
'I've read over 100 books so far in 2025 — these are the five I couldn't put down'
As a new mum at the time, I naturally found myself spending a lot more time at home in the evenings, and having exhausted Netflix, I instead turned to my bookshelf for entertainment. Fast-forward 18 months and while I now have a bit more time on my hands, my favourite evening activity is still sitting down and diving into a good book.
So far this year, I've read just over 100 books, including short stories, hefty fantasies and eye-opening memoirs, as well as a healthy dose of romance novels. I always tend to have a physical book on the go at the same time as a Kindle read, but a few books have totally stopped me in my tracks, grabbing my attention and refusing to let go until I reached the final page.
Here are five such books I simply couldn't put down. For more book recommendations, reviews and news, subscribe to our free weekly newsletter, The Bookish Drop, on Substack.
1. Open Wide by Jessica Gross
A young woman becomes so obsessed with her boyfriend she literally climbs inside of him. That's the wild premise of Jessica Gross' latest novel, Open Wide.
Radio host Olive has always struggled to connect with people, secretly recording her conversations to decipher social cues. But when one day surgeon Theo turns up for a shift at the food pantry where she volunteers, she finally feels understood and accepted. As their relationship develops, so too does Olive's fascination with the gap between Theo's front teeth, which is just wide enough for something—or someone—to slip inside.
I enjoy a bit of weird girl fiction, the more unconventional and eccentric the better. But I was absolutely obsessed with this book, and took it with me everywhere I went. It's so unique, and unpacks themes of intimacy, consent and love in such an interesting way.
You can pre-order Open Wide, publishing on August 7, here.
2. Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman
If you'd told me a couple of years ago that one of my favourite book series of all time would end up being a story about a man and his cat fighting monsters in a dungeon while being broadcast to billions of alien planets, I'd have laughed at you.
But having now spent many hours reading all seven books in the series, I can confirm it's a winning formula even for non-gamers with cat allergies. What starts as Carl and his ex-girlfriend's cat Princess Donut simply fighting to survive in a video game-style environment quickly grows into something much bigger.
This series is ongoing, with the eighth instalment expected next year. The whole series is available on Kindle Unlimited, or you can buy it from Waterstones. I would also highly recommend listening to the audiobook for a truly immersive experience!
3. Inherited Fate by Noémi Orvos-Tóth
Fiction will always be my preference, but I still make an effort to read at least one non-fiction book a month. I usually like to take my time with these, reading or listening over the course of a few weeks, but Inherited Fate proved to be the exception to my self-imposed rule.
Psychologist Noémi Orvos-Tóth takes you on a journey of self-awareness, explaining how everything from the circumstances of our conception to birth order shapes who we are. She explains how our anxieties and repeated relationship patterns can be traced back to the experiences of our parents, grandparents and even the ancestors we've never met.
This is a topic I find fascinating, and I enjoyed the stories Orvos-Tóth shares about her patients and acquaintances. I really only put this book down to voice note friends every time I came across something especially interesting. If you pick up one new non-fiction book this summer, I would recommend this one.
You can buy Inherited Fate here.
4. One Yellow Eye by Leigh Radford
Scientist Kesta's husband Tim was the final person to be infected during a zombie pandemic. With the government appearing to have rounded up and eradicated all infected individuals, the quest for a cure is now underway. However, with her undead husband concealed in her spare room, Kesta has more incentive than most.
The cover had me sold before I even read the blurb. But, beyond the wild science and zombies, I was taken aback by the emotional depth within; the love story between Kesta and Tim will make you both smile and feel real heartache for them.
I couldn't stop reading, anxiously waiting for something to go disastrously wrong.
You can buy One Yellow Eye here.
5. The Martian by Andy Weir
I am a big fan of science fiction, with Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir becoming a particular favourite in the genre earlier this year. But after receiving The Martian as a gift, I was initially reluctant to read it.
As anyone who has seen the film adaptation starring Matt Damon will know, the main character spends a lot of time alone, and I was nervous about reading a book with so little dialogue.
For the uninitiated, The Martian follows Mark Watney, an astronaut who finds himself stranded on Mars after a fierce storm, who must use his ingenuity as well as his botanical and engineering knowledge to survive and signal Earth for rescue.
I needn't have worried about reading this book, as Mark's narration (via the medium of diary entries) is hugely entertaining, and a good chunk of the book is dedicated to the teams working on Earth to bring Mark home, as well as his fellow astronauts.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mail
11 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Ex-ESPN analyst issues brutal insult to Hulk Hogan's WWE career after wrestling legend's death
Former ESPN analyst Bomani Jones has taken aim at Hulk Hogan 's legacy following the late wrestler's death last week. Hogan, a wrestling legend, died at the age of 71 on Thursday after suffering cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida. Emergency services rushed him to a local hospital but the WWE icon was ultimately declared dead at the medical facility. Tributes to the WWE icon have flooded in from the sporting world and beyond in the days since his death, including even a personal message from President Donald Trump. However, Jones, who worked as a regular analyst for ESPN for eight years until 2018, claimed that he cannot understand the praise for Hogan or his legacy in the ring. 'Why was Hulk Hogan such a big deal? Why did people love Hulk Hogan so much? I have spent the last 96 hours and change trying to come up with an answer to that question and I do not have it,' Jones said on the The Right Time with Bomani Jones show. 'I did not see anything that I thought gave a real explanation as to why it was that this guy was so popular and that famous. He had to win over wrestling to move over into this bigger world of pop culture fame. Former ESPN analyst Bomani Jones (right) has taken aim at Hulk Hogan's (left) legacy 'We all acknowledge that he was a bad wrestler and the majority of the really popular wrestlers are good wrestlers. He wasn't exactly the coolest wrestler. I mean, he ain't no Ric Flair. Low key, his character was a little bit corny. 'The training, the prayers and the vitamins... even though we found out that the vitamins, you couldn't buy them in stores. He out here telling you, "take vitamins to get as big as me," meanwhile he putting his pants down and and putting his booty out.' Throughout his life, which is set to be covered by a new Netflix documentary, Hogan endured his fair share of controversies in and out of the ring, including the exposure of his steroid use. Hogan would tell his young fanbase, dubbed the Hulkamaniacs, to take their vitamins, say their prayers, respect their parents, and always do their best, but by the early 1990s his public image had taken a downwards turn. In 1991, he was forced to deny that his gargantuan build was the result of long-term steroid abuse, only to U-turn while under oath in a 1994 trial against his former employer where he admitted to taking them for over 13 years. Anabolic steroids are powerful, manufactured, drugs that mimic the effects of the testosterone. Away from his wrestling career, Hogan battled through the emotional toll of a bitter family feud with ex-wife Linda and his daughter Brooke during the final months of his life. In an astonishing video on social media shared back in March, Linda first accused her former husband of being a 'complete liar' and 'sex addict' . She also claimed their family is 'in the worst mess' after Brooke cut both parents out of her life, before hitting back at her mom by alleging that her dad was not the only reason behind the shocking family divide, claiming she was 'verbally and mentally abused' during her childhood. 'Sadly, it would frequently turn physical. And sometimes it's not by the person you would assume, abuse comes in all shapes and sizes,' Brooke alleged. After Brooke's stunning response, Linda then took a dramatic U-turn by defending Hogan and branding her daughter a 'narcissist.' Before his death, Hogan became known as an ardent Trump supporter, even pitching himself to become the president's Vice President before JD Vance was chosen. He endorsed Trump's presidential candidacy at the 2024 GOP convention and later spoke in favor of his fellow reality TV star at a Madison Square Garden rally in October. But in some corners, his act was growing tired, especially after Hogan was recorded using racist slurs in 2015. In a video made public by The National Enquirer, Hogan said 'I guess we're all a little racist' and used the n-word while referring to his daughter's love life, repeating the phrase 'f***ing n******' several times.


Daily Mirror
11 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Netflix fans so 'speechless' by film based on a true story they've watched twice
The Netflix film, directed by Angelina Jolie, is based on the powerful true story of Olympian Louis Zamperini and viewers say it's one of the most heartbreaking things they've ever watched Netflix enthusiasts are being encouraged to dive into a ' bingeworthy' true story that promises to keep you glued to your screen. TikTok's TV and film aficionado Eccy Reviews has hailed the Netflix offering Unbroken as a show that will render you "speechless". Directed by Angelina Jolie, the film chronicles the life of Olympian Louis Zamperini following his near-fatal plane crash during World War Two. Zamperini endured a gruelling 47 days adrift on a raft with two fellow crewmen before being captured by the Japanese navy and taken to a prisoner-of-war camp. The 2014 cinematic piece, featuring Jack O'Connell, Miyavi, and Domhnall Gleeson, has a runtime of 2 hours and 17 minutes and boasts 14 awards and 33 nominations The TikTok critic enthused: "You have to watch this true story on Netflix immediately. I promise you that this will be one of the most powerful and unbelievable things that you will ever watch. "I went into it completely blind and by the end of it, I was speechless. What this guy went through and how strong he is as a human being, it is one of the most heartbreaking things that I have ever watched. "I promise you that this story will stick with you. You will never ever forget this film so please get this film on your watch list." In response to his video, one viewer remarked: "The book and the film are both awesome." Another chimed in, saying: "Great film, watching it twice." A third user enthused: "Absolutely brilliant movie. I have watched it about five times. Jack O Connell should have received an Oscar love it." Another shared their thoughts, saying: "Omg what amazing film but very sad watch." On IMDb, a reviewer shared their experience: "I finally rented this movie which I had been avoiding since it was released over a year ago. I am glad I did because it kept my interest throughout. I thought the POW theme would be too depressing which it is but there is no glossing over that." They continued to praise the director: "Angelina Jolie has become an admirable director. I don't understand the hate directed towards her. This is an epic movie that is very well done. The film has won it's fair share of awards including three Oscar nominations." The same user was surprised by the lack of further recognition: "The acting is great. I am surprised the movie didn't receive more Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Best Lead Actor, Best Supporting Actor and Best Director. Also the Coen Brothers should have received more recognition for their screenplay." Another person reflected on the film's heavy content: "Unbroken was a hard movie to watch because of the torture that Louie Zamperini was put under. When he was taken as a prisoner of war and stuck in a foreign country with the other prisoners of war, it really hurt me to see the way that the human race can treat another person. "I think it is cool how at the end of the movie, it showed pictures and gave an update on Louie. For all that he endured, he went back to the people that tortured him and made amends with them. I loved how the movie ended on a semi-positive result even though it was kind of dark. "Also, It put me at ease to know that he finally got to run the race he was training for, for so many years. Lastly, I really liked how the graphics and how realistic every aspect of the movie was."


Telegraph
11 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Netflix's Pride and Prejudice to star diverse cast
Netflix 's new adaptation of Pride and Prejudice will have a diverse cast. The streaming giant has become known for efforts to increase ethnic representation onscreen, particularly demonstrated in its hit period drama Bridgerton, and has now turned its attention to a British classic. A new series based on Jane Austen's 1813 novel will feature Mr Bingley and his sister Caroline played by mixed-race stars. The Bingleys are the social betters of the principal Bennet family, and Mr Bingley's wealth and status are a key part of what makes him a good catch in the Regency society in which he moves. Netflix's Bridgerton depicted mixed-race families at the top of Regency high society to ensure the cast was as diverse as possible. The show 'really emphasised black', according to Verna Myers, the company's diversity lead. It was criticised by some for its inaccurate depiction of Regency England as a diverse and post-racial society, and also for glossing over the social struggles of black people at the time. Austen herself did not spend much time on describing what her characters looked like, and Mr Bingley is said to be 'wonderfully handsome', while the snobbish Caroline is 'one of the handsomest women' known to the heroine, Elizabeth Bennet. Mr Bingley will be played by Irish actor Daryl McCormack, who has spoken in the past about his own experience of racism in Ireland, while Caroline will be played by Black Mirror star Siena Kelly. The newly announced casting choices will appear alongside Rufus Sewell, who has been unveiled as the genial Mr Bennet, and the previously-announced Olivia Colman as Mrs Bennet and The Crown star Emma Corrin as Elizabeth Bennet. Jack Lowden, best-known for Slow Horses, will play Mr Darcy. Dolly Alderton, writer and executive producer on the series, said earlier in the year that the Pride and Prejudice adaptation would offer an opportunity to 'find both familiar and fresh ways of bringing this beloved book to life'. Ms Myers said in 2021 that Netflix's emphasis on diversity while 'exciting' can lead to ' some controversy '. In 2023, a Netflix series portrayed Cleopatra as black, after producer Jada Pinkett Smith – the wife of actor Will Smith – cited the importance of telling 'stories about black queens'. Dr Zahi Hawass, a leading Egyptian archaeologist, reacted by saying ' Cleopatra was not black '. It was pointed out that Cleopatra was descended from Ptolemy, a general of Alexander the Great, making the queen of 'light-skinned' Macedonian Greek heritage. The BBC has also sought to increase diversity in casting for its period dramas, including Wolf Hall, which returned for a second series with a diverse cast of Tudor courtiers, including real historical figures known to be white. This diversity was evident within families, and the mother and sister of Jane Seymour, the third wife of Henry VIII, were portrayed as being of different ethnic backgrounds to Jane herself. This approach has also been with the forthcoming drama King and Conqueror about the Norman invasion of 1066, with historical Anglo-Saxon noblemen as being from diverse backgrounds.