A Bookish Life In AK

I read fewer books this year, 32 according to Goodreads. There were a few new to me authors, a debut author and some of my favorites. I’m aiming for a similar goal but with a twist this year. I’m going to leave you with a list of my 5 of my favorite authors this year and their book that meant the most to me. Some are Christian and some are just sweet and clean romances.

As you can tell I read a very wide assortment of genres and authors. It truly confuses me when someone asks me what my favorite book to read is. I usually reply with my all time favorite, or my current favorite. I would love to know, what are your favorite books from this past year? Do you have any reading goals for the year? Drop it in the comments.

1.Carly L. Carlson and “These Wild Dreams of Ours”

My first author and book on the list you’ve heard me sing praises about since I read it, Carly L. Carlson and her debut novel “These Wild Dreams of Ours.” Set during the Oregon Trail, Katie and her family are leaving from Independence, Missouri and traveling west to homestead their own land. Along the trail there are trials and problems that test, build and show her faith to those around her. This book wove faith throughout the story so well. It encouraged me in so deeply that I cannot stop thinking about it. I think I have recommended this book to everyone I know, and even some random strangers at times. If you like Francine Rivers and Louis L’amour this book is for you. https://www.amazon.com/These-Wild-Dreams-Carly-Carlson-ebook/dp/B0F2JL97C4?ref_=ast_author_mpb

2. Anne Kemp

Next is my favorite RomCom writer, Anne Kemp. I came across her during a summer Facebook group for closed door romances and it was all over. I will read anything she puts out. 2025 was no different. This was her year of hockey romances with the “River City Renegades” series which I devoured. The first one is “Faking the Face Off,” a friends to more, fake dating romance. I really like watching friends fall in love like this. The second book, “Goalie Interrupted” an enemies to more romance. That means tension and tons of chemistry! That’s always good for romance books. The final one on the series is “Offside Secrets.” Sutton is the new owner of the River City Renegades and Campbell is the captain. The possibility for scandal is huge which you can feel throughout the whole book. Anne has a way of writing her characters so well that they feel like friends and real people. You get drawn into their stories and lives. She writes stories that get you involved. And let me forget to remind you of The Love in Maple Falls series she was a part of! The return of the Icebreakers had me wishing Maple Falls was real. I will admit that I am a bit biased to Anne’s writing and “Checking Mr. Wrong” was possibly my top favorite one. Asher and Mabel’s story was so beautiful and sweet, with quotes like ,”And when he touched me, his hands were so warm, like he wasn’t just holding me, but keeping me safe. Protecting me.” How could you not want to read it? https://www.annekemp.com/

3) Pepper Basham and “Some Like It Scot

Pepper writes a variety of genres in Christian fiction, historical mystery, historical fiction, contemporary, regency romance and everything in between. I was introduced to her by an author friend and was not disappointed. This year I read/listened to “Some Like It Scot” and “Sense and Suitability.” “Some Like It Scot” is so much fun!! Katie Campbell is a travel writer under the name “Miss Adventure” and has been invited to Scotland to review an Edwardian experience. While there, Katie comes to find a home away from home. I haven’t wanted to read a fictional travel column since Pepper wrote this. Listening to it on Hoopla was a treat since there were dual readers, Joshua Manning and Stina Nielson, and Joshua reads in a beautiful Scottish accent ands adds so much to it. I then listened to “Sense and Suitability” and loved the humor and the Jane Austen of it all. Complete with nosy aunts and helpful cousins and rumors, I followed along with such interest. I am excited to read her next few books coming out this year, “Pride and Practicality,” “Brewed Awakenings” and “The Bachelor Spy.” https://pepperdbasham.com/

4) J.L. Burrows and “Freefalling”

If you like dystopian books, you would like J.L. Burrows’ book “Freefalling.” “Freefalling” is the first in the “The Reconditioned” Series, named for what people go through when they disobey the government or show any sort of defiance to the government. When a couple of her students are caught fighting, Serenity Knowles tries to get them released instead of having them be reconditioned and ruin their futures. While searching her neighbor’s home, Serenity finds a device that tells her of the Truth and her future is now unknown. Serenity goes on the run to rescue them. She is rescued by a secret group under the Dome and learns more about the government that she thought she knew. With whispers of her grandfather’s teaching of the truth and her new friends show her. Serenity goes on to find her students and take down the Federal Bureau of Acceptance. I am excited to read the rest of this series and her other series, “The Balance Keepers.” https://www.jlburrows.com/

5) A.J. Skelly and “Murder at Mistlethwaite Manor” Lastly is an author that was introduced to me through an Instagram contest that I won. A.J Skelly wrote “Murder at Mistlethwaite Manor,” a Gilded Age murder mystery. Lady Emma Hastings has received a coveted invitation to the most elusive Christmas Party, that comes with a 10,000 pound prize. Gathered with an interesting cast of characters, all with secrets that they don’t want revealed. When her soon to be fiancé shows up as well as her former love who supposedly left her at the alter she is caught between the two and then throw in a few dead bodies and near misses with a fire and an ice skating accident, there is plenty of action, romance and intrigue. I could not put this book down!! A.J. Skelly also writes some tremendous fantasy books and I cannot wait to read her newest book, “An Alliance of Ash and Jade.” https://ajskelly.com/home/

I read quite a few new to me authors this year and really have enjoyed them all in different ways. Some for beautiful writing, some for compelling characters, and some were just truly fun books. Till next time,

Prayers and Blessings, Becky