Two weeks late and after a year where I didn’t read a ton of books, but I still have thoughts about the books I read and the movies I saw in 2025!

Books

Best Book: Everything Is Tuberculosis: The History and Persistence of Our Deadliest Infectionby John Green

A great book about a horrifying topic, this non-fiction book has the specific goal of opening the eyes of (primarily American) lay people to the state of tuberculosis in the modern world. It does a great job at laying out the history, the science, the problem and the hopes without getting bogged down in jargon.

Honorable Mention: Canto Contigo by Jonny Garza Villa

Worst Book: Lute by Jennifer Thorne

A book that felt like it had no real thought put into it, and certainly no horror.

Most Frustrating Book: Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

I really wanted to like this one, the idea of a cozy fantasy coffee shop is adorable, but everything in the world- and character-building is so slight. My opinions on this one have soured more as time has passed.

Biggest Surprise: Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist

I knew I was going to like this book to some degree, as I greatly enjoy the original movie adaptation. I had no idea I was going to love the book and consider it one of my favorite ever pieces of horror media.

Movies

Best Movie: Bring Her Back (2025)

Absolutely horrifying, great performances all around, and the sort of horror movie that stays with you for a while to come. Not quite as flawless as the directing pair’s first, Talk To Me, but that is a near-impossible bar to clear for me.

Honorable Mention: The Long Walk (2025)

Worst Movie: The Watchers (2024)

No one acts like a person in this bafflingly incompetent movie.

Most Frustrating Movie: The Running Man (2025)

It is startling to see a movie completely lose the confidence of its convictions in the last ten minutes, and in the process change its entire tone and most of its message.

Dishonorable Mention: Juror #2 (2024), The Front Room (2024)

Biggest Surprise: Smile 2 (2025)

This movie was an upgrade on its predecessor in almost every way, which is a rare accomplishment.