A clever, cozy mystery that follows the Thursday Murder Club as they tackle another twisty case. I’m embarrassed to admit I got a little weepy to be back with these characters again, especially after how book 4 ended. The fifth installment did not disappoint, each character felt 100% themselves and I loved them for it. I also found the plot easier to follow than some of the earlier books.

Remember the choose-your-own-adventure books from childhood? This is exactly that except it’s not random choices. You choose which suspects to interview, which locations to investigate, and which clues to pursue. The book was not perfect but it was incredibly fun. I felt like Nancy Drew, using a separate notebook to keep track of details and decrypt codes. And, not to brag, but I did reach Master Sleuth level at the end.

A spooky (not creepy) missing-person read set at a summer camp in the Adirondack mountains. I liked jumping between perspectives and timelines, which kept me wondering who’s story to trust.

A classic Hercule Poirot, featuring a quiet English village shaken by a suspicious death. Thank you to book club for getting me into queen-of-crime Agatha Christie. This was my second read of hers and current favorite. I like that I can pick up the clues a bit easier than modern mysteries, but I’m still shocked and delighted at the end.

A charming fantasy about a young woman cursed by a witch who ends up tangled in the chaotic world of the wizard Howl and his moving castle. Another book club pick, and the only book of the year that the whole crew enjoyed! A unique, but simple fantasy.

A gothic fantasy about a Diviner at a remote cathedral who is forced into a dangerous quest alongside a reckless young king and a heretical knight. This book cemented my loyalty to Gillig. Her books are dark (lots of blood and creepiness, my friends) but her world building and character development are unparalleled. I am happy to pick up any work of hers during spooky season.

Set at an elite English magical boarding school, this follows Saffy, the Director of Magic, as she holds the responsibility of keeping the entire school protected from very real demonic threats. Picturing a young McGonagall in the Scholomance series, I was a big fan of Saffy! Though I figured out the twist, I got a nice surprise when it was revealed and there was still 20% of the book and some great plot moments left.

A brilliant young woman must complete a mysterious set of hidden requirements to inherit her beloved newspaper. I speed-read this one in the last 48 hours before my Kindle Unlimited trial expired. The story didn’t end in the way I was hoping, but it still somehow felt like a happily-ever-after.

The only non-fiction on this list, this sweet set of real letters between a New York writer and a London bookshop captures an unexpectedly deep friendship. I didn’t anticipate the ending, and it left me feeling a little melancholy but still warm.

A middle school boy tells stories about his life after immigrating from Iraq, trying to explain what’s true about his past. I read this in January and initially didn’t like it, but found myself thinking about the book as the year went on. I ultimately decided the way the story is told is the real masterpiece, even if the story itself wasn’t my personal favorite.

A modern retelling of Emma that follows a wealthy Upper East Side grad student who plays matchmaker for a new friend while butting heads with her family friend, George Knightley. I’ve really solidified Emma as my favorite Austen novel, and this retelling is such a fun take on the classic. There’s a few in this series and more to come!

A sweet, cozy romance with major Sleepless in Seattle vibes, this features a radio show setup that pulls two strangers into an unexpectedly personal connection. I felt like Aiden was kind of a baby at times, but ultimately it was still a happy-ending, walk-away-smiling read. I’m looking forward to the 2nd installment with the side characters in a few months.

A romance about two strangers who end up stranded at sea together and are forced to rely on each other to survive. O’Leary is another author I’m a loyal fan of. It was a little jarring to pair a romance with a genuinely traumatic experience (multiple times I got too anxious about their survival and had to put the book down). But O’Leary writes romance in a way that feels grounded and deep, which made this book a win.

A cozy Victorian series told through Emma’s witty, self-incriminating journal entries as she returns to her London neighborhood of St. Crispian’s and gets pulled into the eccentric chaos of life at Lapis Lazuli House. I’ve yet to meet a person who’s read this series and not loved it. The touches of magical realism bring levity and whimsy, and it’s undeniably fun (if completely unrealistic) that nearly every man Emma encounters seems at least a little bit in love with her. I’m on track to read all of them twice in 6 months. Also, Might Nigel Hawkes 4eva.