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Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl invited us to share the “top 10 bookish discoveries I made in 2025.” I haven’t participated in a Top Ten Tuesday in quite a while. I sometimes get bogged down in going through all my read books to curate the perfect list so these posts can take me forever to write. But this one is pretty straightforward so here goes.
Library Love
- I love going to the library for adult craft time. While we were in Colorado, I got brave (I’m a very shy introvert) and went to the local library to do some page end painting. I had such a good time there that when we arrived in north Georgia for my husband’s next work assignment (he’s a travel nurse), I went to that library for craft time too. Even introverts need a little social interaction so I had a good time hanging with all the retired ladies. I haven’t attended one here in Florida yet because the timing hasn’t worked out.
- I like small book clubs. Because I went to the craft time in Colorado, I was suddenly a founding member of a library-sponsored romantasy book club. Romantasy isn’t really my preferred genre but the other two ladies who attended the craft time were so excited to start one, I just jumped right in with them. I have to admit that I tore through the first three books of The Empyrean series by Rebecca Yarros along with everyone else though. By the time my husband and I left that area, there were probably 10 or 12 other women attending and my small voice was getting a bit lost in the fray. That was a bit too large for me but I’m glad they all found a community of fellow readers.
- I also like small true crime discussions at the library. In Georgia, the library had a group that met once a month to discuss an assigned “true crime” topic. I was only able to attend two of those meetings but I had a good time. The first topic was the Winchester Mystery House and The Stanley Hotel (a haunted house theme for October) and the next month it was Casey Anthony.
Bookstores
Since my husband and I travel so much with his job, I visit a lot of bookstores across the country. These are the ones that were new to me last year. I loved browsing the shelves at all of them, so be sure to stop by and give them a little love if you’re in the area!
- Tattered Cover Book Store in Denver, CO
- Alpenglow Books in Glenwood Springs, CO
- Townie Books in Crested Butte, CO
- Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore in San Diego, CA
- Bookstar in San Diego, CA
- Peregrine Book Company in Prescott, AZ
New Genre
- Cozy Fantasy–I’ve dabbled in cozy fantasy for a few years but last year I discovered that it really fits my mood at this point in my life. I just need to read about kind people being kind to each other when the world around us looks so dark.
That’s my list! What bookish discoveries did you make? Do you like any particular programs at your library? Do you have any cozy fantasy books to recommend to me? Link up every Tuesday at That Artsy Reader Girl!
18 Comments
Given that you and your husband travel, you have a unique perspective! Great use of libraries. As another introvert, I have to commend you on joining these library groups.
“I just need to read about kind people being kind to each other when the world around us looks so dark.”
Yes to this!
So many great bookish discoveries.
I’m late posting today but here is what I wrote: https://headfullofbooks.blogspot.com/2026/01/ttt-bookish-related-events-of-2025.html
What an interesting reading life you have! Makes me want to go visit different libraries in my area.
Thoroughly enjoyed your list.
Cosy fantasy (and adjacent books that don’t quite fit in but still involve characters mostly trying to be good to each other) is sooo good. It’s just… nice, and I feel like the world needs that!
Yay for libraries and new book clubs! I am with you, I like small groups. 5 is great, 8 is about to be too many!
I love that you’re visiting the library in your travels with your husband.
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/2025-reading-google-map-books-i-read-in-2025/
I love the Tattered Cover, one of my all time favorite places in the whole world. Great post, I love the library, and mine does a lot of art / crafting events too… a convincing case for going to check some of them out. 🙂
I’m glad you’re enjoying cozy fantasy! I love TJ Klune. I’ve never found a book club that really worked for me, I guess that’s why I blog. Sounds like you have a great library.
Well, then maybe I should try it out! 😂
I love cozy fantasy too! Adult craft time sounds so fun, sadly, I have no art skills at all 😂. I hope you make many more amazing discoveries this year!
If you’d like to visit, here’s my TTT: https://thebooklorefairyreads.wordpress.com/2026/01/26/top-ten-tuesday-bookish-discoveries-i-made-in-2025/
I don’t have any artistic talent either but the crafts are easy enough that they turn out looking pretty good, no matter your skill. You should try it sometime!
Yay for libraries! They are such wonderful places.
I agree!
Ah, how wonderful that you ended up starting a flourishing book club!
I just sort of tagged along for the ride but I loved seeing that community of readers come together!
What lovely discoveries.
Thanks for sharing your #TTT
Thanks for stopping by!