Happy Tuesday, y’all! This week, Jana, over at That Artsy Reader Girl, is asking us to share our bookish wishes. These wishes can include books we would like to own or at least read, as well as other bookish items we would like to have. Instead, I’m looking back at books I read in 2025 and sharing ten books I wish more people would read.
The books on this list are a mix of new releases and ones that may have been forgotten. But one thing is sure: they all deserve more attention. You’ll also find a mix of genres on this list because I love reading from various genres. One thing is certain: you’ll see only one book per author. And if the book is part of a series, I’ll only pick the first book. All titles will take you to the book’s Goodreads page.
Now, let’s see what books I wish more people would read!
The Fort by Christy K. Lee
- Genre: Historical Fiction
- Release Date: July 2025
- Number of Ratings: 88
- Why Read It: It’s a work of historical fiction set in early-1800s Canada. The Fort is well-researched and well-written. Abigail is a woman who does what she needs to do to help her small family survive in a hostile environment.
A Big Mess in Texas by David Fleming
- Genre: Nonfiction, Sports, History
- Release Date: October 2025
- Number of Ratings: 97
- Why Read It: While A Big Mess in Texas tells the story of a disastrous foray into the NFL, it’s more than that. It’s also a glimpse into life in Dallas, TX, in the early 1950s.
The Day I Left You by Caroline Bishop
- Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, Mystery
- Release Date: February 2025
- Number of Ratings: 338
- Why Read It: The Day I Left You is a story of love, loss, and holding onto memories and dreams. You don’t have to be a fan of historical fiction to appreciate Henry and Greta’s story. Nor do you have to be a fan of romance. There is enough drama to hold everyone’s attention until the very end.
Honey and Heat by Aurora Palit
- Genre: Romance, Contemporary
- Release Date: September 2025
- Number of Ratings: 398
- Why Read It: Honey and Heat showcases a woman who knows her worth and is willing to fight for it. It also showcases a man who loves love and will do anything to support those he cares about.
The Ex-Boyfriend’s Favorite Recipe Funeral Committee by Saki Kawashiro
- Genre: Contemporary
- Release Date: December 2023 (in Japanese), October 2025 (in English)
- Number of Ratings: 967
- Why Read It: This book is based on the author’s actual experiences. Each chapter focuses on a different character seeking closure or healing in a particular relationship. Not all of the relationships are romance-based. In the end, each chapter discusses the focal character and unties their emotional knots.
A Most Puzzling Murder by Bianca Marais
- Genre: Mystery, Fantasy
- Release Date: June 2025
- Number of Ratings: 1521
- Why Read It: A Most Puzzling Murder is like no other book I’ve read. Why do I say that? How many books have you read that include brainteasers, puzzles, and choose-your-own-adventure elements? Many books may have one or two, but all three? That’s something that doesn’t happen a lot. And all of the elements work well together.
Kitty St. Clair’s Last Dance by Kate Robb
- Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Historical Fiction, Time Travel
- Release Date: September 2025
- Number of Ratings: 1973
- Why Read It: Kitty St. Clair’s Last Dance is an excellent look at doing what’s right for oneself versus what’s right for everyone else. If you could become a doctor and help your community, would you? What if factors outside of your control prevent you from achieving that goal? You suddenly find a way to pursue those dreams, but it can harm those around you. Would you still do it? Even if it means missing out on true love?
The Living and the Dead by Christoffer Carlsson
- Genre: Mystery, Historical Fiction
- Release Date: April 2023 (in Swedish), December 2025 (in English)
- Number of Ratings: 2000
- Why Read It: The Living and the Dead starts in 1999 and ends in 2022. There are twists and turns throughout the story. I had my suspicions about who was behind all of the events, but I was very wrong.
Two Tribes by Emily Bowen Cohen
- Genre: Graphic Novel, Middle Grade
- Release Date: August 2023
- Number of Ratings: 2499
- Why Read It: Two Tribes is based on Cohen’s life experiences as someone from two different cultures who felt she didn’t belong in either.
One Death at a Time by Abbi Waxman
- Genre: Mystery
- Release Date: April 2025
- Number of Ratings: 3312
- Why Read It: One Death at a Time is unlike any other Abbi Waxman book, but that doesn’t mean anything. If possible, it’s just as good, if not better than The Bookish Life of Nina Hill.
And that’s ten books I read in 2025 that I wish more people would read. Have you heard of any of these books? What are some books you’ve read that you wish more people would read? Let’s hype these books.
Are you looking for some more books to read? Check out my other bookish lists, book reviews, and monthly reading wrap-ups.
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I’ve never heard of any of these. I’m begining to think I live under a rock 😄.
There’s so many great books out there and so little time!
First off, cool topic! I love how you have a variety of genres represented. I added the Christopher Carlsson series to my TBR list. I’ve not read a Swedish author before.
The Living and the Dead was so twisty and turny (are those even words??) that I struggled to put the book down.
I have a couple on my WTR. Thanks for sharing your #TTT
Great job with the topic because I haven’t heard of any of these!!
This is such a good idea for a post!
Honey and Heat is the only one that is familiar to me. But a few others look like I’d enjoy them as well. Thanks for sharing your list!
https://lisalovesliterature.bookblog.io/2026/06/16/top-ten-tuesday-bookish-wishes-3/
The Fort sounds fantastic!
It was an amazing read. I hope you enjoy it if you decide to give it a read.
These look good. Let’s hope more people read them!
Have a great week!
Great list! I’m new to these books, but Kitty St. Clair’s Last Dance and One Death at a Time sound like I’d love them! 🙂
Kitty St. Clair’s Last Dance hits the right level of serious yet cozy. And One Death at a Time has such great banter between the characters.
Great topic. I haven’t read any of these. One Death at a Time looks like a book I’d like.
I love Waxman’s other books, so I was excited to read her first mystery. It didn’t disappoint! She has a way with writing characters that are so realistic and believable. And the banter between Julia and Mason is such a joy. I’m currently reading the second book in the series and having loads of fun with it too.
i’ll have to check out some of these – thanks for the recs 🙂
You’re welcome! I hope you enjoy whatever you pick to read.
I haven’t heard of any of these but they all sound great! I’ll look into getting my hands on some of them.
Haze
https://thebookhaze.com/
I hope you enjoy which ever ones you pick up.
Great list! I haven’t heard of most of these, and about half of them sound like ones I would like. THE FORT stands out the most to me. I’m adding that one to my TBR list right now. Thanks for the rec.
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
You’re welcome Susan. I think it’s a fantastic historical fiction that’s not set in the “normal” times and places.
So many of these sound amazing, Pam. I don’t recall many of them. Will need to add a few to my wish list. Thanks for sharing and for visiting my blog.
Such a good idea for a topic….I’m afraid I haven’t read any of them though!
I’ll have to look into Two Tribes!
I hope you enjoy it when you get the chance.
The Fort sounds really interesting!
It was well researched, and well written. I love when an author takes their time to get details right when writing a historical fiction.
Great list! I haven’t heard of any of these books, but now I will definitely check some of them out!
I haven’t read any of these, so thinks for a new list of possibilities!
Honey and Heat looks like a good one. Thanks for sharing!
I like your spin on the topic. Very creative. 🙂
Intriguing! The Ex-Boyfriend’s Favorite Recipe Funeral Committee sounds like fun.
Oh man, I haven’t heard of any of these! Some sound really good though! 🙂