First Reads

The year is more than half over. I have been reflecting on the 67 books I have read so far.  Here are my reading firsts of 2025.

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My first reread this year was Fourth Wing, followed by Iron Flame, by Rebecca Yarros.  I read these books for a second time because I was preparing for the release of the third book in the series.  I struggle to remember anything as I enter midlife and really need the reminders.  The series is a lot of fun for those who want to read a fantasy story that is easy to follow with a strong female main character who has a disability. Also, dragons!

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My first nonfiction book this year was The Situation Room: The Inside Story of Presidents in Crisis by George Stephanopoulos.  This book was far outside my normal go-to genres.  However, every time I read something like this, I am reminded how much I love history.  This book is a good read for those that would like to learn the history of the Situation Room in the White House. It spans the history of 12 presidents making their toughest decisions.

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My first novella and first book with a fat female main character was Thunder Thighs by Evie Mitchell.  This a quick, spicy read featuring a chunky gal, Viking guy and lots of booming thunder.

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My first vampire read of the year was Bless Your Heart by Lindy Ryan. This is a mild horror read with Southern Charm.  I love that it features three generations of women running the family business, a funeral parlor, as they take care of trouble in their small town. 

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My first graphic novel this year was The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang.  This book was recommended to me by my 10 year old daughter who absolutely loved it.  She was right, it is fantastic.  It is categorized as young adult,  lgbtqia+,  historical fiction.  It is a beautiful story of discovering one’s identity, friendship, being yourself and being accepted by those who love you.  

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My first book club read of the year was Hold My Girl by Charlene Carr.  This story followed the experience of two mothers whose eggs were switched during IVF procedures. The story includes some themes such as being a present day mother, moral dilemmas, trauma and substance abuse and racism.  It was a tough and  important read that I still think about from time to time.

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My first modern classic read this year was Wicked by Gregory Maguire.  This story was written in 1995.  I am here to tell you it is nothing like the bubbly, bright and colorful Broadway production or film.  But it is a fun adventure in its own right.  Dark, gritty, harsh, shocking and bizarre are some ways to describe it. Definitely worth the read to see where our beloved Wicked stemmed from, but just brace yourself for the wild ride.

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My first new release read this year from an author I got to meet was Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix. You gals, this was so exciting for me!  I got to meet Grady Hendrix at Powell’s as he was promoting his new book.  Hendrix is one of my favorite authors because somehow his upbringing coupled with his neurotic research has given us some really thought provoking, humorous, horror stories featuring strong female main characters. Yes, he is a dude, but somehow he handles these stories with the care and devotion they deserve.  This story was particularly rough as it explored how teenage pregnancies were handled in the 1970s when families sent their young daughters away to have and give away their newborns babies. Also, witches!

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My first magical realism, science fiction read of the year was Sky Full of Elephants by Cebo Campbell.  It was described to me as: imagine if all of the white people in the world suddenly walked into the ocean and drowned. The author explored what it would mean for people to experience this scenario in regard to how they view themselves, their relationships and their own identities.

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My first read about a sentient marshmallow rabbit was Mating with Mallows by Nora Noodle. It’s only 21 pages long, people, you just have to figure it out for yourself.

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My first read that will not quit haunting me is Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado-Perez.  I can’t quit being angry about the information in this book.  Please read it so we can all be on the same page.

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My first prequel of the year was Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins.  If you were ever a Hunger Games fan, this book is for you.  It brought me right back to the world of Panem and those same emotions I felt reading the original series.  Collins gives us Haymitch’s story.  It is fantastic and it even made me cry!

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My first read about menopause was Estrogen Matters: Why Taking Hormones in Menopause Can Improve and Lengthen Women’s Lives – Without Raising the Risk of Breast Cancer by Avrum Bluming & Carol Tarvis. Another mindblowing, life altering read packed full of information for women that are entering their midlife season and the people that support them.

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My first read of a retelling of a classic was Hungerstone by Kat Dunn.  This book is based on the novella, Carmilla, which was the story that inspired Dracula. Feminist themes abound in this historical gothic horror setting.  It’s dark, blood and badass. 

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Erin is a wife and a mother of three children, a crochet fiber artist and an avid reader of unabashedly spicy romance. She just completed her 15th year as a special education teacher. She’s dabbled in writing fan fiction and would like to explore writing more. Follow Erin on instagram