Cathy’s Holiday Book Review

In this special 2025 holiday book review episode, I’m sharing some of my favorite reads from the past year, plus one highly anticipated pre-order for 2026. 

Reading has always been a way for me to pause, reflect, and explore worlds beyond my own, whether through nonfiction that deepens understanding of our shared humanity, literary fiction that transports you across time and place, or romance and fantasy that just makes your heart smile. 

I’ll give you a quick overview of each book, why it stood out to me, and what makes it worth adding to your own bookshelf. You’ll find titles that challenge your thinking, invite empathy, and offer unforgettable stories, including books that span genres from historical fantasy to creative nonfiction. And I’ll highlight one pre-order that I’m particularly excited about, a timely, important, and deeply engaging book that I know will resonate with a wide audience.

So grab your cup of tea, settle in, and join me as I walk through my favorite 2025 reads. Whether you’re giving books this holiday season or asking for a few for yourself, there’s something here for everyone.

Recommended Reads

• Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green

1. 1. 1. A fascinating nonfiction work that blends history, science, and humanity, exploring tuberculosis and global health. John Green’s storytelling brings both humor and heartbreak, making this a deeply human and surprisingly accessible read.

• Making a Literary Life by Carolyn See

1. 1. 1. A witty, irreverent guide to creative nonfiction and fiction writing, full of practical advice and ways to think about yourself as a writer. Not about academic writing, but perfect for anyone looking to pursue a creative project.

• Circe by Madeline Miller

1. 1. 1. A beautifully crafted retelling of Circe, centering around a woman’s journey of power, choice, and transformation. Richly immersive and character-driven, this is a must-read for fans of women-centered literary fiction.

• The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo

1. 1. 1. A historical-fantasy novel set in China and Japan, blending multiple genres with a slow, meditative pace. Themes of generational memory, identity, and the interplay between human and fox life create a haunting, immersive experience.

• Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry

1. 1. 1. A romcom with layered timelines, following two writers navigating the literary world while uncovering a mysterious past. Insightful, fun, and perfectly plotted, it’s a page-turner that blends humor with heartfelt storytelling.

• A Terrible Strength by Dr. Kemi Doll (Pre-Order)

1. 1. An essential upcoming release exploring Black women’s health and reproductive wellness. Written by an oncologist and MDPHD, this book is a deeply informed guide for anyone interested in healing, equity, and the hidden crises affecting Black women.

“Making a Literary Life is witty. It is irreverent. And it is specifically not about academic writing. She [Carolyn See] says this in the book, and I was so thankful that she said it because I think that academic writing coaching and academic writing advice comes from fiction writing advice. It doesn’t always translate and that’s been something that I’ve been working hard to fix when I give advice and when I teach about an academic writing practice.”

“Every year I like to do a book review podcast where I talk about some of the books that I read and would recommend. The reason this is a holiday season podcast is because besides the fact that it is the end of the year and it is a good time to review what we’ve read, it’s also a good time to ask for books for Christmas or whatever holiday you celebrate.”

We’re receiving applications for our next cohort of Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap®. Check out the program details and start your application process here.

CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION:

1. Our 12-week Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap® program helps tenure-track womxn and nonbinary professors to publish their backlog of papers so that their voice can have the impact they know is possible. Apply here!
2. Cathy’s book, Making Time to Write: How to Resist the Patriarchy and Take Control of Your Academic Career Through Writing is available in print! Learn how to build your career around your writing practice while shattering the myths of writing every day, accountability, and motivation, doing mindset work that’s going to reshape your writing,and changing academic culture one womxn and nonbinary professor at a time. Get your print copy today or order it for a friend here!
3. If you would like to hear more from Cathy for free, please subscribe to the weekly newsletter, In the Pipeline, at scholarsvoice.org. It’s a newsletter that she personally writes that goes out once a week with writing and publication tips, strategies, inspiration, book reviews and more.

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