Books I've Read in 2025 (Part 1)
- Gayle Ramage
- Aug 8
- 9 min read
As well as being more proactive in discovering more music, 2025 has also been the year I’ve made an effort to read more books instead of endlessly scrolling and faffing around on the internet. I don’t have a big flat so most of the books I own are on a device (I’ve had a quick look and I currently have 729 unread books on there, with some going back over a decade!).
So to make a change from the constant music posts, I thought I’d share the books I’ve read so far this year.
Ghosts: Brought To Life - Martha Howe-Douglas, Jim Howick, Ben Wilbond, Larry Rickard, Mat Baynton and Simon Barnaby
Synopsis: “This is the ultimate celebratory gift book for all of you in desperate need of another Ghosts fix, complete with in-depth interviews with the actors, the directors and the crew, a behind-the-curtain peek at what happened on the film set, scenes that were left on the cutting-room floor, bloopers, episode guides and character profiles, and much, much more.
From understanding how the ghosts walked through walls to discovering how long it took to do Robin's make-up, and from learning who stole what from the set to reliving favourite moments, Ghosts: Brought to Life is a treasure-trove of fascinating insight into the makings of this comedy legend, a series that brought families together and touched people's lives.”
Martha Howe-Douglas, Jim Howick, Ben Wilbond, Larry Rickard, Mat Baynton and Simon Barnaby, aka the Six Idiots (as they’d originally dubbed themselves). I’ve been a fan of this group of actor-writers since being highly entertained by them in the first five series of the BBC’s children’s historical sketch show, Horrible Histories. When they left that show in 2013 to create their own fantasy show, Yonderland, for Sky TV I continued to be a fan of their work. So I was already predisposed to enjoy their latest effort, Ghosts, a supernatural sitcom which arrived on BBC 1 in the Spring of 2019. Dear reader, unsurprisingly I loved the show (it has now ended after a five-series run, and spawned numerous adaptations around the world).
I don’t read a lot of non-fiction, but I do enjoy a Making Of… read, and I was delighted when the writers and stars of Ghosts published a behind the scenes book last year. This is a rather enjoyable read where we’re taken through every series and given an insight into how each episode was made. There’s also interviews with the stars and crew of the show, and plenty of photos to enjoy.
The Dimension Scale and Other Stories - Garry Abbott
Synopsis: “…a collection of fourteen short speculative fictions based around themes of malevolent and secret authorities, metamorphosis, survival and projections of contemporary fears into near-future realities.From worlds inhabited by murderous animals, inept time travellers and clandestine, suburban social experiments - to the sentience, love and moral awakenings of artificial intelligences - The Dimension Scales invites you to explore the twists and perils of extraordinary moments in disturbingly familiar universes, linked together by one devastating epiphany:“Something happened, and the world splintered...”
I really do love indulging in short story collections (it’s probably why I’ve written my own). You tend to get more bang for your buck, and if you’re not keen on one tale then there’s plenty of others to enjoy. Unless you don’t like any of them, of course. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case with The Dimension Scales and Other Stories by podcast host, musician, and author Garry Abbott. There was a lovely mix of tales, all with a sci-fi bent, and as it with anthologies, plenty of stories I’d love to see adapted for other mediums.
Nocturnal Nibbles - Miranda Kate
Synopsis: “Nocturnal Nibbles is a collection of thirty bite-sized pieces of flash fiction for you to devour. Containing short sharp tales of murder, revenge, penance, sacrifice, supernatural scares, monsters, ghosts and spooks, it offers an array of horror to delight. So buckle up and dive on in, you won’t regret it – but your nightmares might."
Much like the previous book of short stories, there were many tales in this horror collection by Miranda Kate which I would love to see an adaptation of (the UK really needs another Tales of the Unexpected / Inside No. 9 anthology show). Some of these tales were tantalising vignettes which could have come from longer stories. Nocturnal Nibbles is the perfect description of the tasty wee morsels within.
London Falling (Shadow Police 1) - Paul Cornell
Synopsis: “The dark is rising . . . Detective Inspector James Quill is about to complete the drugs bust of his career. Then his prize suspect Rob Toshack is murdered in custody. Furious, Quill pursues the investigation, co-opting intelligence analyst Lisa Ross and undercover cops Costain and Sefton. But nothing about Toshack’s murder is normal.Toshack had struck a bargain with a vindictive entity, whose occult powers kept Toshack one step ahead of the law – until his luck ran out. Now, the team must find a 'suspect' who can bend space and time and alter memory itself. And they will kill again.
As the group starts to see London’s sinister magic for themselves, they have two choices: panic or use their new abilities. Then they must hunt a terrifying supernatural force the only way they know how: using police methods, equipment and tactics. But they must all learn the rules of this new game – and quickly. More than their lives will depend on it.”
I’d previously read this book and indeed all three in the Shadow Police series, but it had been years since I’d done so, and I was in the mood for a gritty, supernatural, hellish (quite literally at points) police procedural to get lost in. If you’ve read Ben Aaronovitch’s Rivers of London series, it’s a bit like that except I’d say Shadow Police is more horror-driven and adult. Unfortuately, even though five books were planned, nothing more in the series have been published since Who Killed Sherlock Holmes? in 2016. However, having a quick search while writing this post, to check if there was an update, I found a comment by Paul Cornell from January of this year, replying to a comment on his website that “…the possibility of a new Shadow Police book is on the horizon, so hang on!”. Fingers crossed!
Complicated Game: Inside the Songs of XTC - Andy Partridge & Todd Bernhardt
Synopsis: Complicated Game offers a unique insight into the work of one of Britain's most original and influential songwriters-and an unprecedentedly revealing and instructive guide to how songs and records are made. Developed from a series of interviews conducted over many months, this fascinating book explores in detail some thirty XTC songs-including well-known singles such as 'Senses Working Overtime' and the controversial 'Dear God' - from throughout the group's thirty-year career.
It casts new light on the writing of lyrics, the construction of melodies and arrangements, the process of recording, and the workings of the?music industry. But it is also filled with anecdotes about Partridge, his XTC bandmates, and their adventures around the world, all told with the songwriter's legendary humour. The book also includes pages from Partridge's songwriting notebooks and reproductions of his original artwork designs, as well as a guide to Andy Partridge's Swindon and a foreword by Steven Wilson, the guitarist, songwriter, and record producer best known as the founder and leader of Porcupine Tree.
As well as enjoying behind-the-scenes books about my favourite TV shows, I also love reading the stories behind songs; what they were inspired by, how they came about, etc. So of course I was excited to dive into Complicated Game to learn about the creation and production of some of my favourite XTC songs. The books consists of conversations between Partridge and Bernhardt, going back decades so it’s a lovely informal chat between two friends, full of humour, fascinating stories, and sometimes surprising honesty. I met Todd briefly at the XTC fan festival a few months ago, and I’ve since learned that both he and Andy are keen to do another volume when time allows. I’ll definitely be in line for a copy!
In The Lap of the Gods - David Geldard & Jay Gent
Synopsis: “Featuring contributions from friends and colleagues of Queen and Freddie Mercury - such as Queen’s official biographer Jim Jenkins, Freddie’s personal assistant Pete Freestone, Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert producer for TV Ray Burdis, and recording artists Peter Straker, Tim Staffell, Eddie Howell, Doug Bogie and Jeff Soto - and of course the fans, In the Lap of the Gods is a personal tribute to the kind of magic Freddie Mercury and Queen shared with their legions of devoted fans as well as those who knew them. All profits from this book go to The Mercury Phoenix Trust, which continues to raise millions to fight AIDS worldwide since it was first established in memory of Freddie Mercury."
I wrote a short review about the book earlier this year, that you can read HERE.
Carpe Jugulum (Discworld 23) - Terry Pratchett
Synopsis: “Vampires have come to Lancre, but they're not what you'd expect.Sure, they drink blood and view humans as dinner, but they're modern and sophisticated. They've got style and fancy waistcoats. And they're not a bit afraid of garlic.
The Magpyr family are out of the casket and want a bite of the future. But they haven't met the neighbours yet.Between them and Lancre stand a coven of four - Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg, Magrat and young Agnes - and they don't take kindly to murderous intruders . . .”
Despite being a fan of Terry Pratchett for years, I actually haven’t read most of his Discworld novels, though I’ve enjoyed his work in other mediums: audio, video games to name two (is there a certain amount of books you have to read from an author before you can call yourself a fan?). Carpe Jugulum, the twenty-third book in the Discworld series, published in 1998, is another one that I’d previously read so long ago that I couldn’t remember much about it. But I was in the mood for a visit to Discworld and to the witches and residents of Lancre. I know the covers for the series have changed several times over the years, but I particularly love the artwork of the late Josh Kirby.
An Other Place - Darren Dash
Synopsis: “Get ready to enter the dark, disturbing waters of a dystopian sci-fi world in this widely-praised, mind-bending trip to An Other Place... where time and space are fluid... where the moon changes colour and savage beasts run wild... where teeth are used as currency and love-making is a perilous proposition... where cannibalism occasionally comes into fashion and the dead are swiftly forgotten... where strange sandmen offer sanctuary in times of danger and a mysterious Alchemist rules over all.
When Newman Riplan’s flight into the unknown turns into a nightmarish slide between worlds, he must explore an unnamed city where unpredictable terrors are the norm. By the end of his first day adrift, his life has spun completely out of his control, but the most mind-twisting and soul-crushing revelations are only beginning. As he desperately searches for meaning and a way out, he starts to realise that perhaps only madness can provide him with the answers, while surrender might offer him his only true hope of escape...”
I’ve enjoyed the books by Darren Shan in the past, most notably the series Zom B and I already knew he also wrote under the name Darren Dash, but I’d never picked up a book by the latter until now. An Other Place is an entertainingly strange, psychological horror whose protagonist isn’t particularly one you’re rooting for at the start of the story. I loved the world building of the ‘Other Place’ - not somewhere I’d want to visit, though - and the plot was quite unpredictable, though I’m not sure if I liked the ending (my own preference, it wasn’t a bad ending at all, but by that point I was willing the outcome to be better for the protagonist.
Well, that’s the books I’ve read so far this year. I’m currently in the middle of reading Talking Bottom: A Guide to the Cult Sitcom and I hope to have read quite a few more books before the end of the year. Expect a follow-up post in December to find out what books I’ve read in the autumn/winter months.
Let me know what you’re reading. I always welcome recommendations!
I can’t end this post without giving my own short story collection a quick plug. Vulnerable In Front of Fiction, Vol 1.
Synopsis: Two bodysnatchers find themselves in a bidding war - by the dead... A passion for books proves fatal for a librarian... Santa Claus is reminded of his third list... A zombie gleefully awaits the Uprising... A teenager realises too late that pranks can have dire consequences...
With bickering wise men, sinister clocks, and charismatic stomachs, Vulnerable in Front of Fiction (Vol. 1) contains the weird and the wonderful, the dark and the light. Fourteen tales to entertain and intrigue.