Category: books

Books I Started in 2024 and Hope to Finish in 2025

Photo by Ed Robertson on Unsplash

Here we are in 2025, a new year, a new opportunity to make things better than last year. New year, new goals. All of that positive new year stuff.

There was a lot I wanted to do in 2024 that has now moved in to 2025. I wanted 2024 to be better, but life sucks sometimes and sometimes life has to kick your ass for you to grow to where you need to be. 2024 was that year for me, full of trials and tribulations.

I started a lot of things in 2024— An MFA program, knitting projects, interior design on an entire half of my house— and there are a lot of things I didn’t finish. One of them being several books.

Here’s the list of books I started in 2024 and how I plan to finish them in 2025.

Note: This post will contain affiliate links, I’ll get a small payment if you buy through the link (Help your artists, please and thank you!) I only recommend things I enjoy and hope you will enjoy too!

Remote Control

By Nnedi Okorafor.

This book was one I chose for the reading for a semester along with The Past is Red. There was a little bit of reading required during the semester, but it was mostly a writing focused class. I’m about 34% of the way through (according to kindle), but it’s been a while, so I might restart from the beginning (or at least consult my notes). The premise is good. The book is interesting, but it’s a slow build, throwing the reader in the middle of the action and then pulling back to “the beginning”.

The Past is Red

By Catherine Valenti

This book I didn’t get very far into. I would read a few chapters, then stop and go “wait, what?”. I feel like trying to read this in a 10 week period was too much, especially with another book. I would like to pick it up again (despite the casual use of some four letter words that seems too immature to me), but I would like to get more into the story before I decide it isn’t for me.

Anne of Green Gables Series: Specifically Anne of Ingleside

By L.M. Montgomery

Fun fact, I actually started reading this series in 2023. I got the giant “whole series” in one book and got through the first 3 of the series fine and then went: Wait a minute! I’m missing one. Actually, I ended up missing two. So I had to buy this one (and another) separately. I intended to read in 2024, but I had to read other things first. So hopefully in 2025?

The Night Angel Trilogy: Specifically Book 3- Beyond the Shadows.

By Brent Weeks

I started reading the first book of this series as a part of my MFA program. I had read the first book before (in 2019 before the world completely changed), but didn’t quite make it through the second book the first time due to several circumstances (including a global pandemic- nurses had to work). Not only did I read the first book, and quickly got through the second while on a break between semesters. I hit book 3 and then promptly hit a wall. I would like to finish the series and possibly read more of Weeks’ work.

The Throne of Glass Series: Specifically Book 3- Heir of Fire

By Sarah J. Maas

I’m not new to Sarah J. Maas. I started with the ACOTAR series and absolutely loved it. My goal in 2024 was to read through the Throne of Glass Series and the Crescent City series in order to be ready for the next ACOTAR book, but obviously that didn’t happen. I made it through the first two books in lightning speed, but read the prequel in the wrong place. The prequel was slow moving (especially after reading the first few books) and really slowed down my pace. By the time I started Heir of Fire I was already in the MFA program. As good as I am, I can’t read more than 2 books at a time and keep them straight, even with the notes I take chapter by chapter.

Fairy Tale

By Stephen King

Yet another book I started for my MFA program (I’m sensing a theme here!). This is the first Stephen King book I’ve ever read, though I am familiar with his work. It’s King’s take on portal fantasy, so I think it’s ok that it’s his first book I’m reading. This book is massive and there’s no way I could have finished it in 10 weeks while reading other material for two classes and having double the work due each week now that I’m taking two classes at a time. I like the book, I like the premise, I just have to get back into it and finish it up.

I would like to get back into reading more books. Hopefully in 2025 I’ll be able to get through a few (if not all) of these books (and more).

I’ll keep you posted when I do. Keep a look out for more books reviews.

I’ll also take book recommendations if you have them! Though, not sure when I’ll be able to read them. My TBR pile is always growing!

Happy reading!

Yearly Goal Update!

On the first of January, I put out a few goals. I’ve been super productive so far, so I have to update one of the goals.

The original goal was to read 6 books during the year. As of March 31st, I hit that goal.

The new goal: read 6 more books for a total of 12 this year.

Who knows? I might hit that goal in 3 months again, which means I’ll update it then.

Reading for me tends to come in waves, but I always like to push myself, so there it is.

6 more books to read in 2023!

Bre Writes Book Reviews: All Your Twisted Secrets by Diana Urban

I honestly didn’t expect to like this book as much as I did. I rented it from my library via kindle and started reading it just to see how the library app worked. Within a few chapters, I was hooked, and I read the book in a matter of days.

I read a book like I used to read books before I got busy and distracted with other things. I can’t remember the last time I read a book in a matter of days. It makes me really excited when I find books like that.

All Your Twisted Secrets is like an escape room meets The Breakfast Club, but they’re all definitely more effed up than the kids in the 80’s movie. Each kid has something going for them, and each kid is connected to each other in ways not even I saw coming. Each twist and turn was so well foreshadowed and yet, a lot of them I didn’t see coming.

The book follows Amber, an ambitious student who wants to go to music school to score movies. Her boyfriend is desperate for a baseball scholarship and thinks she can go to college with him wherever he gets in. Her best friend, who helped her get into the popular clique, Sasha and her previous best friend Priya are in the room, along with the stoner Scott, and the kid who ruined her dad’s business. Amber is connected to everyone in the room and as the book is told exclusively though her eyes, we get good connections and revelations that as I was reading made me go “Oh Snap!”

Oh, and did I forget to mention they’re locked in a banquet room of a hotel with a bomb and a syringe filled with a deadly poison and have to choose someone to kill before the hour is up?

I can’t give too many spoilers away or it would ruin the book, but boy do I want to! This book was crazy at times. But overall a really great book.

A few things I would have liked to see would be how the kids reacted after the revelations they heard and some consequences for the person who orchestrated the whole thing. I would have liked to see how they all handled the dark things they did while in the room and how their relationships changed after the ordeal. The book just cuts off on a cliffhanger after the kids that survive are let out. After all the build up of these seniors wanting to get into college, and the cutthroat tactics, there was no real follow through on their college plans.

Review: 4.5/5

January Results and February Goals

If you are reading this, it means we have all made it through the first month of 2023. January has been my most productive month so far, and that’s not just in 2023, but for a long time. I’ve been able to set a routine and keep making progress little by little. I’ve never been happier.

Here’s how January went:

January Results

Writing

Participate in the NYC Midnight Short Story Competition

This month, The NYC Midnight Short Story Competition went well—Once I got my butt in gear. For the first few days, I took my time, then realized how soon the deadline was. I panicked a bit, then did a mad dash to the end and finally submitted it. At first, I wasn’t sure I would do well with the prompt, but now that it’s done and looking back, I did the best I could. Now I can’t wait for the results and of course, the next NYC Midnight challenge.

Edit One Short Story

This month, I did edit a short story. (Actually I edited two if you count the NYC Midnight submission). I have to say I quite enjoyed it. The short story I edited was one from January of 2015. So far, it has been amazing to see how far I’ve come in my writing. One down, several more to go. I’m starting to remember that editing isn’t as easy as writing, though it is quite informative.

Edit Three Chapters

For quite a bit of the month, I wasn’t sure I would make the three chapter goal. I had a few long chapters to work on and some days not a lot of time to work on them, especially with homework and other duties. I’m pleased to say, I did get three chapters done (with one day to spare). Sometimes, it’s better to let the editing process surprise me. A chapter ended sooner, which means I get to add another chapter and really lay on the romance (my favorite!)

Personal

Exercise

So far, exercising has been going well. I did a long streak of 8 days in a row, then there was a not so great streak of a few days I missed due to inclement weather. Now, I’ve been doing my best to make it out and at least walk every day, or at least three days a week, like I wanted, but some days it isn’t easy.

Journal

I had to work at it, and force myself to journal when there were tough days, but I managed to journal every day in January. I really enjoyed sitting down with myself and journaling through any thoughts or concerns I had. By the end of the month, I was actively excited for my journaling.

Now I have to keep everything up through the rest of the year.

Bonus

This month, I also wrote a few plays for my current class. Once I got the format down, I didn’t absolutely hate it. I have had experience writing plays and screenplays in the past, so it was fun to be able to jump back into it in an educational setting. I got to adapt one of my previous short stories, so that was another version of editing and tweaking that I really enjoyed.

I also read two books this month. I’m working on another book review to post, but the first one is up already.

Word Count: 25,260

Here’s what I hope to accomplish in February:

February Goals

Writing

Edit One Short Story

Similar to last year, I want to edit a short story a month. It worked last year with writing them, so why not do a year of editing? Last month went so well, I can’t wait to get started! The hardest part will be choosing which story to edit!

Edit 4 chapters

After a trial run in January, I think I have this editing thing down. I want to see if I can get 4 chapters edited, which is about 1 a week. I am hoping that some chapters will be shorter and take less time to edit, so maybe I can add on a few extra, but I’ll have to wait and see how the month goes.

Finish a short story from 2022

I have two short stories I still need to finish from 2022. The story for November and December. I would like to finish at least one of them this month, and then perhaps the other one next month. With a few paragraphs a day throughout the month, it shouldn’t take me too long to make decent progress and get at least one of them finished.

Personal

Exercise

Even though I didn’t manage to exercise every day last month, I did manage to average at least 3 times a week. I have noticed I feel so much better when I exercise and more creative. I would like to get out and walk or do some form of exercise at least 5 days a week.

Journal

In January, I managed to write in my journal every day, and it definitely improved my mental health. I would like to keep that up and write every day with no excuses.

Bre Writes Book Reviews: Sing Me Forgotten by Jessica S. Olson

This Review Contains Spoilers for The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux. And most likely Sing Me Forgotten. You have been warned.

I have to start this review by saying: This is one of my favorite books I’ve read so far.

I have never revealed this, but I am a huge fan of musical theatre and literature. The Phantom of The Opera was the musical that gave me the drive and spark to explore more musicals. Once I read the book, my obsession only grew further.

Sing Me Forgotten by Jessica S. Olson is a gender-bent, magic based, steam-punk retelling of The Phantom of the Opera. At first, I was a little skeptical. Retellings aren’t always my cup of tea (especially with how overdone a lot of retellings have been lately). I am happy to say this book did not disappoint.

I love the character of Isda. Her determination, her drive, her obsession with Emeric, all the things, Erik from POTO had, but with a feminine flair. Her growth in the novel from disfigured girl willing to hide and do whatever she is told to choosing her own destiny was such a beautiful read. Her personal growth with Emeric was such a delight. Their quips were so good and their growing relationship captured everything in a romance that I really enjoy. The only problem is I didn’t know how to pronounce her name. I’m guessing Iz-Dah, since her nickname was Iz, but I kept reading it as I(s)da.

Emeric was a delight. From his quips with the statues to his love of caramel and his pure sunshine personality, I found myself craving more of him on the page. With the novel told from Isda’s point of view, I really could feel the love between Isda and Emeric.

The music and the aspect of music bringing the characters together was such a fun tidbit and a great nod to the original Phantom of the Opera. The subtle and not so subtle references to POTO were such a joy that I physically reacted to so many of them. There was a love and respect for the original work and I am so glad there were so many small hints to pick up on.

The mechanics of magic was a little confusing at first, with the Fendoirs and the Gravoirs, but the more I read, the more it made sense. I enjoyed the magic aspect and especially the backstory of Les Trois. I would have liked a bit more history, and more connection to the true villain, but it was so well done that I can’t really complain much.

SPOILERS HERE.

The biggest complaint I have is the ending. I know how POTO ends, both the musical and the book. Erik is a terrible being that has done terrible things, and there’s no way Christine would ever stay with him (except in Love Never Dies, but we’re not talking about that). Deep down, I knew what would have to happen between Isda and Emeric, but I wished it didn’t. I wanted Isda to get everything she had ever dreamed of. My heart ached for her and Emeric.

SPOILERS END

I would love to read a sequel. Such a sad but satisfying cliffhanger and I can’t help but want more.

Rating: 5/5

If you liked this review, leave me a comment and suggest what I should read next!