Best Sequel You’ve Read So Far in 2025

New Releases I Haven’t Read Yet But Want To

I'm behind on some ARCs so here's some that I am still catching up on that have already released:

• Tideborn by Eliza Chan (March 25, 2025)
• The Prince Without Sorrow by Maithree Wijesekara (March 18, 2025)
• Out of Step, into You by Ciera Burch (May 20, 2025)

Most Anticipated Release for the Second Half of the Year

I’ve got a few books pre-ordered and on my radar, but nothing beats the anticipation of diving into something new and magical.

Here are my upcoming preorders:

• The Unmapping by Denise S. Robbins (June 3, 2025)
• Celestial Banquet by Roselle Lim (June 3, 2025)
• The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst (July 15, 2025)
• Love is a War Song by Danica Nava (July 22, 2025)
• Princess of Blood by Sarah Hawley (September 30, 2025)

Expect a full post soon on my most anticipated Fall 2025 reads!

Biggest Disappointment

The Wedding People by Alison Espach
This just didn’t work for me. The hype had me intrigued but oof was it just bad.

Biggest Surprise

Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa
I wasn’t expecting this little translated gem to completely steal my heart. It’s quiet and cozy but incredibly moving.

Favourite New Author (Debut or New to Me)

Claribel A. Ortega
Witchlings sealed the deal — I’m definitely going to pick up more from Ortega. Her voice is so distinct and full of warmth. And a new Witchlings book comes out in September so I gotta catch up on the series before then!

Newest Favourite Character

This one’s hard to answer just based on my tracker, but I’ve had quite a few standout characters this year.

Pick up these books for great characters:

Let me know if you want a character spotlight post!

A Book That Made Me Cry

American Royalty by Tracey Livesay
I was not prepared to get emotional over a celebrity romance — and yet here we are. It hit me right in the feels.

A Book That Made Me Cry (Derogatory)

The Wedding People by Alison Espach
Yes, I’m still salty about this one. I should have listened to my gut on this one but sometimes the hype of a book gets to me.

A Book That Made Me Happy

Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa
There’s something so healing about books that take place in bookstores, especially when they explore grief and rebuilding with such tenderness.

Books I Need to Read by the End of the Year

Here are the upcoming ARCs and releases I’m prioritizing before 2025 wraps up:

These are a mix of queer reads, cozy fantasy, and atmospheric speculative fiction. Aka, totally my vibe.

Five star reads

Instagram Wrap-up

That’s my reading life at the halfway mark of 2025! Let me know if you’ve read any of these (or plan to), and drop your own mid-year reading wins or letdowns in the comments. I’d love to compare notes.

• 38% of the books I read were by BIPOC authors
• 34% were by LGBTQ+ authors
• 29% were by Canadian authors

• I’m happiest when I follow my gut and mood-read.
• Tracking more than just title and rating helps me see patterns in genre fatigue, seasonal habits, and representation gaps.
• Representation matters and reading widely introduces me to stories I didn’t know I needed.
• Not every book needs to be finished or loved to teach me something about myself as a reader.
• Letting go of reading guilt makes space for joy.

Looking Ahead to 2025

• Prioritize queer Canadian authors and support local presses.
• Read more translated fiction and stories set outside North America.
• Continue experimenting with genre blends like fantasy-mystery, horror-romance, and speculative memoir.
• Focus on joy over numbers and tracking what sparks curiosity rather than just what fits a prompt.
• Revisit old favourites with new eyes, especially in audio format.