2025 Book Club Wrap Up!

Welcome to "A Fleeting Thought" where I post relatively short and to the point book reviews and bookish thoughts!

Here is a list of all 12 books we read as a book club in 2025. I can't believe I hosted an entire of book club! I focus on indie/women/BIPOC authors and will include how each book falls under those categories with a "Tags" line.

I was so hesitant to start the group out of worry that no one would be interested. Now, the group has continued to grow, and so many amazing friendships have formed.

At each meeting, I took a poll from those who attended to see whether people liked it, felt so so, or didn't like it. I'll include those ratings below!

If you'd like to be a part of book club, fee free to reach out to me on Instagram or email me at: thewillowbranchbooks@gmail.com or check out all the book club info by clicking the below button.

January:

"The Girl Who Was Taken" by Charlie Donlea.

Genre: Thriller

We started the year off with my favorite genre-- thriller! This was a fast paced whodunnit where some of us had it figured out from the get go, and some of us didn't realize until the very end.

7/7 liked it!

February:

"Lady Tan's Circle of Women" by Lisa See.

Genre: Historical Fiction

This explored one woman's life in 15th century China. Our main character was born into an elite family, is educated, but undervalued because she was born a woman. Most agreed felt a bit slow. I enjoyed this story for its portrayal of womanhood regardless of status, culture, language, or time.

6/11 liked it. 3/11 felt so so. 2/11 did not like it.

Tags: woman/BIPOC author

March:

"Recursion" by Black Crouch.

Genre: Dystopian Thriller

This novel delved into what it would be like if we could go back into our memories to change the course of time/history. It was pretty trippy and we discussed whether we would go and change the past if we could. It was a resounding "no."

6/9 liked it. 3/9 felt so so.

April:

"The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison.

Genre: Fiction/Banned Books

Banned books are an important piece of my platform. These books are often ones we had to read in high school or heard of but never got around to. The Bluest Eye explores the reality of a young black girl in America and the things she experiences due to her race and societal standing. This was a tough one for a lot of us, but and incredibly important read nonetheless.

4/9 liked it. 4/9 felt so so. 1/9 didn't like it.

Tags: woman/BIPOC author

May:

"The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches" by Sangu Mandanna.

Genre: Cozy Fantasy

After such a heavy read, we needed a fun and cozy pallet cleanser. This book was sweet, cute, and even though predictable at times, it was very lovely.

12/12 liked it.

Tags: woman/BIPOC author

June:

"The Fifth Season" by N.K. Jemisin

Genre: High Fantasy

We delved into a genre that not many in the group had explored before. This story had a unique magic that explained the end of a world. The way the story was told was really unique and left a good portion of us feeling mind blown at the end.

4/11 liked it. 5/11 felt so so. 2/11 didn't like it.

Tags: woman/BIPOC author

July:

"Crying in the Bathroom" by Erika L. Sánchez.

Genre: Memoir

Sometimes we don't realize how much our life can mirror itself in someone else's

experiences. We're more alike than we might think. I chose and enjoyed this book for its display of what it can and often does mean to experience womanhood. I feel that womanhood is a shared experience regardless of culture, although some found it difficult to relate to the story due to the cultural difference. I felt this book had a lot of room for discussion about our shared experiences as women.

2/8 liked it. 6/8 felt so so.

Tags: woman/BIPOC author

August:

"The Maid" by Nina Prose.

Genre: (Cozy) Mystery

Another cozy follow up after a book that prompted a lot of thought. This was an easy whodunnit mystery with great autism representation which I loved. I always enjoy when a novel can offer me a perspective different than my own.

9/12 liked it. 1/12 felt so so. 2/12 didn't like it.

Tags: woman author

September:

"Reign & Ruin" by J.D. Evans.

Genre: Romantasy

Most of us have read romantasy, but this one felt refreshing as it had Arab/Middle Eastern influence. It was great to see how culture and different worldly customs can shape a story that we have heard/read before.

7/9 liked it. 2/9 felt so so.

Tags: woman author

October:

"The Once and Future Witches" by Alix E. Harrow

Genre: Fantasy

A story about sisterhood, lost relationships, redemption, and the battle of good and evil, especially against women. I absolutely loved this book and felt so moved by the representation of sister/womanhood. This is a book I would 100% recommend.

"Liked it" data coming soon...

Tags: woman author

November:

"Our Hideous Progeny" by C.E. McGill

Genre: Historical Fantasy

A Frankenstein retelling from the perspective of his great niece who finds his notes and attempts to recreate his experiments. This story explored a woman in a male dominated field-- science-- in 1850's London where her thoughts weren't appreciated until a man involved himself.

"Liked it" data coming soon...

Tags: non-binary author

December:

"Until the World Falls Down" by Jordan Lynde.

Genre: Spicy Romantasy

The group wanted to go out with some spice and some spice we did! This was a beauty and the beast meets the labyrinth retelling. It had challenges for our FMC to complete, a dark, moody, and possessive MMC, and shadows ;). We all got dressed up fancy, played games, and had a great time.

"Liked it" data coming soon...

Tags: woman author

If you're interested in purchasing any of these books, click the button below and let me know what title you'd like and whether you'd like a hardcover or paperback edition!