect time. I haven't rushed through them, I haven't pushed myself to read more than I wanted. It was the best decision I could have made.
It's been seven years since I last read The Twilight Saga, and it feels like I've been welcomed home.
~Series Finished in 2025~
1. The 'Cordelia Hatmaker' trilogy, by Tamzan Merchant
What can I say about this trilogy? Came across the 2nd book, twice, without even realising it. Liked the sound of the 2nd book so much that I bought the first and the third as well. The rest is history.
This trilogy was fun. It was a light-hearted, funny, creative read, with interesting characters, an engaging plot line, a feud between maker families, and secrets and mysterious galore. Oh! Magic too!
It's based in the older middle-grade section of libraries and bookstores, and it's a breath of fresh air in a genre that can sometimes feel repetitive. I had so much fun following Cordelia on her quest to find out what had happened to her father (which was also lovely to read about, because that relationship was at the centre of the story).
2. The 'Clementine' trilogy, by Tillie Warden
THE CLEMENTINE TRILOGY FINALLY WRAPPED! The last book got pushed back a couple of months, right when I was in the mood for it's release.
But honestly, it was perfectly wrapped up. After Clementine suffers a loss that is unlike anything she's ever experienced, she finds herself having to pick the pieces of her life back together again. She's offered the chance to start her life up again, but at what cost?
Clementine Book Three was the perfect puzzle piece to an already amazing trilogy. It all wrapped up very neatly, and I have no wish for a sequel. If you're a fan of the Telltale Walking Dead videogame series, then I suggest you give this a try.
3. The 'Fence' series, by C.S. Pacat
I'm so glad I finally got to this series in 2025! Fence was everything that I was expecting and more! Fencing of course, with wonderful characters, in a school setting, with lots of competitive competition, and just as much sexual tension with it!
I just want there to be more!
(Thank God there's a standalone being released in January.) I'm nowhere near being done with these characters- I just wish I knew more people that knew the series!
4. The 'Skyward' trilogy, by Joe Henderson
2025 was the year for graphic novel series, I see. I bought the entire series by a voucher from a friend for my birthday, and read 90% of the series on the flight to Dubrovnik in October. I think it's safe to say I couldn't put it down!
As you can probably tell from the covers, Skyward takes place in a world where the impossible happened- gravity went bye bye! We follow twenty-year-old Willa Fowler, who has never known a world with gravity, and is longing to go on her own adventure, when she can soar through the air- though hopefully not too high, as you die if that happens.
But then dangerous people start to get wind of her existance- and her Dad's, who was a well-known figure in the science world way back when, and she's thrown into an adventure she definitely isn't prepared for. But what else can you do when you're trying to protect yourself, and the only family she has left?
Skyward is a fast paced, energetic, just getting over one event when the next one happens, sort of story, and one I enjoyed immensely. I will definitely be on the look out for more Joe Henderson graphic novels in the future, so watch this space.
~Series I've Started & Caught Up On~
1. Psycho from Psycho series (read Book 1)- I don't really have any plans to continue on with this series- I like it as a standalone.
2. Rachel's Holiday from The Walsh Family series (read Book 2)- I recently acquired Watermelon and will hopefully be reading it soon. This series is one of my big reading goals for 2026. 3. Howl's Moving Castle from Howl's Moving Castle trilogy (read Book 1)- might pick this up if I get a feeling for it this year- but I have other priorities first!
4. Earthsea: The First Four Books (read the first four books)- though not at the highest of my priority list, I do plan to read the last two books in the series in 2026.
5. A Heart Full of Hatred from the Skulduggery Pleasant series (read Book 17)- the last book is out in March and I am not ready. This is it.
I will be doing an epic re-read in the lead up to this release.
~What I Accomplished in 2025~
1. Improved 5K PB time- will be trying for sub 22 in 2026!
2. Ran another marathon- glad I got that out of the way- solo marathon training is currently underway at the moment- watch this space for my time!
3. Actually went abroad for the first time in years in 2025- Dubrovnik is gorgeous, all I had to eat was tuna steak/ pizza (maybe that was what attracted all the cats).
4. 10K PB- at my all time unluckiest race of all time- never doing that race again!
~Goals for 2026~
1. GET A CAT. As soon as Blackpool holiday is through, I will be in search of one (maybe from Cat Protection). It's time.
2. Prepare financially.
3. New car. I've had the worst luck with my car recently.
4. Sub 22 in the 5K, sub 4 hours in the marathon. Currently training for both.
5. Read all unread books. I went shopping with many book vouchers last week, and I am now on a book buying ban for the forseeable future. (I'm doing a Christmas Book Haul sometime this month, I promise.)
~What I'm Looking Forward to In 2026~
1. Having a slower year. Just pausing to take in what's around me, being in the present. Slowing down, less trips, more reading time. Time off spent getting the house in order, and getting rid of all the clutter. Fucking saving, and reading.
2. Blogging, of course, and interacting with you all (would love some more comments, haha.)
Okay! That is all I have for you all today!
But for real though, I hope 2025 brought all good things to your life. Some days it feels like you're just going through the motions, other days thriving. Which is okay. When I'm having a bad day, I try to remember that things will get better eventually. It can only get better. Simple things, like feeling the sun on my face when I'm running, or fussing my boyfriend's parent's cats can feel comforting.
This is me closing the chapter that was 2025, and turning into 2026- which is my year- and everybody else's as well!
Let's go out and thrive!
I thank each and every one of you that has visited my blog this past year, and in the past nine before that!
I hope I will be seeing more of you in 2026- either in person, or in the comments!
See you guys...
Byeeeeeee!
-Abi xxxxx
