Top 6 Books of 2025

In 2025, I wrapped up the year with 29 books, just one short of my revised target of 30. My original goal was 54 (ambitious, I know), but halfway through the year, I humbled myself and adjusted it to 30.

And guess what? I still missed it by one book… but honestly, I’m calling it a win.

Here are my top 6 favourite reads of the year, the ones that lived in my head rent-free. The kind of books that, every time I spot them on a bookstore shelf, I instinctively reach for them and let out a soft sigh of gratitude for having read them once.

I didn’t include The Summer I Turned Pretty series in my top picks because that one’s a given (and lowkey, I prefer the Amazon series over the books hehe).

And for future me (and anyone curious), here’s the full lineup of everything I read last year:

1. The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom
2. Have A Little Faith by Mitch Albom
3. The Stranger In The Lifeboat by Mitch Albom
4. Before Your Memory Fades by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
5. Before We Say Goodbye by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
6. Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
7. Before We Forget Kindness by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
8. The Little Liar by Mitch Albom
9. I Hope This Finds You Well but Natalie Sue
10. The Magic Strings of Frankie Prestoby Mitch Albom
11. The Convenience Store by The Sea by Sonoko Machida
12. Intermezzo by Sally Rooney
13. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
14. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
15. The Simple Seerah Part 1
16. The Simple Seerah Part 2
17. The Simple Seerah Part 3
18. As Long As The Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh
19. The Beekeper of Aleppo by Christy 
20. Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell
21. Tomorrow, Tomorrow, Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
22. The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
23. It’s Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han
24. We’ll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han
25. Book Lovers by Emily Henry
26. People We Meet On Vacation by Emily Henry
27. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
28. Animal Farm by George Orwell
29. David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell 

Looking back, reading has become my little escape, and sometimes, my way of making sense of things. I explored different genres this year, from light romance to more introspective reads, but somehow I always find myself gravitating back to historical fiction. There’s just something about stories rooted in real pain, resilience, and humanity that hits different and lingers longer. My absolute favourites have to be The Little Liar by Mitch Albom, As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh, The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, and A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. They are all equally heartbreaking and beautiful in their own ways. These are the kind of stories that don’t just stay in my head rent-free… they stay in my heart.

Book Review: People We Meet On Vacation by Emily Henry

 

Firstly, I kinda wanna apologise for getting distracted while reading this book.

It wasn’t the book’s fault, honestly. The Summer I Turned Pretty series just took over my week. 

It’s funny because I’d already watched the trailer for this upcoming movie adaptation, so while reading, I couldn’t help but imagine the same cast playing the characters. 

Maybe that’s why it felt a little cinematic in my head.

Alex, though, I didn’t have anyone specific in mind for him. He feels like someone who’d surprise you on screen. Poppy, on the other hand, totally gives me Taylor/Rain vibes from TSITP, that kind of warm, spontaneous energy that lights up a quiet room.

The book really captures how opposites can fit so naturally together. 

Alex, the introverted bookworm who overthinks everything, and Poppy, the easy-going extrovert who dives headfirst into life. I loved how she brought out a different side of him, how love can make even the shyest person feel seen, even if they don’t know what to do with that feeling.

From the very beginning, I just knew Poppy was in love with Alex. And honestly, Alex was, too. The frustrating part is that they both knew it, but somehow couldn’t quite say it out loud for ten summers. 

Ten! 

Maybe that’s the beauty and the agony of timing: sometimes the right person comes along at the wrong moment, and life keeps testing you until you’re finally ready to stop running from it. Still, I found it a bit draggy at times, like the story was stretching those moments too far. But maybe that’s realistic, sometimes love really is a long, messy wait.

I have to admit, though, I wasn’t completely locked into this book. Part of that might be because I’d just finished Book Lovers by Emily Henry, which I adored. That book just hit differently, and maybe because I saw more of myself in the characters or because it made me feel things I wasn’t expecting. I still secretly hope it’ll be turned into a movie someday, just so I can see who’d play Charlie Lastra. That story stayed with me a little longer, and maybe that’s why this one didn’t hit quite as hard.

Still, some moments felt deeply familiar, especially Poppy’s love for travelling cheaply and making the most out of every trip. That’s so me back in my university days. I used to plan every trip on a tight budget, juggling bus schedules and shared hostels, chasing memories over comfort. Unless I was travelling with a super-organised group, I’d happily just follow along.

Travel teaches you a lot about people. You meet so many faces you’ll probably never see again, strangers who share a train ride, a hostel kitchen, a meal, a laugh. You might never even exchange contacts, but somehow they leave a tiny fingerprint on your story. And sometimes I wonder. We spend so much time thinking about how others shape our lives, but how often do we think about the small ways we might shape theirs? Even in fleeting encounters, maybe we leave behind something memorable.

That thought lingers with me. It reminds me of how Poppy and Alex kept coming back to each other, over and over,  like the universe was nudging them closer each time. Maybe that’s what love and friendship are, too. Not grand gestures, but all the small, moments that build up until you finally see what’s been there all along.

And on a more personal note, I guess I owe a tiny public apology. To all the people who might’ve thought I was cold or awkward when we first met. I know I’m terrible at first impressions. I fumble with small talk and probably overthink every word. But once we get past that, I promise I’m not that hard to talk to. Maybe that’s why I connect with characters like Alex, they remind me it’s okay to be quiet in a loud world.

For now, I’m pressing pause on rom-com fiction. I think my heart needs a little breather, something with deeper emotions. So next up, I’m diving into a historical fiction. A change of pace, a new perspective, maybe even a reset.

The Summer I Turned Pretty Series Fever!

 

Those who know me would probably be surprised to hear this, I actually finished a series.

The number of series I’ve completed can literally be counted on one hand. 

Let’s see… FRIENDS, The Big Bang Theory, Modern Family, and a few K-Dramas like K2, Shop for Killers, Goblin, and The Heirs. 

That’s it.

I already think that’s a lot of my time, but compared to the average person these days, it’s probably nothing. I don’t even own a Netflix, Prime, or any streaming subscription lol I just borrow my siblings’ accounts.

So, to my husband’s delight (he’s a TV person, I’m a book person), we spent the month watching The Summer I Turned Pretty. And… we actually finished it!

We only started watching after the series had fully aired because I hate waiting. Hate is a strong word, but patience has never been my best trait.

I’d already finished the books first, expecting the usual rule to apply, “the books are always better.” But this time, Jenny Han proved me wrong. Since she was deeply involved in writing and producing the series, it actually felt richer and more complete than the books.

The show answered all the questions I had while reading. 

I loved how it expanded the story, giving Steven and Taylor more screen time, developing Laurel’s author journey, exploring Adam and Susannah’s story, and adding layers to Jeremiah and Conrad’s relationship.

It wasn’t just another love triangle. 

It was a story about growing up, grief, and finding yourself and I appreciated that.

Gavin Casalegno as Jeremiah?

 Genius casting. He nailed the golden retriever vibe. He's fun, full of sunshine and yet underneath, you can sense the vulnerability.

That scene in Season 2 when he ignored Belly in the car on the way to Cousins? Ouch. His silent disappointment could cut deep.

I love his character development. I’m not sure if he’s revengeful (I hope not), but I respect that he ultimately let Belly go. In real life, I don’t know if people in their situation could still stay friends, but I hope they do, maybe in the upcoming movie.

 The whole Cabo storyline wasn’t right, Jeremiah definitely made mistakes  but I didn’t blame him entirely. The cheating part isn’t forgivable, but honestly, it wasn’t the reason he and Belly didn’t end up together. As he said himself, “She can’t marry Jere to erase Conrad.”

Chris Briney as Conrad, it's phenomenal.

In the first two seasons, his emotional instability made him hard to root for at times. 
He’d give, then take it back. Say something, then deny it. 

His confusion hurt Belly.

But Season 3? 

What a turnaround. 

The therapy sessions, his time in California with Agnes, distancing himself to find clarity,

all that growth showed. 

Like Belly said, he changed. 

Not in a way that erased who he was, but in a way that made him more grounded.

That scene in Paris, showing up without expectations, having that difficult conversation, leaving when Belly wasn’t sure and that was mature Conrad. 

Confessing right before the wedding wasn’t ideal, but in context, it made sense. 

Finding out about Jeremiah’s cheating was the breaking point.

By Season 3, he’s more emotionally available and more present, even while watching his brother prepare to marry the only girl he ever loved. And with the inclusion of his POV, it’s clear: it’s always been Belly for him, since the summer before she turned pretty.

Now, Belly.

Her true character growth only shines toward the end, especially in the Paris episodes. I completely agreed with Laurel when she told Belly to travel, to find herself. For too many summers, Belly’s world revolved around Cousins Beach and the Fisher brothers , the safe choice or the invisible string, without really asking what she wanted.

I get that the story’s theme is the love triangle, but I wish we’d seen more of Belly’s self-discovery beyond romance. I hope they have more of that in the movie. Still, Lola Tung’s performance was incredible. Her microexpressions, gestures, and tone captured exactly how I imagined Belly in the books. She’s going to be huge! Her acting feels natural, heartfelt, and full of nuance.

I’m rewatching the series now, and it hits differently the second time. Seeing the growth from Season 1 to 3 and wow, they’ve all truly evolved.

For Season 1, I remind myself to watch it through the lens of a 16-year-old girl, to feel the thrill, the emotions, the chaos of first love. By Season 3, the 30-year-old me can appreciate the maturity, the growth, and the lessons beneath it all.

At its heart, The Summer I Turned Pretty teaches us that honesty and communication are everything in relationships. And most importantly, we have to heal and work on ourselves first. Otherwise, we’ll just pass our traumas on instead of loving others the right way.

Every character was perfectly cast, even Skye and Cam Cameron. The chemistry was so natural.

As curious as I am about their off-screen friendships, I remind myself that this is their job, a project they deliver with professionalism and dedication.

So, note to self (and to all fans):
Enjoy the story. Appreciate the craft. Don’t take sides too seriously. It’s fun to be Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah, but remember that these are fictional characters. Be kind when sharing your thoughts online.

Because at the end of the day, The Summer I Turned Pretty isn’t just about who Belly ends up with, it’s about growing up, learning to love, and finding your own way in the messiness of it all.

Book Review: Book Lovers by Emily Henry

 

Sometimes a book finds you at the right time, without warning, and that’s exactly how Book Lovers found me.

This was my first Emily Henry book, and all I can say is: I’m officially a fan.

I bought it without even reading the synopsis. 

Honestly, I just saw her name and grabbed all her books off the shelf like it was fate. 

I didn’t even know where to start, so I randomly picked up Book Lovers. 

Before diving in, I scrolled through Goodreads, and the first review I saw described the main character, Nora Stephens, as “bitter.”

But I decided to read it anyway. 

And no, I didn’t think she was bitter at all. 

I understood her. 

Every bit of her. 

The expectations, the pressure, the invisible responsibility to hold everything together.

It’s the classic firstborn story, and as an eldest myself, I felt like I was reading a version of my own reflection.

The story unfolds beautifully, a slow burn filled with small-town charm and heartfelt moments. 

I love that Emily Henry doesn’t rush the romance. 

It’s patient, tender, and full of emotional layers. 

The kind of love that grows quietly, beneath the surface, until it finally blooms when you least expect it.

And then… there’s Charlie Lastra. 

My favorite. 

My soft spot. 

The kind of man who doesn’t need to make grand gestures because he speaks through quiet understanding. 

He’s charming, grounded, and self-aware, the kind of person who doesn’t need to fix you, because he already accepts you.

He gets Nora. 

Her endless to-do lists, her late-night emails, her quiet need to do more, to be more, to prove herself. 

He doesn’t ask her to slow down or shrink herself to fit into his world. 

He meets her exactly where she is. That’s what makes him so special, how he loves her not despite her intensity, but because of it.

That, to me, is the most beautiful kind of love; one that doesn’t ask you to change. 

One that says, I see you, and I’m staying.

And then came December twelfth. 

That chapter felt like breathing in warmth after a long winter. 

The way Libby’s gift led Nora back to Charlie. 

It felt destined. 

When she walked into that familiar bookstore, surrounded by shelves of stories and echoes of their past moments, I could feel her heartbeat in those pages. 

And then he was. Standing there. Waiting for her.

It wasn’t a dramatic scene, but it didn’t need to be. 

It was quiet, certain, and full of meaning; the kind of moment that makes you close the book for a second just to breathe it in. 

I love how Emily Henry made love feel like that, not fireworks, not chaos, but home.

Libby’s story also touched me. 

Her love for her family, the sacrifices she made, the decision to leave behind the glitter of New York for a simpler, steadier life. 

There’s something so brave about choosing peace over chaos, love over ambition, family over everything.

And maybe that’s why I adored this book so much. 

Because Book Lovers isn’t just about romance. 

It’s about sisters, about family, about expectations and rediscovering yourself. 

It’s about finding love that feels safe, steady, and real.

“Does anyone ever want to finish a good book?”

That line, that feeling, stayed with me long after I turned the last page. 

Because I didn’t want to finish this one either.

Book Lovers reminded me why I love reading. 

For the characters that feel like friends, for the words that stay with you, and for the stories that remind you love doesn’t always need to be loud to be lasting.

Now, I’m looking at the other three Emily Henry books sitting on my shelf, and I already know I’m going to fall in love all over again.

Book Review: We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han

 

This third book in Jenny Han’s series shifts between Belly and Conrad’s POVs, 

unlike the second one, which focused on Belly and Jeremiah. 

And honestly, by the time I got here, I had already seen bits and pieces of the show floating around on TikTok and IG reels, and I could tell the series gave more extended, fleshed-out scenes. 

It made the story feel fuller, more complete. The book, on the other hand, felt a little rushed.

What I do love is how Jenny Han captured the angst. 

The messy, heavy kind of angst that comes with being young and torn between two people who represent two different kinds of love. 

Belly is in the middle of it, trying to figure out her own heart. 

But if I’m being honest, Jeremiah never felt serious enough about marrying her. 

The wedding prep scenes felt off as Belly had to handle most of it with Conrad, not Jeremiah. 

And that, unintentionally, set the tone for what was coming. 

It was like Conrad and Belly were already building something real, something ancient and rooted, 

while Jeremiah was more… absent. 

If Jeremiah had actually poured himself into those wedding preparations, 

maybe the ending would have been different. 

Maybe Belly would have chosen him. 

But he didn’t.

And then Conrad’s POV came in, and suddenly, I understood him. 

The kind of man he is. 

Organised, composed, quiet but intentional. 

He knows what he wants, even if he doesn’t always know how to express it. 

He can cook, he can do chores, and he’s steady. 

The kind of man who doesn’t fall in love twice. 

But his inner battles, his loyalty to his mother’s wish, his responsibility to Jeremiah, and his complicated relationship with his father pulled him into silence. 

He let Jeremiah have Belly, even though it broke him. 

And you can feel it in his chapters. 

That ache of someone who loves so deeply but steps back because he thinks it’s the right thing. 

That’s Conrad.

Jeremiah, though. 

The cheating in Cabo. 

I still can’t wrap my head around it. 

The fact that it keeps coming up, like a stain he couldn’t wash off. 

And the way Belly forgave him so quickly? 

I couldn’t. 

I wouldn’t. 

There’s something about betrayal that makes it hard to rebuild trust, 

no matter how sweet the person is. 

Jeremiah always came across as the golden boy, the sunshine. 

But when I saw that side of him, the side that could betray Belly, it was hard to see him as the same innocent Jeremiah from book one.

And here’s where it got personal for me. 

Because I realised something as I read Conrad’s POV: 

I live with a Conrad. 

My husband is a Conrad. 

The beginning of our relationship mirrored his way of loving, non-confrontational, full of absences, quiet yearnings, missed moments. 

When he did show his feelings, it felt fleeting, almost like he’d vanish again. 

And I was left with the weight of waiting. But unlike Belly, I didn’t have a Jeremiah to distract me. 

I wasn’t stuck in a triangle. 

I knew what I wanted, and despite the ache, I chose to hold on.

 If I had let go of him, I know I wouldn’t have been happy with anyone else. 

So I stayed. 

I waited. 

And eventually, he came back. 

Looking back, that’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

So… Team Jeremiah or Team Conrad?

For me, it changed over time. 

I rooted for Jeremiah in the first two books. 

He was light, playful, easy to love. 

But by the third book, I had switched. 

Conrad’s love might have been complicated, but it was deeper, more enduring. 

Jeremiah would always be Belly’s best friend, her safe place. 

But Conrad was her forever. 

The one who burned brighter. 

Stronger. 

Hotter. 

And I’m glad Jenny Han let them end up together.

Some stories stay with you because they mirror your own. 

We’ll Always Have Summer wasn’t just Belly, Jeremiah, and Conrad’s love triangle.

 It reminded me of my own choices, 

my own waiting, and the love I decided to keep. 

And yes, by the last page, I was firmly 

Team Conrad 💌.