Podcast Episode Summary: "BookTok’s Top 30 of 2025"

Podcast: I'll Read What She's Reading
Hosts: Reggie, Mikayla, Kennedy
Date: November 19, 2025

Episode Overview

In this special episode, Reggie, Mikayla, and Kennedy count down BookTok’s 30 most popular books of 2025, discussing which titles deserve the hype, sharing candid ratings, and offering honest takes on what's trending in the BookTok world. The hosts weigh in with their own reading experiences, whether each book is on their TBR (to be read) pile, and highlight how trends on social reading apps are shaping what everyone’s reading. Expect passionate opinions, hot takes, and plenty of laughter as they dissect the year’s must-read books—from dark romances and viral thrillers to anticipated sequels and big-name favorites.

Key Discussion Points & Book Highlights

Method & Approach

• The list is curated from the most rated, shelved, and popular books on social platforms, primarily BookTok.
• The episode covers #30 down to #1, offering short reviews, reading intentions, and reactions for each.

1. #30: Caught Up by Nevesa Allen

• Why on the list: Second in a dark romance series; popular despite less buzz than the first book.
• Kennedy: “I listened to the first one… BookTok got me on it. …It was just a little too much for me. But I know a lot of people really love that and I love that for them. It just was not my cup of tea.” (02:36)
• Consensus: None of the hosts plan to read it; Kennedy rated the first in the series 2.5 stars.

2. #29: Rewind It Back by Liz Tom 40

• Why on the list: Book 5 in the Windy City sports romance series; has a "controversial" start but later books are loved by the hosts and BookTok.
• Mikayla: “If I have to hear the word ‘baseball daddy’ one more time, I will DNF the book.” (04:31)
• Fun Fact: Author was a pilot for a hockey team, inspiring the first book genre.
• Consensus: Hosts plan to read or continue the series.

3. #28: Don’t Let Him In by Lisa Jewell

• Why on the list: New thriller from a bestselling author.
• Hosts admit thrillers aren’t normally their genre but are willing to try more.
• Reggie: “If you’re listening and you have a thriller recommendation that is truly going to knock our socks off… DM us, please.” (08:47)
• Consensus: Probably won’t read, but open to recommendations.

4. #27: The Intruder by Freida McFadden

• Notes: Short, bingeable thriller, wild plot twists.
• Mikayla: “She’s pumping out books like nobody's business… Isn't she also a brain surgeon? ...How do you have time…?” (10:33)
• Consensus: Maybe.

5. #26: Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood

• Notes: Authors’ works are “polarizing,” often heavy on spice over plot.
• Kennedy: “I have to be in the mood... sometimes her books err on the more spice than plot side... that's what's hard for me.” (13:43)
• Consensus: Mikayla likely won’t read more; Kennedy and Reggie are maybe.

6. #25: Rebel Witch by Kristin Sorelli

• Notes: YA fantasy duology fans; unique “witch” storyline.
• Reggie: “Duologies make people more interested... Like, even if you bought the first book, might as well...” (18:36)
• Consensus: Good spot on the list, enjoyable YA with a unique angle.

7. #24: The Favorites by Lane Fargo

• Notes: Nontraditional sports fiction/romance, heavily hyped on TikTok after release.
• Kennedy: “If you like Taylor Jenkins Reid… very TJR adjacent.” (20:21)
• Consensus: Not everyone loved the ending, but hype is warranted.

8. #23: Katabasis by R.F. Kuang

• Notes: Intimidated by required reading but later learned it stands alone.
• Kennedy: “People said you had to read all these books prior… but you can just read this book.” (22:02)
• Consensus: Will likely get to it.

9. #22: Scythe and Sparrow by Bryn Weaver

• Notes: Third in a "serial killer romance" trilogy.
• Kennedy: “I'm gonna tell you right now, it does not deserve the spot.” (23:06)
• Consensus: Skip.

10. #21: Wildside (Rose Hill #3) by Elsie Silver

• Notes: Author’s TV adaptation in the works; “auto BookTok top 30”.
• Consensus: Enjoyable but not their favorite of Silver's, respected spot.

11. #20: First Time Caller by B.K. Borison

• Notes: Went viral, 90s romcom vibes; hosts loved the author interview.
• Kennedy: “I feel like it took BookTok by storm…” (25:34)
• Consensus: Deserves higher; fans of series excited for next book.

12. #19: The Perfect Divorce by Geneva Rose

• Notes: Sequel to The Perfect Marriage; caution over “unnecessary thriller sequels.”
• Kennedy: “Sometimes I feel like second book for thriller books aren’t necessary.” (27:35)
• Consensus: Unlikely to read.

13. #18: Alchemized by Sendling Yu

• Notes: Dark, emotional, “one-and-done” 1000-page fantasy standalone.
• Kennedy: “If it was split into two books, people wouldn’t even think twice... it's a psychology thing.” (28:52)
• Consensus: Admired, long but rewarding.

14. #17: Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab

• Notes: Unique, includes Addie LaRue cameo, “cult following.”
• Kennedy: “I think V. Schwab is a very… cult following.” (30:52)
• Consensus: Will read due to author loyalty, but prefer other Schwab works.

15. #16: The Night and Moth by Rachel Gillig

• Notes: One of the hosts dressed as a character for Halloween; solid “romantasy.”
• Mikayla: “Her mind is something else.” (32:34)
• Consensus: Solid, but not favorite among her novels.

16. #15: Shield of Sparrows by Devnee Perry

• Notes: Book club pick, quick movie adaptation, compared to Fourth Wing hype.
• Kennedy: “Monster element… ate it up.” (32:52)
• Consensus: Thought about it a lot, eager for next installment.

17. #14: Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney

• Notes: Book of the Month pick, dark thriller.
• Mikayla: “Why is everything about marriage?” (35:03)
• Consensus: Mikayla will read (has a copy); others likely to skip.

18. #13: Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte Mcogany

• Notes: Reese’s Book Club, highly rated by friends.
• Kennedy: “If I was to read some sort of thriller, it would probably be this one. It sounds like it’s not about marriage or children, surprisingly.” (36:12)
• Consensus: Now on the TBR pile due to buzz.

19. #12: Fearless (Powerless Trilogy) by Lauren Roberts

• Notes: Book club bonus episode; mix of love/hate on BookTok.
• All: Rated five stars.
• Consensus: Loved it; worth the top 15.

20. #11: My Friends by Frederick Bachman

• Notes: Literary fiction staple, “king of fiction.”
• Kennedy: “Every single one of his characters has so much trauma and you just feel so bad for them. But I love Frederick Bachman…” (38:34)
• Consensus: Emotional, but not the best starter for Bachman newbies.

Top 10 Countdown Highlights

#10: One Golden Summer by Carly Fortune

• Mikayla: “I loved this book so much. …A lot of people had a problem with the main male character. I loved him.” (40:28)

#9: This Broken Country by Claire Leslie Hall

• Content warning: Dog killed at start; tough/literary themes (Reese’s pick).
• Consensus: None plan to read.

#8: Deep End by Ali Hazelwood

• Host quote: “Ali Hazelwood said she wanted to name this book ‘Wet’. …That’s not a book for me.” (42:35)

#7: Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez

• Reggie: “Abby Jimenez is an icon... you just know they’re gonna be great.” (43:44)

#6 & #5: The Tenant / The Crash by Freida McFadden

• Consensus: Will consider as easy binge reads; Frida’s “bag” and wild plots well respected by the podcast.

#4: Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

• Kennedy: “If you liked Kristen Hannah… Taylor Jenkins Reid does a great job researching for her books. …You read about these really cool, hardcore women trying to make it in a man’s world, like in a man’s field.” (47:20)

#3: Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry

• Kennedy: “This is our least—maybe our least favorite of hers. …A little more serious, less rom-commy.” (48:07)
• Consensus: Emily Henry is “auto buy”; disappointment but reliable.

#2: Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

• Kennedy: “A part of me wants to say I’m really surprised it’s not higher up… It's a cultural phenomenon.” (49:38)
• Mikayla: Predicts many are waiting to read before the movie.

#1: Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

• Reggie: “Well deserved… There’s an urgency to like, know what's gonna happen next after the second book.” (52:55)
• Kennedy: “I don’t think I have seen a book talked about and rated so highly on Booktok… Fourth Wing takes the cake.” (54:07)
• Notable: Hosts attended a midnight release, immediate bonus episode.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On BookTok’s influence:
  “We're gonna be the test of this list and see if we agree.” – Reggie (01:32)

• On the changing face of romance:
  "I just think I’m not the main audience anymore, and that’s okay." – Mikayla (15:24)

• Comparison of thrillers:
  “If they guess the plot twist, they're like two stars...” – Kennedy (09:06)

• On bestsellers and hype:
  “The last top 10 people are basically auto buy authors for me. So no surprises here.” – Kennedy (49:20)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:36] – Podcast structure & methodology for list
• [02:00–06:31] – #30–#29: Opening dark romance/sports rom discussion
• [10:12] – Frida McFadden’s growing fame (#27)
• [13:40] – Ali Hazelwood’s “spice vs. plot” debate (#26/#8)
• [16:28] – YA duologies and Heartless Hunter (#25)
• [20:21] – TJR comparisons with ‘The Favorites’ (#24)
• [22:00] – R.F. Kuang and the “required reading” controversy (#23)
• [28:18] – Alchemized as a “one-and-done thousand-pager” (#18)
• [35:03] – Thriller tropes (“Why is everything about marriage?”) (#14)
• [40:28] – ‘One Golden Summer’ love and controversy (#10)
• [42:35] – Deep End's working title and hosts’ reaction (#8)
• [48:07] – Emily Henry “seriousness” and shorter-than-desired narrative (#3)
• [49:38] – ‘Hunger Games’ phenomenon and new prequel (#2)
• [52:55] – Onyx Storm hype, marketing, urgency, and BookTok FOMO (#1)

Tone & Language

The tone is enthusiastic, candid, and conversational—reflecting the hosts’ friendship as well as their self-deprecating humor about being on or off certain “BookTok sides.” They openly debate, disagree, and cheerlead for their faves in relatable ways:

• “We’re here to make your reading life more fun, more chaotic, and definitely more relatable.” (Episode intro)
• “Honestly, cover's kind of cool, though. I kind of vibe with the cover.” (43:03)

Conclusion

The episode is both a reflective look at how the BookTok zeitgeist has shifted in 2025 and a playful, knowledgeable conversation about fandoms, genre fatigue, unexpected hits, and the quirks and trends that drive mass reading habits. Whether listeners are romance fans, thriller addicts, or looking for their next big binge, this countdown provides honest insights and plenty of TBR inspiration.

For deeper dives:

• [26:14] – Interview with B.K. Borison
• [28:18], [32:12], [37:03], [47:36], [52:49] – Dedicated, spoiler-filled episodes for many top books; check feed for bonus content.
• [56:08] – Details on their Utah merch pop-up

"BookTok’s Top 30 of 2025": a snapshot of what the online book community loved, debated, and couldn't stop talking about this year, served up with candor and contagious enthusiasm.