For the final Novis Newsletter dispatch of 2025, I’ve rounded up everything I read this year. I’m yet to become a Goodreads convert (I also love an analogue system), so for as long as I can remember, I’d just jot down the titles of every book I finished on the back of my diary for the year. Because I’m a sucker for tables and graphs and get way too much joy out of looking through my Spotify Wrapped1, this year I did things a little differently and created a dedicated spreadsheet to log the books I finished. You can scroll through the full list yourself here, or check out the highlights below.
My (Reading) Year in Numbers
I read 51 books this year, totalling up to 16,512 pages. If I’m being completely honest I’ll probably squeeze one more in before the 31st because I like the idea of reading one book for every week of the year. Of those 51 titles, 63% were written by women and 37% were written by men. I love reading for escape, so it makes sense that 84% of the books I read this year were works of fiction, with 37 novels, 3 novellas and 3 short story collections. Of the 8 nonfiction titles, 5 were memoirs. The longest book I read this year was The Fragile Threads of Power with 652 pages, and the shortest one was Animal Farm with 95 pages. The oldest title was White Nights, which came out in 1848, and the newest ones were Half His Age and Lost Lambs, which are both coming out in the first quarter of 2026. I’m apparently a fan of current works, as 65% of the books I read this year came out in the 21st century, with the 20th century lagging behind at 31% and the 19th century barely entering the chat with 4%. My most read authors were Emily Henry and V.E. Schwab, with 5 books each, with Elena Ferrante right behind with 4 books (the Neapolitan Novels, which kicked off my 2025 reading).
What I Think You Should Read in 2026
If you’re searching for eloquent book reviews, you’ll probably be disappointed, but if you’re looking to have the experience of being my friend (that I’ve known since childhood or just met in line for the bar) and having me rattle off recommendations based on your aura, outfit, birth chart or most recent breakup, you’ll be delighted!
To Laugh
Happy Hour by Marlowe Granados
I re-read this every year, it’s the Hot Girl bible.
Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash
The Virgin Suicides, but funnier, scratch the suicides and add conspiracy theories and backyard bombs, I was cackling in public. Will be out in February 2026.
To Read in One Sitting
Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger
Precocious teen representation, my favourite work by Salinger and a skinny read for long(ish) train rides or the liminal space between Christmas and New Year’s.
Bonjour Tristesse by Françoise Sagan
If you want to feel bad about your writing, remember an eighteen-year-old wrote this.
Half His Age by Jenette McCurdy
I’ve been a fan of Jenette’s writing since her memoir, I’m Glad My Mom Died, hit the shelves, so I was super excited to get an early copy of her first novel. Whilst it’s not a slim read like the rest of the titles in this category, I couldn’t put it down. Will be out January 20th, 2026.
To Escape
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
This book is old news, but the news hadn’t gotten to me. I love a mystery and ate this up over a Sunday I spent in bed nursing a hangover. Do not start if you have an early morning lined up. I didn’t go to sleep until I finished it.
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
It’s a best seller for a reason. I volunteered at a retirement home throughout High School, and unfortunately (or fortunately?), there was no murder mystery afoot. I haven’t gotten around to watching the Netflix adaptation, but I’m sure it won’t disappoint (I’ve got an age-inappropriate crush on Pierce Brosnan).
All The President’s Men by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein
I was reading this on a trip with my mom and told her I thought Bob Woodward was very hot. She informed me that the picture on the cover was from the film adaptation and that I was in fact thirsting over a young Robert Redford. We all make mistakes. I also love the fact that Carl Bernstein and Nora Ephron had the same hair for a good chunk of their marriage.
couple goals (if you ignore getting cheated on whilst seven months preganant)
To Learn
On Writing by Stephen King
Part-memoir part-writing 101, if nothing else this will light a fire under your ass and make you pick up a pen.
Talking to My Daughter by Yanis Varoufakis
Capitalism for Dummies, I love being spoon-fed economic concepts. If you’re trying to become more financially literate in 2026, start here.
To Bring Up in Therapy
The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
I say I don’t want to date someone in the industry (creatives can be a lot, there’s only room for so much diva energy in a relationship) and that I don’t want to be codependent but then I’m reminded of the Didion-Dunne relationship and I take it all back. Perfect for those who relish in masochism (and whilst you’re at it, pick up Just Kids by Patti Smith if you haven’t already)
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
I started antidepressants right after I finished reading this (for unrelated reasons), but you can probably guess that I had quite the reading experience, trully got the maximum Plath effect, did not feel the urge to read her unabridged journals after my mental state improved.
Stoner by John Edward Williams
My friend told me this was his favourite book, and I always find that reading people’s favourite books gives you unprecedented access to their psyche (I also had a slight crush on him at the time). After finishing it I was slightly concerned for his wellbeing. There’s nothing as depressing or scary (for someone in their early twenties at least) as unfufilled potential.
To Feel Like a Kid Again
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
If the Hunger Games series has 1000 fans, I’m one of them. If it has one fan, it’s me. If it has no fans, I’m dead. I unironically defend Catching Fire as one of the best films of the 21st century and the entire book series as modern classics that should be taught in schools. I felt like a middle schooler again staying up until 4AM to finish this.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
I got a gorgeous edition as a gift from my brother with illustrations by Chris Riddell. This was such a fun read and a guaranteed way to get out of a reading slump. I’m slowly making my way through the entire series, using it as the ideal palette cleanser in between heavier reads.
Honourable Substack Mentions
I’m nothing if not consistent
This year, I also gifted myself a Feed Me paid subscription (à la Carrie Bradshaw buying Vogue instead of dinner because it fed me more) and read every single dispatch that landed in my inbox (because I’m all about getting my money’s worth).
I also read every single one of Arden Yum’s Ad Hoc Cheat Sheets.
Writers on Writers
For book recommendations, I loved Caroline Beuley’s The Best Books on Writing and Ismene Ormonde’s books where women have FUN.
Reads with a lasting effect
Anything from danielle (𝓇𝒶𝓌 & 𝒻𝑒𝓇𝒶𝓁) reminded me to not take life too seriously and to have a lot of fun along the way.
Angelina Hazzouri’s We Should All Talk to Strangers is a piece that I revisit on a monthly basis and reminds me of the best parts of being human. Ice Cream Innocence has inspired me to go out for ice cream every week (if you’re looking for me at any given moment, there’s always a 30% chance I’m demolishing a coupe of Salted Blueberry Ricotta and whatever seasonal flavour tickled my fancy at The Dreamery).
Alison Hutchison’s Great Offline Dating Experiment had me deleting all the apps. I have not found the love of my life, but I have gotten some good stories and friends out of the process, so I’m counting it as a win.
On getting clarity and life advice from Substack articles, I loved Danya Issawi’s How To Turn 30: Advice From (My) Greats and Catherine Shannon’s How to Make the Most of Your 20s.
I am Narcissus, and Substack is my Pond
I’m an insomniac and sometimes re-read my own pieces late at night. Some of my biased favourites this year were I Miss Being the Youngest Person In The Room and What’s the most unhinged thing you’ve done for a crush? — I’ll go first...
If you made it to the end, I’m wishing you a wonderful end of the year, and I’ll be back in your inbox in 2026!
And if this is also you, I recommend reading Madison Huizinga’s Tracking Ourselves to Death
Bonjour Tristesse 🤌🏻 she’s perfect
thanks for the shout :,) + i love some sexy stats