2025 book recs & reading updates - Episode 55
At the start of the year, I shared my 2025 TBR list in a podcast episode—and now that we’re a few months in, I thought it would be fun to check in and share what I’ve actually read so far, what I still haven’t gotten to, and a few new titles that have made their way onto my radar.
If you want to go back and listen to the original episode, it’s still up!
Create & consume
What Austen is creating this week: a full brand refresh! Check out my vlog taking you behind-the-scenes on my branding photo shoot.
What Austen is consuming this week: news about Taylor Swift buying back her masters!
In this episode:
From My 2024 TBR Carryovers
I had 13 books leftover from 2024 that I was determined to read in 2025. So far, I’ve read 4 of them:
📚 This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Alice travels back in time on her 40th birthday to her 16th birthday and ends up reliving a different version of her life based on the new choices she makes. This was such a poignant, beautifully written time travel novel about father-daughter relationships, regret, and possibility.
📚 Good Material by Dolly Alderton – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This one follows Andy, a recently dumped comedian, as he works through his heartbreak and career struggles. I actually came around to the male POV here, and we also get his ex’s perspective toward the end, which adds depth and nuance to the story. Heartfelt and funny.
📚 Cue the Sun! by Emily Nussbaum – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A fascinating nonfiction read about the full history of reality television—from Queen for a Day to The Bachelor. If you're even a light reality TV watcher, I highly recommend this one.
📚 Funny Story by Emily Henry – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A classic Emily Henry: a charming setup, lots of emotional depth, and a dose of forced proximity and do I have a crush on my ex’s new girlfriend’s ex?
Still on My TBR from 2024
Here are the books I still need to pick up, but am genuinely excited about:
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
The Five Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand
The Wedding People by Alison Espach
Anita de Monte Laughs Last by Xochitl Gonzalez
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez (Still deciding if I should read her others first!)
The Husbands by Holly Gramazio
Books I’ve Read That Weren’t on My Original List
You know how it goes—book club picks, impulse reads, and friend recommendations sneak in. Here are 6 extra reads I’ve enjoyed this year:
📚 Wild Love by Elsie Silver – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (book club)
📚 The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (book club)
📚 Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand – ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (book club)
📚 God of the Woods by Liz Moore – ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (book club)
📚 Comedic Timing by Upasana Barath – ⭐️⭐️⭐️
📚 Courtroom Drama by Neely Tubati Alexander – ⭐️⭐️⭐️
A mix of mystery, romance, and literary fiction—my comfort zone!
New 2025 Releases I Want to Read
There are also some new releases I’m excited about this year, including:
First Time Caller by B.K. Borison
Maine Characters by Hannah Orenstein (I already have it!)
One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune
Other Books That Have Caught My Eye
A few more books that have made their way onto my unofficial TBR thanks to gifts and recs from friends and family:
Early Thirties by Josh Duboff (thanks Mom!)
Bad Summer People by Emma Rosenblum (also from Mom)
Shell Games by Bonnie Kistler (thanks Flor!)
Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty (my sister-in-law lent me this one)
Set Piece by Lana Schwartz (sent to me by 831 Stories!)
Reading Stats So Far
📖 1 non-fiction (Cue the Sun!)
📖 2 literary fiction (This Time Tomorrow, God of the Woods)
📖 7 fun, escapist novels
So far, I’ve had a good mix, but I’m definitely on the lookout for more nonfiction to balance things out.
One that I can’t wait to pick up is All the Cool Girls Get Fired by Kristina O’Neill and Laura Brown—it comes out in October and sounds so sharp and timely.
Summary
What’s on your TBR this year? And have you read any of the ones I mentioned? Let me know over on Instagram or leave a comment!
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