That's a wrap

a year of books

To battle to existential dread of dying before reading all the books I want to read every year I set myself the challenge of reading an ambitious amount of books. This tends to fall anywhere between 50-100 books depending on the year. This year I went for a middling 80 and managed to smash 106 books at time of posting. Now this was a very good year indeed. To round out the year I thought I’d mention a few favourites that stuck with me.

Top 3 Fiction Reads

Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier

I, like many people, feel woefully unread when it comes to the ‘classics’ of the western literary canon. And so, when it was my turn to pick for book club I decide to knock such a classic off of my ever-growing TBR. Rebecca is arguably the most well known of du Maurier’s works, spawning numerous movie adaptations and plays. Rebecca is a master class in atmosphere and suspense. The writing is superb. The descriptions, the character, the atmosphere. The way nature becomes a character in and of itself. Du Maurier is a master of form. This is a fantastic book that has so much to pick apart, whilst also being a gripping thriller. And although we know how this story ends from the very beginning it still keeps you on your toes the whole way through. Plaguing you with the question, do you really know what you think you know?

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

Shirley Jackson is the queen of spooky season, and last October I decided to dive in and give this one a go. A classic haunted house tale, this would now be very recognizable to any modern reader, partly as this book helped to spawn the genre. A paranormal-researcher invites a group of strangers to spend a summer in the Haunted ‘Hill House’. This rag-tag group quickly form connections under these bizarre circumstances. And begin to experience the strange phenomena of the house. Reading the book feels like playing hide and seek with the truth. In true gothic fashion there are few answers, instead we are left to tackle the ambiguous narrative and its implications on our own. A very enchanting read, I smashed through this one in an afternoon. Is it as good as ‘We Have Always Lived in the Castle’? No, but it is still well worth a read.

Hungerstone by Kat Dunn

Now I’ve already written a review of this book here, so I won’t repeat myself. All I’ll say is hot lesbians vampires being very hot. Which is all I really should have to say…

Top 3 Non-fiction Reads

This year was a surprisingly good year of non-fiction reads. I don’t consider myself to be an avid non-fic reader, but living with a man that writes the stuff is bound to have an effect on my reading habits. I actually found it hard to narrow it down to a top three, but I did my best.

This was the second book of Crosley that I read this year. I started with a collection of personal essays that were charming and funny and offered me a window into a life and world unlike my own. This was equally as beautifully written but a little harder to read. This is an exquisite exploration of grief and love, friendship and identity. It is deeply moving and even though at times challenging it is well worth a read.

Like me, you may not recognize her name, but you will probably recognize her face. Zosia Mamet rose to millennial fame in the excellent television series girls. The collection of essays are personal, insightful, and unique. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this. Mamet writes deftly about her life and experiences if being a woman. The unique challenges of being an actor are fascinating and horrifying in equal measure. And to top it all off, Mamet is in fact funny.

Now, I’ll say up top that I listened to this, and I’m glad I did. Hearing the authors speak and interact is wonderful. I find it hard to imagine how it would work half do well on the page. These three Australian writers were drawn into this case of local infamy known as the mushroom murders. Not quite true crime, but something more considered and reflective, I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this. It’s unusual format works so well at drawing the reader into the experience along with these women as they travel to report on the court case. A fascinating listen that I devoured in a day.

Honourable Mentions

Stone and Sky by Ben Aaronovitch

The newest instalment in my favourite series was long awaited and it did not disappoint! You can ready my review of the audiobooks here. And if anyone has read the Rivers of London series please reach out.

Down Under by Bill Bryson

This was a delightful book and a surprisingly educational read. This travel book about my own home was hilarious. A little out of date, but it made me fall in love with my own country and filled me with a desire to explore my vast island home.

Re-Reads

Now, because of the aforementioned existential dread I have an issue with re-reading while there are still so many new books to read. And so, I’ve instituted a new rule where, once I’ve reached my reading goal for the year, I can indulge in some re-reading.

This year I especially enjoyed re-reading; The Secret History by Donna Tartt, Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo, The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanna Collins, Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, Call Me By Your Name by Andre Aciman, and How To Be a Woman by Caitlin Moran.

2026 Reading Goal

Next year I’ve decided to do things a little differently. Instead of simply picking a number and reading like mad, I’ve decided to take a more deliberate approach.

My main goal is to start reading down my physical TBR. See, I have historically had a bit of a book-buying problem and thus have amassed a rather large TBR. At last count it came in at 125 books, and it’s grown a substantial amount since then. This year it’s a priority to get through some of those tomes cluttering my shelves.

So, firstly I will not be buying books (but gifts are always welcome of course), and secondly I will read the books I already have. For each book I read off my physical TBR I’ll put $10 in my piggy bank and save it up for a special occasion.

I’m also going to read at least 12 classics, 12 non-fiction books, 24 contemporary fiction books, and 24 book club picks. Michael and I spent Christmas Eve picking a pile of books each to start on next year. Mine is a whole bookshelf in my room.

I’m very excited to get reading.

And remember, reading is not a competitive pass time. The number of books read in a year is not the point. What matters is that you enjoyed the journey of reading.

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Did you reach you reading goal this year?

What reads stuck with you this year?

What are you excited to read in the coming year?