I missed my 2024 reading goal by 10 books (65/75). Trust me, this wasn’t for lack of trying! By the time October came around I was attempting every trick in my arsenal to get me reading more and for the dreaded ‘Read X more books this month to reach your goal!’ number to decrease. This meant that I was choosing books that I didn’t necessarily want to read they were just 1. short 2. easy. Not exactly giving. I’ve dropped my goal right down to 50 books in 2025 so that I can take the pressure off and enjoy every book I read. This has worked absolute wonders and have somehow read 5 books in January 2025. So, here we go!
🎧 The Night Swim by Megan Goldin
As a new commuter with an hour to fill each day, I decided to explore audiobooks and turned to Reddit for recommendations (ofc). The Night Swim was the first on the list. A gripping thriller that follows Rachel Krall, a true crime podcast host covering a controversial rape trial in a small coastal town. While she’s investigating this case, a mysterious woman named Hannah leaves a letter on Rachel’s car, begging her to investigate another tragedy: the decades-old death of Hannah’s sister Jenny, whose supposed drowning might have been murder.
The story unfolds through multiple engaging perspectives: Rachel’s investigation of both cases, Hannah’s haunting recollections of the past, and segments from Rachel’s podcast episodes. This layered narrative structure works particularly well in audio format, making it an excellent gateway into audiobooks. While it’s not one I’ll likely revisit, The Night Swim’s compelling storytelling and expert narration make it a perfect recommendation for anyone looking to start their audiobook journey.
Read my blog about how to save money on books to see where I’m listening.
📖 Gideon The Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
Favourite book of the month! I wrote a review of Gideon the Ninth earlier in January so check that out for my unfiltered thoughts. Essentially though, if you love intense world-building, dark humour, sapphic FMCs and screaming as you read, you’ll fuck with this.
📖 Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley
Nightcrawling, Leila Mottley’s debut novel, tells the story of seventeen-year-old Kiara Johnson, who becomes entangled in a horrendous web of police corruption and exploitation in Oakland, California. Through Kiara’s unflinching narrative, Mottley creates a portrait of systemic abuse, poverty, and survival, made all the more haunting by being inspired by true events. There’s no denying this book’s importance or its masterful execution. Though the graphic content of sexual assault scenes brings authenticity to the story and drives home its critique of institutional power and racism, I found it overwhelming in today’s climate where similar headlines dominate the news. As someone who turns to reading as an escape, the visceral nature of Kiara’s experiences left me feeling physically ill at times. While I won’t personally revisit this book – the emotional weight is simply too heavy – I will absolutely recommend and lend it to others. Some stories need to be told, even when they hurt, and Nightcrawling is undoubtedly one of them.
📖 The Bear And The Nightingale by Katherine Arden
The Bear and the Nightingale weaves a spellbinding tale set in medieval Russia, where Christianity clashes with ancient folk beliefs in a remote village at the edge of the wilderness. At its heart is Vasilisa Petrovna, a wild young woman who can see the spirits of Russian folklore that protect her family’s home and lands. When her new stepmother and a zealous young priest attempt to suppress the old ways, the ancient protections begin to weaken, leaving the village vulnerable to dark forces that lurk in the surrounding forest.
Arden blends historical fiction with Russian mythology, creating an atmospheric winter’s tale that feels both authentic and magical. It took a while for me to get into this book – maybe a little too fairytale-esque with not enough depth. However, that changed once I was halfway through as it developed into a gripping battle between good and evil that subverts typical fantasy tropes. I loved that it can be read as a standalone but also as an introduction into the Winternight Trilogy… which yes, I have requested from the library!
📖 Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig
The Shepherd King duology is an absolute gem I discovered on Kindle Unlimited – another reason why I love my Kindle! Gillig’s magic system of Providence Cards feels refreshingly unique, while the rhymes and prophecies from The Old Book of Alders add a haunting depth to the world-building. My faveeeee thing is that Gillig isn’t afraid to sacrifice beloved characters when the plot demands it, bringing an authenticity to her narrative that many fantasy authors shy away from (looking at you SJM!). For me, it’s the commitment to genuine stakes and consequences that makes her work so compelling.
Happy reading, bookworms!
