Tag: book suggestions

The best books I’ve read in 2025, so far

It’s Summer, it’s July. As you’re reading this it’s the Fourth of July which I am not celebrating. I’m just coincidentally making ribs and watching fireworks today.

Hopefully, I’m also catching up on my reading. Because according to Goodreads, I am eight books behind where I should be to reach my goal for the year.

Boo.

This is even more of a tragedy because the books I have read this year have been great. Today, I’m sharing my roundup of the top ten best books I’ve read this year. Some came out this year, some didn’t. But all are books I read for the first time in 2025. And of course, we’re starting with number ten and working our way up.

Inspiring Creativity Through Magic by Astrea Taylor

I did a whole review of this book. It was a wonderful overview for both creatives and magical practitioners. If you’re a witch or a creative, this book is certainly worth a read.

Who Holds The Devil by Michael Dittman

This was such a fun book to read. I also reviewed it here.

The characters were delightful, and the story was eerie. And, it’s set in my hometown. Fun all around.

Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green

I’m going to do a full review of this book soon. It’s a great example of writing compelling nonfiction. More on this to come.

Incidents Around The House by Josh Malerman

As a horror fan, I loved how creepy this was. The story was immersive, touching, and infuriating in the best way possible.

As a writer, I loved the formatting and style choices. It was a bold move, writing the whole thing without proper punctuation. But it paid off.

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix

Everything Hendrix writes is amazing. This one was no different. I can feel the discomfort of the main characters. I can feel the fear and the fury. Even reading this in my living room in winter, I felt the humid Florida Summer on every page.

Never Flinch by Stephen King

Every Holly book just keeps getting better. I’ll be talking about this book in more detail next week. But in short, Holly is hired as a bodyguard by a feminist icon who’s being hunted by a religious zealot. Meanwhile, Detective Izzy is hunting a serial killer who’s murdering innocent people to drive those he considers to be truly guilty mad. I love it.

Horrorstor by Grady Hendrix

I was on a Hendrix kick earlier this year. And I listened to Horrorstor while keeping house and doing far too many things that required my hands and eyes.

If you get a chance, listen to this one as an audiobook. It was a fantastic time.

Also, if you’ve ever felt something deeply disturbing lurking beneath the fake plastic of a big box store, you’ll love this story.

Sunrise on The Reaping by Suzanne Collins

I talked about this book. Everyone talked about this book. Bookstagram wouldn’t shut the hell up about this book. And frankly, I understand why. It was amazing. I had to read the whole series again with this new insight into Haymich’s game. And it was exactly what the series needed to fit everything together.

I just wish there were more books to come. But Collins has said she doesn’t plan to write anymore in this world. Which is a shame, because I can think of several novels I’d love to see off the top of my head.

The House of My Mother by Shari Franke

Let me warn you now. I do not suggest reading this book unless you’re in a good place mentally.

I imagine most people know about Ruby Franke and the horrific abuse her children suffered at her hands. Shari is the oldest of these children. She is also her sibling’s champion.

This book is Shari’s story in her own words. And it is heartbreaking. But also incredibly inspiring.

We Used To Live Here by Marcus Kliewer

Finally, We Used To Live Here was easily my favorite book of the year. The story, which is about a young couple who buys a house only to have a very unwanted visit in the middle of the night, is terrifying. It messes with you. It makes you rethink everything you think. And it makes you start counting the windows in your home.

I love a book that makes me start wondering if I’m losing my mind. Well done.

So now it’s your turn. What are the best books you’ve read so far? Let me know in the comments.

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The top ten most banned books of 2023

Every year I post the top ten banned books of the year before. I think it’s important to make sure we’re keeping an eye on the books that are most often victims of censorship.

I am sad to say that there’s not a lot of shakeup in this list. We’ll see some similar titles here that we’ve seen in years past. And even worse, most of these books were banned for the same damn reason they always are. But you’ll see what I mean.

As always, this information comes from the American Library Association. You can check their whole list, and their very informational website, here.

10. Sold by Patricia McCormick

Banned for sexual content and rape.

9. Let’s Talk About It: The Teen’s Guide to Sex, Relationships, and Being a Human by Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan

Banned for sexual content and sex education

8. Tricks by Ellen Hopkins

Banned for sexual content, drugs, rape and LGBTQIA+ content.

7. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews

Banned for sexual content and profanity

6. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

Banned for discussions of rape and incest.

5. Flamer by Mike Curato

Banned for LGTBQIA+ content

4. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Banned for sexually explicit content, LGBTQIA+ content, rape, drugs and profanity.

3. This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson

Banned for LGBTQIA+ content and sex education.

2. All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson

Banned for LGBTQIA+ content.

1. Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe

Banned for LGBTQIA+ content.

I’m sure you could sense the theme. These bans send a shocking, clear, and horrific message. Some people want to force LGBTQ+ people out of schools. Out of public libraries. Out of society entirely, if they can.

I’m also shocked and appalled by the amount of books on this list that are banned exclusively because they provide sex education. Or the ones that are banned for talking about rape.

We need to talk about it. We need to give people the words and information they need to advocate for themselves. To protect themselves. To stand up for themselves.

By looking at what books are banned, we can see the agenda of the people who ban them. So go read a banned book today. And let me know what you’re reading in the comments below.

If you love this content and want to support Paper Beats World, you can do so on Ko-fi.

And if you’re looking for new books to add to your Fall reading list, don’t forget that Starting Chains is coming out on October 4. Broken Patterns is already available on Amazon.

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My 2024 Fall reading list

Fall will be with us officially on Sunday. Banned Books Week also starts on Sunday. So it seems like a good time to sit down with a scented candle, a good cup of something warm and write out a reading list for the Fall season.

While I am unsure if any of these books are on the official banned book list, I feel comfortable saying they would almost all be banned in Florida schools. So we’re rolling with that.

This list is not full of new books, but all but one are new to me. Some are fiction, some are nonfiction. All have caught my eye. Rather than suggesting that you read every book on this list, I’d like to invite you to make your own Fall reading list. And please, as always, share it with us in the comments.

Happy Fall reading.

Fairy Tale by Stephen King

This one’s been on my list for a while. When I found it at random on the library shelf, I took that as a sign to grab it. It’s the story of a boy and his dog discovering a magical and dark world in their shed. There’s nothing to dislike there.

Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury

I read this every Halloween. It’s a fantastic blend of poetic writing and history. If you haven’t read it, consider this your sign to read it this year. And if you have littles, read it aloud to them. It’s a magical time.

William by Mason Coile

This is a new novel about an AI smart house that, as always, turns evil. I love stories like this. And it is an example of an old story told in a new way. At l—at, I think it’ll be a great example. I haven’t read it yet.

We Used To Live Here by Marcus Kliewer

I should say I plan to read this if I can get my hands on it. I’m currently fifteenth in line for this book at my local library. It’s been all over Instagram, and people are not shutting up about it. And as it is a haunted house story, I had to read it.

Writing on Empty by Natalie Goldberg

I’m still playing catch-up with Goldberg’s work. I forget sometimes that people continue to live and do things when I’m not looking at them. But Writing on Empty should be fascinating, as it’s one of my favorite writers struggling with something I don’t believe in, writer’s block. Let’s see if she changes my mind on this. If anyone can, she can.

We Sold Our Souls by Grady Hendrix

I think this is about a rock star who sold her soul for musical talent. I know it’s by Grady Hendrix and I’ve yet to find a book of his that I didn’t simply devour. He’s become an instant buy (or borrow) author for me.

Lucy Undying by Kiersten White

This is the story of Lucy, one of Dracula’s first victims. And if it’s anything like the other works by White, I cannot wait to start reading it.

Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall

Feminism has never been as intersectional as we’d like it to be. Part of fixing that is educating myself. I’m also fascinated by women who do daring things. So this one should be a great read.

Sisters in Hate by Darby Seyward

It’s not just men who hold up these damaging alt-right beliefs that are so damaging to our country and communities. I want to hear the stories of the women who align themselves with these horrific ideologies. Maybe if I can hear their stories, I can understand how to help them write better ones.

We’ll Prescribe You A Cat by Syou Ishida and translated by E. Madison Shimoda

I am entranced by the premise of this story. People in emotional and physical need are given cats. These cats proceed to change their lives.

I’m writing this post with the cat who has brought so much brightness into my life on my lap right now. I plan to read this one with her stationed squarely on my stomach.

The Hygge Witch Handbook by Courtney Hope

Oh, you didn’t think I was going to get through this whole list without adding one witchcraft book, did you?

Hearth witchcraft is not exactly the core of my practice, but it’s a big part of it. And I’ve been practicing hygge for years. The concept of slowing down, savoring life and embracing little joys is essential for living joyfully in a world full of darkness. I am very excited to learn about incorporating hygge into my witchy homemaking practices.

Will I get to all of these books? I dearly hope so. Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram to check in with me.

And if you’re looking for new books to add to your Fall reading list, don’t forget that Starting Chains is coming out on October 4. Broken Patterns is already available on Amazon.

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Trans speculative fiction writers to follow

It’s Pride Month! At least I think it still is. I was once again sick during Nebula Con. Don’t know what deity I pissed off that this happened two years in a row but I’m sorry already! As if that wasn’t bad enough, I was also sick on my birthday. So for the first nine days of Pride, Nebula Con, and my 38th birthday I was sleeping or suffering.

But I survived! I’m here now, full of new story ideas and bisexual pride. So let’s get the rainbow rolling!

I am blessed in my life to know many LGBTQ+ people. And I’m always overjoyed to talk about the writers I’ve loved who happen to be gay. But I realized recently that I don’t know of a lot of work written by trans writers. Which is strange, because I know two trans authors. One has been a friend for years, and the other is a mutual in SFWA that I am in constant awe of.

So, why am I not reading more speculative fiction written by trans writers? Possibly because I’ve been reading the same four authors almost exclusively for a few years now. This is an issue and I need to work on it. To help, I’ve found five trans authors who are writing great work. Some are novelists. Some are critics. Some I know personally and some I just wish I did. All of them are great writers out there living their true lives.

Foz Meadows

Meadows is the author of The Accident of Stars and A Tyranny of Queens. A glance through their website confirms that they have wonderful taste in webcomics. They’ve been published everywhere I want to be published. I cannot wait to dig into their work, because it looks fantastic.

J.M Brannyk

Brannyk is an opinion writer, artist, and critic. Their work can be found on HauntedMTL, Gayley Dreadful, and many other places. They’re also a fantastic voice actor, playing Rose in my sci-fi horror podcast, AA.

Brannyk is funny, insightful, and eloquent. While they don’t write speculative fiction, their grasp of the form is clear in their critical reviews. And I’ve never read anything by them that wasn’t funny as hell.

Jordy Rosenberg

Jordy Rosenberg wrote Confessions of The Fox, a book I cannot wait to get my hands on. He’s also an associate professor and is often published in places like The New York Times and The Boston Review. Overall, he is a way more professional writer than me and I am intimidated.

Jordan Kurella

Author of the novella I Never Liked You Anyway, Jordan Kurella is an amazing speculative fiction writer. His short work is found in Apex and Lightspeed. He was a panelist at Nebula Con this year. I’ve never read one of Jordan’s stories that wasn’t funny and fantastic. Ten out of ten, every time.

Kit Mayquist

Kit Mayquist is the author of Tripping Arcadia. And anything that’s described as a gothic novel is going to be right up my alley. It’s also been compared favorably to Mexican Gothic, which you know is one of my favorite modern horror novels.

Kit has also been published in Writers Digest, which has been a dream of mine since I was thirteen years old. I also get some witchy vibes from his Instagram photos. So clearly, I want to be his best friend.

My TBR list is getting bigger, better, and more diverse, and I cannot be happier about that. But of course, these were only five trans writers. I know this is a world of fiction that I am just starting to explore. So please let me know in the comments some trans writers you love.

Paper Beats World is a labor of love. If you want to support what we do here, please like this post and share it. You can also support us financially on Ko-fi.

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