And here we are, the last month of 2025! December is usually light on review books, and this year is no exception. Technically, I only have two December releases on my plate, but I’m adding Tea & Alchemy because I meant to read it last month but couldn’t get to it. I’ve broken this month’s reading into three categories: December releases, Catch-up review books, and “Get ahead” January releases. This feels nice and balanced and gives me a chance to both catch up and get ahead! Also, reading nine books is doable, especially since I have a week off work after Christmas. Here is what I’d love to read this month:
December review books:
Snake-Eater by T. Kingfisher. I’m curious about this because I think it’s horror but more on the cozy side. In any case, I’m very excited to start it.
I’m currently reading Tea & Alchemy by Sharon Lynn Fisher, and I love being back in one of Sharon’s stories. Review coming soon!
An Arcane Inheritance by Kamilah Cole is a dark academia mystery with a dark vibe (based on the cover), and I’m curious about the comparison to A Deadly Education.
Catch-up review books:
Futility by Nuzo Onoh. OK, I’m checking all the low ratings on Goodreads, but despite that I might need to at least try this!
Turns of Fate by Anne Bishop. I read the first chapter and loved it, so I need to get back to this and finish it.
The Great Work by Sheldon Costa has been getting great reviews so far, and even though I couldn’t squeeze it in last month, I’m hoping I can catch up soon.
“Get ahead” January releases:
Now for some January releases I’m excited to read early! Starting with The Storm by Rachel Hawkins, and I’ll admit I have high hopes for this book.
Simone St. James is another must-read author, and I’m really looking forward to A Box Full of Darkness.
30Seven by Jeremy Robinson. I meant to read this in November for SciFi Month, but yep, I ran out of time!
Reading nine books is definitely doable, though if you were me, reviewing a fraction of them alone would take you the better part of a month LOL. But you’re…much more productive . Especially looking forward to your St. James review!
I push myself pretty hard to keep to a review schedule, so we’ll see how it goes this month. December is usually when I sort of fall apart, lol.
I am excited for A Box Full of Darkness as well!
I hope we both love it!
You never know with low ratings, sometimes it’s a sign that something’s just a bit niche… and sometimes that niche is your niche!
I’m still really curious about The Great Work…
So true!
I’m looking forward to reading Snake-Eater this month too, and I’m hoping to try Turns of Fate whenever my library gets a copy!
Both sound so good, and I’ve seen lots of positive reviews:-)
I’m looking forward to all of these too! Enjoy!
Thanks Lauren!
Robin reviewed Snake-Eater today which you probably have already seen.
I LOVED Turns of Fate.
I haven’t been getting notifications from you for your posts, not sure why, so I will make sure to check out Robin’s review.
I want to read the next Simone StJames!!
I’m also hoping to do some Sci Fi Month catch-up in December. I want to read We Are All Ghosts in the Forest, finally! And I also plan to do some cozy reading. I’ve heard that Snake Eater could be considered a cozy horror / dark fantasy, so I might pick it up also.
Of these the two I’m currently most curious about are Snake-Eater and The Storm.
It sounds like you have a cunning plan in place – and some good books will definitely help with that.
Really looking forward to some of these.
Lynn đŸ˜€
It seems like you have a great reading month waiting for you! I am curious to see what you will think of The Great Work, because I am seeing it everywhere lately but I don’t know if it will be a good pick for me.
And you reminded me that I have yet to read a book by St. James!! I can’t believe it, but I keep getting distracted!!
Quite a manageable list here. I can’t wait for your review of the Anne Bishop book. I am also very curious about the St. James book. Hope you get to all of these!
December is always my month to do some catch up, I hope I’ll get to some anticipated 2025 book I missed! And I’ll be so happy if I can get ahead with Jan 2026 books lol!
It looks like you have some great books lined up for this month and I know you’ve already gotten to at least two of them having literally just checked out those reviews. I can’t wait to see what you think of An Arcane Inheritance, it sounds so good. I hope you love The Storm too as I remember how much you enjoyed The Heiress by the author.
I hope you have a wonderful December and lovely Christmas.
Also sorry for vanishing off of here for a while. It was totally unplanned but I’m in the process of catching up on a few things to return properly very soon.