If there’s one thing I’ve been reminded of this year, it’s that reading is far from a dying art. If anything, it’s thriving, just in slightly different corners.
From dog-eared paperbacks passed between friends to curated Bookstagram/Instagram feeds and passionate BookTok/TikTok debates, books are part of the conversation again.
For me, 2025 has been a standout year for reading. I’ve managed 75 books, a personal best, and I’m counting everything.
Physical books, Kindle reads, audiobooks on long walks; short stories and hefty editions pushing 700 pages.
There’s been no strict genre rule and no pressure to stick to new releases. Some of the most impactful reads this year have been quietly sitting on shelves for a while, waiting their turn.
So, what stood out? Here are a few books that stayed with me long after I finished them — for their ideas, their characters, or simply the way they made me feel.
- I Who Have Never Known Men – Jacqueline Harpman
A stark and unsettling novel set in an underground prison where women are held captive for unknown reasons. Narrated by the youngest among them, the story is profound, exploring loneliness, freedom and identity. It’s a book that packs an emotional punch and lingers in the mind.
- The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot – Marianne Cronin
A touching story about an unlikely friendship formed on a hospital ward between a teenage girl and an elderly woman. Together, they decide to make up a hundred years of living. Gentle, hopeful, and deeply human, this is a novel that celebrates connection in the face of loss.
- Blue Sisters – Coco Mellors
A modern exploration of grief and sisterhood. Following three sisters coping with addiction, loss and fractured relationships, The author captures the complexities of family life with honesty and emotional depth. A difficult but rewarding read.
- Hidden Pictures – Jason Rekulak
A gripping psychological thriller where a nanny notices disturbing images hidden within a child’s drawings. As the pictures grow darker, so does the truth behind them. Clever, eerie and fast-paced, it’s a book that keeps you guessing.
- I Let You Go – Clare Mackintosh
Beginning with a tragic hit-and-run, this crime thriller soon reveals itself to be far more layered than expected. This book delivers twists that feel earned rather than gimmicky. An easy five-star read.
- Strange Sally Diamond – Liz Nugent
Dark, unsettling and unforgettable. Sally is a socially isolated woman whose literal view of the world leads her into disturbing situations. This book contains complex themes, creating a lead character who is both troubling and oddly sympathetic.
- Atmosphere – Taylor Jenkins Reid
An emotional novel exploring ambition, love and public life. Taylor Jenkins Reid is renowned for creating strong characters (PLEASE read ‘The Seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo’ by the same author), and here she delivers another story that feels intimate despite its broader backdrop.
You can follow me over on Instagram @manc_reader for more book recommendations and reading updates.