Hello, friends! Welcome, or Welcome back! My name is Amanda, and this is where I share spoiler-free book reviews and other bookish things. Thanks for visiting. Join the conversation and share your thoughts. Let’s get Smitten for Fiction!

Just a couple of months left in 2025, and I am hoping to finish 10 more books before the end of this year. Can I do it? Probably not. Haha, but let’s give it a go! I have hundreds of books on my “want to read” list, but here are the 10 that I really want to get to before we ring in the new year.

Title: Project Hail Mary
Author: Andy Weir
Publication Date: May 2021
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Genre: Science Fiction
I’m listening to the audiobook for Project Hail Mary and loving it! Andy Weir knows how to write science fiction that hits you in the heart.

Title: Persephone’s Curse
Author: Katrina Leno
Publication Date: December 2, 2025
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy (Retelling)
I started this yesterday, and I am upset when I have to put it down and do adult things. I love Katrina Leno’s writing so much. Summer of Salt and Sometime in Summer are two of my favourite books, and next year I’m going to read everything Leno has written. It’s about time I catch up on her backlist.

Title: Midnight Somewhere: A Short-Story Collection
Author: Johnny Compton
Publication Date: December 9, 2025
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
Genre: Horror
After enjoying Spite House and Devils Kill Devils, I’m excited to check out this short story collection by Johnny Compton.

I loved the Practical Magic movie, and so I wanted to read the series that inspired the adaptation. I’ve already read Practical Magic and so now I would like to check out Magic Lessons (2020), The Book of Magic (2021), and The Rules of Magic (2017) by Alice Hoffman.
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Genre: Fantasy (Witches)

Title: Through Gates of Garnet and Gold (Wayward Children Book 11)
Author: Seanan McGuire
Publication Date: January 6, 2026
Publisher: Tordotcom
Genre: Fantasy (portal)
The Wayward Children series is one of my all-time favourite fantasy series. In this installment, we get to see Nancy again, one of my favourite characters of the series. This series is a must-read for fantasy fans!

Title: Someone You Can Build a Nest In
Author: John Wiswell
Publication Date: April 2024
Publisher: DAW
Genre: Horror
I’ve been waiting for this hold to come in at the library since the summer, and I can’t wait to finally read it. I’ve heard so many good things about Someone You Can Build a Nest In.

Title: My Next Breath
Author: Jeremy Renner
Publication Date: April 2025
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Genre: Memoir
I started this audiobook in August but didn’t finish before it was returned to the library. Jeremy Renner is the epitome of resilience. I’m looking forward to finally finishing this memoir.

Title: Simply More
Author: Cynthia Erivo
Publication Date: November 2025
Publisher: Macmillan
Genre: Memoir
Cynthia Erivo is one of the best singers currently alive. I’m a big Wicked fan and can’t wait to read this memoir.

10 Before the End 2025
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Persephone’s Curse by Katrina Leno
Midnight Somewhere by Johnny Compton
The Book of Magic by Alice Hoffman
The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman
Magic Lessons by Alice Hoffman
Through Gates of Garnet and Gold by Seanan McGuire
Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell
My Next Breath by Jeremy Renner
Simply More by Cynthia Erivo

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