Happy Thursday, friends! It’s time to share one of my favourite annual tags: The Mid-Year Check-In! I’ve been doing this tag since I started this blog six years ago, and it’s a great way to reflect on half the year that’s already passed. I still can’t believe that we’ve already crossed into the final half of 2025 when it feels like this year has just begun. But maybe the rest of this year can speed by even faster now cos it’s been a bit of a hot mess train wreck, and I think it’s safe to say that we’re all ready for a different vibe next year. But I digress… Let’s get to this tag and see what I’ve read in 2025!
Check out my previous check-ins: 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019
Note: I’ll do my best to not repeat too many books but I’ll tell you now, there are a couple that are repeated often. 🤭 I also wanted to stick to books that came out in 2025 but that would’ve been even more limiting as I don’t think I’ve read many new releases… So, this is what it is!
For a general bookish update, as of 30 June, I’ve read 75 books. This is more than what I expected to have read by now but also less compared to previous years. It’s been a year though, and I think this actually means I’m on track with my schedule, so I’m not mad about it. Sadly, I haven’t been keeping good track on Goodreads as usual, and don’t even get me started about how behind I am on writing reviews because, mini ones or not, I’m running way behind schedule. It’ll get done… One day! 🤭
Book covers are linked to my reviews if you’re curious to read my thoughts!
Best book you’ve read so far in 2025?
Oof, this is a tough one to answer because I haven’t read very many “best” books this year and I’ve got less than two handfuls of 5-star reads to choose from. That said… I’ll share my top 3 right now:
Best sequel so far of 2025?
It’s a toss-up between two sequels actually but I’m going with the trilogy finale for Emily Wilde. I loved Emily Wilde and the Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett! It was wonderful returning to the fae world and to reunite with so many beloved characters. This was my first 5-star of the year!
New release you haven’t read yet but want to?
There are quite a few that I could’ve made the cut but The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones is one that, for some reason, I really want to read. This is another story that’s way outside of my comfort zone but something about it is calling to me and I need to know why!
Most anticipated release for the second half of 2025?
I have no words for how excited I am about reading Katabasis by R.F. Kuang. Well, excited but also terrified because what If I don’t love it?! Ok, I won’t even entertain the notion right now… I’m really trying to manage my expectations, lol! 🤭
Biggest disappointment?
A Lesson in Vengeance by Victoria Lee. This was one of my anticipated picks from my stack of unread Owlcrate books, and it was going pretty well, until it tanked pretty hard. I was so disappointed by that ending… I can’t even! 🫣
Biggest surprise?
Sorry that this book is going to come up a lot… But… Not sorry either!
When I saw everyone reading and raving about Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman, I did not expect to feel even close to the same way. This LitRPG is so outside my usual but I love it so much. Biggest and best surprise ever!
Favourite new author (Debut or new to you)?
Oh, this is a tough one. I actually haven’t read many debuts this year and the ones I did weren’t so memorable to me, so I’m going to pick a new-to-me author. I think I’ll say Rachel Gillig because I read her Shepherd King duology and loved it, and I’m so excited for her latest release!
Newest fictional crush?
I don’t really do “fictional crushes” but if I did… Would it be really freaking weird if I said Carl from Dungeon Crawler Carl? 😂
Newest favourite character?
Another tough one to pick because… I’ve met so many amazing characters this year. Here are just a few I’ve loved so much:
- Carl & Donut — They better beat this freaking dungeon or I will rage. This party of two could not be anymore perfect. I love them so much!
- Misaki & Mamoru — A mother/son duo that smashed my heart to smithereens and I thank them for it. 😭
- Kizzy & Jenks — The best chaotic good found family bro/sis in the galaxy.
- Caz & Meep — The best magic-made sentient plants ever.
- Emile & Radu — The sweetest most UwU furry characters you will meet!
- The Thursday Murder Club — While they’re not technically “new”, the four main members (and Bogdan!) have grown on me immensely since the first book! I love them all to bits.
Book that made you cry?
I’m an emotional reader so it doesn’t take that much to make me cry but these four did. These are in order of had me ugly sobbing like you wouldn’t believe ⇢ there was an ugly sob but mostly silent tears! 🤭
Book that made you happy?
Oh, Blades of Furry made me so so freaking happy. Squeal and giggle in delight kind of happy! 😍 I loved how feel good this graphic novel is. 💜
Favourite book to movie/TV adaptation that you saw this year?
It’ll probably surprise no one that I’ve not yet watched a movie/TV adaptation this year but I do want to watch Murderbot and I’m planning to as soon as the last episode comes out so I can do a full-on binge! 😍
Favourite review you’ve written this year?
This year has been a mega-struggle for reviews and I’ve really only written a handful. Here are a few that I enjoyed writing:
- ARC Review: The Raven and the Dove by Kaitlyn Davis
- Book Review: The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang
- Book Review: The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
- ARC Review: A Language of Dragons by S. F. Williamson
Most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year (or received)?
I’ve been surprisingly good with buying pretty books this year and I’ve only got two special editions pre-ordered. One is the Illumicrate edition of Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab and the other is the Broken Binding edition of Katabasis by R.F. Kuang. I’m so excited to get my hands on them! 😍
What books do you need to read by the end of the year?
What books don’t I need to read by the end of the year? SO MANY! Here are five that I’m really hoping to read soon!
And that’s it for the end of the 2025 mid-year check-in! How has your year of reading been so far? Have you read any of these or are they on your TBR?
dinipandareads 
This tag is so much fun. I love reading people’s answers and seeing people’s favourite (or not) books. I love the fact that Dungeon Crawler Carl was such a happy surprise. It’s always great when you find a new favourite that you didn’t expect. Your Owlcrate editions look so pretty. Almost too nice to read 😃
LikeLiked by 1 person
The premise of THE BUFFALO HUNTER HUNTER looks so interesting, but after reading Tammy’s review I’m not so sure I’d be able to handle the horror aspect of it. It’d be way out of my comfort zone, too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooh… To be honest, I haven’t properly read any reviews for the book and have mostly skimmed the few reviews I’ve seen for it. They were all very positive about the book though! Now I’m wondering if I should read Tammy’s review beforehand or whether I should just go in without knowing the extent of it… 😂 I fear I might psych myself out of reading it otherwise, haha. I’m gonna have to consider this for a bit!
LikeLike
So happy you enjoyed The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet!! Have you read A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers? It’s such a wholesome, almost philosophical sci-fi story about a human learning about life from a robot haha. Definitely think you’ll enjoy it if you liked Chambers’ writing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Psalm for the Wild-Built was actually the first Chambers book I read and I loved it so much! Didn’t think the cosy philosophical sci-fi vibes would work for me but it was incredible. I haven’t read the rest of the series yet though 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have seen the Sword of Kaigen everywhere. I definitely need to pick this one up soon!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s incredible although I will say that the story does make you work for it. If you have patience you will be rewarded, haha. 😂 I hope you enjoy it if you do pick it up!
LikeLiked by 1 person
75 books so far is incredible, well done 🥰 I can’t believe that’s less than normal for you. You’ve mentioned so many books that I want to read here – most notably Rachel Gillig’s, Sword Of Kaigan and Becky Chambers series.
I can’t comment on if Carl is an odd crush choice having not read the books but the accompanying cover did make me laugh 😅
Yay for Emily Wilde, I loved that finale too. And it’s nice to see Caz & Meep getting a shouout given both of our mixed experiences with the book.
I haven’t really seen many adaptations this year either. I want to see Murderbot but I don’t have the streaming service it’s on and want to read the books first. I’m hoping by the time something else picks it up I’ll have done so 😂 I hope you love it 🥰
Both of those special edition books are stunning 😍 I love that you get a slipcase with the Boned one 😍😍
The Tainted Cup is one I need to read by the end of the year too. I told myself I would before the sequel came out but failed 🙈 if you want to do a buddy read of it sometime let me know.
I hope you have a wonderful second half of the year 🥰
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Charlotte! I’m pretty happy with 75 especially considering how little I’ve been reading this year compared to previous ones. Slow and steady and all that 🙂 Caz & Meep were definitely the most memorable characters from that book for me. Let’s hope that our experience with the second book in this series is much more positive!
There are honestly so many adaptations that people have been telling me to watch and I tell them it’s “on the list” but that list has not shrunk in many years. I’m always so cautious when it comes to watching adaptations because I’ve been disappointed before… 🤭
ALSO, YES! I’d absolutely love to do a buddy read for Tainted Cup! 😍 That’s one I’ve been thinking about reading sometime in the near-ish future if you’re up for it! Maybe we can do read it in between waiting for your horror books to come in at the library? I’ll message you about it to see when works for you. 😃
LikeLiked by 1 person
It doesn’t sound slow to me but then you know how much you usually read. I’ve gotten to less than I’d like but I’m hoping I’ll balance things better over the rest of the year 🤞 here’s hoping. There’s potential for lots more characters like them with the greenhouses at least so that’s promising
I get that, it’s so frustrating when they let you down. Although I’ve mostly watched the adaptation first for a lot of things 🙈 I’m trying not to do that anymore which is probably part of why I’m so far behind 😂
I told myself I’d get to it soonish too so sounds good. I have nine library books out atm ao u do want to make a dent in that pile first but I do really want to get to The Tainted Cup very soon. So maybe in a week and a half to a fortnight although we fan figure out specifics on Instagram as you said.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think I’ve just about got my husband hooked on the idea of reading Dungeon Crawler Carl. I’ve seen it every where, I shared a review with him that I saw and he said it sounds like a fun read. It may just be a gift for him by the end of the year.
Pam
LikeLiked by 1 person
YES! It’s amazing! I don’t know if your husband is into audiobooks but I would highly recommend checking out the audio for DCC as well because it just makes the reading experience even better. I hope he loves it if he ever does check it out! 😃
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] The 2025 Mid-Year Check-In Tag […]
LikeLike
Ooh this Tag is so much fun 😀 I was just going to write a simple favourites so far post, but after seeing this I might need to up my game haha. Loved reading this 🙂 xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
75 books is amazing, Dini! I really can’t wait for you to read Buffalo Hunter Hunter, you’re the reason I picked it up and I loved it so much, even if it wasn’t at all what I was expecting. I’m also starting Katabasis soon and I’m so excited! Kuang just hits every time and I have really high hopes for it. I’m also a bit of a weeper when it comes to books and definitely shed a tear during our buddy read of Sword of Kaigen lol. I hope you have a great end to the year 🙂
LikeLike
Nice. I’ve done a few mid-year lists, always fun.
LikeLike
I love reading everyone’s answers to these questions. Even if I read the reviews when they were posted, it gives a different spin to various books. I am interested in A Long Way to a Small Angry Planet. I did enjoy the two Monk and Robot books she wrote. Thanks for bringing it to my attention, Dini.
LikeLike
Glad to see two of my absolute favorites with your three best reads.
I still need to read A Lesson in Vengeance. I’m just kind of scared for your experience #hides
The Tainted Cup is great!
LikeLike
I’m so glad to see that you loved Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales! I still haven’t read it, because I don’t want the series to end 😢
Let me know what you think of the Murderbot adaptation! I’m still not sure if I should give it a chance 🤔
LikeLike