In the Summer Book Review for 2025, this group of books (which takes me to 49 of my goal of 50 for the year!) kept me company from California to London, Guatemala to El Salvador, and poolside in Cancun, Mexico. From glorious tangible books, to audiobooks.
BOOKS
1. The School for Good Mothers, Jessamine Chan
This dystopian novel in the not so distant future grabbed me and pulled me in immediately with the horror of what the protagonist goes through in losing first her husband to an affair, and then her child. It’s suspenseful, spellbinding, and horrendous.
2. I Have Some Questions For You, Rebecca Makkai
I read this throughout my trip to Guatemala and El Salvador. It took me awhile to get into it. It’s very original and I definitely wanted to finish it, but it’s another unlikeable protaganist which I’m starting to get a bit tired of.
3. Save What’s Left, Elizabeth Castellano
The audio book narrator is so spot on and hilarious in this, it really kept me entertained. It might be a different experience with a hard copy. It’s very small town problems, but I do find myself laughing out loud. Towards the end it became quite repetitive and I found myself never wanting to hear about small town planning commission drama ever again!
4. How Does That Make you Feel, Meghan Ekland? Anne Montague
I read this in London. It’s another slow read. Character study of an older woman who never was true to herself. Depressing really.
5. This Disaster Loves You, Richard Roper
I love the audio narrator, who has a campy tongue in cheek tone. The writing is superb and I found myself chuckling just at word choices alone. Listening while in London, as it takes place in the U.K., made it extra relevant to me. Highly recommend.
6. Come and Get it, Kiley Reid
Interwoven character study at a southern university. Hard to keep track of so many characters, but they are unique and the slow burn plot is interesting.
7. You Are Here, David Nicholls
I adored this book from the first page. His writing is something to aspire to. His use of metaphors is brilliant. I find myself repeating them out loud. It’s another story of lost loves, and finding oneself. Set in the U.K. which is always my happy place. I’m able to transport myself there while reading back in the California sun. The writer of “One Day”, this will no doubt be a series or film.
8. The Snowbirds, Christine Clancey
The latest audiobook I listened to, set in Palm Springs, which was fun after spending time there in the desert a year ago. Mid-life empty nesters struggling in their long term relationship (never married), with a suspenseful twist. Slice of thought provoking life.
9. The New Neighbors, Claire Douglas
I picked up this psychological thriller at the Heathrow airport, which is exactly what this is, an easy, fun read. Set in London, about a recent divorced couple with suspicious neighbors. I have a theme of mid-life divorcees.
MORE BOOKS 2025
10. Real Americans, Rachel Khong
This was a very original story following three generations in a family of Chinese immigrants. Thought provoking about culture, identity, race, biology, fertility, love, secrets and lies.
11. Audition, Katie Kitamura
(2025 Booker Prize Longlist, then as I was halfway through – the Shortlist!)
A very short interesting character study. Set in New York, it takes the punctuation style I often see in Ireland in particular, with no quotation marks, etc. which I find distances you from the characters. Another mid-life story which I am always drawn towards.
12. Confessions of a forty-something f##k up, Alexandra Potter
As I often feel like a fifty-something f##k up (!), I related all too well, as I read this after landing back in my parents’ house, in my hometown, dipping my toes back into substitute teaching (divorced, empty nest, blah blah). Not exactly where I thought I’d be at this stage of mid-life. Set in London, perfect as I’m ready to head back there and reclaim my nomadic exciting journey. It’s not over!
13. What Happened to Nina? Dervla McTiernan
Another audiobook that had me transfixed. Follows different perspectives in the disappearance of Nina. Heartbreaking, psychological. How far will one go to protect those that you love?
https://secondchapternomad.blog/2025/07/01/books-in-review-2025-spring-quarter
Leave a Reply