NOV/DEC WRAP UP
Disclaimer: I read books based on preferences which take into account my faith and personal convictions. Please check any of my recommendations against your own convictions and read responsibly.
Well, reader friends—here we are at the final wrap-up of 2025! Once again, my reading took a bit of a back seat these past couple of months (I’m blaming fantasy football and the holidays). But I also noticed a continued shift toward gravitating only toward truly standout, unique stories—meaning fewer books, but higher quality ones. And honestly, I think “quality over quantity” is going to be my motto heading into 2026 as well.
So let’s take a look at what quality over quantity looked like for my reading stats during the final two months of the year!
My most-read genre for November and December was Contemporary Fiction, with romance as a strong sub-genre. Many of the stories I picked up introduced me to worlds and topics I wouldn’t normally explore, and I think that’s what I’ve been loving most about branching out into different kinds of stories. Books set in the worlds of ice hockey, figure skating, and even NASA made for such cool, unique settings—bringing fresh characters and perspectives that really expanded my imagination.
Plus, as someone who loves learning, it’s also been fun to pick up random facts about things I might not otherwise be interested in. That’s truly the beauty of reading! Now, let’s take a look at all the diverse stories I read over the past two months.
RATING: 3.5 ⭐️
This is a great, practical book that helps you pause and make simple, soulful decisions. I listened to it during a season when I was overwhelmed and overthinking a big life decision, and it helped bring me back into alignment—focusing on trusting God and choosing the next best decision rather than getting lost in questions about the bigger plan (which I always tend to do).
I appreciated how short and straight to the point the chapters were. The insights and practices packed a punch without feeling repetitive. I also loved that each chapter is paired with a prayer and a simple, tangible practice, making the book extremely practical and actually applicable rather than just another “self-help” read. Emily Freeman has a gift for taking spiritual principles and distilling them into digestible, implementable steps that feel both grounding and encouraging.
I would definitely recommend this for any fellow overthinkers out there, or for anyone facing a decision that has them feeling stuck at a stalemate.
AGE RECOMMENTDATION: 16+
RATING: 3.5 ⭐️
2025 NEW RELEASE
As someone who was an avid Dance Moms binger in college, I was excited to read this one! This was a simple but necessary telling of her story—well written and well narrated. You can tell she is incredibly smart, wise, and self-reflective for her age. I really appreciated the in-depth look she provides into being the “token Black girl” and what that actually looks like, feels like, and does to your mental health and self-esteem.
Her willingness to share the exclusion that comes with being the only Black person in predominantly white spaces is powerful, especially when you consider that she and the other dancers were children at the time. Hearing her experience through a racial lens adds an important layer of perspective, and the amount of microaggressions she and her mom endured is honestly wild.
While the book is clearly meant to share her experience from her own point of view, there were moments that leaned slightly toward feeling exploitative or like calling out specific actions or people. That said, it never felt vindictive—only honest and true to how she experienced those moments.
One of my favorite parts of the memoir was seeing her healing journey after Dance Moms and how working with a therapist helped her recognize the manipulation, gaslighting, and narcissism she was exposed to on the show—and, more importantly, how she learned to detach those experiences from her self-worth. It’s beautiful to see her now using her platform and voice to advocate for change within her generation and the Black community.
I would recommend this book regardless of whether you were a Dance Moms viewer or not!
AGE RECOMMENDATION: 16+
RATING: 3 ⭐️
VIOLENCE: LIGHT 🔪
SPICE: LIGHT ❤️🔥
This was a highly recommended and heavily hyped fantasy series that I had been anticipating for quite some time. The story follows our female main character, Isla, on the island of Lightlark. As the ruler of the Wildling realm, she is called upon to compete in the Centennial alongside the other rulers of the realms.
The story was a very slow start. I originally began reading it in October, made it about 70 pages in, and did a soft DNF because I just wasn’t clicking with the story or the world-building.
I picked it back up in November, and even then it still took a while to fully get into the storyline and connect with the characters. The first half felt especially slow, with a heavy emphasis on world-building that didn’t fully land for me. For a long time, I struggled to clearly picture the world and the characters, which is a big factor in whether I can truly get drawn into a fantasy. That may have been partly due to the lack of a map, which I usually find really helpful in grounding a new fantasy world.
Once I was finally able to visualize the setting and understand the characters better, the story did start to come to life and become more intriguing. Many of the major plot points felt predictable—particularly around loyalty lines and who could or couldn’t be trusted—but I did genuinely appreciate the final twist at the end, which I didn’t see coming. It felt earned and made sense with the details laid out throughout the story.
That said, the book easily could have been about 100 pages shorter. The beginning dragged and felt repetitive at times, which made it harder to stay engaged. I am glad I picked it back up when I was in a better reading mood and didn’t completely write it off, but I also wish it had ended on more of a cliffhanger. I’m curious to see where the series goes, though I’m not necessarily rushing to pick up the next book.
If you’re a fantasy lover, this might still be worth checking out. But if you’re newer to the genre, I think there are stronger, more engaging options to start.
AGE RECOMMENDATION: 16+
RATING: 4.25 ⭐️
I’ve been seeing people rave about Fredrik Backman’s books all year. So, I had high expectations going into this one, and I was not disappointed! This story follows a group of strangers who become hostages during a bank robbery gone terribly wrong. Alongside their perspectives, we also follow the POVs of the two cops trying to piece together who did it and how the hostage situation actually unfolded.
The writing in this book is beyond superb. The many juxtapositions about life and what it means to be human are so well done—and often genuinely humorous. It’s impossible to read this book without chuckling from time to time, and it’s just as impossible to read it without being challenged by some truly poignant truths.
One of the most impressive things about Backman’s writing is how it almost feels anxious—as if you’re reading the internal thought process of an anxious person in real time. It’s brilliant. The way each character’s story is woven together through shared threads is astonishingly well done. You don’t even fully realize how connected everything is until it’s revealed, and then you’re left thinking, wait… no way.
I loved following the lives of so many different characters and watching their stories unfold. The overarching theme—that we need people who are different from us to help us better understand ourselves—was beautifully portrayed. The connections formed despite differences, and the way the book highlights that everyone carries their own worries and anxieties, felt incredibly honest and human.
The character growth was deeply satisfying to watch unfold, and the subtle thread of mystery woven throughout kept the story engaging and moving at a great pace. Even with multiple POVs, the book never felt bogged down or overwhelming.
This was such a thoughtful, heartfelt, and impressive introduction to Backman’s work, and it definitely won’t be my last—highly recommend!
AGE RECOMMENDATION: 21+
RATING: 3.25 ⭐️
2025 NEW RELEASE
SPICE: LIGHT ❤️🔥
It felt only right to cap off the year with another Lynn Painter story, especially since my first book of 2025 was an unforgettable five-star read from her. This story follows our two main characters, Alec and Dani: childhood best friends turned brief fling, turned strangers, turned enemies… all leading to a fake relationship and, possibly, love.
The book was fast-paced overall and the story moved along well, yet somehow it also felt a bit too long. The beginning dragged, and it took far too long for the plot to actually get to the heart of the fake-dating premise. The slight nod to Liz from Better Than the Movies was cute in theory, but I actually didn’t love the recycling of using songs to define moments. It felt like an attempt to recreate what made Better Than the Movies so special, but in this story, it didn’t quite fit the tone, characters, or overall vibe.
I really wanted to fall in love with the romance, but it never fully felt authentic to me. There were moments that were playful and cute, but at times the MMC’s bravado and dialogue pulled me out of the story. Some of the conversations felt cringey, and I was honestly surprised by the amount of cussing—especially given that this is a YA book with teenage characters. It felt less like it was adding emotional weight and more like an attempt to make the characters seem edgy or relevant, which didn’t quite land for me.
That said, the supporting characters were definitely a bright spot—especially the family dynamics. I also appreciated the FMC’s internal journey of feeling displaced and eventually finding a sense of home within the town. The MMC’s inner struggle was compelling as well, particularly the way the book explored the pressures young, talented athletes face while trying to build a future. The hockey/sports trope also added a fun and unique element that I enjoyed.
The ending did feel somewhat rushed, but I appreciated that most of the plot points were wrapped up. This was definitely no Better Than the Movies, and I may forever be doomed to compare all of Lynn Painter’s books to it. Still, if you’re looking for a sweet, simple YA romance, this one may be worth picking up.
AGE RECOMMENDATION: 18+
RATING: 4.5 ⭐️
2025 NEW RELEASE
SPICE: NONE
Another book that carried a lot of hype this year and after reading it, I totally understand why. This story follows our female main character, Katarina Shaw, an ice dancer with her sights set on Olympic gold, alongside her partner, Heath Rocha. But can she truly have both—burgeoning success and a passionate love?
This book had excellent pacing and truly engaging storytelling. I loved how portions of the skaters’ journeys were narrated through short interview-style POV sections—it kept the story moving quickly, added a juicy layer of drama, and gave the whole thing a documentary feel. Since the story spans a large stretch of time, these bite-sized interview moments highlighted the most important beats without making the book feel dense or overly long.
The imagery and behind-the-scenes look into the world of competitive ice dancing were fascinating and made the plot feel fresh and unique. I especially loved the portrayal of a cutthroat, determined, success-driven FMC—for better and for worse. The way her athletic ambition and devotion to the sport were written made her such a nuanced character, and the emphasis on choosing skating over everyone and everything else made her eventual character arc deeply satisfying.
And the drama! That might have been my favorite part. There are multiple dramatic storylines unfolding at once, and it honestly felt like reading a soap opera—in the best possible way. You never quite know what’s going to happen or where the characters will end up, which made this book incredibly hard to put down.
But the standout element for me was how such a passionate relationship was portrayed without any explicit spice on the page. The deep romance was implied rather than shown, and that restraint felt so refreshing and effective. To all my romance lovers out there—I definitely recommend this one!
AGE RECOMMENDATION: 21+
RATING: 5 ⭐️
Another home run from John Mark Comer. In this book, he breaks down work, calling, purpose, rest, and Sabbath through a biblical and theological lens—while thoughtfully weaving in his own personal experiences along the way.
All I know is this book truly read me, not the other way around. As a self-proclaimed recovering workaholic, it gave me a much deeper understanding of things I’ve already been learning and processing in my own life. And that’s my favorite thing about Comer—his ability to take concepts you may already be aware of and give you a stronger, more grounded theological framework to stand on.
The way he teaches through Genesis and God’s original intention and design for work, beginning in the Garden, was genuinely transformative. He takes the reader on a journey from the very beginning of creation, through God’s original intent for humanity, how that intent has become distorted in the modern world, and how we can begin returning to a healthier, more Eden-like way of working and living.
His definition of workaholism—likening it to an addiction—was especially powerful. It forces you to hold up a mirror and ask hard questions like: Am I addicted? And if so, how do I change? Thankfully, he doesn’t leave you there. Comer offers wisdom and practical guidance for moving forward, particularly through rest, Sabbath, and rhythms that combat burnout.
This is a must-read for anyone who loves their work, feels constantly driven to chase a calling, or is searching for deeper purpose without burning themselves out in the process. 10/10 recommend—especially as we head into a new year!
AGE RECOMMENDATION: 16+
RATING: 5 ⭐️
This is a must-read for every millennial. I may be biased—since I spent half the year working through this book alongside my therapist—but it brought an incredible amount of awareness, understanding, and healing to so many areas of my life.
The author presents complex psychological concepts in a way that feels both weighty and extremely practical. Because everything is communicated so clearly and simply, it’s easy to recognize when you’ve experienced the behaviors and family dynamics being discussed. She also weaves in real stories from her patients, which makes the concepts deeply relatable and helps you see your own experiences with greater clarity.
With so much discourse today around millennials and their strained relationships with boomer parents, this book stands out as one of the most helpful resources I’ve encountered. It approaches these dynamics through a grounded, psychological lens that gets to the root of the issues while also offering constructive, compassionate paths forward—without defaulting to “no contact” or reducing parents to villains.
I truly recommend this book ten times over!
AGE RECOMMENDATION: 18+
