I LOVE reading. I’ve always been an avid reader and last year I read 40 books. It’s almost March of 2025, so I thought I’d do a recap and review of what I’ve read so far!
This year, my goal has been to read more nonfiction, specifically books that will help me shift to a more positive mindset, help me in my teaching journey, and guide me as I start this blog and my TPT store!
1. Don’t Believe Everything You Think by Joseph Nguyen
Honestly, I had high expectations for this and it just didn’t quite do it for me. This book felt super repetitive and the main takeaway (at least from my interpretation of the book) was that we need to become more conscious about our own negative self talk and thoughts. True? Yes. Useful to be aware of? Again, yes. Did it need to be said in 100 pages? No, I don’t think so.
2. Readicide: How Schools Are Killing Reading and What You Can Do About It by Kelly Gallagher
Gallagher’s Readicide really changed a lot about the way I think about teaching reading. I think all teachers at some point come to a realization that they’ve made or are making mistakes when teaching reading. Gallagher’s eloquence and urgent, yet gentle tone, allowed me to reflect critically on my own teaching practice around reading and I truly walked away from this book with several key takeaways to bring into my own classroom.
3. Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten
Is it too soon to say this might be my favorite book of all of 2025? Ina’s story has truly stuck with me even weeks after finishing her book. I found Ina’s path at times relatable to my own and admire her ability to take leaps of faith and her on herself. Truthfully, Ina’s book is part of what inspired and spurred me to create my TPT store and this blog! If you’re looking for a feel-good, truly inspiring read, definitely pick this one up.
4. The Beautiful and Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald
I’ll be brutally transparent here, I read this because this past winter break I practically binge watched all of the original Gossip Girl. If you are a Gossip Girl fan like myself, you might recall Serena Van Der Woodson calling The Beautiful and Damned her favorite book of all time and even work on the set to turn it into a movie! I love The Great Gatsby but truthfully haven’t read any other Fitzgerald so I thought this might be my opportunity. Unfortunately, it’s a no for me. I found this story to be bland and simply couldn’t connect with the characters enough to care or even relish in their downfalls.
5. Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Amanda Duckworth
After reading Be Ready When the Luck Happens, I found myself inspired by Ina’s pure tenacity. Then, I stumbled upon Grit and it just felt like I was being pushed down this path. Amanda Duckworth’s research and insights into what makes people gritty and how to grow grit have been incredibly helpful as I start this journey into blogging and TPT, and has even made me consider more deeply how I can inspire grit in my own students.
6. The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux
Truly one of my all time favorite books! I know that Phantom of the Opera seems to be a hit or miss with most people but I truly do love this book. I reread it at the start of this year as Andrew Lloyd Weber’s Phantom of the Opera musical is coming to Prague this March and I knew I would want to read it once more before finally getting to see the musical for the first time!
7. One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig
My first fantasy read of 2025! I have to say, while I enjoyed this book, it didn’t floor me considering the massive amount of hype it’s getting on booktok. I gave it a 3 stars in my Goodreads. Fine, good, but nothing spectacular. I love the gothic feel and the hunt for the cards, but something in the writing and plot line just felt muted for me. I will say, the cliff hanger ending did have me downloading the sequel, most because I can’t stand not knowing even if I’m not that excited about it!
And that’s all so far!
7 books down and here is my current Goodreads line up:
Deeper Reading by Kelly Gallagher
Inspired the Bata Way by Gabriela Koncitikova
Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig
Have you read any of the these titles? What are your thoughts? If not, will any of these be on your current reads in the near future?
Connect with me on Goodreads to keep up with my 2025 reads!