New month, new book thread!
The first book I finished in 2025 was Dying To Know by Rae Cairns.
A bit predictable but the writing was absolutely gripping. I genuinely couldn’t put it down.
Full review: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/93975fdb-ba66-4672-af50-c16b59d19ea9
And now for the first book I started in 2025: Civil Resistance by Erica Chenoweth.
‘No movements have failed after getting 10% of the nation’s population to be actively involved in their peak event. Most succeed after mobilising 3.5%.’
This one gives me a bit of hope just when I need it most.
Full review: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/9bfc5908-d3f0-4af6-8919-a86a716a9ba3
Friday’s book was So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish by Douglas Adams.
Insufficient Marvin … otherwise excellent.
Very short review: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/d04c0c02-f42b-49ef-8bee-7a0be96ffbe6
Saturday’s book was The Taiga Ridge Murders by Skyla Dawn Cameron.
It’s not *that* kind of horror. It’s sort of modern gothic horror: creepy and eerie but with minimal gore.
PS: The cat lives.
Get it now: https://payhip.com/b/LnA5I
Sunday’s book was The Usual Santas: A Collection of Soho Crime Christmas Capers.
Well, this was a random collection of stories.
Full review: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/463956db-a4ff-4ed8-9901-dacb97f8cdf6
Monday’s book was The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst.
Cosy fantasy (yay!) with angsty romance (ugh).
Full review: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/ac83a55b-2e08-4fc8-8867-7929958dfd6d?redirect=true
Oops… Forgot to post this one yesterday. Tuesday’s book was Exit Strategy by Martha Wells.
#Murderbot’s back with the crew from the first story – and it’s not sure how to feel about that. Mainly it feels icky because feelings are gross.
Very short review: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/0b7ef317-f636-42ee-bd32-42e3384ddff6
Wednesday’s first book was A Quiet Teacher by Adam Oyebanji.
This story pairs a slow and gentle pace with a dark and all-too-realistic storyline.
Very short review: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/c7875b1d-b1e0-41e1-be33-dd2adfef933a?redirect=true
Wednesday’s second book was Boneshaker by Cherie Priest.
Compelling characters and a gripping storyline paired with racial slurs and crass stereotypes.
Sorry. Read her other books instead.
Very short review: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/7eff666c-6c12-4e19-bd5a-705a63abe6bb?redirect=true
Thursday’s book was Brave New World by Aldous Huxley.
This book is a powerful anti-totalitarian anthem. This book is a racist, ableist, misogynist mess. Both statements can be true.
Moving on.
Hey, I heard you like queer books!
Friday’s first book was Iron Goddess by @dharmakelleher.
A fast-paced story of a woman on a mission. She’ll stop at nothing to protect herself and the ones she loves.
Get it straight from the author: https://dharmakelleher.com/products/iron-goddess-ebook-shea-stevens-outlaw-biker-book-1
Friday’s second book was Marketing Strategy for Authors by @taorwong_author.
This book will teach you how to build a marketing plan that’s right for your author business … wherever you’re at.
Get it straight from the author: https://starlitpublishing.com/products/marketing-strategy-for-authors-1
Saturday’s book was Unnatural Causes by Richard Shepherd.
I was hoping for inspiration on unusual causes of death. Alas, this is not that book.
Full review: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/6776801a-b998-4903-bbb6-fec4997268ab
Sunday’s book was The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi.
In 2020, I couldn’t write another serious novel about serious people dealing with serious problems. So I set out to write a fun, fluffy book to amuse myself.
Apparently, I wasn’t alone in that feeling. John Scalzi felt it too.
Full review: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/2f654441-d9e2-4109-b335-d072da2ad845?redirect=true
Monday’s book was Blackheart Man by Nalo Hopkinson.
This one wasn’t for me … and that’s okay. Not every book is for every reader.
Also, they’re going to want to revise the review on that cover.
Full review: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/ae840ac5-681a-46b1-a203-2b40f06cc16d
Shouty person
Kim Possible 