As of June 30, 2025 I have read 186 books. Here are my top ten mid-year favorites in no particular order. It’s always interesting to see which mid-year favorites will make my full favorites list in January 2026. 

How To Read A Book by Monica Wood

“Violet Powell, a twenty-two-year-old from rural Abbott Falls, Maine, is being released from prison after serving twenty-two months for a drunk-driving crash that killed a local kindergarten teacher. Harriet Larson, a retired English teacher who runs the prison book club, is facing the unsettling prospect of an empty nest. Frank Daigle, a retired machinist, hasn’t yet come to grips with the complications of his marriage to the woman Violet killed.

When the three encounter each other one morning in a bookstore in Portland, their lives begin to intersect in transformative ways.”

“How to Read a Book is an unsparingly honest and profoundly hopeful story about letting go of guilt, seizing second chances, and the power of books to change our lives.”

I couldn’t put this quiet book down and when I had to, I thought about it constantly. Despite having finished it a few weeks ago, it’s still in my mind. The power of grace and second chances is a beautiful thing.

Under the Cocoon Moon by Kathleen Bailey

I LOVE this series. And I threw readerly caution to wind and read this one after I read book four (When the Carnival Came). Book three is set around Christmas time so I added it to my December TBR. I’m so thankful I got a chance to listen to this as well – these are excellent on audio! This is the perfect series for grown-up Nancy Drew fans.While set around Christmas time, it’s not overwhelmingly Christmas-ish, so feel free to read at any time of the year.

“Olivia Penn is looking forward to spending time with her friends and family over the holidays in her cozy hometown of Apple Station, Virginia. The Christmas season’s spirit has sparked a new romance, and everything seems merry and bright—until she is mistaken for a dead woman.”

This is such a charming series – wonderful cozy details balanced perfectly with solid mysteries. Olivia is brave and cares deeply about those around her as well as the pursuit for justice. She’s surrounded by a wonderful cast of characters, her dad being one of my very favorites. There’s always a touch of humor and romance mixed in as well. You really can’t go wrong with this series. Perfect escape! Five Stars!

The Vanderbeekers Ever After by Karina Yan Glaser

I love this series with my whole heart. I had preordered it as soon as I knew about it, but then when it came I couldn’t read it because the idea of no more Vanderbeekers…I just couldn’t. BUT, I decided to read this on our recent trip to NYC and it was simply lovely. This series will always have a home on my forever bookshelf. So many heart eyes.

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

Whoa. This book is brutal and beautiful and depressing and so good. I listened to this and couldn’t put it down, even though parts are horrifying. I had to read a bunch of romance books after this book to clear my mind!

Detective Aunty by Uzma Jalaluddin

I’m a big fan of Uzma’s writing and I was so excited to get my hands on this latest. When her grown daughter is suspected of murder, Kausar Khan heads to Toronto for the first time in nearly twenty years, determined to help her daughter in any way she can. Despite several warnings (some of which are very threatening), Kausar does not stop her own investigation.

I loved this so much! Kausar is quietly tough as nails, determined and fighting through her own emotions to help her daughter. I was entertained from the very first part of the story until the page-turning end. The characters are wonderful and the mystery solid. But it’s more than just a mystery – the story also explores bigger themes of mother daughter relationships, societal expectations, and cultural norms. Five glowing stars. I can’t wait to read more.

One Final Turn by Ashley Weaver

“The fifth and final installment in the Electra McDonnell series brings safecracker Ellie on a mission across World War II-era Europe to Lisbon, Portugal to rescue a key group of escaped POWs.”

I have absolutely adored this historical mystery series and while I am sad this is the last one, it was so perfectly well done that it made it a bit easier to say goodbye. I binge listened to this in a day and a half, using every possible excuse to have it in my ears. They are brilliant on audio (I’ve taken all five in that way).

I gasped and sighed and smiled throughout and the ending was chef’s kiss. If you’re a mystery lover and want a strong, funny, independent former lock-pick sleuth in your reading life, go now and read. You won’t regret it. Five wonderful stars.

The Love Haters by Katherine Center

Well, I loved this with all my heart and soul (iykyk). It was absolutely delightful and meaningful and funny and endearing and deserves as many heart eyes as I can possibly give it.

Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping (On a Dead Man) by Jesse Q. Sutanto

I listened to the audiobook and I loved loved loved having all those characters, but especially Vera in my ears. I so enjoyed book one, and this one was even better. She’s still Vera, but more reflective and I want to hug her and shake her at the same time. I listened in one day. This is a page-turning mystery that includes found-family and so much love and care. I adored it.

The Booklover’s Library by Madeline Martin

“A heartwarming story about a mother and daughter in wartime England and the power of the books that bring them together.”

Once I started reading this wonderful story, I could not put it down and ignored all my chores just to sit in my chair and read. And I hugged the book when I finished. Wonderful characters, a gripping plot and well-researched details brought this story to life. A beautiful story that reminds us all that books and stories have great power. So well done.

Belladonna by Adalyn Grace

Holy cow. This was so good. And creepy. So creepy! It would be a great spooky season read. This is young adult gothic mystery/fantasy/romance, with so much mystery that I listened every single chance I could get. There are more in the series and I will be listening in the fall.