In 2025, I’m looking forward to tackling my ever-growing TBR. Some books I’m excited for include ‘The Long Form’ by Kate Briggs, ‘James’ by Percival Everett, ‘I Am Alien to Life’ by Djuna Barnes and, of course, more Iris Murdoch. What books are you looking forward to reading in 2025? Are they new releases or books that have been on your TBR forever?
I’m catching up on books that were adapted to TV or film so I can read before watching like “Nightbitch” and “A Gentleman in Moscow”. I’m also finally picking up “Parable of the Sower” cause it keeps popping up in all my feeds 🫠
Thanks, Ines! I read A Gentleman in Moscow a few years ago, and have been interested in watching the show. The TV adaptation I'm most interested in, though, is Pachinko. I watched the first episode, but then got distracted by other things so I need to return to it. Parable of the Sower is very intense. I read it a few weeks ago, and it felt very close to our current reality. In light of the fires in LA, it would be even more so now. An intense read, now even more intense perhaps.
I’m also excited to read James this year! I am finally reading Pachinko, and it’s been lovely to start the year with long, slow (for me) read. I also really want to read The Quickening by Elizabeth Rush since I’ve seen a lot of chatter about it lately.
Thanks, Kim! I really enjoyed Pachinko, and have been meaning to watch the TV adaptation. I've read Min Jin Lee's other book as well, and enjoyed it. I think she has a new one on the way, but unsure when. She seems like a really nice person, but I saw her at a bookstore once and was truly starstruck. I'll have to look into The Quickening and see what all the chatter is about!
I watched one episode and it was really good, but then I got distracted by some other show. I'll return to it shortly. I think there's a second season that either just came out or is on the way.
gosh so many!!! I am really trying to start off the year by hitting my backlist of books I already have. Currently reading a second-hand copy of The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen, which i must have picked up some 6 months ago. Only about 50 pages in and can’t believe I haven’t read any of his work before! Hoping to soon get to My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante, In Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford, and Resentment by Gary Indiana. but obviously that’s only the tip of the iceberg!
Thanks, EJ! I still haven't read any Franzen, so I'm happy to see you're enjoying it. I really need to fill that hole, too. I read My Brilliant Friend a few years ago and loved it. Flew through the whole series. I watched the first two seasons of the TV adaptation and need to get back to it. Hope you enjoy these books!
Happy 2025 Mike! My reading goal for this year is to finally tackle the books on my TBR that I've already bought and are sitting untouched on my bookshelf. Most of them are novels by authors I already like. This includes some Toni Morrison (Song of Solomon, The Bluest Eye), Don DeLillo (Libra, Mao II), Elena Ferrante (The Lost Daughter) and Miriam Toews (Fight Night). Trying to not buy a lot of books this year but... we'll see how that goes LOL
Thanks, Alanna! Happy New Year to you, too! I hear you about tackling the TBR. That's a big goal for me this year as well. I'm also trying to hold off on buying so many new books. But we're about to walk over to the next neighborhood over and check out a bookstore there, so yeah, we'll see how that goes ha!
Like several others I decided to commit to the books I already own this year, rather than letting them languish on the shelf while I continually check out a stream of new library books. So I'm starting with The Overstory by Richard Powers which is really excellent far, and coming up soon I'll also be reading (or at least trying out) Tenth of December by George Saunders, Beloved Toni Morrison, and Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman. Maybe not in that order because I'm definitely most intimidated by Morrison and Whitman so I don't want to leave them together as a precipitous mountain pass in my future.
Thanks, Maren! In the last week, I wrote out by hand every book that is currently on my several TBR piles and I was shocked at how many there were. Writing it out really drove the point home that I need to whittle this down. So I'm trying to only pick up new books that are special in some way or tough to find. We'll see how it goes lol! The Overstory has been on my mental list (not yet on the physical pile!) for a while. I'm glad you're enjoying it. I last read Morrison a long time ago and remember it was very intense. I need to get back to her, but I agree it's intimidating. Hang in there and good luck!
Hello, friend! It was indeed frightening to see how many books had piled up over the years. But I'm excited to tackle the piles this year and get them down to a more manageable size.
You might be surprised by Whitman—he is a self-taught every man/woman and Leaves is wild and free-flowing and free-thinking and jumps all over—would suggest just go with the flow. I found it amazing and read everything I could by and about him. I live near the woods and creek he used to go to for solace when he cared for the wounded and dying during the civil War and ended up writing my first novel about him—Wild Walt and the Rock Creek Gang. I am excited for anyone who gets to read Leaves for the first time. Thanks for mentioning Leaves—made my Sunday morning!
'Secrets of the First School'. I couldn't believe where T.L. Huchu left Ropa Moyo hanging at the end of 'The Legacy of Arniston House'! It is such a fun series overall. Speaking of fun series, I'm still catching up on 'The Murderbot Diaries': I don't normally enjoy reading sci-fi (I think it comes across better in TV or movie form) but I will definitely make an exception for Martha Wells.
Happy New Year to you. I am excited to tackle Persausion and Anna Karinina (hats off the Henry Eliot’s read-alongs). Going back to the classics after a years of newer books—including some little gems you discovered.
Thanks, Brian! Anna Karenina is on my list for this year, too. Hopefully I'll get to it. I'm trying to build in time in my reading schedule so I can get it done in time for a newsletter. I wanted to do this last year with Black Lamb and Grey Falcon, but the time never materialized. Fingers crossed for 2025!
I plan on reading some Classics. First up is Old New York by Edith Wharton. Other books languishing on my shelves: Demon Copperhead, the Ferrante Quartet, The Powerbroker, Hello Beautiful. I could go on and on, full of good intentions, but the shiny and new always captures my eye. One thing I am really trying to do is to wait until books come out in paperback. Arthritis in my hands makes some hardbacks too heavy and I am not a huge ereader fan. Also use the library more!!
Thanks, Kate! I am a big fan of paperbacks as well. I try to avoid hardcovers completely, unless there is some special reason to get one. The Power Broker is a tremendous book, literally and literarily. I hope you enjoy that and the others. Donna and I both enjoyed the Ferrante books, and I may return to her this year. She is going to appear in a poll coming soon...
I'm excited to finish 'Playworld' by Adam Ross, and have eyes on Susan Barker's 'Old Soul' and Neko Case's memoir, 'The Harder i Fight the More I Love You' to flesh out January (and that's just January).
So many! James and Pachinko for sure. I’m restarting Pedro Palamo, since I lost track of it over last month. Started Later by Stephen King, even though I find his writing wanders all over the place.
Thanks to BOG, I’ve discovered new authors, and finally read Camilla last year!
Thanks, Jennifer! I’ll of these days I need to do a horror or true crime book but I’m a scaredy cat. I read shelter Skelter and couldn’t sleep for days lol. But there have to be some gateway books in the genres that aren’t too scary. I guess Dracula or Carmilla would count maybe. Enjoy!
Here's a quick list of not-too-scary books that should be easy to find:
1. Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel- worldwide virus, but the focus is on people and their connections.
2. My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite-POV of her sister, who is perpetually enabling her selfish little sister.
3. The Gates by John Connolly- horror comedy about the gates of hell opening in suburbia.
4. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman- spooky for kids, but a good story for adults.
5. Breathers by S.G. Browne- depressed zombie who wants to connect.
6. Joyland by Stephen King- a murder mystery in a coming-of-age story.
I also highly recommend those old Alfred Hitchcock paperbacks like "Coffin Corner" and "Thirteen They Wouldn't Let Me Do on Television". There are lots of them and they're a goldmine for short stories. Some really great writers there.
I had read THE BARON IN THE TREES by Italo Calvino and loved it. Then in a small bookstore in Rome I discovered it was part of a trilogy so picked it up and look forward to the other 2 books.
Thanks, Teri! I love Calvino. We have that one, but I haven't read it yet. I read If on a Winter's Night a Traveler most recently, and Invisible Cities years ago, but I've wanted to get back to his work. Hopefully things line up this year! Enjoy!
So. Many. Books!! I happened to grab a copy of Out before you mentioned it, and now I’m doubly excited to read it! Also on my list: There Are Rivers in the Sky and lots of classic literature, history and biographies. One last thing: I highly recommend The House of Doors. Happy reading!
Thanks, Lisa! I'm really exited about Out. I was hoping it would win the vote at the end of the year. Alas! But I am definitely planning to read it this year. It looks like you've got an exciting reading year lined up. Enjoy!
I’m going to read Jamaica Kinkaid’s essay collection My Favorite Plant to ease me through the next few weeks. Then, I’m going to revisit The Daughter Ship by Boo Trundle, an account of a woman dealing with past trauma while trying to parent and be creative. I keep thinking of all the little parts of herself in there, personified and in conversation with each other.
Thanks, Joanna! Jamaica Kinkaid is an author I've been meaning to check out. Long overdue to read her work. I love the title of that collection, since I've been trying to grow plants in our apartment, so I'll check that out. Enjoy!
I'll def be adding Estelle Hoy's Pisti, 80 Rue de Belleville to my list when it arrives. Others include The Other Almanac, Harriet the Spy (my favorite book), The Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan, The Poetry of Birds, and You Can't Win by Jack Black (not that Jack Black).
I've got a goal to read 25 new-to-me books this year, since it's '25. I failed last year's challenge fairly miserably, but I was focused on other things last year (100-new to-me board games). This year I'm focusing on playing games from last year that I really liked, so I'll have more time for reading, granted I make time for it.
I’m catching up on books that were adapted to TV or film so I can read before watching like “Nightbitch” and “A Gentleman in Moscow”. I’m also finally picking up “Parable of the Sower” cause it keeps popping up in all my feeds 🫠
Thanks, Ines! I read A Gentleman in Moscow a few years ago, and have been interested in watching the show. The TV adaptation I'm most interested in, though, is Pachinko. I watched the first episode, but then got distracted by other things so I need to return to it. Parable of the Sower is very intense. I read it a few weeks ago, and it felt very close to our current reality. In light of the fires in LA, it would be even more so now. An intense read, now even more intense perhaps.
Don Quixote which I already started!
Thanks, Jam! That's a book I've been meaning to read for forever. I'm eager to know your thoughts when you're finished.
I was surprised at how FUNNY it was. The creativity of the humor had me laughing out loud in places!
agree! still so funny 500 years later
I just started “James” by Percival Everett this week. After that, I’m going to pick up “Caste” again and finally finish it.
Thanks! And when you're finished with both, I'll read them!
Loved James. I have Caste on my shelf, but not sure I’ll get to it this year!
I’m also excited to read James this year! I am finally reading Pachinko, and it’s been lovely to start the year with long, slow (for me) read. I also really want to read The Quickening by Elizabeth Rush since I’ve seen a lot of chatter about it lately.
Thanks, Kim! I really enjoyed Pachinko, and have been meaning to watch the TV adaptation. I've read Min Jin Lee's other book as well, and enjoyed it. I think she has a new one on the way, but unsure when. She seems like a really nice person, but I saw her at a bookstore once and was truly starstruck. I'll have to look into The Quickening and see what all the chatter is about!
Somehow I didn’t know there was a Pachinko TV series! I can’t wait to watch that when I’ve finished the book!
I watched one episode and it was really good, but then I got distracted by some other show. I'll return to it shortly. I think there's a second season that either just came out or is on the way.
I enjoyed The Quickening. It was a very thought-provoking read.
gosh so many!!! I am really trying to start off the year by hitting my backlist of books I already have. Currently reading a second-hand copy of The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen, which i must have picked up some 6 months ago. Only about 50 pages in and can’t believe I haven’t read any of his work before! Hoping to soon get to My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante, In Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford, and Resentment by Gary Indiana. but obviously that’s only the tip of the iceberg!
Thanks, EJ! I still haven't read any Franzen, so I'm happy to see you're enjoying it. I really need to fill that hole, too. I read My Brilliant Friend a few years ago and loved it. Flew through the whole series. I watched the first two seasons of the TV adaptation and need to get back to it. Hope you enjoy these books!
Happy 2025 Mike! My reading goal for this year is to finally tackle the books on my TBR that I've already bought and are sitting untouched on my bookshelf. Most of them are novels by authors I already like. This includes some Toni Morrison (Song of Solomon, The Bluest Eye), Don DeLillo (Libra, Mao II), Elena Ferrante (The Lost Daughter) and Miriam Toews (Fight Night). Trying to not buy a lot of books this year but... we'll see how that goes LOL
Thanks, Alanna! Happy New Year to you, too! I hear you about tackling the TBR. That's a big goal for me this year as well. I'm also trying to hold off on buying so many new books. But we're about to walk over to the next neighborhood over and check out a bookstore there, so yeah, we'll see how that goes ha!
Update: we picked up two books so there goes that. But they are small lol!
Like several others I decided to commit to the books I already own this year, rather than letting them languish on the shelf while I continually check out a stream of new library books. So I'm starting with The Overstory by Richard Powers which is really excellent far, and coming up soon I'll also be reading (or at least trying out) Tenth of December by George Saunders, Beloved Toni Morrison, and Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman. Maybe not in that order because I'm definitely most intimidated by Morrison and Whitman so I don't want to leave them together as a precipitous mountain pass in my future.
Thanks, Maren! In the last week, I wrote out by hand every book that is currently on my several TBR piles and I was shocked at how many there were. Writing it out really drove the point home that I need to whittle this down. So I'm trying to only pick up new books that are special in some way or tough to find. We'll see how it goes lol! The Overstory has been on my mental list (not yet on the physical pile!) for a while. I'm glad you're enjoying it. I last read Morrison a long time ago and remember it was very intense. I need to get back to her, but I agree it's intimidating. Hang in there and good luck!
I'm frightened to do this.
Hello, friend! It was indeed frightening to see how many books had piled up over the years. But I'm excited to tackle the piles this year and get them down to a more manageable size.
You might be surprised by Whitman—he is a self-taught every man/woman and Leaves is wild and free-flowing and free-thinking and jumps all over—would suggest just go with the flow. I found it amazing and read everything I could by and about him. I live near the woods and creek he used to go to for solace when he cared for the wounded and dying during the civil War and ended up writing my first novel about him—Wild Walt and the Rock Creek Gang. I am excited for anyone who gets to read Leaves for the first time. Thanks for mentioning Leaves—made my Sunday morning!
'Secrets of the First School'. I couldn't believe where T.L. Huchu left Ropa Moyo hanging at the end of 'The Legacy of Arniston House'! It is such a fun series overall. Speaking of fun series, I'm still catching up on 'The Murderbot Diaries': I don't normally enjoy reading sci-fi (I think it comes across better in TV or movie form) but I will definitely make an exception for Martha Wells.
Thanks, Daniel!
Happy New Year to you. I am excited to tackle Persausion and Anna Karinina (hats off the Henry Eliot’s read-alongs). Going back to the classics after a years of newer books—including some little gems you discovered.
Thanks, Brian! Anna Karenina is on my list for this year, too. Hopefully I'll get to it. I'm trying to build in time in my reading schedule so I can get it done in time for a newsletter. I wanted to do this last year with Black Lamb and Grey Falcon, but the time never materialized. Fingers crossed for 2025!
I plan on reading some Classics. First up is Old New York by Edith Wharton. Other books languishing on my shelves: Demon Copperhead, the Ferrante Quartet, The Powerbroker, Hello Beautiful. I could go on and on, full of good intentions, but the shiny and new always captures my eye. One thing I am really trying to do is to wait until books come out in paperback. Arthritis in my hands makes some hardbacks too heavy and I am not a huge ereader fan. Also use the library more!!
Thanks, Kate! I am a big fan of paperbacks as well. I try to avoid hardcovers completely, unless there is some special reason to get one. The Power Broker is a tremendous book, literally and literarily. I hope you enjoy that and the others. Donna and I both enjoyed the Ferrante books, and I may return to her this year. She is going to appear in a poll coming soon...
I also have The Power Broker on my TBR. I’ve read parts of it over the years, but really want to get to all of it.
I'm excited to finish 'Playworld' by Adam Ross, and have eyes on Susan Barker's 'Old Soul' and Neko Case's memoir, 'The Harder i Fight the More I Love You' to flesh out January (and that's just January).
Thanks, Colin! I want to check out that Neko Case memoir too!
Ooh I want to read old soul too
I just finished it this last week and I really liked it! I just wrote a little about it in Friday's newsletter.
So many! James and Pachinko for sure. I’m restarting Pedro Palamo, since I lost track of it over last month. Started Later by Stephen King, even though I find his writing wanders all over the place.
Thanks to BOG, I’ve discovered new authors, and finally read Camilla last year!
Thanks, SOIA! I’m glad BoG has helped you find some new books. Carmilla was wild. I hope you enjoyed it!
I do horror and true crime reviews, so you know I've got those lined up 😉
Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage, Little Eve by Catriona Ward an The Disappearance at Devil's Rock by Paul Tremblay are on the TBR pile.
Thanks, Jennifer! I’ll of these days I need to do a horror or true crime book but I’m a scaredy cat. I read shelter Skelter and couldn’t sleep for days lol. But there have to be some gateway books in the genres that aren’t too scary. I guess Dracula or Carmilla would count maybe. Enjoy!
If you ever want a few titles that are what I call “horror lite”, diet version of the genre that won't terrify you too much, I'd be happy to help. 👻
I'd love that!
Here's a quick list of not-too-scary books that should be easy to find:
1. Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel- worldwide virus, but the focus is on people and their connections.
2. My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite-POV of her sister, who is perpetually enabling her selfish little sister.
3. The Gates by John Connolly- horror comedy about the gates of hell opening in suburbia.
4. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman- spooky for kids, but a good story for adults.
5. Breathers by S.G. Browne- depressed zombie who wants to connect.
6. Joyland by Stephen King- a murder mystery in a coming-of-age story.
I also highly recommend those old Alfred Hitchcock paperbacks like "Coffin Corner" and "Thirteen They Wouldn't Let Me Do on Television". There are lots of them and they're a goldmine for short stories. Some really great writers there.
Hope I didn't overwhelm you!
Thanks for this list!!
I had read THE BARON IN THE TREES by Italo Calvino and loved it. Then in a small bookstore in Rome I discovered it was part of a trilogy so picked it up and look forward to the other 2 books.
Thanks, Teri! I love Calvino. We have that one, but I haven't read it yet. I read If on a Winter's Night a Traveler most recently, and Invisible Cities years ago, but I've wanted to get back to his work. Hopefully things line up this year! Enjoy!
So. Many. Books!! I happened to grab a copy of Out before you mentioned it, and now I’m doubly excited to read it! Also on my list: There Are Rivers in the Sky and lots of classic literature, history and biographies. One last thing: I highly recommend The House of Doors. Happy reading!
Oh, and our local indie bookstore is raving about Sipsworth!
Thanks, Lisa! I'm really exited about Out. I was hoping it would win the vote at the end of the year. Alas! But I am definitely planning to read it this year. It looks like you've got an exciting reading year lined up. Enjoy!
I’m going to read Jamaica Kinkaid’s essay collection My Favorite Plant to ease me through the next few weeks. Then, I’m going to revisit The Daughter Ship by Boo Trundle, an account of a woman dealing with past trauma while trying to parent and be creative. I keep thinking of all the little parts of herself in there, personified and in conversation with each other.
Thanks, Joanna! Jamaica Kinkaid is an author I've been meaning to check out. Long overdue to read her work. I love the title of that collection, since I've been trying to grow plants in our apartment, so I'll check that out. Enjoy!
Ah, I think she’s just the editor of this one? But for an on fire, long form essay of hers on colonialism, check out A Small Place.
Will do! Thanks!
I’m going to read My Brilliant Sister by Amy Brown and Rapture by Emily Maguire (both Australian).
Thanks, Marg! Enjoy!
Been eharing good things about James everywhere. I'll wait for your gifs/thoughts
Same here, Resh! I’m excited to read it. Probably two books into the future.
I'll def be adding Estelle Hoy's Pisti, 80 Rue de Belleville to my list when it arrives. Others include The Other Almanac, Harriet the Spy (my favorite book), The Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan, The Poetry of Birds, and You Can't Win by Jack Black (not that Jack Black).
I've got a goal to read 25 new-to-me books this year, since it's '25. I failed last year's challenge fairly miserably, but I was focused on other things last year (100-new to-me board games). This year I'm focusing on playing games from last year that I really liked, so I'll have more time for reading, granted I make time for it.
Thanks, Justin! Pisti should arrive any day now!