Reviewing the Books I’ve Read This Year

Most authors agree that reading is an extension of writing. If you want to improve your writing skills, you have to read. A lot. To be perfectly honest with you, however, I don’t read as much as I should. But this year, I wanted to change that, so I made a 2025 reading list. Since we’re already halfway done with this year, I thought I’d review all of the books I’ve read so far. If you’re in a reading slump and don’t know what to read, this post might give you some ideas.

The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins

In case you don’t know what this popular series is about, it’s set in a futuristic, dystopian society divided into twelve districts and the Capitol. The first three books in this series that Suzanne Collins wrote, The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay, follow Katniss Everdeen, who takes her sister’s place in the annual Hunger Games. The Hunger Games is a punishment for the districts’ past rebellion against the Capitol, and the government’s way of reminding the twelve districts who is in control. In these games, two children from each of the twelve districts (one boy and one girl) are selected as tributes and placed in an arena to kill each other. The last remaining survivor of the games is called the victor, and he or she is rewarded with a new house and money. When Katniss’s little sister, Prim, is selected as a tribute, Katniss takes her place, knowing that she will probably die in the arena. Katniss never would have guessed that her role in the games would lead to a rebellion against the Capitol.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, the fourth Hunger Games book that was published, is a prequel that displays the origin story of President Snow, one of the antagonists in the first three books. (I have yet to read the other prequel that came out this year, Sunrise on the Reaping.)

The gruesome plot of this series makes it difficult to read at times. There is a lot of violence that the readers must navigate if they choose to immerse themselves in this dystopian world. So, if you’re a young or sensitive reader, this probably isn’t the book series for you.

Nevertheless, I can see why this series is so popular, and I found myself enjoying it as I read it for the first time this year. Suzanne Collins is a talented writer and storyteller. The story has exceptional pacing that kept me engaged, and the developed characters helped me relate to the story. Although The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mockingjay, and The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes have a sobering premise, they have thought-provoking themes of governmental power, survival, and morality that provide interesting discussion topics. Additionally, the intense plot points kept me on the edge of my seat, and by the time I finished reading the series, it became one of my favorites. So, if you like dystopians, intriguing themes, and are not easily triggered by violence, I recommend this series.

"'Only I keep wishing I could think of a way to...to show the Capitol they don't own me. That I'm more than just a piece in their Games.'"
Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

The only world Piranesi knows is the House, a labyrinth filled with numerous passageways and statues. Piranesi explores the House, mapping its halls and taking note of the rising tides that sometimes fill the corridors. The only other human in the House is a man called the Other, who occasionally visits Piranesi to compare notes with him. Piranesi is content to live in the House, but things aren’t entirely what they seem. Piranesi doesn’t know who he is or how he found the surreal labyrinth in the first place.

This imaginative story transports the reader to an entirely different world. Susanna Clarke’s eloquent writing, combined with her creative storytelling, provides an enjoyable read. As I turned the pages, I felt a sense of mystery and magic. I especially appreciate this fantasy novel because it makes subtle allusions to C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia. However, please note that Piranesi is not exactly a children’s book like The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. It contains some profanities, and the audience learns that one of the characters has made poor decisions in the past. That said, if you’re a mature reader looking for a book with a sense of magic and quality themes, Piranesi is a good choice. This would definitely be a book I’d read more than once.

"How can a man as intelligent as him say that there is nothing alive in the House?"
Susanna Clarke, Piranesi

Emma by Jane Austen

Emma Woodhouse takes on the hobby of matchmaking. Being a beautiful, intelligent, and rich young woman, she has a lot of influence on the people around her, especially an orphan named Harriet Smith, who does not know anything about her parents. Emma is determined to arrange a marriage for Harriet, but taking matters into her own hands leads to numerous dilemmas for Emma and her friends.

Jane Austen’s romance novels are classic pieces of literature, so I am glad I read Emma. However, this novel’s length made me grow bored after the first thirty chapters, and I found myself zoning out numerous times. Having read Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and Mansfield Park, I was used to reading the 1800s English, but it was still difficult for me to read Emma. If you want to read more classics, Emma wouldn’t be my first recommendation. But if you have a long attention span and exceptional reading comprehension skills, do read this book. It’s just not for everyone.

"If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more."
Jane Austen, Emma

A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah

In this memoir, Ishmael Beah recounts his experience as a boy soldier in the Sierra Leone Civil War. When he was only thirteen years old, Beah was recruited to join the government army, and his book describes the brutality he witnessed and how he recovered from this trauma.

Beah does not avoid writing detailed descriptions about all of the horrors he saw and experienced during the war, which can make this difficult to read, but it’s also what makes this memoir so powerful. This work is eye-opening and shows the true depravity of war. It is honest and descriptive. Beah’s writing style is straightforward, yet beautiful and compelling. Once again, I must say that this book is not for everyone. It’s very graphic, so if you’re a sensitive reader, you should avoid reading it. That said, this memoir captivated my attention and touched my heart from the very first page, and I’m glad I chose to read it.

"There were all kinds of stories told about the war that made it sound as if it was happening in a faraway and different land. It wasn't until refugees started passing through our town that we began to see that it was actually taking place in our country."
Ishmael Beah, A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

This novel takes place in France during World War II and follows two sisters: Isabelle and Vianne. Eighteen-year-old Isabelle has lived many years of her life trying to be seen and noticed. She craves acceptance from her father and her older sister. She’s also stubborn, daring, and passionate. She longs to fight in the war and doesn’t want anyone to stop her from doing so.

Meanwhile, all Vianne wants to do is keep her family safe. Being several years older than Isabelle, she is happily married and has an eight-year-old daughter named Sophie. Vianne is gentle, kind, and easily frightened. Although her father rejected her when she was a teenager, Vianne still receives love from her husband and her best friend. Hence, she does not crave to be seen and loved like Isabelle because she already is.

When Vianne’s husband is drafted, however, everything changes. Vianne and Isabelle each face different challenges and are forced to make impossible decisions. Their encounters during the war give them a chance to see who they really are.

Almost everything about this book captured my attention. This novel has profound quotes, thoughtful character development, an exciting plot, and beautiful themes. Again, I must say that I can’t recommend this for all readers. Although this book is not explicitly graphic, it still has some adult content, and because it takes place during a war, it can also be intense. But for more mature readers, this is a great read.

"We are all fragile, Isabelle. It's the thing we learn in war."
Kristin Hannah, The Nightingale

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

The only name Sarah goes by is Angel, and selling her body is the only way she knows how to survive. When Angel was just a young girl, her mother died, and she was sold into prostitution. She doesn’t know what love is, and she doesn’t understand the extent of her worth. When Angel finds herself still working at a brothel when she is eighteen, she is empty and wants to give up on life. But then she meets a God-fearing farmer named Michael Hosea, who seems to be different from all the other men she’s encountered. He really cares about her and wants to give her a new life. But Angel doesn’t think she can trust him. After all, “aren’t all men the same?”

Inspired by the book of Hosea from the Bible, this romance novel is filled with uplifting themes of love and transformation. Francine Rivers writes this story in an engaging and accessible way that immerses readers. I was honestly unsure of this book at first from its description and even from the first couple of pages, but as I continued to read, I began to thoroughly enjoy it.

"'You are free, you just don't know it yet.'"
Francine Rivers, Redeeming Love

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Ever since he was a young child, Victor Frankenstein had a thirst for knowledge, and his thirst only grew as he got older. When Frankenstein goes to the University of Ingolstadt to study chemistry and natural philosophy, he becomes fascinated with the study of life. After restlessly studying for several years, he finally unlocks the mystery of life, and he uses old body parts to bring a creature to life.

This is the only book on this list that is a re-read. When I was about thirteen or fourteen years old, I listened to this on an audiobook and found that I really enjoyed it. Reading it for the second time, I was able to appreciate it even more. This classic work is not only eloquently written, but it also has thought-provoking themes. It is definitely a book you’d want to consider adding to your reading list if you’ve never read it before.

"How mutable are our feelings, and how strange is that clinging love we have of life even in the excess of misery!"
Mary Shelley, Frankenstein

Conclusion

In her poem, “A Book,” American poet Emily Dickinson expresses, “There is no frigate like a book to take us lands away.” The books I’ve read this year have indeed transported me across lands and through time. Their themes have given me insights into the world. Additionally, these books have given me insights into writing itself. If you’re interested in reading about what I’ve learned from some of these books, you can check out the post below.

5 Storytelling Tips for Writers: What I’ve Learned from My Favorite Fiction Books

I hope this post gave you some books that you can add to your own reading list. Be sure to let me know which of these books seems most compelling to you. Are you familiar with any of these books? If so, which ones? What books have you read this year? I’d love to hear from you!