From The Pumpkin Patch

2025 is coming to an end, and it’s become a tradition for me to revisit all the books I read over the past year.

My goal was to read 25 books, and I ended up reading 22. I’m pretty happy with that, particularly as some of them were extremely long (looking at you, The Stand!)

It was another wonderful year of reading. I picked up a lot more classics than usual, which I plan to continue doing in 2026. Best of all, I discovered what may just be the best book I’ve ever read. Yes, ever.

So, as the year draws to a close, let’s take a look back at the books I read throughout 2025.

Butter by Asako Yuzuki ★★★★

What a great book to start off the year!

Everyone wants to speak to Manako Kajii, the enigmatic and strangely alluring woman convicted of murdering a string of lonely businessmen. But she remains silent, until journalist Rika Machida writes and asks for her beef stew recipe.

As Rika learns more about Kajii, she feels inspired to eat the foods that the serial killer once enjoyed. A symbiotic relationship starts to form between the two women, but is Rika in over her head?

I didn’t realise Manako Kajii was inspired by a real life Japanese serial killer until after I’d finished the book, and it was fascinating to read her story and note the similarities.

The story was a little different to what I was expecting – I had imagined a thriller revolving around a female journalist racing to solve the puzzling murders as Kajii’s trial date loomed. Instead, what I got was a fascinating commentary on female hunger and the societal pressures faced by Japanese men and women.

And food. Plates of delicious-sounding food that had me craving rice and butter.

The only thing holding me back from giving Butter a five-star rating is that it was slightly too long, and could benefit from a ruthless edit. Now I need to get back to Japan and try out all these dishes for myself…

Dead Eleven by Jimmy Juliano ★★★★

I received this book as a Christmas gift from a friend, and was immediately intrigued by R.L. Stine’s review on the front cover. Chillingly creepy… you have been warned.

And oh, was this creepy. Surprisingly creepy. I didn’t expected to be scared, but some parts definitely freaked me out.

Still reeling from the death of her son, Willow Stone is taken aback to find two words written on his bedroom floor. Clifford Island. But how did the words get there? What is the significance of this island? And how is it related to her dead son?

When she travels to the island, it’s just… weird. Everyone seems stuck in 1994. They watch the OJ Simpson car chase on loop, wear outdated clothing and seem entirely baffled by modern technology. And they’re obsessed with closing their curtains at night.

Then Willow disappears, and it’s up to her brother to find the answers.

Dead Eleven was a slow-paced burn, which I loved. I found myself looking forward to my reading time every day, and even woke up early in the mornings to get a few extra chapters in. I’m a little sad that it’s over now, but thankfully the author has a new book coming out this year. I can’t wait!

The Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki ★★

In Kyoto, under the full moon, a coffee shop opens up to a select few customers. It’s entirely run by talking cats, providing sage advice and delicious meals to those who are feeling a little lost in life.

From a struggling script writer, an actress reeling from the shame of an affair and a hairdresser questioning her career choice, these carefully-chosen customers leave The Full Moon Coffee Shop with a new perspective on life.

The beautiful cover and cosy-sounding name drew me in, but unfortunately this book fell a little flat in some parts. It had a heavy focus on astrology, which I wasn’t expecting. I don’t mind the odd horoscope here and there, but stories based on star signs don’t particularly interest me.

I did enjoy the descriptions of celestial-themed menu items, however, and I loved how all the stories tied together in the end. It was also wonderful to read a story set in Kyoto, one of my favourite cities.

This was a quick read, and I finished it in several sittings. I did find myself waiting to get to the end, so unfortunately I can’t rate The Full Moon Coffee Shop any higher than two stars. If you’re into astrology, you’ll probably appreciate it a lot more than I did.

Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton ★★★★

Billionaire John Hammond has achieved the unthinkable.

He’s created Jurassic Park – an island off the coast of Costa Rica, populated entirely by genetically-engineered dinosaurs. But will this park run as smoothly as he hopes? Or will the chaotic nature of, well, nature prove more complex and horrifying than anyone could have predicted?

I really enjoyed how believable the science behind Jurassic Park seemed to be. Of course, I have no idea how it all really works. But it sounded convincing, and that was enough for me.

The story was so gripping I could only read a few chapters at a time, as the tension was just too much. I think I may have missed the point, however, as I still want to visit the island even though this book showcases how dangerous the premise of Jurassic Park would be in reality. So sue me.

Carrie by Stephen King ★★★★

I had avoided reading Carrie, simply because I’d heard it wasn’t one of King’s best works.

But as I’m currently working on my own first novel, I’ve been curious about some of my favourite author’s debuts. So I borrowed this one from the library and was hooked straight away.

Carrie White is both tormented and ostracised by her classmates, and it all comes to a head on prom night. The thing is, no one knows Carrie is telekinetic – much to her ultra-religious mother’s disgust. This book is about the destruction of a young girl and her ruthless, tragic revenge on the town that shunned her.

I could tell it was King’s first novel, but I loved it all the same. He describes emotions so vividly, it’s easy to forget these people and events aren’t actually real. I particularly enjoyed the structure of the book, which jumped between interviews, book excerpts and traditional storytelling. And I always love the eerie foreshadowing that adds so much tension.

“Nobody was really surprised when it happened, not really, not on the subconscious level where savage things grow.”

Lord of the Flies by William Golding ★★★★★

When a group of young boys find themselves stranded on a remote and deserted island, they celebrate. No adults, no rules, complete freedom.

Elected as leader, Ralph quickly establishes three basic priorities – have fun, survive, and maintain a smoke signal to alert any passing shops of their presence. But any semblance of order begins to fall apart as talk of a mysterious and horrifying Beast spreads amongst the boys, as their fears threaten to take control and fracture the group beyond repair.

The prose was absolutely beautiful, and I found myself transported to the island every time I picked up this book. I started fires with Piggy’s glasses, ran through the forest with Ralph and painted myself up with Jack and his tribe. Now that I’m finished, I almost miss them all!

Lord of the Flies is a fascinating study of human nature and the potential for evil and corruption in us all. I don’t want to give too much away, but I found it to be an extremely timely read against the current political landscape. An uncomfortable read, but a necessary one.

The Premonition by Banana Yoshimoto ★★★

Yayoi has always been able to… feel things. Things that have happened, things that will happen. So when she feels inexplicably drawn to her aunt, an enigmatic woman who lives all alone in a ramshackle house, she knows she needs to follow her gut instinct.

The Premonition is a dreamy, wistful story about a woman who begins to feel that something is missing from her childhood memories.

I love Banana Yoshimoto’s work, as she always evokes feelings of nostalgia for an experience I haven’t even had. I’m right there breathing in the forest mist, smelling the cold, fresh air and tasting the delicious-sounding Japanese curry that everyone devours in the third act.

Sure, there were some strange elements, and some made me feel a little uncomfortable. But that’s the beauty of art, and I wouldn’t want the story any other way.

Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson ★★★★

I’d never thought to read this book, even though I was familiar with the trope of the ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ personality. But when I visited the library and saw this slim edition sitting on the shelf, I knew it would be the perfect thing to read on a gloomy Sunday morning.

I finished Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde in around two hours, and it was a thoroughly entertaining read.

It follows a lawyer named Mr Utterson, a close companion of Dr Jekyll. Over the course of the story Utterson becomes concerned about the odd behaviour of his friend, and suspicious of a strange, unsettling man who seems inexplicably linked to Dr Jekyll…

The language was a little old-fashioned and sometimes difficult to read, but I loved the atmosphere. Set in foggy London in the 1800s, I had visions of Jack the Ripper as Mr Hyde skulked through the streets lit only by the occasional lamplight.

I do love a gothic novella. I’m so glad I picked up this book!

Hunchback by Saou Ichikawa ★★

Short enough to read in one sitting, Ichikawa’s debut novel fell slightly below my expectations.

Shaka Isawa has lived most of her life indoors. Born with a congenital muscle disorder, she is unable to walk and relies heavily on a ventilator. But that doesn’t stop her from posting spicy stories on an erotica website and tweeting the most outrageous things. When a male carer unravels her online persona, will Shaka finally have the chance to live out her desires?

I found the prose to be quite ugly sometimes, and I’m also not a fan of explicit scenes in books. They’re just not my thing. But I did love how honest and unflinching Hunchback was. It stares you right in the eye from start to finish, daring you to look away. As promised, it was a shocking and uncomfortable read.

It also forced me to confront why I found it so uncomfortable. This book spoke so openly about the fact that people with disabilities experience urges, lust and desire just like everyone else, and that shouldn’t be shocking. But for some reason, it was. Ichikawa taught me some ugly truths about myself, and for that I am grateful.

Heaven by Mieko Kawakami ★★★

I first spotted Heaven while I was on a bookshop tour of London, organised by my wonderful husband. I can never resist a Japanese novel, and I was in a bit of a reading slump at the time, so the slim book appealed to me.

We never learn the name of our narrator, a teenage boy who is tormented by his classmates for having a lazy eye. He strikes up a friendship with another misfit, Kojima, who is isolated by the other girls for being dirty and unkempt.

While I enjoyed this book, I did find myself waiting to get to the end. The prose was beautiful, but I felt uncomfortable by the descriptions of the bullying and some of the discussions were a little too philosophical for my tastes.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte ★★★★★

There’s something really fun about re-reading childhood books as an adult. We studied Jane Eyre in my English class at high school. I loved it even then, but a lot of the themes went over my head as a sixteen-year-old.

Jane is a spirited, fierce little girl raised by her harsh Aunt Reed after being orphaned at a young age. She endures cruelty and loneliness throughout her childhood, and difficult conditions at the charity school she is sent away to.

After leaving school she finds work as a governess at Thornfield Hall, and falls in love with her sardonic and brooding master Mr Rochester. But when she finds out a dark secret about her beloved Edward on their wedding day, will Jane be strong enough to stick to her morals?

I love, love, loved this book. Jane was so progressively independent, and her journey of self-discovery remains inspiring to this day.

“I am no bird; and no net ensnares me; I am a free human being, with an independent will.”

The Crucible by Arthur Miller ★★★★★

My husband has been nagging me to read this play for years. I had assumed it would be a long, complicated book, but then I found a copy in a charity shop. It was slim, much less intimidating than I had imagined, so I brought it home.

Set in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692, The Crucible follows a group of townspeople who are grappling with incidents of supposed witchcraft. I don’t want to give too much of the plot away, but just trust me when I say it was superbly written and the ending made me tear up.

I ended up reading the entire thing aloud to my husband, and it was such a lovely experience. We then went to see the play at Shakespeare’s Globe, which was so immersive and incredible. I’m so glad I picked this book up!

Matilda by Roald Dahl ★★★★★

This will forever be my favourite book of all time. As a little girl I identified so strongly with Matilda, and she’s stayed with me throughout my entire life.

It was definitely time for a re-read, and when I found a 1989 copy in a charity shop (the year I was born!) I knew it was meant to be.

Matilda is a very special child, even if her parents don’t think so. Gifted with intellectual abilities far beyond her age, she quickly gains the respect of her peers and beloved teacher Miss Honey when she starts school. But Crunchem Hall is ruled by a cruel tyrant, Miss Trunchbull, and Matilda must learn to harness her newfound powers to help herself and everyone around her.

Matilda is a beautiful book about the power of books and staying true to yourself. It will always have a special place in my heart.

The Stand by Stephen King ★★★★★

This book intimidated me from the beginning. It was just so long. But it came highly recommended by my husband, so I wanted to give it a shot.

The Stand is one of those books that makes you think it’s about one thing, but ends up being something entirely different. How can I even summarise the plot?

It starts with a deadly plague that wipes out most of humankind, which gave me chilling flashbacks to 2020. The survivors are split in two – some gather in Colorado, telepathically pulled by Mother Abagail, while the rest follow the dark man Randall Flagg to Las Vegas. As good and evil clash, which side will triumph?

The above barely scratches the surface, but I had to try.

I fell in love with all the characters, even the ones I hated. They were just so real and fleshed out, and I felt like I was right there with them. Stephen King never disappoints, and this has got to be one of his best books.

Picture Imperfect by Jacqueline Wilson ★★★

Jacqueline Wilson is one of the greatest children’s authors of all time. Growing up, I devoured her books. The Illustrated Mum was always my favourite, so I was overjoyed to learn Jackie was releasing an adult sequel, just like she did with Think Again.

At 33, Dolphin is working at a tattoo parlour, living in a bedsit and constantly taking care of her wild and unpredictable mother, Marigold. When a kind single dad moves in next door, Dolphin must choose between a cosy family life with him, a dazzling life with handsome actor Joel, or becoming a nanny to Star’s child. But is there another option…?

While I loved getting to know Dolphin as an adult, and seeing how Marigold, Star and even little Owly turned out, I did feel the story suffered from too much focus on a love triangle that I didn’t find particularly interesting. I would have preferred more time spent on Dolphin and Star’s relationship, and how they interacted with Marigold.

I’ll always pick up any adult sequels that Jacqueline Wilson writes, but I think her strengths are much more suited to children’s books. I still love you, Jackie!

The Secret History by Donna Tartt ★★★★★

This is by far the best book I read all year. It may be the best book I’ve ever read in my life.

When Richard falls in with a group of clever, eccentric students at an elite New England college, he quickly finds himself under their spell. He wants to be like them, accepted by them. But their increasing hedonism leads them to commit the ultimate crime…

I devoured this book. I simply could not put it down. Donna Tartt knows how to make you become a character in her novels, instead of a mere observer. I felt like I knew everyone, Richard, Henry, Bunny, Francis, Charles and Camilla, and attended Hampden College in rural Vermont. I was swept up in the thrill of it all, and shuddered along with them at the very real consequences.

This will definitely be a book I pick up again and again, and I’m already looking forward to my next re-read.

13 Months Haunted by Jimmy Juliano ★★★

This was my second Jimmy Juliano book this year, after reading (and loving!) Dead Eleven.

Set in the early 2000s, 13 Months Haunted follows Piper Lowry, a small-town school librarian who befriends the strange and isolated Avery Wallace. Avery refuses to touch technology, and is glued to her mother’s side even during school hours.

The other kids and town residents whisper about the secrets surrounding Avery and her family, and Piper soon discovers something sinister following the young girl…

I loved all the nostalgic touches, like downloading music and using instant messenger. I’m also a sucker for a creepy file shared around the internet. It didn’t grab me in the same way Dead Eleven did, but 13 Months Haunted was still a great, creepy story in its own right.

Halloween Night II by R.L. Stine ★★★

I will never get tired of young adult R.L. Stine books from the 90s. They perfectly capture a slice of life from that time – great outfits and music, no social media, characters needing to call each other on landlines to communicate… I love them so much.

Brenda is trying to move forward from the horrific events of last Halloween, when her best friend Dina tried to kill her. But now Dina is back, the terrifying pranks have started again, and Brenda has a terrible feeling that history is about to repeat itself on Halloween night…

The story did feel a little similar to the original, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I never go into these books expecting a literary masterpiece – I want cheesy, gory fun, and that’s exactly what I got.

Roald Dahl’s Book of Ghost Stories ★★★★

I visited Paris for a day back in September and picked up this book from Shakespeare & Company, the most beautiful Parisian bookshop located around the corner from the Notre Dame.

Roald Dahl is one of my favourite children’s authors – I just love his zany, wacky prose and stories. I originally thought the stories in this book were written by him, but it turns out he merely selected them as his picks for the best ghost stories of all time. I’ll take it!

I loved reading these old, spooky stories throughout October. Some of my favourites were Playmates by A.M. Burrage, Harry by Rosemary Timperley and The Corner Shop by Cynthia Asquith. They may not have been terrifying and gory, but they had a vintage, creepy charm all their own.

Uncharmed by Lucy Jane Wood ★★★★

I had been eagerly anticipating this book since I finished Rewitched, and I wasn’t disappointed.

Uncharmed follows Annie Wildwood, a bakery owner who holds herself to extremely high standards in every aspect of her life. But when she’s tasked with mentoring Maeve, a young witch with extraordinary powers, Annie’s perfect life begins to unravel. Maybe for the better?

This story needed to find me. I related so much to Annie’s anxiety and perfectionism, and it was cathartic to watch her shed the expectations and weight of other people’s opinions. Plus, the delicious descriptions of freshly-baked goods made my mouth water the entire time!

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens ★★★★★

It was about time I read this classic Christmas tale.

Ebenezer Scrooge is bitter, tight-fisted and miserly. To him, Christmas is just another day, and he resents the interruption to his work. That is, until he is visited by several ghosts on Christmas Eve, warning him to change his ways before it’s too late…

The story was familiar, but the writing was incredible. I particularly loved the description of Scrooge at the beginning: “Oh! But he was a tight-fisted hand at the grindstone, Scrooge! a squeezing, wrenching, covetous, old sinner! Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had ever struck out generous fire; secret and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster. The cold within him froze his old features, nipped his pointed nose, shrivelled his cheek; stiffened his gait; made his eyes red, his thin lips blue and spoke out shrewdly in his grating voice. A frosty rime was on his head, and on his eyebrows, and his wiry chin. He carried his own low temperature always about with him; he iced his office in the dog-days; and didn’t thaw it one degree at Christmas.”

Isn’t it amazing? I think it’s the best character description I’ve ever read. It immediately conjures up a description of a hard, sharp, cold man, and we learn so much about Scrooge’s personality as well as his physical appearance in just a few lines.

A Christmas Carol made me laugh, cry and think. It was short enough to read in a couple of sittings, and left me filled with Christmas cheer.

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle ★★★★

I’m sure I’m not the only person who immediately picked up A Wrinkle in Time while watching the latest season of Stranger Things. I didn’t read it as a child, but had always heard great things, so I was excited to give it a try.

With the help of Mrs Whatsit, Mrs Who and Mrs Which, Meg, her younger brother Charles Wallace and their new friend Calvin must travel through space and time to rescue their father from Camazotz and the clutches of IT.

I really enjoyed this odd little book. The beginning in particular was very cosy, and I loved Meg as a character; faults and all. Now to see if my Stranger Things-related theories are correct…

This may come as a surprise, but I’m actually planning to decrease my reading goal this year.

Of course, if I do happen to read more, I won’t stop myself. But I’m only aiming to read 12 books in 2026, which works out to one book a month.

I never want to rush through books for the sake of hitting a reading goal, or to purposefully choose short novels to tick them off faster. I plan to savour the books I read next year, and take my time with them.

I can’t wait.