Reading Goals Done Right –A Book for Every Type of Reader to Kick off 2025

TOGETHA by Keith F. Miller (January 7, 2025, HarperCollins)

In this highly anticipated sequel to Pritty (now out in paperback), Jay and Leroy fight to not only save their neighborhood from a gentrifying conspiracy, but also their own chance at happiness. They band together with old friends, former enemies and their most risky ally to find the evidence they lost in order to finally expose the affluent Bainbridge family’s corruption to the world, but as their own secrets threaten to pull them apart, they must decide: When the cost of justice might be their happiness, will they be able to make the sacrifice togetha?

For fans of Bridgerton, feminine rage, and revenge tales… (YA/Adult Crossover)

THE QUEEN’S SPADE by Sarah Raughley (January 14, 2025, HarperCollins)

Set in 1862 Victorian England, The Queen’s Spade is inspired by the true story of Omoba Ina—renamed Sarah (Sally) Forbes Bonetta —an African princess taken from her homeland and later “gifted” to Queen Victoria. Sally, now driven to dismantle the British monarchy that confined her, plunges into the twisted game of court politics. As Sally’s vengeful game of cat and mouse turns deadly, she’s faced with the striking revelation that the price for vengeance isn’t just paid in blood. It means sacrificing your heart.

Sally’s journey tackles themes of colonialism, sexism, and self-determination, resonating with modern dialogues on British imperialism and its impacts. Readers will be captivated by Sally’s choice between reclaiming her autonomy and succumbing to societal constraints.

For the psychological thriller junky…

THE WIDOW’S WEB by Susan Moore (January 16, 2025, Bloodhound Books)

Renowned cyber-psychologist Dr. Anna Jones is grief-stricken yet dubious when her tech mogul husband is found drowned off the coast and it’s ruled to be a suicide. She starts to dig into his past and finds herself unlocking dark secrets of the Silicon Valley elite. His death is tied to a deeply buried secret that some would kill to keep hidden, and if she’s determined to find out the truth, she needs to risk everything.

For the mystery buff…

AGATES ARE FOREVER: A Nick Cameron Mystery by Logan Terret (January 21, 2025, SparkPress) 

Nick Cameron is a PhD geologist of independent means who boxes for fun, packs a Colt Commander, and has a knack for finding bodies—dead and alive. 
 
When an agate heiress arrives in Quartzrock, Arizona, on the eve of a gem show, she asks Nick for help selling some gemstones—and soon becomes a suspect in the bizarre murders of two prominent lapidaries. Stalked by the mysterious killer, she and Nick dodge police while Nick works with his friend Frankie Benally—a Navajo jewelry artist and brilliant armchair detective—to unravel the case. But even Frankie is stumped—until, at an isolated hacienda deep in the Sonoran Desert, Nick meets the great-granddaughter of a soldadera who served with Pancho Villa’s División del Norte. 
 
Along the way, Nick gets help from an old-fashioned gentleman sheriff, a crusty army retiree, and a clutch of feisty dames. He navigates plot twists and red herrings that would make Sam Spade reach for the aspirin. And he does it all with deadpan humor that’ll make you spit up your bourbon.

For the liberal, adult child living in their parent’s conservative world…

LOUIE ON THE ROCKS by Meredith O’Brien (February 4, 2025, SparkPress)

For fans of Tom Perrotta, Maria Semple, and Elinor Lipman, a dark comedy about family dysfunction fueled by bitter Trump-era politics, vodka, and a reluctant daughter’s guilt. Louie on the Rocks follows the disintegration of the Francis family six months after the premature death of their matriarch, Helen. In his wife’s absence, retired MAGA patriarch Louie descends into an alcoholic spiral and his liberal, queer, bookseller daughter Lulu responds, in a clumsy attempt to save her father from himself, by taking him to court to seize control over his finances.

For lovers of multi-generational tales… 

THE PALE FLESH OF WOOD by Elizabeth A. Tucker (February 11, 2025, She Writes Press) 

*Content Warning: Suicide, death by hanging, discovery of a body, themes of trauma and grief

One day in 1953, Charles Hawkins convinces his daughter, Lyla, to climb the oak tree in their backyard to hang the rope for their tire swing.

One night in November, Charles goes into the backyard and hangs himself with the same rope. Lyla becomes haunted, believing the tragedy is her fault as her family is plunged into grief: her mother is going up to the attic to find comfort in Charles’ old sweaters and her grandmother locks her outside, seemingly as punishment, to stare at the tree where such a terrible thing happened.

Just like the Northern California land they live on, the Hawkins family must navigate their own fault lines as they navigate their grief and guilt to forgive and hopefully, move on.

For trans youth advocates, parents, and educators who need to feel empowered…

​ABOUT BLISS by Cristina Olivetti (February 21, 2025, Jessica Kingsley Pub)

Cristina Olivetti’s About Bliss follows her journey as a mother supporting her son through gender-affirming care that could cause infertility. Determined to safeguard his right to future parenthood, she envisions a world where authenticity and fertility coexist for trans people. Weaving voices from the trans community, the book tells a powerful story of transformation, hormones, and hope. It serves as both a vital resource for parents and a heartfelt reflection on the joys and challenges of transition.

For the Feminist and fans of Roxane Gay…

PORTRAIT OF A FEMINIST: A Memoir in Essays by Marianna Marlowe (February 25, 2025, She Writes Press)

Through flashes of memory of her childhood in California, Ecuador, and Peru, interspersed with scenes from the present day, Marlowe details the evolution of her identity as a biracial and multicultural woman. 

With her experiences of being the child of a Catholic Peruvian mother and atheist American father in a family that lived abroad for years, she confronts realities so many of us share –unequal marriages, class structures, misogynistic literature, and patriarchal religion.  Her essays bring her to the two most important questions in feminism today: What does it look like to live a life in defense of feminism? And how should feminism be evolving today?

For the one that wants to start an epic romance series…

SHOOTING STARS ABOVE: A Celestial Bodies Romance by Patricia Leavy (March 18, 2025, She Writes Press)

Internationally bestselling novelist Tess Lee writes books that inspire people all over the world to believe there is a light at the end of the tunnel, but she can’t find happiness herself. Jack Miller is a federal agent working in counterterrorism who has seen terrible things, causing him to dedicate his life to his work without leaving room for much else.

As soon as Tess and Jack meet, they feel a spark. As their epic love story begins, Jack struggles with the death of a loved one while Tess is forced to confront her childhood abuse, and they will have to see if their love can heal old wounds.

Happy Reading!