Beth Denny

My reading challenge to read 25 books in 2025 is going really well. It is the 8th of June and I have read 12 books. In the order that I finished them:

1. Cleopatra and Frankenstein – Coco Mellors
2. Notes on Heartbreak – Annie Lord
3. Love and Other Words – Christina Lauren
4. Part of Your World – Abby Jimenez
5. A Man Called Ove – Fredrik Backmann
6. Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow – Gabrielle Zevin
7. The One Before The One – Emma Cooper
8. The Light We Lost – Jill Santopolo
9. What If I Never Get Over You – Paige Toon
10. Tom Lake – Ann Patchett
11. The Women – Kristin Hannah
12. One Golden Summer – Carley Fortune

One Golden Summer was my favourite read this year, so much so that I had to write a blog post about it. I had been thinking about making a bucket list for a month or so and Alice, the main character has a Summer Bucket List including: Jumping off a rock, riding a jet ski and making a bunch of bad art. This book inspired me in so many ways including creating two bucket lists, one for the summer and another for things I want to do before I turn 50 in 2031.

As I have only read this once and I was so eager to find out how it ends, I didn’t highlight or write down any quotes from the book but I found these on Goodreads: “I’m lucky to have so much past, so many memories. It’s a gift to age.” and “Knowing one’s own mind is one of the secrets to a good life.”

It was a spicy book, so I wouldn’t recommend this one if you like it a little less 50 Shades of Grey. I couldn’t read 50 Shades personally as I didn’t like E. L. James’ writing style. It is one of a few DNFs (Did not finish).

I think one of the reasons I liked this so much is 1) family is important to Alice and Charlie. 2) I love Alice’s growth and journey through the book and 3) I liked that the big reveal felt true to the characters and their story. I wasn’t this big over the top revelation that some books have just to be dramatic.

I gave it 5 stars. Of the 12 books I have read this year, these are my top 5:

1. One Golden Summer
2. Tom Lake – Ann Patchett
3. The Women – Kristin Hannah
4. A Man Called Ove – Fredrik Backmann
5. Love and Other Words – Christina Lauren

How many books are you hoping to read this year and what are your recommendations? Bx