2025 in Review // books read and book settings visited + 2026 goals

Wow. 2025. What a year.

As of simply a few hours ago, today - January 1st, marks the first day of our new year, 2026. Think about it. How is that possible? I still remember it being the beginning of 2020 and me thinking, Wow. How does time fly by so fast?

And now, it's no longer 2020 but, as of merely a few hours ago, 2026. Talk about time flying.

This year has been such a blessing to me. Of course, I've had my ups and downs, but through it all, God has remained the same. Constant and steady, an ever-present comfort in times of trouble. My Savior, my King. And I thank Him for such a beautiful year.

(Also, ignore the incredibly long title to this post. I have no excuse 🤪)

Some Highlights:

• Reading a TON of new novels and gaining some brand-new favorite authors!

• Staffing at camp.

• Visiting Laura Ingalls Wilder's home in Missouri (this is the setting of all the Rose books, which I read when I was younger, so I was literally visiting the setting AND the home of one of my favorite authors, Laura!)

• Getting to see the real-life illustrations from the Little House books in person 🤭.

• Finishing my novel, tLH!

• Tornados at camp (fun business. Y'all should try it sometime).

• Getting published in an anthology (seriously, it feels like ages ago! But it's almost only been a year?)

• Meeting some of my closest online friends in person.

• Going on vacation with my family.

• New computer!

• Seeing Josiah Queen, Natalie Layne, Matthew West, Tenth Avenue North, and Dan Bremnes in concert.

• Giving some of my favorite authors in-person hugs hehe.

The little things:

Besides the larger things I like to celebrate at the end of the year, I also love going back and remembering the little things that made my day. Here's a few that I gathered from the past year!

• Peach cobbler chais

• The first snow

• Stormy, windy autumn nights

• Hugs from my sisters

• Whispers of "I love you"

• Books ofc ofc

• Hearing Dusty Bibles live 💕

• Reading cozy snippet series from my friends

• Spending time with my best friends

• The joy of blogging

• Baking cookies at my Nana's house

• Getting lost in a bookstore

• C H E E S E (don't ask)

• 1am poetry

• Annotating a book

• Gathering wildflowers

• Seeing the Northen Lights

• Everything pumpkin spice

• Long, dusty trail rides on horseback

• Winter sunsets

• Josiah Queen & Forrest Frank's collab <3

• Tubing with friends!

  
  

Books read

Wow . . . where to start 😂.

I ended up reading 45 books this year, 40 of those new reads, 5 of those being re-reads. On top of that, I also ended up reading 6 snippet series on YDubs, 3 beta reads, and a TON of schoolbooks that I didn't record XD. Below, I'll be sharing my top ten fiction titles!

#1 - Helmer in the Dragon Tomb by S. D. Smith

OH. MY. GOODNESS.

This book. Y'all . . . THIS BOOK. Seriously one of the best ones that S. D. Smith ever wrote. Let me tell you it is so good! I still remember being on a Zoom call with the author about a year ago (with a bunch of other people too, including the amazing Brett Harris - it was an Office Hours for the YWW students) and we all got sidetracked XD and started ranting about Helmer. Wellll, S. D. Smith may have mentioned that he was writing a backstory to Helmer. Actually, not mentioned. Hinted at. And now, he came out with this beautiful baby! *grins*

But, putting that to the side, I seriously cannot recommend this book highly enough. It'll make you laugh. It'll make you cry. It'll make you stay up half the night reading in suspense *coughs* *coughs*. And not only that, it's as thick as the main books in the series.

Personally, I loved the themes of hope, courage, and found family. Plus, the plot twists were A M A Z I N G. Such a good book!

#2 - The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare

This has always been a favorite of mine. When my mom first gave it to me years ago, I was hesitant to read it because of the title. XD I learned after reading it to not always judge a book by it's title.

It's set in Colonial America, and follows the (fiction) story of sixteen-year-old Kit Tyler who makes the journey across sea to live with her aunt, uncle, and two cousins in colonial Connecticut in 1687. This is one of my favorite late autumn/early winter reads, and I'd recommend it for ages 10+ :)

#3 - The Mage Pocket: Apprentice Alliance by Millie Florence

This is Millie's newset book, and also the first of a series she's writing! I absolutely love how well-developed her characters are, and her antagonist? YES. This antagonist is incredibly well developed, believable motives, and the two protagonists - the main characters - are some of my absolute favorites. Put a twelve-year-old girl who has an obsession with fire and a knack of getting into trouble with a twelve-year-old boy who is extremely cautious, quiet, and reserved, and you have the best pair ehe. Such a delightful read! I can't wait for book number two!

#4 - Once I Knew by Victoria Lynn

I actually did end up posting a review on this book, which you can find here: https://riversofwords.wixsite.com/blog/post/book-review-once-i-knew-by-victoria-lynn

#5 - The Balter of Ashton Harper by Millie Florence

This historical fantasy is one of the favorites I've ever read in that genre, and it truly is such a masterpiece. It really reminded me that it's okay to dream, even if those dreams may not come true. I'll be posting a review on this book sometime in the next few weeks, so keep your eyes peeled!

#6 - The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

You guys, I honestly have conflicted feelings on this book.

Now, don't get me wrong. I love it. It's great. It's just . . . not one of my favorite favorites, ya know? It's totally one I'll read again, and I do still plan on watching the movies, but . . . it doesn't hit as deeply as The Lord of the Rings. However, I did enjoy reading it, and there were several instances where it really gave me a scare XD. I remember one of them was I was reading that scene where Katniss is being chased by the fire, and it was 12:00 in the morning as I was reading it. Anyways, I was so sucked into the book that when our fire alarms unexpectedly started going off during that scene, I was like "WAIT NO". XD it was great.

#7 - Once A Queen by Sarah Arthur

OAQ is by far one of my favorite books. I first found out about it from a friend, and as soon as I could get my hands on a copy, there was no peeling me from that book. Ahhh and the vibes? Gotta love the misty scenery!

#8 - The Star That Always Stays by Anna Rose Johnson

Read this book. Don't ask, just do it. XD.

Honestly though, it was really a refresher for me. I've been needing to read more historical fiction set in that period of time, and this book made it to the top of my list. It actually is like a contemporary, only not because it's historical fiction. So like . . . contemprary hisfic? (Yes, my penpal had this GENIUS idea that we should just start calling historical fiction "hisfic". Credit to Asia hehe.)

Side note: I would recommend this book for ages 13+ :)

#9 - Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen

After watching the 2009 Pride & Prejudice film too many times to count, I decided it was about time I sat down with an actual copy of the book and read it straight through.

Let me tell you, this book totally lived up to my expectations. Jane Austen's prose is so beautiful, and I found myself constantly wanting to bounce on my toes. The plot flows so well, the characters are so well crafted, and this book is overall such a beautiful masterpiece! *chefs kiss*

#10 - Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

Where the Red Fern Grows has always been a favorite of mine. I get it, the story is sad. Oftentimes, when I tell people it's on my list of top favorite books, they look at me with a quizzical expression and go, "But . . . why?"

The truth is, it's always been close to my heart. A bit of home. The characters are so dear to me, like a bit of my childhood. It may not be for everyone, but this one will always be in my top favorites. <3

2026 goals:

I haven't officially finished up my resolutions, but here's a few!

• Publish The Unseen Guardian

• Submit tLH to a publisher

• Update the blog

• Read 50 books

• Go to a writing conference

• Go to a Josiah Queen, For King + Country, and Forrest Frank concert (hoping I can do at least one of these!)

• Watch The Hunger Games :)

Let's Talk!

What are some of your highlights from 2025? Goals for 2026? What's your favorite book you read this past year? I'd love to chat with you in the comments below!

Until next time,