'I've read over 100 books so far in 2025 — these are the five I couldn't put down'

I would describe myself as a lifelong reader, but my passion for books really ramped up in 2024, when I went from reading a booka month to devouring several novels a week.

As a new mum at the time, I naturally found myself spending a lot more time at home in the evenings, and having exhausted Netflix, I instead turned to my bookshelf for entertainment. Fast-forward 18 months and while I now have a bit more time on my hands, my favourite evening activity is still sitting down and diving into a good book.

So far this year, I've read just over 100 books, including short stories, hefty fantasies and eye-opening memoirs, as well as a healthy dose of romance novels. I always tend to have a physical book on the go at the same time as a Kindle read, but a few books have totally stopped me in my tracks, grabbing my attention and refusing to let go until I reached the final page.

Here are five such books I simply couldn't put down. For more book recommendations, reviews and news, subscribe to our free weekly newsletter, The Bookish Drop, on Substack.

1. Open Wide by Jessica Gross

A young woman becomes so obsessed with her boyfriend she literally climbs inside of him. That's the wild premise of Jessica Gross' latest novel, Open Wide.

Radio host Olive has always struggled to connect with people, secretly recording her conversations to decipher social cues. But when one day surgeon Theo turns up for a shift at the food pantry where she volunteers, she finally feels understood and accepted. As their relationship develops, so too does Olive's fascination with the gap between Theo's front teeth, which is just wide enough for something—or someone—to slip inside.

I enjoy a bit of weird girl fiction, the more unconventional and eccentric the better. But I was absolutely obsessed with this book, and took it with me everywhere I went. It's so unique, and unpacks themes of intimacy, consent and love in such an interesting way.

You can pre-order Open Wide, publishing on August 7, here.

2. Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman

If you'd told me a couple of years ago that one of my favourite book series of all time would end up being a story about a man and his cat fighting monsters in a dungeon while being broadcast to billions of alien planets, I'd have laughed at you.

But having now spent many hours reading all seven books in the series, I can confirm it's a winning formula even for non-gamers with cat allergies. What starts as Carl and his ex-girlfriend's cat Princess Donut simply fighting to survive in a video game-style environment quickly grows into something much bigger.

This series is ongoing, with the eighth instalment expected next year. The whole series is available on Kindle Unlimited, or you can buy it from Waterstones. I would also highly recommend listening to the audiobook for a truly immersive experience!

3. Inherited Fate by Noémi Orvos-Tóth

Fiction will always be my preference, but I still make an effort to read at least one non-fiction book a month. I usually like to take my time with these, reading or listening over the course of a few weeks, but Inherited Fate proved to be the exception to my self-imposed rule.

Psychologist Noémi Orvos-Tóth takes you on a journey of self-awareness, explaining how everything from the circumstances of our conception to birth order shapes who we are. She explains how our anxieties and repeated relationship patterns can be traced back to the experiences of our parents, grandparents and even the ancestors we've never met.

This is a topic I find fascinating, and I enjoyed the stories Orvos-Tóth shares about her patients and acquaintances. I really only put this book down to voice note friends every time I came across something especially interesting. If you pick up one new non-fiction book this summer, I would recommend this one.

You can buy Inherited Fate here.

4. One Yellow Eye by Leigh Radford

Scientist Kesta's husband Tim was the final person to be infected during a zombie pandemic. With the government appearing to have rounded up and eradicated all infected individuals, the quest for a cure is now underway. However, with her undead husband concealed in her spare room, Kesta has more incentive than most.

The cover had me sold before I even read the blurb. But, beyond the wild science and zombies, I was taken aback by the emotional depth within; the love story between Kesta and Tim will make you both smile and feel real heartache for them.

I couldn't stop reading, anxiously waiting for something to go disastrously wrong.

You can buy One Yellow Eye here.

5. The Martian by Andy Weir

I am a big fan of science fiction, with Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir becoming a particular favourite in the genre earlier this year. But after receiving The Martian as a gift, I was initially reluctant to read it.

As anyone who has seen the film adaptation starring Matt Damon will know, the main character spends a lot of time alone, and I was nervous about reading a book with so little dialogue.

For the uninitiated, The Martian follows Mark Watney, an astronaut who finds himself stranded on Mars after a fierce storm, who must use his ingenuity as well as his botanical and engineering knowledge to survive and signal Earth for rescue.

I needn't have worried about reading this book, as Mark's narration (via the medium of diary entries) is hugely entertaining, and a good chunk of the book is dedicated to the teams working on Earth to bring Mark home, as well as his fellow astronauts.

You can buy The Martian here.