Of the remaining fiction books, none were actually on my radar to read… mainly because they’re in genres I don’t gravitate toward. As for the two other nonfiction books, I’d simply never come across them before. Now that I’m seeing the History & Biography winner, How to Kill a Witch, I’m intrigued! That’s one I’ll be looking for at my library in 2026.
Even though in many categories I voted for books that didn’t end up winning, I’m a fan of the ones that did win! Although I still question whether The Compound really belongs in the sci-fi category.
Without going back to confirm, my impression is that I’ve read more of the winning books this year than I did in the last few previous years — which doesn’t particularly mean anything, other than that I appeared to have read a bunch of popular books in 2025.
And actually, several of these are likely to make my list of favorites for this past year! I’ve put a little heart next to the books I especially loved. ❤
I do still miss the old approach for these awards, which included more categories/genres, another round of voting (if I recall correctly), and the much loved and lamented option to write-in nominees.
So… how are you all feeling about this year’s batch of winners?
The opening round of this year’s Goodreads Choice Awards is here! I’ve already worked my way through the nominees and cast my votes. Some categories seem to have a lot of very strong choices this year… although I’m still a little bitter about the elimination (a few years ago now) of the write-in option!
Books published in the United States in English, including works in translation and other significant rereleases, between November 13, 2024, and November 11, 2025, are eligible for the 2025 Goodreads Choice Awards. Books published between November 12, 2025, and November 10, 2026, will be eligible for the 2026 awards.
We analyze statistics from the millions of books added, rated, and reviewed on Goodreads to nominate 20 books in each category. For the Audiobook category, nominations are based on the millions of titles added, rated, and reviewed both on Goodreads and Audible.
Opening round official nominees must have an average rating of 3.50 or higher at the time of launch. A book may be nominated in no more than one genre category, but can also be nominated in the Debut Novel and/or Audiobook categories. Only one book in a series may be nominated per category. An author may receive multiple nominations within a single category if they have more than one eligible series or more than one eligible stand-alone book.
So which books are nominated, and which did I vote for?
Let’s take a look at the opening round:
Category: Fiction
Of the 20 books nominated, I’ve read two:
I spy another four books on my to-read list:
… plus a few others that I’d consider maybe-someday books.
On my TBR: As with the previous two categories, quite a few of the other books look good to me, but I haven’t actually added any to my reading lists yet.
I don’t vote in categories where I haven’t actually read any of the books, so this year I skipped:
Debut Novel
Young Adult Fiction
Nonfiction
Memoir
History & Biography
Most of these categories have at least a book or two that I’d like to check out… we’ll see how that works out!
Wrapping it all up:
Did you vote in the opening round yet? Do you see any of your favorite books among the nominees?
I’d love to hear your recommendations for nominated books on my TBR lists or others I haven’t considered!
Overall, how do you feel about this year’s options? Any categories you wish they’d bring back? Any books you loved that really should have been nominated? Please share your thoughts!
I’m taking a moment today to shout the praises of three wonderful authors who certainly deserve tons of attention — and whose books make perfect beach reads, yet also stand out as great books, period.
There are the blockbuster authors — Emily Henry, Christina Lauren, Elin Hilderbrand, Abby Jimenez — who probably need no introduction, and have legions of devoted fans promoting their books all over social media. And they’re great… but I’m going to focus on some authors, whom you may or may not have given a try yet.
TL;DR: Read these books!
A background note: Each of the three authors I’m about to highlight was new to me within the past few years. Whether through catchy covers or a friend’s recommendation, I decided to give them a try — and have now read everything of theirs I could get my hands on!
I’m not saying that people haven’t heard of these authors… just that I don’t see them getting as much attention online as some other authors — and since I love their books so much, I thought I’d do my booklover-ish best and give them all a big shout-out!
Note: The book titles link to my reviews. I’m also including links to the authors’ pages on Amazon and Bookshop.org — these are affiliate links, so I may earn a small commission (at no cost to you) if you click through and make a purchase.
ANNABEL MONAGHAN
Picking up my first Annabel Monaghan book was a total lucky fluke! I saw it up for request on NetGalley, liked the look of the cover, and thought I’d give it a shot. And now, having read all four of her adult novels, I can say without doubt that this is an author whose books shouldn’t be missed! I love that her books focus on grown-ups with relatable lives, complex histories and relationships, and love stories that we can see developing before our eyes. Plus, terrific writing, humor, and lovely settings and situations.
I think I’d probably seen Carley Fortune’s books while browsing bookstore shelves, but hadn’t picked one up until a friend absolutely insisted that her books were must-reads! I gave her first book a try in November of last year… and by now, a mere six months later, I’ve read all three published before 2025 and I’m currently reading newly published #4! I love them all — a perfect summer vibe, with characters who touch my heart. There’s so much loveliness and joy in these books, even while the characters deal with loss and sadness and life’s challenges. The romances are important elements of each of these stories, but the family and friendship foundations are what make them feel so deep and meaningful My friend was right — these books are amazing!
(Note: Every Summer After has been optioned by Amazon Prime and is in development as a series! According to the author’s newsletter: “I’m happy to report that we are very close to shooting season one and that casting is currently underway.”)
Ali Brady is the pen name for a writing duo, Alison Hammer and Bradeigh Godfrey. I’ll admit to judging their books by their covers! The gorgeous blue hues of their first books caught my eye, and when I had a chance to read the ARC of their 3rd, I grabbed it… then immediately went back and read the previous two books! A 4th (sadly, no blue cover! but it still looks so appealing) is coming out in June, and yes, I will be grabbing it as soon as it hits the shelves!
Seanan McGuire’s excellent October Daye series is one of my absolute favorites, and I’ve been pining for more in that world for over a year now!
To recap, books 17 and 18, Sleep No More and The Innocent Sleep, were released one month apart in fall 2023, and tell essentially the same story, but from two different characters’ perspectives. They were awesome… and they’ve left us all hanging ever since!
Today, I got access to the ARC for the next book in the series, and I am beyond delighted! Here’s a quick peek:
Book #19, Silver and Lead, will be released September 30th:
Seanan McGuire’s New York Times bestselling and Hugo Award-nominated October Daye series continues as Toby Daye is thrust once again into danger… and this time she has more than ever to protect.
Something is rotten in Faerie. In the aftermath of Titania’s reality-warping enchantment, things are returning to what passes for normal in the Kingdom in the Mists—until it’s discovered that the royal vaults have been looted, and several powerful magical artifacts are missing. None are things that can be safely left unsecured, and some have the potential to do almost as much damage as Titania did, and having them in the wrong hands could prove just as disastrous.
At least the theft means that Sir October “Toby” Daye, Knight errant and Hero of the Realm, finally has an excuse to get out of the house. Sure, she’s eight and a half months pregnant, but that doesn’t mean she can’t take care of herself. But with the sea witch offering to stand godmother to Toby’s child, maybe there are greater dangers ahead for Toby and her family than it appears….
Old enemies will resurface, new enemies will disguise themselves as friends, and Queen Windermere must try to keep her Hero on the case without getting herself gutted by the increasingly irritated local King of Cats. Sometimes, what’s been lost can be the most dangerous threat of all.
I can’t wait! But I will… I’m going to try to hold off until closer to the release date, and meanwhile, plan to do a reread of the previous two books. I’m thrilled to be re-entering Toby’s world!
As I was finishing up this post, two exciting pieces of book news crossed my radar, and they’re too good not to share! So while not related to October Daye, they’re both about new books in long-term series… and both are huge!
First:
The next (and final) book in the world of His Dark Materials has been announced!
The Rose Field, book #3 in The Book of Dust series (following La Belle Sauvage, published 2017, and The Secret Commonwealth, published 2019) will be release in fall 2025.
Author Philip Pullman has revealed details of the sixth and final book in his series about Lyra Silvertongue, the character at the heart of His Dark Materials and The Book of Dust trilogies.
The Rose Field will be published on 23 October, and will follow his heroine’s story up to her early 20s.
She was 11 when she was introduced in the best-selling and award-winning first His Dark Materials book, Northern Lights, in 1995.
Pullman, 78, said he was “relieved” to have “come out of the end alive and able to see it being made into a book and published”.
The Rose Field has a scheduled publication date of October 23, 2025. While a cover has not yet been revealed, the publisher’s site has this blurb:
The breathtaking conclusion to Philip Pullman’s Book of Dust! This landmark trilogy, set in the world readers first glimpsed in The Golden Compass, continues the story of Lyra: “one of fantasy’s most indelible heroines” (The New York Times Magazine).
“It’s a stunning achievement, this universe Pullman has created and continues to build on.” —The New York Times
Picking up right where The Secret Commonwealth left off, this story finds Lyra alone in a city haunted by daemons, searching for her beloved Pan. Malcolm Polstead isn’t far behind, searching for Lyra. And they are both racing toward the desert of Karamakan, following the trail of roses said to hold the secret of Dust.
Their allies and enemies are converging on the mysterious red building at the heart of the desert: Marcel Delamare and the military might of the Magisterium; the radical Men from the Mountains; scientists, scholars and spies; troops of witches and other people of the air. And awaiting them all is a previously unseen and chilling new threat that will change everything.
The intertwining odysseys of Malcolm and Lyra, their journeys both internal and external, will test their limits and challenge even their most dearly held beliefs.
As ever, Philip Pullman is using the language of fantasy to illuminate our world and to explore the deepest questions of what it means to be alive and awake to all the splendors and horrors around us. The extraordinary novels of The Book of Dust speak powerfully to today’s readers and will take their place alongside the forever-favorites of His Dark Materials.
Of course, this means that I’ll need to reread (at least) The Secret Commonwealth before October. My reading life has suddenly gotten a whole lot busier!
I don’t typically do a new releases post — mainly because it doesn’t usually occur to me! But when I look at my list of this month’s new releases — ARCs and books to purchase and books to add to my TBR — it’s hard not to want to share the excitement.
Here are my top picks:
Already read:
Installment Immortality by Seanan McGuire (review)
Kills Well with Others by Deanna Raybourn (review)
Reading now:
Jane and Dan at the End of the World by Colleen Oakley
Whew. That’s a lot! I’d like to say that I’ll get to all of these before the end of the month, but somehow, I think life may have other plans for me. Plus, I do also need to squeeze in my book group book and Classics Club spin book. (I think I need to go hibernate in a cozy cabin somewhere, just me and a stack of books to read!)
Are any of my March books on your reading list too? What other new releases are you most excited for this month?
I thoroughly enjoyed two recent TV adaptations of beloved novels… but in the ultimate battle for dominance, do books or TV series come out on top?
Let’s find out.
Note: There will be spoilers!
Face-off #1:
I loved the novel My Lady Jane… so much that I recently decided to reread via audiobook. And the timing was perfect, because I finished right before the TV adaptation dropped on Prime Video. But which one is better — book or TV?
My Lady Jane Book by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, Jodi Meadows, published 2016 Prime Video series, released June 2024
Thoughts: The book is such a funny, quirky read that any adaptation would face a steep climb to match it in tone and content. And yet, the Prime Video version comes pretty close! The production itself is rather awesome — the humor and silliness are abundant, and although I’m tempted to say that some of the acting is over the top (looking at you, Mary!), I’m not sure that there is such a thing as over-the-top when it comes to this story.
The misses for me in terms of the adaptation relate to the basics of the story. Ethians (shapeshifters) are more prevalent in the book, and while there are those who want to see them all destroyed, they’re still a recognized part of society. The adaptation changes up the roles of certain characters — Dudley’s family gets a redemption arc and isn’t as terrible as in the book, and Jane’s mother is pretty fabulous in her awfulness. Jane’s fate edges closer to the real Jane Grey’s, which was interesting to see. Overall, the adaptation is hugely entertaining, but as someone who read the book, I questioned why certain key characters didn’t learn of their Ethian natures as well, which really changes the tone of some scenes and plot elements.
Verdict: The book for the win… but definitely check out the show for its cheekiness, excellent cast, and sheer lunacy.
Face-off #2:
I read Romancing Mister Bridgerton a few years ago already — after watching season 1 of the Netflix series, I ended up bingeing all eight Bridgerton books, one after another. And now that season 3 has aired and I’ve done a book reread via audio, it’s time to compare!
Bridgerton, season 3 Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn, published 2002 Netflix series, new season released May/June 2024
Thoughts: Season 3 was excellent in many ways, and Nicola Coughlan is sheer perfection as Penelope. I love that the Netflix series expands the focus to include other storylines and characters. And yet, certain aspects of the Penelope and Colin romance irked me — and my audiobook reread reminded me that these problem points are handled differently in the book. In the TV series, Colin discovers Penelope’s secret identify only after they’ve become engaged and slept together. He’s furious, their wedding is tense, and he sleeps on the couch on what should be their wedding night. As for Penelope, she comes across as tearful and ashamed when confronted with her alter ego, and seems inconsistent about whether she’s proud of her work. Too often, she seems like she’s practically abasing herself in front of Colin to earn his forgiveness.
I was happy to be reminded that in the book, the truth is already out before Colin and Penelope become intimate. Yes, he’s upset with her — but that’s out of worry. The burning anger is missing, and Colin’s concern is mainly about Penelope being ruined and cast out of society. They are together, in love, and happy when they marry, and while Whistledown remains a source of tension, we learn that this is due to Colin’s jealousy: He admires Penelope’s talent and accomplishments, and is frustrated that he doesn’t have a purpose of his own.
Likewise, I appreciate the passing of time in the book. In Romancing Mister Bridgerton, Penelope is 28 years old, and has been Whistledown for over a decade. She’s mostly embraced her spinster status, and is happy enough spending time with best friend Eloise and the youngest Bridgerton, Hyacinth, now out in society and very, very sassy. Book Penelope is confident in her choices and proud of the success she’s had in her career, even if she can’t tell anyone about it. It’s nice seeing her as more mature and less tentative.
I do like the conclusion on the Netflix series a bit better. Penelope keeps writing the Society Papers, but under her own name. I’d thought the book wrapped with Penelope permanently giving up writing, but the reread reminded me that we leave Penelope working on a novel. (I don’t recall whether we learn that she’s become a published author in later books… but I’m guessing the answer is yes!)
Verdict: The book for the win! But watch the TV series for the production values, the side plots, the great chemistry, and the overall vibe. (Not to mention the costumes and wigs!)
I’m back with two more book-to-screen comparisons… and I have to say, it’s very weird to combine these two extremely different books/movies into one post! But I’m lazy… so here goes.
Which was better — the book or the movie? Read on to find out!
Face-off #1:
The Cabin at the End of the World Book by Paul Tremblay, published 2018 Knock at the Cabin movie, released February 2023
Thoughts: After reading the book several weeks ago (check out my review, here), I’d been curious about the movie adaptation. The book tells a terrifying story of a family terrorized by strangers who show up at their remote vacation cabin and inform them that they’ve been chosen for a terrible mission: They must willingly chose to sacrifice one of their family members, or the world will end. Are these people crazy? Are they doomsday cultists? Can anything they say be true? The book is scary and claustrophic, and in many ways, the movie captures the feeling of dread and the way a happy interlude can change to absolute terror within mere moments. The movie’s casting is terrific, especially David Bautista as Leonard, the leader of the intruders — a huge, powerful man with a quiet voice and a sad, kind demeanor, whose gentleness makes his instructions all the more awful. The movie is well done and — based on my family’s reactions — very powerful for those who haven’t read the book.
However… the movie changes the ending in significant ways, and that was a bit of a dealbreaker for me. The book’s impact is enhance by its ambiguity — we’re left to wonder whether any of what the intruders said was real, and whether there really was any connection between the events inside the cabin and the fate of the world. I actually loved that about the book — we’re left to consider for ourselves whether mass delusions and coincidences were at play. The movie removes the ambiguity, as well as changing the family members’ fates, and I thought both changes cheapened the overall impact. I’m glad I watched the movie, but it just doesn’t live up to the book.
Verdict: The book for the win!
Face-off #2:
Wonder Book by R. J. Palacio, published 2012 Movie released 2017
Thoughts: After reading White Bird by R. J. Palacio a couple of weeks ago, I was inspired to finally read Wonder, a book which has become a phenomenon in the 10+ years since it was first published. This middle-grade book is sweet and thoughtful, with an emphasis on kindness, inclusion of multiple points-of-view and experiences, a remarkable main character, and even plenty of humor. I was a little hesitant about watching the movie, worried that it would lean too heavily on the sweet to the point of becoming saccharine, but actually, I found it very, very good. Given that the parents are played by Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson, their roles are a little more prominent than in the book, but not distractingly so. The focus remains on Auggie and his experiences going to school for the first time, and the young cast is quite impressive. The movie captures most of the book’s plot beats, although by necessity, some elements end up left out or diluted. Still, it’s a very well-made adaptation, and well worth checking out.
Verdict: The book for the deeper looks into characters’ experiences… but the movie is great too!
Have you read any of these books or seen the movies? Do you have an opinion on my face-offs? Please share your thoughts!
It just so happens that I had the chance this past week to watch three adaptations of books I’ve read. Here’s my quick take on the age-old question: Which was better — the book or the movie (or series)?
Face-off #1:
Happiness for Beginners Book by Katherine Center, published 2015 Netflix movie, released July 2023
Thoughts: Having read the book only two weeks before watching the movie, the book details were possibly too fresh in my mind. It was impossible to avoid comparisons, and unfortunately, that did not work in the movie’s favor. I really enjoyed the book, especially how it showed the main character’s internal growth and her determined efforts to learn to appreciate life more and actively choose happiness. I also enjoyed the group dynamics, and how part of the main character’s romantic dilemma had to do with her perception of a possible connection between her love interest and another woman who she’d developed a genuine friendship with. In the movie version, the emotions never go particularly deep, and a lot of the scenarios are played primarily for laughs. The friendship isn’t explored or emphasized beyond the surface-level, and the hiking itself isn’t presented as being as challenging as it is in the book. Most frustrating of all, many of the issues that make the central romance so interesting in the book are sanded away here. It wasn’t bad to watch, just not especially noteworthy either.
Verdict: The book for the win!
Face-off #2:
Red, White & Royal Blue Book by Casey McQuiston, published 2019 Prime Video movie, released July 2023
Thoughts: On the other hand… I read this book four years ago (and loved it) — but other than the bare bones outline of the story, I didn’t have any details in mind while watching this movie, and that saved me from dwelling on what was left out or changed. Instead, I could just watch and enjoy. I liked it a lot, although occasionally Prince Henry came across as a bit too tentative and seemed almost younger than he’s supposed to be. No matter. It’s a really engaging piece of entertainment, and if anything, it’s made me want to revisit the book and see how the two fit together. I suppose for die-hard book fans, there’s no way the movie can live up to expectations, but for me, it worked really well and was a feel-good mood lift.
Verdict: It’s a tie!
Face-off #3:
The Summer I Turned Pretty Book trilogy by Jenny Han, published 2009 – 2011 Prime Video series (two seasons so far), 2022- 2023
Thoughts: While I really enjoyed the books, they didn’t necessarily stick with me over the years, and I was happy to check out the two available seasons of the TV series. The show adds diversity lacking in the book through casting choices and by including bi and trans representation, although it can’t avoid the fact that there is a ton of privilege in all the characters’ lives. After all, a huge piece of the core plot is that this is a story about two families and the fancy beach house they share every summer. Somehow, seeing certain elements on the screen drive home the fact that these teens spend a lot of time upset about things less privileged people could only dream about. The love triangle between main character Belly and the two brothers, Jeremiah and Conrad, also doesn’t translate as well to the screen. Watching it unfold, I just wanted to shake her and tell her to walk away from all this mess — this is not a healthy situation! There’s an underlying element of grief and loss in season 2, but even that somehow seems pushed to the background much of the time — and while the loss absolutely informs every characters’ actions, it doesn’t feel especially real much of the time.
Verdict: Neither is perfect. Read the books for more plot development (and less in-your-face cringe-iness about bouncing back and forth between brothers who really have enough to deal with already)— but watch the show for eye candy, a talented young cast, and interesting dynamics outside of the love triangle.
Wishing a very happy book birthday to Ravensong by TJ Klune!
I’m loving the shiny new reissues of TJ Klune’s Green Creek books, and today it’s Ravensong‘s turn! Originally published in 2018, the new hardcover edition of Ravensong — #2 in the series — is now available, released today by Tor Publishing.
This new edition is gorgeous, but the amazingness doesn’t stop at the cover — I fell hard for this series, and loved reading Ravensong. My review from earlier in the summer is here.
The remaining two books in the series will be reissued in 2024… but since the Kindle editions are available now, chances are I’ll be reading Heartsong and Brothersong much sooner than that!
Happy book birthday to Be Sure by Seanan McGuire! Be Sure is a brand new paperback 3-in-1 edition of the first three books in the outstanding Wayward Children series, released just this week.
Be Sure by Seanan McGuire Release date: July 18, 2023 Length: 528 pages Publisher: Tor.com
Synopsis:
Where it all began―the first three books in Seanan McGuire’s multi-Hugo and Nebula Award-winning Wayward Children series.
Join the students of Eleanor West, and jump through doors into worlds both dangerous and extraordinary.
Book 1: Every Heart a Doorway Book 2: Down Among the Sticks and Bones Book 3: Beneath the Sugar Sky
Children have always disappeared under the right conditions; slipping through the shadows under a bed or at the back of a wardrobe, tumbling down rabbit holes and into old wells, and emerging somewhere… else.
But magical lands have little need for used-up miracle children.
Meet Nancy, cast out of her world by the Lord of the Dead; Jack and Jill, each adopted by a monster of the Moors; Sumi and her impossible daughter, Rini.
Three worlds, three adventures, three sets of lives destined to intersect.
Eleanor West’s Home for Wayward Children No Solicitations / No Visitors / No Quests
But quests are what these children do best…
The Wayward Children series consists of 8 novellas so far, with a 9th coming in January (Mislaid in Parts Unknown).
If you visit my blog from time to time, you’ll know Seanan McGuire is an absolute must-read author for me. (Her October Daye series is my #1 fantasy series — long may it reign!) The Wayward Children books are sparkling, immersive, and tightly written. At novella length, they pack a punch, and each new volume adds new dimensions and layers to the universe of these stories.
Books 1 and 2 in this series are particular favorites of mine, but I’ve loved them all. If you’ve never explored the world of Wayward Children, this new paperback would be a great way to get started!
Bookshelf Fantasies 