Currently Reading

Season 8, Episode 22: Our Top Reads of 2025!

January 5, 2026

Key Takeaways Copied to clipboard!

  • The hosts' reading lives in 2025 were heavily influenced by backlist titles, with Meredith reading 68% backlist and Kaytee's top 10 list reflecting a preference for non-traditional genres like fantasy and literary fiction over new releases. 
  • Tracking reading statistics, especially recommendation sources (like library serendipity for Meredith and Katie Proctor for Kaytee) and publisher performance, proved instrumental in helping the hosts make better, more satisfying book choices. 
  • The hosts experienced significant divergence in their opinions on certain books, notably Nnedi Okorafor's *Death of the Author*, highlighting the importance of 'reader, know thyself' regarding personal preferences like liking or disliking a main character. 
  • Meredith ranked "The Goblin Emperor" by Katherine Addison as her #3 favorite read of 2025 due to its profound emotional impact and focus on character growth over action, while Kaytee ranked "Most Ardently" by Gabe Cole Novoa, a trans-centered *Pride and Prejudice* retelling, as her #3. 
  • Kaytee named the forthcoming *Cinderella* retelling, "Lady Tremaine" by Rachel Hawkhauser, as her #1 book of 2025, praising its mature themes and masterful weaving of the original fairy tale, whereas Kaytee's #1 was the middle-grade novel "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell for its beautiful handling of difficult life themes. 
  • "Victorian Psycho" by Virginia Faito was Kaytee's #2 favorite for its unhinged horror and humor, while Meredith's #2 was "Take What You Can Carry" by Jian Sardar, a historical fiction discovery about the Kurdish people that opened up a new world for her. 

Segments

Meredith’s Wheelhouse Book
Copied to clipboard!
(01:00:09)
  • Key Takeaway: Meredith’s best book outside her wheelhouse was “The Dutch House” by Ann Patchett, which she loved upon rereading after disliking it previously.
  • Summary: Meredith’s top book outside her comfort zone was “The Dutch House” by Ann Patchett, a book she previously wanted to throw across the room but rated five stars upon rereading. She noted that rereading itself was outside her wheelhouse, having reread nine books this year, eight of which were very successful rereads. Her change of heart on “The Dutch House” was attributed to understanding the step-parent element better on the second read.
Top Three Reveal Begins
Copied to clipboard!
(01:03:10)
  • Key Takeaway: Meredith’s #3 favorite read of 2025 is “The Goblin Emperor” by Katherine Addison, a beloved fantasy novel.
  • Summary: Meredith revealed her number three book, “The Goblin Emperor” by Katherine Addison, which she immediately recognized as a lifetime favorite upon reading just ten pages. The book is a quiet, steampunk fantasy focusing on political machinations and the main character, Maya, an 18-year-old half-goblin, half-elf, learning to be emperor after his father and siblings die in an airship accident. The narrative centers on Maya finding self-belief and navigating court politics rather than high action.
Kaytee’s Top Three Reveal
Copied to clipboard!
(01:07:05)
  • Key Takeaway: Kaytee’s #3 book is “Most Ardently” by Gabe Cole Novoa, a highly emotional, trans-centered Pride and Prejudice retelling.
  • Summary: Kaytee’s number three selection was “Most Ardently” by Gabe Cole Novoa, part of the Remixed Classics series. This book is a trans-centered retelling of Pride and Prejudice that stayed true to Jane Austen’s heart, causing Kaytee to cry happy tears multiple times. She loved it so much she immediately bought a copy to keep forever.
Favorite New to You Authors
Copied to clipboard!
(01:08:52)
  • Key Takeaway: Meredith discovered T. Kingfisher and Charlotte Wood, while Kaytee realized L. Penelope and Leslie Penelope were the same author, enjoying both their fantasy and horror works.
  • Summary: Meredith named T. Kingfisher (for the romance “Sword Heart”) and Charlotte Wood (for the literary fiction “Stoneyard Devotional”) as new authors she wants to read more from. Kaytee discovered that L. Penelope (“Song of Blood and Stone”) and Leslie Penelope (“The Monsters We Defy”) are the same person, loving both the high fantasy and the New Orleans voodoo horror works by the author.
Kaytee’s Second Favorite Book
Copied to clipboard!
(01:11:03)
  • Key Takeaway: Kaytee’s #2 book, “Victorian Psycho” by Virginia Faito, is an unhinged, gory, and hilarious horror novel about a psychopathic governess.
  • Summary: Kaytee’s number two book, “Victorian Psycho” by Virginia Faito, is a horror novel she felt indicated a strong book twin connection with readers who also enjoyed its unhinged nature. The story follows a governess who may be a murderer, featuring bloody and gory scenes that Kaytee found hilarious. She loved the main character despite her psychopathic tendencies.
Meredith’s Second Favorite Book
Copied to clipboard!
(01:12:27)
  • Key Takeaway: Meredith’s #2 book, “Take What You Can Carry” by Jian Sardar, was a serendipitous find that opened up the history of the Kurdish people.
  • Summary: Meredith’s number two pick, “Take What You Can Carry” by Jian Sardar, was found by serendipity in a Wyoming used bookshop and immediately captivated her. The historical fiction novel personalizes the story of the Kurdish people of Iran and Syria, connecting it to a 1970s Los Angeles newspaper photo. This book is highlighted as the type of historical fiction that opens up entirely new worlds for the reader.
Milkshake/Cheeto Chapter Books
Copied to clipboard!
(01:14:06)
  • Key Takeaway: Kaytee and Meredith identified their most easily consumed, addictive reads, with Janice Hallett’s mixed-media format being particularly effective for this style.
  • Summary: The hosts defined ‘milkshake books’ or ‘Cheeto chapters’ as reads that go down easily and are hard to put down, often featuring short chapters. Meredith chose “The Other Side of the Wall” by Andrea Mara (Irish domestic suspense) and “The Reappearance of Rachel Price” by Holly Jackson (a mystery devoured in one sitting). Kaytee chose “The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels” by Janice Hallett, noting that mixed-media formats inherently create addictive chapter breaks.
Number One Book Reveals
Copied to clipboard!
(01:18:04)
  • Key Takeaway: Meredith’s #1 book is the forthcoming adult Cinderella retelling, “Lady Tremaine” by Rachel Hawkhauser, while Kaytee’s #1 is the middle-grade novel “Impossible Creatures” by Katherine Rundell.
  • Summary: Meredith chose “Lady Tremaine” by Rachel Hawkhauser (releasing March 2026) as her number one, calling it one of the top two fairy tale retellings she has ever read, focusing on the stepmother’s perspective on motherhood and perception. Kaytee selected “Impossible Creatures” by Katherine Rundell, marking the first time she named a middle-grade book as her top read, praising its beautiful handling of life’s hardness and themes of loving creatures well.