2025 In Review

 This year has been the Year of the Virus for me. In August, I contracted Bell's Palsy, causing the right side of my face to droop. A great ER doctor got me set up on antivirals and it cleared up. December brought Influenza A and several days in hospital. I am lucky to be alive and I am grateful to our health system and my family. My reading life is very important to me, but it is nothing without good health. Nevertheless, here are my Wanda Award winning books for 2025.

Favourite Audiobook: Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera is perfect for the audio format, as a podcast is featured. My book club was very divided on this title, but the combination of mystery and dark, sarcastic humour was perfect for me. Told by two narrators, the amnesiac suspected murderer Lucy and the true crime podcaster Ben. I couldn't stop listening!

Favourite American Espionage Novel: The Spy Coast by Tess Gerritsen. Partly because of an interesting plot, but largely because of an older woman protagonist. As an older woman myself, I do love a story where an older woman shows that she's still got what it takes.

Favourite British Espionage Novel: Clown Town by Mick Herron. If you follow current events in the UK at all, you will appreciate Herron's caustic observations on the politics of the day. Plus, he has provided a wonderful cast of characters, each with fascinating personal damage. As a reader of the Slough House series, I am invested in each and every one of them.

Best Blast From My Past: She by H. Rider Haggard. One of the formative books of my adolescence and a wonderful reread. Ayesha, She Who Must Be Obeyed, and the long lost ruins of Kor have haunted my imagination for decades. In a time filled with adventure novels featuring men, Ayesha gave teenage me a female character to appreciate.

Favourite Historical Mystery/Romance: Thus With a Kiss I Die by Christina Dodd. I am loving these mysteries featuring Rosaline Montague, daughter of Romeo and Juliet. Yes, that Romeo and Juliet. Dodd's sense of humour, combined with her talent for scripting a mystery appropriate to old Verona, kept me reading and smiling all the way.

Best Unexpected Mystery: Black Ice: A DreadfulWater Mystery by Thomas King. King has said that he isn't writing any more and then has produced several books. This one features my favourite depressed detective, Thumps DreadfulWater. Once again, it is the cast of loveable, quirky characters that delight me in this series. King manages to comment on our current circumstances while producing snappy dialogue and a mystery that holds the attention.

Best Cozy Mystery: The Impossible Fortune by Richard Osman. You guessed it, because I love the characters. The mystery plot was good too and gave the characters a reason to do their thing. My last book of the year, so 2025 went out with a bang.


My Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project: I took a break from this project this year. I only read 8 titles that counted toward it. I feel more enthused about it as a result. My favourite books were Salvage Rightand Ribbon Dance, both recent offerings in the Liaden Universe by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller.

My Shakespeare project: No progress this year. My total plays seen remains at 21. I did attend a performance of Much Ado About Nothing in June, but I have seen it before. It's a fun play.

Reading My Hoard: I read 20 books from my own physical shelves this year. My health concerns this year have me thinking about moving and if that is to happen, my book collection must be whittled down. Reading and weeding them will be a 2026 goal.

Agatha Christie project: 2026 will be the year that I finish reading all of Christie's novels. With the Appointment with Agatha group, I've been reading one per month for several years. Only three left.

Plans for the New Year: I have several goals. Firstly, I want to read my collection of Barbara Pym novels. I bought them during Covid but got distracted by other books. Secondly, I want to read more non-fiction. I think my concentration is back up to the task now. I have been taking Medieval history courses and have chosen some books to supplement and reinforce that learning. Thirdly, I hope to get refocused on my Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project.

Happy New Year, friends. I hope 2026 brings good things and good health to you all.