The 2025 TBR We’re Most Excited About

Welcome to a very special edition of TBR Tales, friend! Ariel and I have been reading and chatting about books for years now and as we put together our Armed with A Book choice awards for 2025, I thought it would be a good opportunity to also reflect on the year in the books we didn’t read but saw something in to add them to our TBR. We mentioned anticipated reads in our monthly wrap-ups and usually got to them quickly. In this post, Ariel and I are highlighting 5 books each that we are hoping to get to sooner than later. It’s an exercise to remember when they first caught our attention and whether they still do. 

Thanks for having me on this special feature of TBR Tales, Kriti! Half of the fun of our book hobby to me is looking ahead at anticipated reads and looking forward to what those books have in store for us. Can’t wait to dive in!

Though I’ve been adding books to my TBR since I joined Goodreads over a decade ago, it has only been in the last two years that I’ve become intentional about what I want to read. Many books are possibilities but there are fewer (still ample!) books that are truly on my TBR. When I don’t read a book right away and instead add it to my TBR pile, the chances are high that the me who saw something in the book is not the me who will get to it. With big life events interests can pivot drastically and looking back at the unread list is a way to learn more about myself and what I think has potential to be interesting. Since my daughter arrived at the end of 2024, the books below are all selected post baby. 

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Kriti’s Five Most Exciting TBR Additions of 2025

When I first perused the list of books I added to my TBR in 2025, I was disappointed. As a reviewer, I am always aware of what is coming up, sometimes 6 months in advance and it was bitter sweet to see more review copies than personal picks. This isn’t a new pattern for me. There are almost always more review copies than personal picks — but this year it hit harder.

In this first year of motherhood, I wondered if I had stopped seeking out books purely for myself. In thinking more, it’s more complex than that. With less time overall and easy access to requests, no wonder review copies easily pile up. But the books I did find for myself are more diverse than ever – parenting, mothering, children’s books from ages 0-5 – my interests have expanded in ways I never imagined. I also realized that a lot of books that I added to my TBR got moved to the read pile fairly quickly. For the first time since starting the blog, I read more for myself than for review.

Thus, picking 5 books for this article is easy. I have fewer to choose from. Here is a book that honors each aspect of my reading right now:

1. How to Summon a Fairy Godmother – A cozy, humorous fairy-tale retelling with a modern twist.
   When Ariel raved about the second book in this series, I felt it was time to take the first seriously. I enjoy fairy tale retellings and this one offers humour and a friend to discuss with. I will be summoning a fairy godmother in 2026.
2. The Elements – Perspectives on the enabler, the accomplice, the perpetrator, and the victim through a mother on the run from her past, a young soccer star facing a trial, a successful surgeon grappling with childhood trauma, and a father on a transformative journey with his son.
   The premise is promising of a deep read and just right for my Reading with A Slice of Life series. 
3. The Correspondent – An intimate, epistolary portrait of a woman’s life told through letters, exploring aging, reflection, and the courage it takes to forgive.
   A novel in the style of letters? Sign me up! Another book to read for my Reading with A Slice of Life series since it has the right reflective tone and making sense of life.
4. Tea Set and Match – A cozy fantasy about tea, friendship, a baby dragon, royalty and obligations.
   Natalie Naudus brings the characters and story of  Tea Princess Chronicles alive. I listened to her narration of the first book when I needed a story to keep me focused in the present and not worry about how my daughter’s day was going at daycare. Success! Now to write a glowing review of the first book and dive into the next book.
5. Buddhism for Mothers of Young Children: Becoming a Mindful Parent – Answers to questions that haunt every mother at some point of time: Who am I? How can I do my best by my children and myself? What to do about all that housework?
   Sarah Napthali’s first book, Buddhism for Mothers, helped me take baby steps into gaining confidence in myself in this life changing role. I will be reaching for her again for calmness as I return to work and carve new routines.

These are slower books and comfort reads. They invite reflection rather than urgency. They are hand picked by me for a season where reading needs to support me rather than not challenge me to keep up. I am forever grateful for my daughter for helping me nip that striving habit. 

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Ariel’s Five Most Exciting TBR Additions of 2025

I’ve also been more selective with what I put on my TBR (To be honest, my video game wishlist is more out of control than my TBR!). My goal this year and going into next year is being intentional with what genuinely sounds like a good read for me; not just what the current hype is all about. Here’s what I’m looking forward to reading in 2026:

1. Audition for the Fox – A fantasy debut novella about a trickster god and a desperate acolyte.
   This is a book that was recommended to me by Kriti, who had a fun time with this quick read. I’m looking forward to reading it myself, and seeing what it takes to have a Fox as a patron deity!
2. Cabaret in Flames –  A Brazilian vampire horror/fantasy where folklore and politics combine.
   Out in March 2026, I’m looking forward to this novella and diving into a world that I don’t know much about– Brazilian vampires (Guls)! Also a novella, I know this will be a quick but exciting read.
3. Japanese Gothic – A gothic horror bouncing between the present and 1877, the two characters in each timeline clash together.
   Kylie Lee Baker is one of my instant TBR authors; whatever she’s writing immediately goes on my list. Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng was a top read of 2025, so I’m excited to see what else this author can do with adult horror!
4. We Dance Upon Demons– A contemporary political paranormal horror about reproductive rights and unravelling mysteries.
   Another favorite author of mine; Vaishnavi Patel! The Ten Incarnations of Rebellion was a well-researched alternate historical fiction that totally resonated with my own conflict studies. I’m excited to see she’s diving into contemporary politics with this upcoming book, and can’t wait to pick it up!
5. On Sundays, She Picked Flowers– A Southern Gothic with murder, ghosts, secrets, and more!
   Another novella that I will know will have a big impact! I love gothic horror, and this book promises to have all of those elements and more. 

Of this list I’ve got 4 horrors and 3 novellas; there’s definitely a pattern here! I am always on the lookout for my next horror read, so it’s no surprise I’ve got a good list upcoming for next year.

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Shared Reflection — From 2025 to 2026: How We Want to Treat Our TBRs

Five years ago, I posted 20 books for 2020 and read very few of them. Today, I love where I have landed. This is a smaller, more intentional TBR than I’ve had in years. As identities grow and new books and genres are added to the to be read pile, I am excited to notice and lean into these shifts. I also love how this is no longer just a book list. Each book has a mood and a way to approach its reading. I have never given this aspect of reading so much thought.

It was a great exercise to be able to look back on all the books I’ve added to my TBR this year. Lots of sequels to series I started; several books that don’t even have a release date yet. It was great to be able to highlight some books that I know I’ll get to sooner than later.

As I return to work in 2026, time will be even more precious. I’ll be browsing my home library for physical books as time to make a trip to the local library, however fun, will be limited. This year, there have been times when I have sometimes found it hard to get into stories so I’m planning to reread or continue a series I’ve started whenever I feel this way. Even with review copies and interview opportunities on the horizon, I want to read based on energy, not obligation. My intention for 2026 is to honor my energy and leave books unfinished should the mood not be right for them. Life will have its own plans and I will pivot as needed. With my Reading with A Slice of Life series, I will find a way to keep reading, writing and the everyday intertwined. 

Ariel’s recommendations will obviously make it to my TBR and I’m sure we will find books we haven’t even heard of yet to read together as 2026 unfolds. I want to be intentional in curating the TBR. Maybe I will add a short note for reference and marvel next year at why the books made the list.

Our impromptu buddy reads often land us some of the best discussions! In all our attempts to plan out buddy reads, going with the flow has always been the most satisfying and even if the book was meh; it was always made better as a shared experience 🙂 I’m forever grateful for our continued friendship and can’t wait to see what 2026 has in store for our discussions!

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Conclusion — A TBR Is Also a Story

I grew up measuring progress by completion — grades passed, exams finished, milestones checked off. But hobbies are not all tasks to complete, a book to check off the list. Hobbies are about getting to know ourselves. In reading, what I choose and am drawn to and haven’t gotten to yet both show choices and interests. Of the hundreds of books that cross our path in a year – on Instagram, Goodreads, word of mouth from friends, wherever your go-to is to find books – you choose some to remember and hope to read one day. They matter too. Not to finish but to access the version of you who found them worthy of the wish that you may read it one day. Isn’t it beautiful?

The TBR is a long list of wishes. 

What are books you found in 2025? Tell me 1-2 you want to get to and if you’re inclined to, tell me why you think of them.

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