2025 Ranked: Books

Welcome to my 2025 Ranked list for Books!

Rules for my rankings are simple, the page contains my ranking from worst to best of all the books I've read over the course of the past year.

Please be aware these rankings are purely subjective and are based on my own personal opinion.

42. Now Is Not The Time To Panic

I can forgive a bad book which tries to be good in some capacity, but I cannot forgive a bad book which clearly doesn't try.  Kevin Wilson's coming of age novel Now Is Not The Time To Panic is without a doubt one of the most mundane and obnoxious books I've had the displeasure of reading. The narrative is framed to be endearing and inspiring but its core quality is so lacking in any actual engaging elements that it comes off ultimately as a bore to read. Whether it's the characters or the sequences they are deployed in, none of this book ever comes off as genuine or realistic, it tries so hard to project its self-aware message that it lacks major nuance in doing so.  The only saving grace behind this book is its thankfully short page count.

41. Cuckoo

What little quality Cuckoo has is to be found in its horror elements which are well thought out and visualized.  It's just a shame that so little of it is able to shine in the shadow of the books major problems.  I'm all for representation in the medium, but it feels like the author sacrificed so much of the books core quality for the sake central characters who feel solely defined by their diversity rather than being defined alongside it. There's also a rather perverse and uncomfortable need of this book to be sexually explicit with characters who are of questionable age. Combine these issues with a incessant need to describe the smallest and most mundane elements, you have a book with is so devoid of value that it made me annoyed I spent the time to finish it.

40. The Night of Baba Yaga

While its bold setup gives a strong foundation for an intriguing story of two women rising against the oppressive world they are placed in, its ultimate payoff fails to capitalize on this premise in any meaningful capacity.  Akira Otani clearly went into writing this book with the aim of saying something important about sexism, oppression and queer romance, but in her attempt to do that, she failed to flesh this story out in any substantial way.  What we are left with is a potentially good story lost in a poorly written and structured book. 

39. Star Wars: Battle Scars

I don't doubt Sam Maggs credentials when it comes to writing for Star Wars, what I do put into question is her quality if Jedi Battle Scars is anything to go by.  On the whole this feels like a very conventional Star Wars story with little to make it stand out in the galaxy far, far away.  The romantic subplot which serves as the primary driving force of a lot of the narrative is the most frustrating aspect.  Its tone and structure is not good at all and it completely derails what little momentum the story has and ends up turning into an almost smutty parody of itself. Cal Kestis and the Mantis crew deserved a far better story than this overly unremarkable snooze fest.

38. My Best Friend's Exorcism

While I do recognize the intent behind Grady Hendrix's efforts to reflect his adoration for supernatural horrors of the 80's through this book, I do feel that intent ruins the engagement behind this book.  Its narrative is diluted because it feels like its core objective is trying to incorporate so many trademark moments from horrors of that era rather than trying to do its own thing.  When it does manage to do its own thing it does offer small glimpses of heart and originality, but those moments are so limited in the wake of the books larger issues than it's not worth the time or investment to find them.

37. The Haunting of Hill House

The Haunting of Hill House is considered a gothic-horror classic by many readers.  While I can understand why a lot of people may think that, I personally cannot agree with that perspective.  Shirley Jackson's approach to telling a slow, methodical ghost story is given a lot of strength in the format of its writing but its repetitive elements and lack of any core developments really drags the engagement for me. I respect the horror is subliminal and based on mentality more than physicality, but it drags to such a snails pace in doing so that it truly failed to pull me in or captivate me. 

36. Wake Up and Open Your Eyes

Wake Up and Open Your Eyes is such an annoying book. On one hand, I think the premise of blending a demonic possession narrative with a modern political commentary is the books biggest strength. Clay McLeod Chapman really shines when he's using one aspect to highlight the other and he imbues the narrative with a lot of clever and horrific considerations. On the other hand though, none of this even feels cohesive in terms of the books pacing and structure, and the book doesn't really finish the landing with a lot of its points.  Its impressive style just isn't enough to distract you from the fact it lacks a core substance to truly justify your time with it.

35. Honeybees and Distant Thunder

Riku Onda's love and appreciation for the world of professional music is clear to see in Honeybees and Distant Thunder.  Despite their honourable intentions however, it's hard not to feel the ideas and concepts of this book are lost to Riku's tendency to overdo it on the descriptive writing.  The story ultimately takes a back seat while the book meanders on so many specific sections.  It's overly optimistic tone and styling also highlights the lack of meaningful stakes for the story and it's characters which just fuels more of the tedious nature that is rooted all throughout it.

34. The Prince Without Sorrow

There's definite potential behind the world and narrative Maithree Wijesekara establishes within the confines of The Prince Without Sorrow; which makes it all the more annoying that the book never feels confident enough to capitalize on its own potential.  For every moral ambiguity the book plays with, it's in turn hindered by writing lacking in subtlety as the book struggles to avoid laying it's fairly predictable plot elements for even the most casual of fantasy fans to guess. It's not a complete dismissal though, as there's enough intrigue to be found in the story that makes me hopeful the author can hone in and address their worst tendencies in the coming sequels.

33. Under the Whispering Door

The idea of life after death is a scary thought that even I struggle to face time and time again.  TJ Klune seeks to look at this scary concept in a light and introspective format.  What helps translate his insightful ideas is Klune's strong approach to writing and structure.  He's able to construct a imaginative world layered with so many layers and nuance.  Despite a romance plot that feels weaker in the shadow of the book's larger plot, the overall impression the book gives is one of hope in wake of an idea so many find frightful.

32. The Silmarillion

J.R.R. Tolkien's world of Middle Earth is rich with depth and scale when portrayed through the lens of The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, but I never really considered how small a showcase it was for the wider world until I picked up The Silmarillion.  Serving as a compendium of Tolkien's mythology and history of this fantastical world, this book asks you to overcome a serious barrier of wording and structure in return for a plethora of stories and tales that expand on the very core of this world in so many ways. It's a challenge I'd only encourage the most die-hard of fans to take on, as while filled with quality, it's requirements to follow may put a lot of people off.

31. Doctor Who: Lux

While short and sweet, James Goss' novelization of the series 15 Doctor Who episode Lux is still able to capture all of the core charm of the televised story.  Goss also does a grand job at injecting his adaptions with some of his own original ideas and Lux reflects that approach. He expands on a lot of the original plot elements too, giving them an additional sense of definition in spite of the limited page count.  Lux is a fun story on a lot of accounts and while RTD does deserve the primary credit for the original screenplay, Goss deserves credit for doing such a fine job adapting it so well.

30. A City on Mars: Can We Settle Space, Should We Settle Space, and Have We Really Thought This Through?

Humanity's ambition to venture into the stars and colonize new planets is within reach according to some folks, but Kelly and Zach Weinersmith's new book showcases that we may be ignoring critical barriers that may hold us from ever truly being able to live in outer space. They present a lot of solid scientific arguments which outline the limitations humanity needs to overcome as part of this journey to outer space.  I appreciate how the authors try to balance their pessimism with credible optimism in an attempt to be realistic about these issues.  The only thing that held up my engagement with the book is its segments on geopolitics; while insightful they ultimately ended up coming off as painfully tedious.

29.  Abyssal Archive: The Mythology of Dark Souls

The depth behind the lore of Dark Souls is astronomical.  For a singular game, there's an insane amount of content and subtext layered throughout the game which works to imply a structure and definition to its world.  The problem with that subtextual format however is its requirement for interpretation.  Lowkey is considered one of the most astute lore scholars in the community and he clearly has a lot of passion when it comes to transcribing the lore, almost too much passion if Abyssal Archive is anything to go by.  I find the book is a very well put together product in intent and presentation, however for every key revelation it outlines, it meanders on and on and on.  Lowkey also seems to enjoy using complicated wording and formatting for no reason but to inflate his own ego it seems.  It's a good book if you can look past the authors clear and constant self-indulgence.

28. Where the Falcon Flies: A 3,400 Kilometre Odyssey From My Doorstep to the Arctic

Adam Shoalts journey from southern Ontario to the northern Arctic regions of Canada is structured wonderfully to explore the natural beauty of the country. Adam paces his journey out with a lot of educative context both geographically and historically.  While the context is appreciated, it's hard not to feel some of the historical side pieces did halt my engagement consistently and had me yearning to get back on track with his journey up north.  Despite that however, Adam's journey was really interesting to follow and it showcased a side of Canada I want to explore even more so it's duly appreciated.

27. I'm Glad My Mum Died

Despite playing a no-nonsense character with a plethora of self confidence on camera, Jennette McCurdy was anything but her TV counterpart in real life.  Her personal memoir takes great pride in showing her troubled and bitter relationship with her mother who abused and controlled McCurdy all throughout her early life.  It's a thoroughly honest and detailed dive into her life but I can't help but feeling McCurdy misses key opportunities to confront and reflect on these moments as apposed to simply retreading them.  The content and its relative context is duly appreciated however, even if it fails slightly to realize its potential.

26. Doctor Who: The Essential Terrance Dicks Volume 2

Volume two of The Essential Terrance Dicks does a phenomenal job in compiling and showcasing another fantastic range of stories penned by the man himself.  Each of the five stories showcased in this book represents some of the very best stories from the fourth and fifth Doctor's eras of Doctor Who.  What really stands out is the ability to capture the key essence of each of these TV serials within a prose format and not lose any of their star qualities.  My favorite of the five stories is easily Horror of Fang Rock, as it ticks of a lot of quintessential requirements when it comes to telling a compelling Doctor Who story.

25. Falling Like Leaves

Despite being guilty of a lot the common hallmark romance tropes, I do want to give Misty Wilson a bit of credit for Falling Like Leaves.  This Fall-themed cozy romance story proudly embraces the tropes while putting enough of an effort into giving a lot of the narrative some unique depth.  Its central character and her romantic interest have actual real-life complexities behind their shared dynamic and its devotion to celebrating all things Fall gives the story a unique flair that helps it stand out. I think the dialogue and tone holds the story back somewhat though but I can't hold too much fault on a cozy-book having overly cozy dialogue.

24. The Star Wars Archives. 1977–1983

As a self-proclaimed Star Wars super-fan, I'm always itching for an excuse to learn more about the production of this vast galaxy far, far away.  The first volume in Star Wars Archives by Paul Duncan does an admirable job in diving into the work that went into making the original trilogy of movies.  With an extensive array of notes, interviews, photos and references, this book has so much to soak up and learn from.  While it's content is extensive, it's worth highlighting the structuring of the book does slightly feel at odds with itself at times, as it struggles to present its content in seamless fashion.

23. Casino Royale

Being my first foray into the written world of James Bond, I wasn't quite sure what to expect.  As a introduction to the British super spy, Casino Royale wastes no time in putting us right into world of 007 for good or worse.  Its plot beats are intriguing to follow but they suffer from the books need to move along at a fairly quick pace.  It's attempt to humanize Bond plays as its biggest strength as it showcases the central character in a truly transparent light as he struggles with choosing between love or duty.  While I adore what it sets out to do, its dated stereotypes do drag down the likability of it's main character somewhat and I don't feel it fully realizes Bond as the super-spy he is noted to be.

22. Dark Matter

Blake Crouch shows a fundamental understanding of the concept behind the multiverse in his science fiction novel. Dark Matter is a fantastic exploration of how our choices define the very fabric of our lives and in turn there's a separate reality for each choice not taken. The journey the book's main character goes on to get back home through the infinite spread of the multiverse is filled with heart and emotion and it's weaved wonderfully together with the multiverse concept on such an intimate level. The only thing that detracts the overall experience is a weak final arc behind the story which feels it was trying too hard to top the already massive stakes at play.

21. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

The three stories compiled in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms are a great lens into the legendary escapades of Ser Duncan and his squire Egg.  While arguably the quality of each story isn't consistent, I cannot dismiss how fun they all are in their own rights.  I loved the character work more than anything, Ser Duncan is a immovable beacon of integrity in a world which is anything but honorable and the way he and Egg traverse their trials and tribulations helps reinforce the legacy they defined as characters within this world.

20. Star Wars: Catalyst (A Rogue One Novel)

Despite ultimately being a long-form setup for the more climatic events of Rogue One, Catalyst does such an incredible job in providing an intriguing prelude all the same.  Its devotion to displaying the characterization of both Orsen Krennic and Galen and Lyra Erso is remarkable. I never cared that the book was essentially a lot of people talking to each other, because it was written in such a way that you feel the tension and suspense in every word and I just couldn't get enough of it. It's so refreshing to read a Star Wars story which is primarily character-driven and it attests to the franchises ability to tell nearly any kind of story.

19. Cheating Death, Stealing Life - The Eddie Guerrero Story

Eddie Guerrero was a larger than life persona in the world of professional wrestling.  His autobiography does a wonderful job in shining a spotlight on the real, honest history of Latino Heat. It's a remarkably transparent read which humanizes Eddie even more than he already was.  It's an absolute tragedy we lost Eddie Guerrero so early into his life.  His book showcases the struggles he persevered through and the hope he had to live a fulfilling life by his family and fans. It's an emotionally charged experience reading this book and I'd recommend it to any self-proclaimed wrestling fan to pick up and read.

18. The Thursday Murder Club

Richard Osman makes a phenomenal debut with his deeply compelling murder mystery which follows a bunch of retired pensioners who band together to solve a murder at the heart of their peaceful retirement village. Osman's well-known brand of comedy is finely layered within the writing of the book's story and characters.  While its primary plot is well-established, it's worth recognizing it does struggle slightly to balance its minor plot threads in conjunction and earn the payoff they try to establish. It's not enough to devalue the general quality of this story however, as it feels like a truly fresh approach to the conventional format of the murder mystery genre

17. You Are Here

Having felt sadly disconnected from the romance genre as of late, it's nice to find a book which reminds me there are still good stories to be found within it. You Are Here tells a tale of love between two people that isn't bogged down in young, artificial drama.  It's a smart, funny trek through the beautiful British countryside between two mature people yearning for a bit of stability in their lives.  It's not completely devoid of the genre's predictable tropes but it has enough originality and heart to make it a definite recommendation in my opinion

16. Mockingjay

While the pacing behind the third and final entry of the Hunger Games somewhat struggles in comparison to the prior entries, nothing else can really discredit the immense conclusion Suzanne Collins delivered with Mockingjay.  As a concluding entry in the series, it smartly builds upon the immense foundation the series holds and hones in on the emotional core of the wartime setting. It's a proper testament to the strong character writing Collins so easily displays when you become so empathetic to the plights of Katniss and the wider supporting characters with the immense stakes of the books narrative.

15. The Hunger Games

Despite being targeted towards a younger audience, The Hunger Games doesn't show any sign of compromise with its heavily dystopian world.  Suzanne Collins pens a story which equally balances a lot of core emotions through the lens of complex world and empathetic main character. I'm not usually a fan of 1st person perspective storytelling but it's utilized within the confines of this narrative in such an intelligent manner to help give you just the right amount of exposure and in turn have you struggle right along with Katniss Everdeen on her journey to survive the deadly game. 

14. Project Hail Mary

Project Hail Mary is a truly compelling science fiction story which exudes confidence on every page.  Andy Weir constructs a tale which is equal parts intriguing and suspenseful throughout the course of its core structure.  Its setup is given all the more definition by a lot of grounded-science and theory that Weir for good or worse embeds all across the story.  While I appreciate the intent behind the science, it's hard not to feel that it cuts the momentum of the story constantly every time I got engaged with it. That's more of a personal problem though as I know objectively this is a thoroughly engaging story filled with a lot of definition. 

13. The Cheesemaker's Daughter

The core of The Cheesemaker's Daughter takes the fairly conventional family drama genre and projects it through the lens of a unique and compelling setup. The fact that Kristin Vukovic is able to deliver such a strong emotional narrative through the world of cheesemaking is not something I expected when I picked this book up initially. I think that's what showcases this books superb quality however, the fact it was able to deliver such a sharp, thematic story so easily is a feat well worth recognizing.

12. When the Wolf Comes Home

This is my first time reading Nat Cassidy's written work and I can understand why he's highly regarded as a horror writer.  When the Wolf Comes Home strikes a excellent balance of themes and puts emotion and characters at the heart of its story.  Too many horror stories treat characters as shallow conduits due to the expendability, this book realizes the characters are integral to the ongoing narrative and fleshes each of them out appropriately.  The accompanying horror elements serves to give this book a lot of imaginative moments to keep the reader in suspense also.

11. Christine

Heart is the core element behind Christine's story. While it's known clearly for the supernatural evil car and the horrific tirade it goes on, there's a lot more depth to this story that I was initially expecting. I love how much focus Stephen King put on the friendship between its core characters as that contrasts excellently with the darker elements it showcases.  I think its length is the only element that really pushed me back from rating the book higher, but on the flipside that long length contributes towards the depth and scope of the story's quality which is without a doubt excellent.

10. Star Wars Episode III - Revenge of the Sith

I don't typically rate novelization books this high; not because I dislike them, but mainly because their core quality is based on adapting an existing story.  In Matthew Stover's case though, he had to work harder to adapt the story of Revenge of the Sith into a prose format as he only had access to ever-changing scripts and concept art.  As a result I genuinely feel Stover's interpretation of the iconic story is given a lot of unique individuality because of his different approach to the existing material.  His sense of depth and tone is on clear display as he really goes out of his way to define the tragedy of Anakin Skywalker's fall to the dark side in a different yet similarly heartbreaking approach.

9. Absolute Batman Volume 1: The Zoo

Scott Snyder has more than earned his reputation as being one of the best modern-day writers for The Batman comic books and his latest effort with Absolute Batman is a clear testament to that observation.  This bold and gritty interpretation of the character understands the importance in maintaining key aspects of the heroes identity but isn't afraid to take him to new and interesting places. Its effort to redefine the origins of not just Batman but his gallery of friends and foes feels genuinely interesting and gives the world this series inhabits a much appreciated level of depth that I'm excited to see tapped into. 

8. The Shadow of the Gods

John Gwynne's Viking-based fantasy series book enthralled me completely from the first page.  The Shadow of the Gods is an excellent first entry in the Bloodsworn saga in which we follow the perspective of three central characters as they inhabit a world of blood, betrayals and magic in the shadow of the old gods.  Gwynne's writing style is so authentic and he's got a real knack for world building.  Not only is his world rich with lore and mythos, he's able to utilize it as a legitimate backdrop for the core narrative to flourish in.  This is the kind of high fantasy stuff I really love to get lost in and John Gwynne has earned his place on the list of authors I'll happily be keeping track of moving forward.

7. Catching Fire

The way Suzanne Collins is able to develop her world and characters so much further in this 2nd Hunger Games entry cannot be understated.  She smartly builds on crucial narrative elements with a greater focus on the wider world around the Hunger Games this time around.  With a greater dystopian focus, it helps that so much of the story is lifted though its main and secondary characters.  Katniss Everdeen is such an empathetic character and Collins crafted a tight, emotional connection between her and the reader so easily that you feel genuine fear for her when she faces countless perils.

6. Sunrise on the Reaping

Haymitch Abernathy was always a character I wanted to learn more about.  His presence in the original Hunger Games trilogy showcased a man racked with so much turmoil that he'd willingly drown it all out through drink. It posed a key question as to what did he endure that made him this way? Well Suzanne Collins sought to answer that long-asked question in her latest book. Sunrise on the Reaping takes us back in time to suffer right alongside a much younger Haymitch as he endures the 50th annual Hunger Games and 2nd Quarter Quell. Collins delivers her best work with this entry by focusing heavily on the emotional core that defined Haymitch's tragedy. It's a compelling read from start to finish which hones in on the dramatic stakes and bleak tone all throughout.

5. Small Things Like These

Claire Keegan deserves all the praise given for Small Things Like These.  What may seem like a short, ordinary book, actually provides some of the most introspective content I've experienced in a long time. It's through the lens of Bill Furlong that I learned to take a bit more care to reflect on what it means to do the right thing and the weight behind making that kind of decision.  I would have loved to have read a bulkier version of this story all things considered, but that's not to say the 110 pages here aren't used to the utmost of their potential.  It's a book capable of being both warm and cold in the way it looks at the small aspects of life in big, beautiful ways.  

4. The Nickel Boys

While presented from a fictional perspective, The Nickel Boys bases its foundation within a brutally tragic real-world scandal revolving around systemic abuse in a reformatory institution in Florida.  Its narrative pulls no punches in utilizing its characters to give a deeply personal perspective on the abuse they are forced to suffer, which is often racially motivated.  Colson Whitehead puts a solid focus on defining the central characters relationships on a truly intimate level, this in turn helps give the book a brilliant emotional core that reinforces its heartbreaking impact.

3. Cider House Rules

John Irving more than earns his reputation as one of the best American authors of the modern century if The Cider House Rules is anything to go by.  Its story so easily captures your attention as it tackles a plethora of complicated moral themes while never for one moment forgetting to keep it all tied up and relevant to its central and supporting characters.  John Irving is such an artist when it comes to writing that you never for one moment feel the length of this book's hefty page count either. It helps that the story is so well-realized through the lens of its characters and the complicated relationships they all share with one another 

2. Go As A River

Go as a River is a book which captures the pure essence of life in all of it's beauty and sorrow.  You would never believe this was author Shelley Read's first official publication with the way she is able to write and structure this story.  It's a book filled to the brim with articulation and pathos which works to reflect the empathetic journey that main character Victoria Nash ventures on throughout the decades.  Every single word and description Shelley loads into this story feels well thought out and never feels redundant.  On the whole this is a fantastic book which helps us all look inside ourselves and learn to forgive our mistakes.

1. The Hearts Invisible Furies

John Boyne delivers a contemporary drama which delivers a consistent string of guttural sucker punches across several decades in Ireland.  Tragedy is the heart of this story but it utilizes it's sorrowful setup as a deeper lens to analyze our ability to persevere in spite of our suffering as we wade through life, moment by moment. John Boynes ability to craft such an intimate, emotional narrative across several periods of time is beyond impressive.  His use of language and structuring make digesting every portion of this book so easy and I found myself never wanting to put this book down.