My goal for 2025 was to read 35 books, a significant drop from the 50 I had set in previous years, but one that allows me to dive deeper into longer books, which I did this year. I plan on keeping my goal at 35 in 2026 because I’ve got some hefty doorstoppers on my shelf to dig into this year, and I don’t want these reading goals to be stressful. I’m also trying to avoid buying too many books this year, as I will probably be moving back to Ireland in July and weight limits are a concern, so my goal for this year is to read all the unread books currently on my shelf. Wish me luck.
Per tradition, I have chosen my eight favorite books I read this past year, split evenly between fiction and non-fiction.
Non-Fiction
I read a lot of books on games, both on the history of RPGs and on gaming more generally, and while I wouldn’t say they were all great two of them did manage to make this list. I also ventured out more into other historical subjects, reading fewer books on medieval Europe or the American Civil War (but not none!) and instead dipping my toes into new topics. Overall, I was very happy with my non-fiction reading last year, and picking my top 4 was a challenge.
The Korean War by Bruce Cummings
I had previously read The Coldest Winter, and while that is a more engaging history of the Korean War, it was Bruce Cummings’ history that made me see Korea in an entirely new light. This is a brutal history that tears apart the layers of myth that surround the war to reveal the barren, horrible truth. It is excellent, everyone should read it.
Cardboard Ghosts by Amabel Holland
My review of Cardboard Ghosts is available in the magazine Wyrd Science #5, but to summarize, I read a lot of books about games over the past two years, and this one is probably the best. It is argumentative in all the right ways, wonderfully written, and smart enough to not overstay its welcome. Expensive (because academic publishing), but absolutely worth your time.
Inventing the Renaissance by Ada Palmer
Basically, an entire semester long history class in a book. Inventing the Renaissance is written in an engaging and often humorous way that appreciates that most of us don’t know who all these fucking guys are and goes out of its way to remind us. Genuinely, the best pop history book I’ve read in…maybe ever.
Playing at the World 2e Vol. 2 by Jon Peterson
I’ve always been a big Playing at the World nerd, and unsurprisingly I loved volume 2. It is incredibly dense and it took me a long time to read, but man I loved this nerd shit. Probably not for everyone, most people will be satisfied with volume 1, but if you are interested in this stuff you should read it.
Fiction
I tried to read more fiction this year, and while I’m happy I did it, I’m sorry to report that many of these were on the underwhelming side. That said, there were at least four books that stood out at year’s end.
Human Acts by Han Kang
Last year on my birthday my family took a trip to Gwangju, in southwest Korea, and I took that as an opportunity to read Han Kang’s book that partly takes place and is largely about the Gwangju Uprising. Kang recently won the Nobel Prize for Literature, so unsurprisingly this is an amazingly well written book. It manages to be wondrously tragic without feeling exploitative or gross at any point. It is a tremendous work of literature that reinvigorated me after a series of underwhelming books.
The House at Pooh Corner by A.A. Milne
I’ve long had a fondness for Winnie the Pooh and company, and last year I read The House at Pooh Corner to my daughter for the first time. It was wonderful to revisit, and I loved sharing it with her.
Warp Your Own Way by Ryan North and Chris Fenoglio
I’m a huge Trekkie, and I think Lower Decks is among the best Trek has ever been. This choose-your-own-adventure graphic novel is a tremendous experience that manages to be clever, engaging, funny, and feels like an episode of the titular show. I heartily recommend it to Trek fans.
No Rules Tonight by Kim Hyun Sook and Ryan Estrada
My partner found this one in the local secondhand bookshop, from the author of Banned Book Club, and it captures a specific moment in Korean history and what it was like to live through it. It’s engaging, funny, and full of memorable characters but also teaches you a lot about Korean culture on the cusp of democracy. We have the other two books in the series and I am looking forward to reading them this year.
What were your favorite books last year? What should I read in 2026?
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