I’m excited to share a 2025 reading trends post (I’m enjoying catching up on my holds while LM is in rehearsal during my week off, haha, so they’re still piling up!) and some reading goals in the next few weeks.
In the meantime, here are a few thoughts on what I’ve read lately:
Midnight at Malabar House by Vaseem Khan: 4⭐️/5 beyond the mystery, which is deep and dense, this look into India entering 1950 and the social, religious, and political tensions through the eyes of a woman navigating being an unwanted pioneer in the police service and familial pressures is just a great read. Even if you’re unfamiliar with Partition and how British rule ended in India, the book brings you into the moment with the right amount of context.
Little Mysteries: Nine Miniature Puzzles to Confuse, Enthrall, and Delight by Sara Gran: 3.75⭐️/5 I thought this might be a “for fans only” as the stars of some of the puzzles come from Gran’s Claire DeWitt series and other writing. But, in some ways, this is a great introduction to Gran as a writer. Less dirty and ragged than the novels, but still with a feral logic and mysticism that drives the stories.
Something to Hide by Elizabeth George: 3.5⭐️/5 This series has been such a slog in the later books. The first 3/4 of this entry navigated female genital mutilation and caretaking and lies and messy intentions was just so heavy and dense and a drag… but, the last bit really did pick up and propel forward so many series storylines. I’m definitely taking a break before the next as these are slowing down my reading motivation.
Her Majesty’s Royal Coven by Juno Lawson: 3⭐️/5 This was not for me, sigh. It felt more like a mapped out clapback at the author of a popular wizard series with more swearing than needed world building or character connection. Although my personal inner turmoil with that other wizard series in light of its author’s worldview is quite well known, I think this could’ve been stronger if it showed instead of told.
The Dying Day by Vaseem Khan: 4⭐️/5 I am so loving this series! Not only did this follow-up have a dense mystery that twisted between literature, religion, WW2, and politics, but Khan also was able to deepen Persis’ character and lore without losing the curtness of what made the first book work. She carries the weight of being a woman in male spaces and her culture in a way that spotlights her flashing and brilliant brain with what the worlds expect from her.
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