A new season is upon us and since 2024 this means it’s time to reflect on that exact season a year ago. I first did this with summer 2023 and even though I’ve been calling myself out a lot, it’s still a nice way to see what books were on my TBR and what books I’ve hauled that season. It therefore is kind of a time capsule, because it’s difficult to remember every single book you’ve read. But how did I do this past summer? I remember summer came and went in the blink of an eye. I think we had a nice summer in terms of weather, with one explosive heatwave at the start of July. But overall, it was good. I can’t really say that for reading my bookhauls as far as I can remember. This year however, we got summer in the end of May and my brain was convinced it was already July or even August. Not good! Now, although summer is not far away, it feels like autumn outside, with temperatures we normally have in March, April or October. The forecast seems to improve for next week, so let’s hope so! Okay, enough with the dwelling, let’s get back to business. Did I read my summer 2025 TBR and my bookhauls from July, August and September 2025?

Did I read my summer 2025 TBR?

Oh yeah, this was the TBR I made a mistake with and added 11 books to instead of 10. Well, here we go!

1. One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune – Yes, this was one of the first books I read this season actually. It really gives off summer vibes. This summer, Fortune has released a new book, Our Perfect Storm. I haven’t read that one yet though.
2. Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez – This book has been on several seasonal TBRs, but I never picked it up. Turns out I didn’t own the book, although I thought I did. So, I had to change that. I did so earlier this year and finally read it last month. I’m super behind on reviews, it’s ridiculous at this point, so I haven’t reviewed it yet.
3. Out on a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young – Another book I picked up, albeit in autumn instead of summer. Nevertheless, it’s still one less on the never-ending TBR!
4. The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong – I was incredibly eager to read this book and so I did! I already knocked it off my TBR that summer actually.
5. Crossroads by Devney Perry – Another book I’ve read, but once again in autumn instead of summer. This was my introduction to this author and unfortunately this book didn’t really convince me.
6. Consider Me by Becka Mack – I have read this book as well, but again, in a different season. I read this in winter and unfortunately, I ended my reading year of 2025 on a bit of a sour note with this one.
7. Mornings in Jenin by Susan Abulhawa – Ouch, this is one book I haven’t picked up yet. The subject is quite heavy and I believe I should be in the right headspace for it. I wasn’t really, I hope to knock it off rather sooner than later though.
8. The Wind Weaver by Julie Johnson – This book has seen multiple TBR lists by now as well, but I still haven’t picked it up. I just don’t really feel the urge to do so. Moreover, it’s romantasy and I notice a bit of a genre bore-out or burn-out creeping in.
9. Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab – I definitely read this, in summer already actually. This author’s books are always a bit two-faced for me, and this time it’s no different.
10. The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith – Another book I already picked up in summer. The hype fizzled out pretty quickly and understandably so. The book isn’t groundbreaking by any means and I was actually a bit bored. It didn’t captivate me enough to pick up the sequel, which is out in the world already.
11. Powerless by Elsie Silver – Let’s end this list with a book I haven’t read. I wanted to, but somehow I feel like cowboy romances are more of the same and therefore don’t excite me too much anymore. This book falls victim to that sentiment. I might have lost interest in the entire series too. I will pick up this one as it’s in my Kindle app and will decide what to do with the rest of the series afterwards.

Have I read my summer 2025 bookhauls?

1. Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid – I read this one pretty soon after getting it and it’s one of the 5-star reads of 2025. If I could threw audiobooks out of the window, this would be one to do so with.
2. The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong – See above.
3. Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie – I finished this book in April and still haven’t reviewed it. However, it didn’t live up to my expectations and I still have no clue what this book wanted to achieve.
4. Enter Ghost by Isabella Hammad – Another book I’ve read this year and which left me a bit disappointed. It addresses important issues, but lacks depth nonetheless. Several elements are brushed off too quickly, whereas I expected more.
5. The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig – Another book I’ve read and unfortunately left me disappointed. It lacks the atmosphere and intrigue that the “The Shepherd King” duology does have.
6. The Wind Weaver by Julie Johnson – See above.
7. Arcana Academy by Elise Kova – Yes, I’ve read this book as well. And again, I don’t understand the hype. I mean, it’s not inherently bad, but it still failed to suck me in. I was in fact, a bit bored.
8. The Naked Don’t Fear the Water by Matthieu Aikins – Nope, I haven’t read this. I kind of forgot about this book whoops.
9. De Purs Hommes by Mohamed Mbougar Sarr – This book isn’t translated to English, but I haven’t read it either.
10. Mornings in Jenin by Susan Abulhawa – See above.
11. My Friends by Fredrik Backman – My introduction to this author and whereas I enjoyed my time spent with this novel, it wasn’t the 5-star read I’d hoped – and expected – it to be. Still, I want to read more by Backman to give his work a fair chance.
12. Katabasis by R.F. Kuang – Unfortunately this was a DNF for me. Even though I already had my doubts when I read the synopsis, but positive buzz drew me in. However, that doesn’t say everything, because this book didn’t work for me which is such a pity.
13. The Air He Breathes by Brittainy C. Cherry – No, I haven’t had the time to pick this book up.
14. The Silent Waters by Brittainy C. Cherry – Same as the previous one
15. The Gravity of Us by Brittainy C. Cherry – Nor this one.
16. When the Fireflies Dance by Aisha Hassan – Another book I’ve read and I thoroughly enjoyed. I mean, it’s a heavy hitter, but those books are often the ones I enjoy most.
17. De laatste ravendochter by Merel Godelieve – No, this one is still on my TBR.
18. The Ragpicker King by Cassandra Clare – Another book that is still left unread, but it’s a brick so I need to be in the mood for it.
19. Als de zon valt by Stijn de Vries – I’ve read this one, but I was utterly disappointed by it.
20. The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston – Oh yes, this book surprised me in a positive way! I had modest expectations, but ended up rating it 5 stars, which is rare for me these days. Furthermore, this was my second five star read in a row, something even rarer.
21. Hof van stormen by Victor Dixen – This is the third book in a series and the second one is still waiting for its turn to be read.
22. Semi-Well Adjusted Despite Literally Everything by Alyson Stoner – Another book I have read, but it’s nonfiction and I don’t review those on my blog.
23. This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan – I also read this book and again had an enjoyable reading experience.
24. Can’t Get Enough by Kennedy Ryan – No, I haven’t picked up the final book in this interconnected series yet.
25. Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater – Yes, I’ve read this one at the end of 2025 and I still find this series pretty vague. Still, I got myself the final book to see how it ends, because these books tend to end on a cliffhanger that sparks my curiosity each and every time.
26. Alchemised by SenLinYu – I tried this book, but felt a reading slump hitting so had to DNF. I want to give this one another chance, but multiple people say it’s tremendously overhyped, so I’m worried.
27. En wat dan liefde is by Lisette Jonkman – Another book I’ve read in summer, and whereas I enjoyed it, I still find it quite lacking.
28. The First to Fall by Kristina Moninger – I read this in January of this year and the sequel is waiting for me. These books aren’t available in English though, even though the title suggests otherwise.
29. Lessons in Faking by Selina Mae – I finished this book in April, but it’s still left unreviewed.
30. Lessons in Forgiving by Selina Mae – No, I haven’t picked up this one yet.
31. Hoe overleef ik alles dat anders gaat dan gedacht by Francine Oomen – Of course I read this one! Nostalgia was real.
32. Web van angst by Arlette Krijgsman – No, this is still on my TBR.
33. Rival Darling by Alexandra Moody – And so is this one.

Verdict:

• I read 8 out of the 11 books on my summer 2025 TBR.
• I read 19 out of the 33 books of my summer 2025 bookhauls, of which 2 are a DNF. 1 soft and 1 hard DNF.

Do you dare to reflect on past seasons?