Come on a brand new adventure as we enter the beginning of the end of 2025! Here, I have gathered the perfect list of novels for you to complete your Goodreads reading goal for the year. This is your sign to take a break, reflect on the year, and grab a short book!
The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
Starting off our list is one of the most iconic and classic novels by Ernest Hemingway. The Old Man and the Sea contains a short, beautiful story of patience and perseverance. Santiago, an old fisherman, comes into contact with not just a large marlin, but his very hopes and dreams. The representation of this short yet mighty novel is unparalleled and completely worth the read.
The Stranger in Seat 8B by Nikki Castle
Annie is the epitome of a workaholic, having dedicated her entire life to being an exceptional lawyer. The issue she seems to have, however, is that she doesn’t have much time for anything else. As she takes a flight, she encounters a handsome stranger who is determined to thaw Annie’s icy exterior. Damien, our sexy stranger, ever so determined, may find that Annie’s warmth is something to be earned.
Body in the Books by Heather Huffman
Sitting at just 128 pages on the Kindle edition, this cozy summer mystery focuses on Nora Jones, who inherits an old bookshop from her estranged uncle and moves to St. Augustine to learn more about the man she never got to know. What was thought to be a heart attack is actually a murder, and where there is a murderer, there must be a detective, but this one in particular happens to be extremely handsome. With his help, Nora decides to find out who the murderer is and finds herself in a race against time.
Rolling in the Deep by Mira Grant
The prequel to Mira Grant’s novel Into the Drowning Deep is an exciting horror novella about how the Imagine Network is commissioned to make a documentary about mermaids as they set sail on the cruise ship, Atargatis. No one expected to see actual mermaids, and they definitely didn’t think they would bite. Myth or not, the truth lies in the Mariana Trench. What is a good horror story without a bit of reality to it?
Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote
At just 157 pages, this iconic 1940s-set story features Holly Golightly, who mafia gangsters and wealthy playboys constantly pursue. Holly is a heartbreaker and a woman who does not attach herself easily. Breakfast at Tiffany’s, one thing that New York is known for, fills the plotline with such grace and ease that you’ll feel that you’re seeing it for yourself.
To the Women I Once Loved by Pierre Alex Jeanty
This 150-page poetry book shares the inner workings of feelings towards past relationships and how they have shaped him. With each line in its perfect place, these poems are sure to keep you on your toes, make you laugh, bring mist to the eyes, and uplift those in need of it. Stanza by stanza, these poems provide the perfect book to finish your reading list!
Finally His by Doris O’Connor
This spicy erotica novel is the perfect small piece of smut that may be missing from your reading list. A forbidden fling that couldn’t possibly go wrong, right? Jolie Pierson has wanted her boss since she saw him, and when he finally notices her, she can’t help but fall even harder. Richard Tomlin has a rule: don’t date the women he employs. When he sees Jolie, he knows this is the only time rules should be broken, for her, and her only.
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll
We all know the classic novel, and even the movie of Alice in Wonderland, but what you may not have realized is that it is the absolute perfect book for your reading list. From the immense imagination to the lovable characters, this classic book is often overlooked. Grab yourself a gorgeous copy, and get reading!
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
Trigger Warning: Please read the CWs/TWs prior to purchasing.
If you haven’t read or heard of this book, today is your lucky day. Magic, a year-long romance, and the unimaginable power of love fill the pages of this novel. One man’s death unleashes a darkness unlike any other, and 40 years later, an entrancing story begins. Want to know more? Grab yourself a copy of this magnificent tale of danger and spells of the past.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
You know this story. I know this story. We both know that it never gets old, and when times get busy, we all wish we could take some time for ourselves and dive into an epic love story with parties like no other. If this all sounded appealing to you, then this is your sign to read, or reread, The Great Gatsby!
I hope you enjoyed these last-minute recommendations. With the end of the year right around the corner, what’s better to end 2025 than with the completion of your reading goal? From classic novels to spicy novellas, these books have all you could want!
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Check out our awesome Contemporary Romance shelf filled with the best romance novels!
