It occurs to me that under "Books That Defy Description" you might enjoy M. John Harrison's "Wish I Was Here" (also his novel, The Course of the Heart, which is more conventional in structure but gorgeously weird in the ways that count).
What a remarkable best of 2025 list! It's so tempting to be overwhelmed and feel like I'm not reading enough.... but I'm not taking that path. Instead, seeing the inherent value in taking notes on everything you read in a year. It's a remarkable discipline!
Thank you for this intriguing list, Celine! I'm curious to know -- and perhaps you've already written about this elsewhere -- do you have a particular method for _how_ you discover and curate the books you read in the first place?
Currently reading a ton of YA Fantasy so I can find comps for my querying, but as soon as I'm done, I'm coming right back to this list and starting with the "high velocity" novels -- this looks like a great list! Thanks for compiling it Celine!
Adding so many of these to my library hold list. I've had Remainder on my shelf since reading Zadie's NYRB piece about it. Loved & Missed has stayed with me in all the months since I've read it. I've never had such satisfying catharsis while reading a book.
"Remainder" is a fun book to read, and it felt better because I had just seen "Synedoche, NY". There's a lot of cool stuff to dig into in this list.
I miss having friends suggesting books to read and movies to watch while having a real live conversation, so, yeah, I agree "you can use the internet to deepen your literary experiences."
It occurs to me that under "Books That Defy Description" you might enjoy M. John Harrison's "Wish I Was Here" (also his novel, The Course of the Heart, which is more conventional in structure but gorgeously weird in the ways that count).
hard agree!
Beautifully done roundup!
wake up babe celine dropped another banger
Celine!! This is so kind. I admire your work so much, so touched you’ve found something to admire in mine. 🫶🏽
What a remarkable best of 2025 list! It's so tempting to be overwhelmed and feel like I'm not reading enough.... but I'm not taking that path. Instead, seeing the inherent value in taking notes on everything you read in a year. It's a remarkable discipline!
Thank you for this intriguing list, Celine! I'm curious to know -- and perhaps you've already written about this elsewhere -- do you have a particular method for _how_ you discover and curate the books you read in the first place?
Taking notes! You have the best recommendations!
Currently reading a ton of YA Fantasy so I can find comps for my querying, but as soon as I'm done, I'm coming right back to this list and starting with the "high velocity" novels -- this looks like a great list! Thanks for compiling it Celine!
Adding so many of these to my library hold list. I've had Remainder on my shelf since reading Zadie's NYRB piece about it. Loved & Missed has stayed with me in all the months since I've read it. I've never had such satisfying catharsis while reading a book.
"Remainder" is a fun book to read, and it felt better because I had just seen "Synedoche, NY". There's a lot of cool stuff to dig into in this list.
I miss having friends suggesting books to read and movies to watch while having a real live conversation, so, yeah, I agree "you can use the internet to deepen your literary experiences."
Thank you.
Not seen the movie either but it's got Bertolucci's The Dreamers (via Gilbert Adair) vibes.