reading list: mid-year edition

I am (still) not sure how I want to share what I’ve been reading. Jo Walton’s reading list posts on reactormag.com are a style I admire: insightful and reflective. I’d love to write like that. But, when I go to add my thoughts in my tracking spreadsheet, I’m more likely to type something like “good” or “not what I thought, still good”¹.

So, these round-up posts are a bit of a challenge. But I do love looking back at what I’ve read, and maybe you’ll find something new to add to your own list.

 Let’s start with the data, because that’s something I can share confidently:

• Total books finished: 83
• Total pages read: 26,897
• Average publication year: 2018
• Median publication year: 2022
• Range: 1966 to 2025
• Genres: Mostly Fantasy and Mystery (because when the world is dark and dismal, I reach for fiction)
• Review copies read and reviewed: 7 from NetGalley, 1 from LibraryThing — progress!

Most of the books I’ve read were published in the past two years, though 2017 titles edged out 2023 for third place in frequency. I’ve also been tearing through series, when I find a world I like, I tend to stay a while.

Below is a selection from the list, it’s not exhaustive, but representative. Though it may be exhausting to read. This clocks in at over 2,500 words! I’ve listed the first in series where applicable, and skipped over books I didn’t enjoy enough to recommend. If I can’t find a reason why someone else might like it, I’d rather stay quiet. As a reminder, a ★ means I received a copy of the title with the hope that I’d write a review.

January 2025

• The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall Kimmerer (Author)  John Burgoyne (Illustrator) (2024), 128 pages, Essays.
  A gentle, beautifully illustrated meditation on the gift economy. While it didn’t break new ground for me, it was a fast, thoughtful read. The illustrations were absolutely charming.
• The Lost Ryu (2022) & Golemcrafters (2024) by Emi Watanabe Cohen, 208 & 264 pages, Fantasy
  I wrote more about these in recent-ish good reads (January 2025) and they’ve stayed with me. Cohen’s work blends emotional depth with fantastical elements in a way that feels both fresh and grounded.
• Orbital by Samantha Harvey (2024), 224 pages, Fiction.
  I usually don’t have the best luck with Booker winners, but this one surprised me. It didn’t blow me away, but I don’t regret the time I spent with it. (Still think Kawaguchi did it better, see below.)
• Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi (2020), 272 pages, Fantasy.
  I read the first three books in this series and found them a moving exploration of grief (a recurring theme in my reading this year). Deeply human, quiet, and poignant.
• The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande (2009), 224 pages, Medicine, reread.
  This was a reread, and I reflected more on it in building blocks of habits and routines. It’s a solid reminder of the power of simple systems.
• Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI by Yuval Noah Harari (2024), 528 pages, Information Theory.
  An informative doorstopper, and very fascinating. I wrote a longer review at pennyshima.com/book-reviews if you’re curious. 
• Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzs (2023), 416 pages, Fantasy.
  Not the best thing ever, but it’s about books and magic and secret libraries, of course I was going to read it.
• ★A Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett (2025), 480 pages, Mystery/Fantasy.
  Even better than book 1. I go into detail in my review, this one was very enjoyable.
• Sorcery & Cecelia or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot by Patricia C Wrede & Caroline Stevermer (2003), 326 pages, Fantasy.
  Picked this up at a library book sale and it was adorable. I read the rest of the series via library ebooks. They were okay, but this one felt the most novel (in both senses of the word).
• The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo (2024), 400 pages, Fantasy.
  Not as unique as some are claiming, but I appreciated the positive jewish heroineIt didn’t wow me like The Lost Ryu, but I’m happy it exists.

February

• Songs for the Broken-Hearted by Ayelet Tsabari (2025), 352 pages, Fiction.
  Woah. This one hit hard in the best way. It’s beautifully written and captures the complexing of Israeli identity and grief, while also illuminating Yemenite Jewish history, something I know little about. It doesn’t shy away from the hard parts, especially around family and loss. I want to reread it. This title deserves all the awards.
• Days at the Morisaki bookshop: a novel (2010) & More Days at the Morisaki Bookshop (2011)by Satoshi Yagisawa, Eric Ozawa (translator) , 150 & 176 pages, Fiction.
  Not what I expected, in a good way. These books are cozy-ish, but not overly sweetened. There’s a quiet weirdness to them that I found oddly compelling. I read the second book in March, and while the plot wasn’t surprising, it still managed to pack an emotional punch.
• Kantika by Elizabeth Graver (2023), 304 pages, Historical Fiction.
  Ooh. A rich, layered story that taught me more about Sephardic Jewish history than I’d known before. Beautifully done.
• People Love Dead Jews: Reports from a Haunted Present by Dara Horn (2021), 237 pages, Essays, Judaism.
  I somehow missed this when it came out, probably because of all the hype. While it didn’t feel revelatory to me personally, I’m still not sure who the intended audience is. That said, it’s a sharp, necessary collection of essays.
• Manhattan Noir by Lawrence Block (editor) (2006), 257 pages, Short Stories, Mystery.
  As with most anthologies, some stories stood out more than others. A solid collection overall, especially if you like your mysteries in Manhattan.

March

• Witch King by Martha Wells (2024), 432 pages, Fantasy.
  I’m not sure how I feel about this one. It didn’t quite click, but I kept reading, which says something (what I’m not sure). Maybe it’ll land better with the second book?
• Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI by Ethan Mollic (2024), 256 pages, Artificial Intelligence.
  I wrote more about this one over at pennyshima.com/book-reviews. A timely read, especially as AI continues to shape how we work and think.
• Revenge of the Tipping Point: Overstories, Superspreaders, and the Rise of Social Engineering by Malcom Gladwell (2024), 368 pages, Psychology, Society.
  I have no idea what I expected, probably something closer to the original which had a big impact on me when it came out. This was, different and I’m still processing it. 
• We Solve Murders by Richard Osman (2024), 400 pages, Mystery; Thrillers & Crime.
  Not my normal type of mystery, but I needed something different and this delivered. I’ll read more of this series.
• The Weight of Ink by Rachel Kadish (2018), 592 pages, Historical Fiction; Judaism, reread.
  I reread this because a friend needed to talk about it, and I’m so glad I did. My original 2019 notes were lukewarm, but this time around it hit differently. The entire book was both easier and harder to read. The ending felt different now, I am different now. It’s a book about defiance, philosophy, Judaism, and the lives women carve out when they don’t fit in.
• A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn (2015), 339 pages, Mystery; Historical Fiction.
  This kicked off a full Veronica Speedwell binge. Exactly what my brain needed: smart, fast-paced, and fun. 
• Next Stop by Benjamin Resnick (2024), 304 pages, Fiction.
  Weird. Very Weird. Still not sure what to make of it.
• On Her Own by Lihi Lapid, Sondra Silverton (Translator) (2024), 336 pages, Fiction.
  The story wasn’t bad, and I thought most of the idioms translated well — which isn’t always the case.
• ★ Takaoka’s Travels by Tatsuhiko Shibusawa, David Boyd (Translator) (2024), 188 pages, Fiction.
  see: pennyshima.com/book-reviews

April

• Bonded in Death by J D Robb (2025), 359 pages, Mystery, Futuristic.
  This is the 60th (!) book in the In Death series, and yes, I’ve read them all. For a long time, I was embarrassed to admit it, which is silly. These books are fun, fast-paced, and full of futuristic tech I wish I had (and Eve’s boots, definitely not Peabody’s). If you’re new to the series, start with Naked in Death. Yes, I’m a fangirl.
• Installment immortality by Seanan McGuire (2025), 432 pages, Urban Fantasy.
  Another series I grab from the library the moment a new one hits the library catalogue. The InCryptid books are layered, weird, and very enjoyable. If you haven’t started yet, begin with Discount Armageddon. Yes, I’m a fangirl here too.
• Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn (2006), 409 pages, Mystery; Historical Fiction.
  When I couldn’t get my hands on the next Veronica Speedwell, I checked out this series from the library. It’s good, a different tone and pace, but still very satisfying.

May

• ★Why Information Grows: The Evolution of Order, from Atoms to Economies by César Hidalgo (2015), 256 pages, Economics.
  Oof. This is a Book. Dense, brilliant, and packed with analogies that made a complex topic much more approachable. My favorite quote? “There is a reason trees do not reproduce by simply pooping or spitting DNA.” I wrote more about it at pennyshima.com/book-reviews.
• ★Book and Dagger: How Scholars and Librarians Became the Unlikely Spies of World War II by Elyse Graham (2024), 400 pages, History.
  A fascinating look at an unexpected corner of WWII history. It’s not perfect, the later chapters felt like filler; but overall, it’s a compelling read. More thoughts at pennyshima.com/book-reviews.
• Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein (2019), 339 pages, Business; Psychology.
  Recommended by a friend, and I’m glad I picked it up. It’s a helpful lens for understanding silo-thinkers and the value of breadth over depth in certain contexts. 
• The Murder Machine by Heather Graham (2025), 302 pages, Mystery; Thrillers & Crime.
  Another book I might’ve once been embarrassed to admit reading. It’s current, a bit far-fetched, but still plausible. Graham’s formulaic style works for me when I need something easy and engaging, like a comfort sitcom, but it’s a book with murder.
• The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman (2020), 377 pages, Mystery.
  Absolutely hilarious. I laughed so hard I cried in places. Is it the best writing ever? Maybe not. But it’s a fun, heartwarming, and surprisingly plausible story, especially if you spend time around folks in their 70s and 80s, like I do.

June

• Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn (2022), 368 pages, Thrillers & Crime.
  Reading this right after Osman? I was cackling. A fun, sharp read that also paired surprisingly well with Book and Dagger. Raybourn knows how to balance humor and murder.
• The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson (2025), 672 pages, Fantasy.
  A slow start, but classic high epic fantasy. I’m curious to see how it all ties together. Also: very thankful my library copy didn’t have sprayed edges. (Seriously, why is that a thing?)
• Murder by Memory by Olivia Waite (2025), 103 pages, Mystery.
  Cute, but I find it frustrating when short works like this are printed as standalone books. I knew I’d want something brief after The Raven Scholar, and this fit the bill, though I think it would’ve been stronger at 3x the length.
• ★Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well by Amy C Edmondson (2023), 368 pages, Psychology.
  More thoughts at pennyshima.com/book-reviews, this is a standout read on learning from failure.
• Winter Lost (Mercy Thomas #14) by Patricia Briggs (2024), 416 pages, Urban Fantasy.
  It’s been a while since I read a Mercy book. This one felt a bit “of course,” but it was still cozy and familiar. Sometimes that is exactly what I need.
• Miss Amelia’s List (Elemental Masters #17) by Mercedes Lackey (2024), 325 pages, Historical Fantasy.
  Surprisingly heavy on textile and clothing descriptions, and I loved it. The ending was well, meh. But I expected that going in. This series doesn’t have the same spark as it once did, but I’m still here for it.
• Sanctuary by Ilona Andrews (2024), 152 pages, Urban Fantasy.
  I’d read this serialized on their blog, but reading it all at once was a different experience. I thought it’d be a good bedtime read. Nope. I stayed up wanting more. I’m such a fangirl of this world. And as expected: too short (my complaint about most books).
• When the Moon Hits Your Eye by John Scalzi (2025), 326 pages, Science Fiction; Humor.
  Absolutely absurd and absolutely hilarious. I still prefer Starter Villain, but this was a delight. Warning: you will eat a lot of cheese while reading. It’s impossible not to. I tried.
• ★Ask More: The Power of Questions to Open Doors, Uncover Solutions, and Spark Change by Frank Sesno (2017), 272 pages, Business; Psychology.
  More interesting than I expected. Full review at pennyshima.com/book-reviews.
• Superagency: What Could Possibly Go Right with Our AI Future by Reid Hoffman and Greg Beato (2025), 288 pages, AI.
  Very pro-AI (no surprise), but also cautious. More thoughts at pennyshima.com/book-reviews.
• 84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff (1970), 220 pages, Books about Books.
  THIS IS ADORABLE. How had I not read this before? A charming, heartfelt exchange of letters and love for books. For more thoughts, see: pennyshima.com/book-reviews
• Murder on Black Swan Lane (Wrexford & Sloane #1) by Andrea Penrose (2017), 340 pages, Historical Mystery.
  Book 1: solid storytelling, and I have a soft spot for London.
  Books 2–6+: I love the characters. I’m in.
• Winter’s Gifts (Rivers of London # 6.5) by Ben Aaronovitch (2023), 215 pages, Urban Fantasy.
  A fun side story in a series I enjoy. Aaronovitch did a great job shifting the setting while keeping the tone and characters consistent.

July (so far)

• The Masquerades of Spring (Rivers of London #0.2) by Ben Aaronovitch (2024), 165 pages, Urban Fantasy.
  Oooh, this one was fun! A great little side story that still captures the charm and wit of the main series.
• The Third Reich of Dreams: The Nightmares of a Nation 1933-1939 by Charlotte Beradt, Bruno Bettelheim (afterword), Adriane Gottwald (Translator) (1966), 165 pages, History; Psychology.
  Woah. A chilling, powerful collection of dreams recorded during the rise of the Nazi regime. It’s short, but it lingers. 
• Stone and Sky (Rivers of London #10) by Ben Aaronovitch (2025), 304 pages, Urban Fantasy.
  Amazing characters, as always. I read three Rivers books in the span of a few weeks in a totally random order, and it didn’t matter. They all worked together and I had a blast. 
• The Poppy Fields by Nikki Erlick (2025), 324 pages, Speculative Fiction.
  I was hesitant because of the hype, but it fits with a project I’m working on for Little Acorn Creations, so I gave it a shot. I’m glad I did. Intriguing tech/health concept, nuanced portrayal of grief, and amazing characters. The hype is deserved; I’ve been recommending it to friends.
• Hereville: How Mirka Got Her Sword by Barry Deutsch (2010), 144 pages, Fantasy; Jewish; YA.
  Not at all what I thought (including that it’s graphic novel). But it’s a fascinating look into a very heimishe world. I’m curious enough to check out the next volume. Also: how did I miss this when it came out?

I’ll likely do another roundup at the end of the year, though I hope to figure out a better way to share as I go. In the meantime, I’m trying to keep my Now page semi current and you can find book reviews at pennyshima.com/book-reviews.

1. I can hear my HS senior year English teacher, Mr Wood groaning. I’m very good at fragments and run on sentences. ↩︎