Ranking The Books I've Read 2025 (January-February)

This year, I set myself a goal to read 50 books. Now, if you're an avid reader, you might be thinking that's not a lot. And I guess you're right, for lots of people get through double that. However, a combination of mental health, a lack of energy after university and being required to read books I hated meant that my desire to read for pleasure decreased, and I was lucky if I read a book a month. So far this year I have read 11 books, which in my eyes is a huge achievement, and I've found my love for reading again.

Before I get into my rankings, I want to preface with this: all these authors are talented and deserve a plethora of love and support for their work. This list is for entertainment purposes and is based on my opinion.

11. Little Women – Louisa Alcott – rating: 5/10

Let me start by saying this book is popular for a reason. Jo March is an excellent protagonist, demonstrating the relatability, vulnerability and sass that so many of us seek in our fiction. Alcott's writing is well crafted, and she manages a large ensemble of characters well. However, I DNF'd this novel around half way in because it's too slow paced for my taste, and I found there wasn't enough happening to keep my interest. It just wasn't my cup of tea.

10. The Rest Is History – Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook – rating: 5.5/10

I listened to the audiobook, and it failed to keep my interest. However, this is one I would revisit and read the physical copy instead as I feel like it's more of a reference book rather than one to read the whole way through.

9. Think Again – Jacqueline Wilson – rating : 6/10

I have loved Jacqueline Wilson since I first started reading on my own, so when I heard she was bringing out an adult sequel to one of her series, I couldn't wait to pick it up. This was a little disappointing for me. Although I loved the connection between Ellie and Alice, there weren't nearly enough scenes of the two of them together. I would have also liked to see a better payoff for the storyline involving who Jenny, Ellie's daughter's, dad was as despite a fair amount of build up the resolution felt anticlimactic and a little rushed. I adore Dame JW, but this wasn't my favourite book she's written.

8. The Great Adventures of Sherlock Holmes – Arthur Conan Doyle – rating: 7/10

This was an enjoyable read to settle down with on my lunch breaks. Though I thought a few of the stories were solved a little quickly, I still really enjoyed it. I don't really have anything else to say about it.

7/ 6/ 5 – The Alice Chronicles – Christina Henry – Rating: 8.9

I adored this trilogy. The first book, Alice, is deliciously dark and disturbing with a wonderful cast of characters, many of which become even more interesting through the series. Each book is perfectly paced, and the plots are filled with action and magic. My only critique is the ending of the first book feels a little bit of a cop out, however I think Henry redeems herself with how she revisits this in the third book. If you love Alice in Wonderland, horror and fairy-tale retellings, you will love this.

4. Letters to a Young Writer -Calum MCCann - Rating: 9/10

I needed to read this, and I think anyone suffering with writer's block or imposter syndrome should read this too. This book is a short and sweet pep talk for young writers, and is a book I plan to utilise every time I begin to doubt my dreams.

3. The Six Wives of Henry VIII - Alison Weir - Rating: 9/10

Weir's work hits the perfect balance between informative, thought provoking and emotional. She brings these six women back to life, portraying them as the human beings they are rather than a list of names known for being married to a king of England. I'm not a huge fan of the portrayal of Katherine Howard in this book, however I understand it was written before we began to realise Katherine was groomed and manipulated by the men around her.

2. Redhead by the Side of the Road - Anne Tyler - Rating: 9.5/10

Although I don't tend to read realistic fiction, I adored this novel. I fell in love with Tyler's writing style straight away. The book is well paced, Micah is a compelling and sympathetic protagonist, and the way Tyler turns the mundane into a captivating reading experience is phenomenal. A truly great piece of fiction.

1.Will You Read This Please? - Joanna Cannon - Rating: 10/10

One word: perfection. This novel broke my heart, made me cry and I'm so proud of everyone who shared their struggles in the name of solidarity. Will You Read This Please is an emotional exploration into mental health and tells the true stories submitted by people battling it.

All of these books are worth reading. Who knows, you may find your new favourite among them!