As part of my ongoing Booker Prize challenge, where I’m attempting to read my way through the entire longlist before the winner is announced, I picked up Flesh, not quite knowing what to expect. This challenge has introduced me to such a range of styles, tones, and themes, and Flesh immediately stood out as one of the more quietly disquieting reads on the list.

Book nine of my 2025 Booker Prize Challenge was Flashlight by Susan Choi, and it’s safe to say this one made a real impression. It’s been my favourite of the shortlist so far, though not my overall top pick from the longlist. Choi’s sharp, layered storytelling and psychological intensity really stood out in what’s been a strong but varied lineup of reads.

Book eight of my Booker Prize Challenge was The Land in Winter by Andrew Miller — one of this year’s Booker Prize shortlisted novels. I went into this one with high hopes. On paper, it sounded exactly like the kind of story I’d enjoy: two neighbouring couples living through the brutal British winter of 1962–63, secrets bubbling beneath the surface, and relationships stretched to their breaking point by isolation, snow, and silence.

I’m now seven books into my 2025 Booker Prize Longlist Challenge, and Audition by Katie Kitamura is the latest read to tick off the list. It’s one of the six titles that went on to make the shortlist, which didn’t surprise me at all, it’s a novel full of quiet tension, big ideas, and sharp social commentary about identity and perception.

“Endling by Maria Reva completely bowled me over. Its metafictional style, surreal snail plot, and compelling protagonist, Yeva, made it one of the most inventive books I’ve read this year. Experimental yet accessible, it’s a boundary-pushing novel that’s both emotionally resonant and thought-provoking.”

I’m now five books into my 2025 Booker Prize Longlist Challenge, thirteen titles in total and the official shortlist has just been announced. To my disappointment, Seascraper hasn’t made the cut. After finishing it, I was certain it would be a strong contender; in fact, it’s my personal favourite of the challenge so far. Seascraper is the rare kind of novel that feels both urgent and unhurried, a story that moves quickly while somehow keeping a mellow, almost meditative rhythm.

In The Rest of Our Lives, Tom embarks on an impromptu road trip after dropping his youngest at college. Narrated through his disconnected monologue, the tale explores regret and disconnection. Unfortunately, I found it disengaging, lacking urgency or relatability.

"Misinterpretation by Ledia Xhoga is the standout of my 2025 Booker Prize Longlist Challenge so far. A beautifully crafted exploration of ambiguity and truth, it delves into the ripple effects of misunderstandings. Xhoga’s precision and layered narrative linger long after reading—thought-provoking, elegant, and quietly daring."

Booker Prize Longlist (the books I have so far) Universality is the second book I’ve picked up from this year’s Booker Prize longlist, and it’s a fascinating one. Universality by Natasha Brown The novel explores questions of identity, ideology, and belonging in the midst of cultural and political turbulence. It asks how narratives are constructed, who gets to shape them, and what it means to be caught in the crossfire of online discourse and real-world shifts.

Jonathan Buckley’s One Boat may feel small in scope, a quiet novel set in a modest town, but it asks the biggest questions: mortality, regret, and the meaning of life. Thoughtful and understated, it lingers long after the final page and makes a strong start to my Booker challenge.

Welcome to my August Reading Wrap-Up! This month has been an eclectic mix of genres, emotions, and thought-provoking narratives. From revisiting beloved childhood classics to exploring fresh contemporary voices, each book brought something unique to the table. Whether it was diving into the complexities of family dynamics, uncovering the hidden costs of fame, or grappling with the eerie charm of gothic horror, August’s reads were anything but ordinary.

My mum, 10-month-old son, and I recently set off on a bookish road trip through the Cotswolds. We wandered the whimsical Madhatter Bookshop in Burford, stayed two nights in Malmesbury for Barn Owl Books’ magical Books and Cakes experience, a private, personalised book curation complete with tea and homemade cake, and finished at Coles Books in Bicester, Oxfordshire’s largest independent. Each stop had its own character, from cosy and curated to grand and bustling, but all shared the same love of books. It was the perfect mix of adventure, family, and reading joy.

This story lingers long after the final page. A heartfelt journey of messy, beautiful connections that feel like cherished old friends.

This year, the Althorp Literary Festival returned after a six-year hiatus. The break was due to the COVID lockdown. The festival came back with an absolute standout lineup. From April 11th - 13th, Althorp house was the sensational setting for this prestigious event. Earl Spencer opened his home to celebrate the beautiful art of literature. It is very clearly a huge passion and hobby of his own.

As I close in on my reading goal for the year, the six books I finished in May took me on a truly eclectic journey—through brutal true crime, dystopian collapse, addictive thrillers, myth-infused dark academia, fierce memoir, and royal satire. This batch wasn’t just diverse in genre—it varied wildly in tone, emotional weight, and impact. Some reads challenged my views on justice and rehabilitation (Pure Evil), while others left me emotionally hollowed (Know My Name, Prophet Song).

April turned out to be a fantastic reading month, packed with dark thrillers, laugh-out-loud moments, heavy-hitting true crime, and even a nostalgic re-read. Here are the six books I devoured this month and all the thoughts they stirred up. Book 23 — Keep It In The Family by John Marrs John Marrs delivers a dark, twisted psychological thriller that explores obsession, secrets, and the horrors lurking within the walls of a seemingly normal home.

In some crazy turn of events, I am due to reach my 2025 reading goal by about mid-May. This is absolutely unheard of for me. I am usually scampering through reads at the end of the year just to hit it. This year, my aim was low. I was not putting pressure on myself to reach it. Last year, I lost my reading spark.

In February, I read six diverse books, including George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four, which examines totalitarianism and truth manipulation, and graphic novel The End of the Fucking World, highlighting teenage trauma. Other reads included Sleeping Children, The Long Walk, The Housemaid, and The Lost Girls of Autism—each offering unique perspectives on significant themes.

A new year means new reading goals (finish 30 books), fresh discoveries, and the joy of getting lost in a good book. This January, I immersed myself in a mix of stories—some thought-provoking, some entertaining, and others downright unforgettable. From gripping fiction to insightful non-fiction, each book brought something unique to the table. In this post, I’ll share my thoughts on the books I read this month.