I didn’t get to read like I normally do, so I only finished 9 books in August, which feels a little wild for me. Every time I tried to sit down with a book, something was pulling my attention away—life was busier than usual, my brain was buzzing with a never-ending to-do list, and honestly, I was spending way too much time scrolling instead of turning pages. My mind just would not settle long enough to really sink into a story.
But now we’re entering the “ber” months, and that always feels like a fresh start to my reading life. The air gets a little crisper, the days get shorter, and suddenly all I want to do is make a cup of something warm, grab a blanket, and disappear into a book for hours. It’s the start of cozy reading season, and I’m so ready for it—more quiet evenings, fewer distractions (fingers crossed), and stacks of books just waiting to be devoured.
On my TBR list so far for September:
📚Bewitched #1: Bewitched – currently reading
📚Bewitched #2: Bespelled
📚Bewitched #3: Bedeviled
📚The Poison Daughter
📚The Stonewater Kingdom #1: The Knight and the Moth
📚The Stonewater Kingdom #2: The Knave and the Moon
I’m really stuck on what to read next. I’ve got 292 books chilling in my Kindle App that are still “unread,” so it’s not like I’m short on options. But a lot of them are incomplete series still waiting for their last books to drop. You know my new rule: I’m done reading books with cliffhangers that leave me hanging for a year. I just can’t handle that right now. So yeah, my TBR is gonna keep getting bigger as I buy books waiting for those endings. And I totally know I have a bit of an addiction—especially since I end up buying both the ebook and the audiobook. Anyway, I was trying to figure out what to pick up next. Another romance? Fantasy? Something totally different? I thought about starting the Sins of Zodiac Series since the new book, Cindervale, drops this month. But a couple of chapters into Never Keep, I just wasn’t feeling it. The narrator also did the Zodiac Academy Series, and for some reason, I just couldn’t vibe with her voice right now. No offense; I’ll definitely come back to it later. Then, I picked up The Scorched Throne Series by Sara Hashem. I got through two chapters of Jasad Heir, but put it back on the TBR list. The story seemed cool, and I even moved it up the queue, but I could tell it was gonna require some serious brainpower, and I just wasn’t there mentally. I didn’t want to dive into a complex plot with all those political and caste systems right now. So I opted for a romance novel instead. I can’t go wrong with writers like Ali Hazelwood, Emily Henry, Meghan Quinn, Abby Jimenez, Christina Lauren, Elsie Silver, or Katherine Center, to name a few. But I kept circling back to In Her Own League by Liz Tomforde, and I really wanted to revisit that Windy City vibe—so, you guessed it, I’m diving into the Windy City Series! Here is hoping I’m not disappointed.
I read 171 books in 2025 and I completely enjoyed most of the books I read, each one transporting me to different worlds and igniting my imagination. However, there were some that left me with a cliffhanger, leaving me in a state of eager anticipation, and it will be quite some time before the series is completed. I tend to forget a lot of the details of the story by the time the next installment comes out, forcing me to go back and reread the other book(s) to refresh my memory. So, I’ve decided that for my own sanity, I am not going to read any more book series that are not completed. Of course, as a dedicated reader, I will still go ahead and buy the latest installments when they come out, but they will have to sit on my TBR list until I have the entire series in hand to avoid that frustrating cliffhanger feeling. I mean, just look at Fourth Wing; its completion is supposedly not expected until 2029. WTH? I already read Fourth Wing three times—first when it was released, then again when Iron Flame came out, and most recently when Onyx Storm was released. No more. My brain can’t take it! The constant cycle of anticipation and disruption is exhausting. There are plenty of books on my TBR that feature completed series, so I should be set for an engaging 2026. Additionally, I plan on revisiting some beloved books that have truly stuck with me, such as the Bonds that Tie Series and the Gender Games. Even some that I previously gave low ratings to are worth a second look because I suspect I wasn’t quite in the right mood when I first read them. I am particularly curious to see if revisiting the Flame Curses Fae Series will lead to a change in my perception and rating. Either way, with this thoughtful approach to my reading, it should make for quite a rewarding year of reads. I don’t plan on racing through as much, so I can take my time with each book, savoring every word and giving each story my undivided attention, immersing myself fully in the details and emotions that the authors have crafted.
Today is the last day of 2025. Wow, I definitely read some great books this year and a couple of duds, even DNF a couple. Looking back, I found myself immersed in various genres, which made the reading experience all the richer. But for the most part, 2025 was a great year of reading, filled with unexpected twists and engaging characters that brought each story to life. It’s hard to pick my favorite book and completed series of the year from such a diverse selection. So many to choose from, each with its unique charm and allure. However, if I had to pick just one, I would say that the standalone book that stood out to me the most would be Nocticadia by Keri Lake, which captivated my imagination with its intricate world-building and compelling narrative. As for series, The Legacy Series by Melissa K. Roehrich swept me off my feet with its rich character development and thrilling plotlines. Although, I absolutely loved The Edge of Darkness Trilogy by Leigh Rivers, which kept me on the edge of my seat with every page turn, filled with suspense and emotional depth that resonated deeply with me. Reflecting on all these reads makes me excited for what the upcoming year will bring in terms of new adventures and discoveries within the pages of books.
I’ve found myself in a bit of a reading slump. It all kicked off after I finished the trilogy The Edge of Darkness, which I absolutely loved—like, it totally deserves a 5-star rating from me. But then, I picked up Psychotic Obsession, the prequel to The Edge of Darkness, and just couldn’t bring myself to start it. Days passed and I had no idea why I was avoiding it. Then it hit me—it’s about Tobias and Aria! I know what you’re thinking, “So what?” But if you’ve read the trilogy, you know even though it’s Kade and Stacey’s journey, Tobias, Aria, and Ewan play huge roles as Kade’s parents. They’re really great parents, too, despite their huge issues. And since it’s a Leigh Rivers book, I expected some spicy scenes, which honestly kinda grossed me out! I’m not saying I won’t read it someday; I’ve tossed it back on my TBR pile, just way at the bottom. I think I just need to take a breather from them for a bit before I dive in again. Maybe that’ll help? And for anyone who hasn’t read the series yet, I’d say start with Psychotic Obsession, then move on to Insatiable, Voracious, and Restitution. Oh man, and to top it all off, the dude who does Tobias’s voice totally sounds like Pedro Pascal as the Mandalorian, especially when he calls Stacey “Little One.” It’s awesome!!!!
So, I decided to dive into another book and grabbed Call Me Daddy by Jade West, mainly because a friend wouldn’t stop pushing me to read it. Now I’m starting to wonder if she’s really a friend. Anyway, I gave it a shot – read a few paragraphs here and there – and let me tell you, it totally creeped me out. Just picture this: major role play with one being the “little girl” and the other the “daddy.” I just couldn’t handle it. I honestly felt like I needed to hit up confessional after just the little I read. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for some steamy reads, but I need a decent plot to go with the smut. But hey, maybe it’s your thing. No judgment here; I just had to put the book down.
So I just started reading The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen and I’m only 10% in, fingers crossed it gets better! But I’ve got a couple of issues. First off, I really like to listen to the audiobook while reading along, it helps me focus. But with this one, the Audible audiobook doesn’t match up with the Kindle eBook. So I’m playing the audio in one app and reading in another. Plus, the audio isn’t even word-for-word, so trying to follow along is annoying because the words don’t always match up. And don’t get me started on the narrators—definitely not feeling their vibe, they aren’t anywhere close to my favorites, Teddy Hamilton and Erin Mallon. Ugh! What’s going on with me lately? Should I give another book a shot, or just stick with this one?
As I eagerly rummaged through my collection of books in search of recommendations for my dear cousin, I felt an irresistible urge to dive back into many beloved titles, especially the timeless classics like The Hunger Games and The Gender Game. Additionally, there are several captivating novels I’ve devoured in the last year or two that are beckoning me for a second chance. Do you ever experience that longing? I’m contemplating designating 2026 as my personal “Revisit Year,” though I also have some series eagerly waiting to be completed. If you had the chance to relive the magic of a book or series, which ones would you choose to experience once more?
What books are you diving into this fall? I’m not really into spooky stuff, but I’ve been on the hunt for some cozy fall-themed reads. Got any good suggestions?
My favorite book when I was a little girl was Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren. I always wished I could go on adventures with Pippi, and I guess I did through the pages of the book and my imagination. The whimsical escapades of Pippi, with her pig tails and unmatched strength, filled my days with excitement and wonder, taking me to places far beyond the confines of my hometown. I admired her fearless spirit and her ability to create her own rules in a world that often seemed so strict. Her friendships with Tommy and Annika showed me the importance of loyalty and fun, while her antics taught me to embrace my own quirks. What was a book that you read as a child that stuck with you?
When I was a little kid, I totally Loved it when my mom would take me to the library and let me stack up on books. I was beyond excited to dive into all the adventures waiting for me in each story. Even as I grew up, my book obsession never faded. My favorite spots are still libraries or bookstores, and honestly, there’s nothing like escaping into those pages. I’m down for any genre – well, maybe not horror. I love all kinds of books! You can really get lost in them. Each one’s a new journey, introducing you to fresh placed and characters. One minute I’m soaring on the back of a dragon, and the next, I’m hanging out with a buddy in Vegas. If you’ve got a book in hand, you’re never really alone. And will all the tech nowadays, you can have a book ready to go on your Kindle or phone anytime!
