Our contributors have teamed up to tell one another about their favorite books of the year over the next couple of weeks! In this episode, Mariquita and Jordy reflect on their favorite books of 2025, celebrating stories that lingered long after the final page. From fierce heroines and sharp social commentary to swoony romance and dark intrigue, they unpack the reads that made them feel, think, and stay up way too late turning pages.

Book and resources mentioned:

Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson

Silver Elite by Dani Francis

Tourist Season by Brynne Weaver

This Princess Kills Monsters by Ry Herman

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

The Phoenix King by Aparna Verma

The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith

A Day of Fallen Night by Samantha Shannon

Minor Detail by Adania Shibli

Play Nice by Rachel Harrison

How to Commit a Postcolonial Murder by Nina Swamidoss McConigley

The Possession of Alba Diaz by Isabel Cañas

Bad Cree by Jessica Johns

All We Want is Everything by Soraya Chemaly

Unbearable: The Perils of Pregnancy in America by Irin Carmon

Podcasts referenced:

Unbearable: A Discussion with Irin Carmon on Pregnancy in America

Bread and Roses (The Rose Bargain)

Thrills & Chills (Tourist Season)

Damsel? Never heard of her (This Princess Kills Monsters)

Support and follow our hosts!

Follow Mariquita: Instagram // Threads // Storygraph // Bluesky

Follow Jordy: Instagram // Bookworm Reads // Pagebound.co

Check out our online community here!

This episode was edited and produced by Renee Powers on the ancestral land of the Dakota people.

Original music by Amarissa

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