Tall collage of dozens of book covers arranged in a grid, showing a 2025 StoryGraph reading wrap-up. The books span fiction, classics, memoir, and nonfiction
2025 #BookSky recap! I finished 84 books.
My goal was to finish 600 hours, but I blew it away with well over 800! Go me!
This year I participated in #BannedBookSkyClub & learned so much.
Mini reviews of the books listed below at #HaecReads2025
#Books
cont. (1/22) 🧵⬇️
4. Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield (2022)
5. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (1843)
6. A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. LeGuin (1968)
7. Consequences of Capitalism by Noam Chomsky & Marv Waterstone (2021)
(mini reviews found here: #HaecReads2025)
#BookSky #Books
(2/5)
A black book cover with a simple grey illustration of a flying saucer in the center. Above the saucer, white text reads “Preparing for the New Realities of Extraterrestrial Existence.” Below the saucer, large bold white text reads “Making Contact,” with a small star symbol between the words. At the bottom, smaller text reads “Alan Steinfeld.”
Bright yellow book cover with a pair of illustrated eyes at the top. Large white text reads “Yellowface.” Smaller text below lists the author’s name. A small circular badge on the right says “Reese’s Book Club.” A quote at the top says “Razor sharp.”
The cover of the novel “Our Wives Under the Sea” by Julia Armfield. The background is a gradient of coral pink tones with dark, sculpted ocean waves at the bottom. The title and author’s name are written in bold, hand-drawn black lettering. A quote at the top reads, “Deeply romantic and fabulously strange.” — Sarah Waters.
The book cover for “Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body” features the title in large black letters across a white background. A metallic fork is shown in close-up, slightly bent upward so that its shadow stretches across the page. The author’s name appears below the title in black serif type.
December BookSky recap! I finished 9 books.
1. Yellowface by R.F. Kuang (2023)
2. Making Contact by Alan Steinfeld (2021)
3. Hunger by Roxane Gay (2017)
cont. (1/5) ⬇️
#Haecreads2025 #BookSky #Books #BannedBookSkyClub
Cover of the novel If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio. Two crossed rapiers are centered over a cream background, with red splatter marks on the right side. The title appears in large gold serif lettering, and the author’s name is below. Subtext reads “International Bestseller” and “Read by Robert Petkoff.”
Portrait of author M.L. Rio. A woman with long, wavy brown hair stands outdoors against an industrial metal background. She wears a dark leather jacket over a black top and looks directly at the camera with a calm, serious expression under soft, moody lighting.
If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio (2017)
Scratched the Dark Academia itch. The ending was a bit predictable, but I suspect there were layers I couldn’t appreciate bc I only have like a 2nd yr English level of Shakespeare from 25 yrs ago. A fun, moody read.
#HaecReads2025 #BookSky #Books
2025 Reading Goals You have read 83 books this year. HOURS 802.55/600 hours 134% Goal exceeded by 202.55 hours.
So I haven’t added the ⌛️ from unfinished 📚 yet but I blew my 🎯 away this year w 802h & 84 📚!*
*1 isn’t reflected bc it’s part of an unfinished anthology
I learned so much this year. I also decided to 🛑 hiding the woo 👏🏻
Sometime in the next week I’ll post a #HaecReads2025 recap.
#BookSky #Books
Book cover with a white background titled “Habits of a Peace Maker” in large gold lettering. Above the title is the subtitle, “10 Habits to Change Our Potentially Toxic Conversations into Healthy Dialogues.” Below the title is an arch made of stacked smooth stones in shades of gray, beige, and black. Beneath the stones, red text reads, “Building Bridges, Healing Relationships.” The author’s name, Steven T. Collis, appears at the bottom in red capital letters.
Portrait of author Steven T. Collis. Professional head-and-shoulders portrait of a smiling man wearing a light blue button-down shirt and a gray blazer. He has short brown hair and is standing in a softly blurred indoor hallway or office setting with warm, neutral tones in the background.
Habits of a Peacemaker by Steven T. Collis (2024)
Impulse bought on sale. Has some good info (“the decided are always gentle” etc.) but I found it murky & uncomfortable especially in context of today’s climate. Also ableist & dehumanizing in places. Slyly religious.
#HaecReads2025 #BookSky #Books
Book cover for Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May. The background is a warm orange gradient with small white speckles resembling snow. A pale, stylized leaf is centered vertically. The title and subtitle are printed in black text, with the author’s name at the bottom.
Cover art for DEFUND: BLACK LIVES, POLICING, AND SAFETY FOR ALL by Sandy Hudson. The cover is an orange to yellow gradient with bold black, yellow & white block lettering.
For the last 2 years we’ve done our own spin on 🇮🇸 Christmas Eve tradition, Jólabókaflóð
Traditionally it’s an evening of reading w a mug of hot chocolate, tho we just had some little chocolates. We intended to do mulled wine but life got in the way.
This year I worked on these 2:
#HaecReads2025
Black-and-white book cover showing a nighttime protest scene with silhouetted figures raising fists in the foreground and police lined up in the distance. Large white text reads “Consequences of Capitalism,” with smaller text above reading “Noam Chomsky and Marv Waterstone,” and red subtitle text reading “Manufacturing Discontent and Resistance.” At the bottom, small text notes it is unabridged and read by Donald Corren.
Portrait of author Marv Waterstone. Close-up portrait of an elderly man with white hair and a white mustache, wearing a dark shirt. He faces the camera directly with a solemn expression, set against a dark, softly lit background.
Consequences of Capitalism by Noam Chomsky & Marv Waterstone (2021)
Should be mandatory reading… but from a library or 🏴☠️. Started before I knew of Chomsky’s connections w Epstein & Bannon (who he criticizes here). As always, critical thinking cap firmly in place
#HaecReads2025 #BookSky #Books
Book cover for A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin. It shows a dark, stormy sky with a glowing white shape breaking open in the center, like a magical burst of light. A small figure—seen from behind—stands on a hill with arms raised toward the glowing opening. The title is written in stylized, rune-like lettering, and the top banner reads “Recorded Books.”
Portrait of author Ursula L. LeGuin. Black-and-white portrait of a young woman with short dark hair and a straight fringe, looking off to her right. She wears a light-colored collared shirt and has a calm, thoughtful expression. The background is plain and softly textured.
A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. LeGuin (1968)
I’m sorry guys, high fantasy just isn’t my genre. I loved The Left Hand of Darkness but I struggled to connect with this. Possibly a narrative distance thing.
#HaecReads2025 #BookSky #Books #BannedBookSkyClub
A decorative red book-style cover featuring ornate gold holly and scrollwork. In large white vintage lettering it reads: “A Christmas Carol.” Above it, in smaller white text: “Charles Dickens.” At the bottom, it says: “Performed by Hugh Grant.” A small gold illustration of a bird with wings spread appears near the center among swirling gold designs.
Portrait of author Charles Dickens. Black-and-white studio portrait of an older man with a receding hairline, deep-set eyes, and a long pointed beard. He wears a formal Victorian-era suit and looks slightly off-camera against a plain light background.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (1843)
My first Dickens! What a treat. Was already familiar w the story ofc (theatre, movie) but what really tickled me was the writing itself. So charming & articulate. His whole catalogue awaits & I ♥️ that for me
#HaecReads2025 #BookSky #Books #CancelAudible
The cover of the novel “Our Wives Under the Sea” by Julia Armfield. The background is a gradient of coral pink tones with dark, sculpted ocean waves at the bottom. The title and author’s name are written in bold, hand-drawn black lettering. A quote at the top reads, “Deeply romantic and fabulously strange.” — Sarah Waters.
Portrait of author Julia Armfield. A black-and-white photo of a woman sitting on a tree stump in a forest. She has shoulder-length wavy hair and is smiling to the side. She’s wearing a sleeveless black top and overalls, holding a pair of sunglasses in one hand. Tall thin trees surround her and the ground is covered with grass.
Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield (2022)
Written w such rawness & so evocative. The prose really scratched an itch but I’m left w so many questions… not in a bad way, but not in an entirely good way either. & yet, I loved it. The Waters review nails the vibe.
#HaecReads2025 #BookSky #Books
The book cover for “Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body” features the title in large black letters across a white background. A metallic fork is shown in close-up, slightly bent upward so that its shadow stretches across the page. The author’s name appears below the title in black serif type.
Portrait of author Roxane Gay. A woman with short, dark hair accented by gray at the top sits facing the camera in a softly lit room. They are wearing a light blue jacket over a darker shirt and have a calm, composed expression. Behind them are bookshelves filled with rows of red and pink books arranged in a decorative pattern.
Hunger by Roxane Gay (2017)
I felt SO MUCH. I know this struggle well—striking the balance point between disordered eating, unconditional self acceptance & the desire to feel comfortable & move freely
I still feed myself society’s propaganda about my body (but less)
#HaecReads2025 #BookSky #Books
Portrait of editor Alan Steinfeld. A middle-aged man with shoulder-length gray hair is shown from the chest up, wearing a navy blazer over a blue-and-white striped button-down shirt. He has fair skin, light eyes, and a slight smile. The background is a plain dark gray studio backdrop.
Making Contact by Alan Steinfeld (2021)
I usually avoid books like this bc the field is so contaminated w bad info but the format made it worth the attempt. Predictably a mixed bag—my favourites were the “wow!” theory & expectations/exploration of communication
#HaecReads2025 #BookSky #Books
Bright yellow book cover with a pair of illustrated eyes at the top. Large white text reads “Yellowface.” Smaller text below lists the author’s name. A small circular badge on the right says “Reese’s Book Club.” A quote at the top says “Razor sharp.”
A portrait of author R.F. Kuang. Portrait of a young woman with straight black hair and bangs, wearing a simple black sweater and a round pendant necklace, posed against a plain light blue background. She looks directly toward the camera with a calm expression.
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang (2023)
Absolute car crash of a main character & I couldn’t look away. I was GRIPPED, the horror as every affront added a new layer of depth to her twisted ideology & delusion. The ending fell flat but overall a high ranked read of 2025.
#HaecReads2025 #BookSky #Books
5. The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon (2001) - rr
6. Parable of the Talents by Octavia Butler (1998)
7. Decolonizing Trauma Work by Renee Linklater (2014)
(mini reviews found here: #HaecReads2025)
#BookSky #Books
(2/4)
A book cover titled “Decolonizing Trauma Work: Indigenous Stories and Strategies” by Renee Linklater, with a foreword by Lewis Mehl-Madrona. The background is textured beige. At the center is a circular illustration of a stylized blue bird with outstretched wings. The bird’s body and wings resemble strands of DNA, and small blue dots surround it within the circle. The overall design has a hand-painted, watercolor look.
A black-and-white book cover for Parable of the Talents by Octavia E. Butler. The left side shows a close-up of a person with dark skin looking directly at the viewer, a tear running down their cheek. A subtle geometric pattern is cast across their face. On the right side, white text reads: “Winner of the Nebula Award for Best Novel — Parable of the Talents — Octavia E. Butler, New York Times Bestselling Author.” Below, it lists narrators Patricia R. Floyd, Sisi Aisha Johnson, and Peter Jay Fernandez. The Recorded Books “rb media” logo appears in the lower right corner.
Book cover with a soft, faded photograph of a young woman in the background. Overlaid text reads: “NOBODY’S GIRL — A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice — Virginia Roberts Giuffre.” The design uses pale, blurred tones that create a somber, reflective mood.
Book cover of They Called Me Number One: Secrets and Survival at an Indian Residential School by Bev Sellars. The cover shows two young girls; one whispers into the other’s ear. The title and author’s name appear in large text.
November BookSky recap! I finished 7 books.
1. They Called Me Number One by Bev Sellars (2013)
2. Nobody’s Girl by Virginia Roberts Giuffre (2025)
3. The Burnings by Naomi Kelsey (2024)
4. Awakening Astrology by Molly McCord (2022)
cont. (1/4) ⬇️
#Haecreads2025 #BookSky #Books #BannedBookSkyClub
A book cover titled “Decolonizing Trauma Work: Indigenous Stories and Strategies” by Renee Linklater, with a foreword by Lewis Mehl-Madrona. The background is textured beige. At the center is a circular illustration of a stylized blue bird with outstretched wings. The bird’s body and wings resemble strands of DNA, and small blue dots surround it within the circle. The overall design has a hand-painted, watercolor look.
Portrait of author Renee Linklater. A smiling woman with long straight black hair stands outdoors in front of blooming lilac bushes. She wears a black top, a turquoise floral-patterned scarf or ribbon, and a purple lanyard around her neck. The background is filled with green leaves and purple flowers, softly blurred.
Decolonizing Trauma Work by Renee Linklater (2014)
Spoke to me in ways I never expected. Psychiatry is needed in our societal toolbox but is too heavily leaned upon & weaponized. We pathologize totally normal body responses to literal genocide. What does that imply?
#HaecReads2025 #BookSky #Books
A black-and-white book cover for Parable of the Talents by Octavia E. Butler. The left side shows a close-up of a person with dark skin looking directly at the viewer, a tear running down their cheek. A subtle geometric pattern is cast across their face. On the right side, white text reads: “Winner of the Nebula Award for Best Novel — Parable of the Talents — Octavia E. Butler, New York Times Bestselling Author.” Below, it lists narrators Patricia R. Floyd, Sisi Aisha Johnson, and Peter Jay Fernandez. The Recorded Books “rb media” logo appears in the lower right corner.
Portrait of author Octavia E. Butler with bookshelves in the background. Butler looks directly at the camera. She wears glasses, long teardrop earrings, a turtleneck, and a patterned shawl or cardigan.
Parable of the Talents by Octavia Butler (1998)
A deadly warning against the incremental weakening of human rights protections by majority consent. Butler—an observer & experiencer at a writing desk in 1998–makes logical projections w a lethal pen.
#HaecReads2025 #BookSky #Books #BannedBookSkyClub
A portrait of author Diana Gabaldon standing in front of a brick building.She has long dark hair tucked behind one shoulder. She wears gold orb earrings and a sheer black shawl with what appears to be designs in red velour. She smiles at the camera.
The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon (2001) - rr
Least fav of the series behind BEES (too much Jocasta & River Run) but I still delight in these characters & the absurdity of Gabaldon’s writing. Like when Claire wanks Jamie back from the brink of death lol
#HaecReads2025 #BookSky #Books #Outlander
A dark teal cosmic background with streaks of light resembling auroras. Centered text reads “MOLLY MCCORD” at the top and “awakening astrology” in large gold letters. Below the title is a stylized golden eye with radiating lines, stars, and a crescent moon inside the pupil.
Portrait of author Molly McCord. A smiling woman with long wavy blonde hair sits in front of a brick wall. She is wearing a sleeveless navy blue top and a turquoise beaded necklace.
Awakening Astrology by Molly McCord (2022)
I was never into astrology but after seeing Molly McCord on a 🎙️ her soul-forward approach created a sparkle of intrigue in me. The depth she presents evokes the same magic I feel twds pyramids oriented to the ✨
#HaecReads2025 #BookSky #Books #OccultSky
A stylized book cover with swirling orange and black flame-like patterns. In the center, large pale yellow text reads ‘The Burnings.’ Above it is smaller script text reading ‘The.’ Below, the author’s name appears in the same pale yellow font. A subtle red silhouette of a woman stands among the abstract flames.
Portrait of author Naomi Kelsey. A woman with curly brown hair sits on the grass in a garden, smiling warmly at the camera. She wears a mustard-yellow dress, dark leggings, and a light gray cardigan. Behind her is a wooden fence with a trellis and pink and red tulips blooming along a raised flower bed.
The Burnings by Naomi Kelsey (2024)
I wanted to love this but it felt like reading decent quality fanfic for a show I’ve never watched. My pet peeve in writing is when the author doesn’t trust the reader & I felt the author’s guiding hand throughout.
#HaecReads2025 #BookSky #Books
Book cover with a soft, faded photograph of a young woman in the background. Overlaid text reads: “NOBODY’S GIRL — A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice — Virginia Roberts Giuffre.” The design uses pale, blurred tones that create a somber, reflective mood.
Portrait of author Virginia Roberts Giuffre. A woman in a white blouse sits at a table, looking directly at the camera with a serious expression. She holds up a printed photograph of a younger woman posing with a small bird perched on her hand. Green leafy plants are blurred in the background.
Nobody’s Girl by Virginia Roberts Giuffre (2025)
What Epstein, Maxwell & other rich men did to Giuffre made me sick. The careful planning of not just the trafficking itself but also to protect themselves disgusted me. These people have endless resources. EAT THE RICH
#HaecReads2025 #BookSky #Books
Book cover of They Called Me Number One: Secrets and Survival at an Indian Residential School by Bev Sellars. The cover shows two young girls; one whispers into the other’s ear. The title and author’s name appear in large text.
Portrait of Bev Sellars smiling, wearing glasses, earrings, and a patterned jacket.
They Called Me Number One by Bev Sellars (2013)
Sellars shares much more than traumas experienced at the Williams Lake residential school. I listened w horror as Sellars & other Indigenous friends & family faced racism down to the very micro level of their existence.
#HaecReads2025 #BookSky #Books
StoryGraph screenshot: 2025 Reading Goals You have read 68 books this year. HOURS 603.03/600 hours 101% Goal exceeded by 3.03 hours. Set Reading Goal Set Pages Goal
Hey I reached my 2025 reading goal! 🥰📚
I picked reading back up 5 years ago after decades of drought & this was my most ambitious goal yet!
I write mini-reviews here: #HaecReads2025
I read diverse authors in historical fiction, memoirs, literary, classics, social justice, & woo
#BookSky #Books
5. Hospicing Modernity by Vanessa Machado de Oliveira (2022)
6. Psychic Navigator by John Holland (2004)
(mini reviews found here: #HaecReads2025)
This month doesn't really have an emerging theme, though factoring in my in-progress reads it's obvious I'm in a big woo woo phase.
(2/4)
Book cover of Hospicing Modernity: Facing Humanity’s Wrongs and the Implications for Social Activism by Vanessa Machado de Oliveira. The design features a watercolor painting of delicate, branching tree limbs spreading across the cover in soft shades of brown, gray, and muted blue. The branches resemble veins or roots, evoking connection and fragility. The title appears in black handwritten text near the center, with the author’s name below in smaller text. The overall look is organic, contemplative, and slightly ethereal.
the cover of The Starving Saints by Caitlin Starling — featuring a striking surreal illustration of a veiled figure holding a honeycomb frame, with multiple anguished faces emerging from beneath the veil. The cover uses a bold yellow background with gothic-style typography.
Book cover for Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner. The design is in yellow, pink, and orange tones, featuring a close-up of an eye with a small pink silhouette of a person standing in the pupil. The text includes: “A Novel,” “The Booker Prize 2024 Shortlisted,” and “The New York Times 100 Notable Books 2024.”
Cover of the audiobook Emma by Jane Austen, performed by Jenny Agutter. The background features a lace fan design in dark red and magenta tones. A yellow diagonal banner in the lower right corner reads “Only from Audible.”
October BookSky recap! I finished 6 books.
1. Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner (2024)
2. Emma by Jane Austen (1815)
3. The Future Human by Lee Harris with Regina Meredith (2025)
4. The Starving Saints by Caitlin Starling (2025)
cont. (1/4) ⬇️
#Haecreads2025 #BookSky #Books #BannedBookSkyClub
Cover of the book “Psychic Navigator: Harnessing Your Inner Guidance” by John Holland. The design features a central geometric emblem with an eye at its center, radiating lines of light against a textured beige background.
Portrait of author a John Holland. A man with short brown hair wearing a light-colored collared shirt, seated indoors near a wooden pillar, looking calmly at the camera
Psychic Navigator by John Holland (2004)
Idk if he misspoke but the info I sought wasn’t here. Nevertheless I found it v useful & practical—I esp valued his illuminating discussion of auras which planted new questions about the colours I see in my 3rd eye
#HaecReads2025 #BookSky #Books #OccultSky
Book cover of Hospicing Modernity: Facing Humanity’s Wrongs and the Implications for Social Activism by Vanessa Machado de Oliveira. The design features a watercolor painting of delicate, branching tree limbs spreading across the cover in soft shades of brown, gray, and muted blue. The branches resemble veins or roots, evoking connection and fragility. The title appears in black handwritten text near the center, with the author’s name below in smaller text. The overall look is organic, contemplative, and slightly ethereal.
Portrait of author Vanessa Machado de Oliveira. She is a woman with light brown skin and long dark hair. She sits on a swing and smiles wearing a puffy black hooded parka. In the background is a snowy scene.
Hospicing Modernity by Vanessa Machado de Oliveira (2022)
Helped me understand oppression not as a symptom of modernity but a prerequisite for it. There was a lot of hand-holding through concepts but I understand why—for many, her work would be highly inflammatory.
#HaecReads2025 #BookSky #Books
the cover of The Starving Saints by Caitlin Starling — featuring a striking surreal illustration of a veiled figure holding a honeycomb frame, with multiple anguished faces emerging from beneath the veil. The cover uses a bold yellow background with gothic-style typography.
a portrait of Caitlin Starling, the author. She has wavy brown hair, glasses, dark lipstick, and is wearing a black top with a necklace featuring several keys. A colorful tattoo is partly visible on her upper chest.
The Starving Saints by Caitlin Starling (2025)
This book was DELICIOUS. It was full of so many things I love—gothic nuns, spooky vibes, woo woo danger. Starling gleefully leans into the carnal universe she created. No holds barred, not for the faint of heart. 👻🎃💀
#HaecReads2025 #BookSky #Books
Cover of The Future Human by Lee Harris with Regina Meredith. The subtitle reads “New Ways of Living and Being on Earth.” The artwork shows silhouettes of diverse people holding hands against a backdrop of softly colored mountains and light beams in purple, pink, and orange hues.
A smiling man sitting casually on wooden steps outside a rustic building with corrugated metal siding. He is bald, wearing a maroon shirt layered with a mauve button-up and blue jeans, and has one hand resting on his knee.
The Future Human by Lee Harris with Regina Meredith (2025)
I was drawn in by his message that spirits are like people in that you choose whose message you resonate with, then PROFOUNDLY didn’t resonate with the analysis on Covid cautiousness or gender affirming care.
#HaecReads2025 #BookSky #Books
