If you've been a long term reader of this blog, you know that I love talking about my reading. Last year, I talked about how I read widely and the influence of the horror genre (this was also screen influences).
I love spending time working out my TBR pile, and my reading lists to see what I have achieved and what I have yet to read.
While I aim for a certain amount of books a year (last year was 60), I try not to stress about it. The reading experience is the important thing, but it does help me keep reading as a priority. I did achieve achieve my goal last year and actually managed 70 books.
Out of that there were 38 five star reads!!! That's pretty incredible.
28 of them were speculative fiction, which isn't surprising.
Top Reads of 2025
Favourite authors - read more than one book
Aaron Blabey- The Bad Guys : Episode 12 - The One?!
- The Bad Guys : Episode 13 - Cut to the Chase
This is such a fun series. I laugh out loud every single time I read these. It's clever and I would have loved them as a kid.
Ilona Andrews
- Sweep the Peace (The Innkeeper Chronicles 2) - Graphic Audio dramatisation full cast; narrated by Nora Achrati
- Ruby Fever (Hidden Legacy 6) - narrated by Emily Rankin
I love Ilona Andrews' wit, humour and banter. I'm really enjoying the Graphic Audio dramatisation of The Innkeeper Chronicles. They say it's like a movie in your mind, and they achieve that. The casts have been fantastic so far.
There's a new Hidden Legacy novella out, but would love if they continued with Arabella's story. they have no plans to at this stage. But hopefully one day. Arabella is one of my favourite characters from the series and I'd love for her to have a HEA.
Keri Arthur
- Broken Bonds (Lizzie Grace 8)
- Sorrow’s Song (Lizzie Grace 9)
An auto buy author for me and not because she's a DarkSider. Keri's worlds are well built and the characters well rounded, and I wonder what else is going to happen to her characters. There is no mercy. These two packed an emotional punch for sure.
Maria V. Snyder
- Poison Study (Chronicles of Ixia / Study 1) - narrated by Kristin Atherton
- The Study of Poisons (Chronicles of Ixia 1.5 - Study 1.5; Valek Adventures 1)
- Magic Study (Chronicles of Ixia / Study 2) by Maria V Snyder - narrated by Kristin Atherton
I read the first three books in the series many years ago. They were published 20 years ago and I fell in love with the characters and the world. Because Snyder released books in recent years from Valek's POV, I thought I'd revisit and chose the audiobook version this time. The narrator does an excellent job and I've fallen in love with the story, the world and the characters all over again. I read Valek's POV and loved it! I always had a soft spot for him, so it's great to see into his mind.
I'm hoping to continue concentrating on reading more in a series by favourite few authors in 2026 so I can finished some off. I'm actually currently reading the next in the Keri Arthur and Maria V. Snyder series, and just finished the next in the Innkeeper Chronicles by Ilona Andrews.
Other favourite authors
- Mountain Echoes (Walker Papers 8) by C.E. Murphy
- Heart of Iron (London Steampunk 2) by Bec McMaster
- A Gathering of Shadows (Darker Shade of Magic 2) by V. E. Schwab - narrated by Kate Reading & Michael Kramer
- Silver Borne (Mercy Thompson 5) by Patricia Briggs
- The Scoundrel’s Daughter (The Brides of Bellaire Gardens Romance 1) by Anne Gracie
All these authors didn't disappoint. The worlds are well rounded and full of characters to love. They're often complicated, which makes reading them more enriching. Interestingly, identity was something that across all the books - how characters view themselves and others, and how the reader sees all the facets.
I'm looking forward to reading the last of The Walker Papers. Joanne's story has been a long and complicated one of discovering magic exists, and becoming a shaman in her own right, as well as discovering her heritage on both sides are involved with the spiritual worlds. And finally the romantic interest is a romance partner.
Anne Gracie is also an auto buy for me. Reading her books is being wrapped up in a fluffy cloud. There are all the feels as well as some humour that makes the books a delight.
V.E. Schwab has fast become on of my favourites. I read her Cassidy Blake series (written as Victoria Schwab) and have loved The Darker Side of Magic series. Her writing style is beautiful, full of a rich narrative and dialogue. Her world is full of characters who are flawed, and following their journey has been an adventure. I've since read book 3 which wraps up the story arc, but have discovered there's another book, so looking forward to seeing what the characters are up to.
Becoming a favourite author
- A Wreath of Thorns Omnibus (Relic and Legends 0) by HM Hodgson | 2 novellas
- Greed (The Deadly Seven 2) by Lana Pecherczyk
- We Solve Murders (We Solve Murders 1) by Richard Osman - narrated by Nicola Walker
It's wonderful that two DarkSiders are becoming two of my favourites - they both have voices that suit the paranormal / urban fantasy genre, and their male characters cuss like guys do. F&ck yeah!
The Richard Osman book is the first in his new series, and was hilarious and action packed.
Discovering new authors
- Daughter of No Worlds (The War of Lost Hearts 1) by Carissa Broadbent - narrated by Esther Wane and Dan Calley
- The Clockwork Boys (The Clocktaur War 1) by T. Kingfisher
- Leave The Girls Behind by Jacqueline Bubitz
- The Revenant Games (The Revenant Games 1) by Margie Fuston | 2024
- The Prison Healer (The Prison Healer 1) by Lynette Noni
- The Good Losers by Meg Bignell - narrated by the author
- The Venice Hotel by Tess Woods - narrated by Imogene Sage, Kristy Best, Lucia Mastrantone, Suzi Dougherty
Three of the books were ones I picked from the Rachael John's Book Club book list. I can't do all the books each month, but did try these and enjoyed - Leave the Girls Behind (crime), The Good Losers (general/humour), and The Venice Hotel (Women's Fiction / General). All great reads for different reasons. I listened to them on audiobook and all the narrators were wonderful.
The others were fantasy / romantasy I managed to borrow from the library system. I will definitely be continuing these series. Lots of slow burn romance in all of them, and some great world building.
Rediscovering author - re-reading a book
- Guilty Pleasures (Anita Blake Vampire Hunter 1) by Laurell K Hamilton (narrated by Kimberly Alexis)
I read this many years ago when it was till considered in the horror genre, and not in urban fantasy as it's now labeled. I had read the graphic novel years later (and a couple more in the series) but it had been so long, that I thought before I continued the series, I should re-read to reacquaint myself with the story. Again, I chose the audiobook which was a good call. The narrator did a great job.
Was 2025 a good reading year for you?
~ Eleni
Enchanted Dreams
a short story collection
Be transported to fantastical worlds in this collection of nineteen speculative fiction shorts of previously published works and new stories. From wizards to magic mirrors, dragons to ghosts, minions to goddesses, space ships to diamond slippers, there's an enchanting tale right for you.
Limited time only
Eleni Konstantine
Eleni Konstantine writes speculative fiction (with and without romance) and finds enchantment in escaping the known world and entering another one. Magic and other mythical beings have always fascinated her. What’s to not like? Anything can happen! Sprinkle in a romance and a happy ending and she’s on cloud nine.
