November 2025 Reading Superlatives
Posted on 8th December, 2025
The Nero book awards don’t seem to attract as much attention as I would expect, but if you are looking for some more ideas for yourself or presents for others, their various shortlists may be helpful (https://nerobookawards.com/2025-shortlist/).
Most Enjoyable Fantasy Novel
I loved Eva St John’s Flint in the Bones. This has elements of both magic and time travel. It is set in roughly contemporary times, but an accident by magicians means that time is very fluid in Norwich with buildings and people arriving and disappearing. It is an intriguing concept which I felt the author developed well with impressive world building. There are also some very good characters, including the narrator. It is the first one in a series and I am eagerly anticipating the next.
Most Interesting Non-Fiction Book
The bookshop recently did a display highlighting the publishing of Ella Risbridger’s In Love with Love: The Persistence and Joy of Romantic Fiction. This tempted me to buy it, and I am very pleased I did so! Risbridger is a great fan of romance fiction and her enthusiasm is engaging. She also makes some good points about why such reading is enjoyable and shouldn’t be regarded so dismissively by some critics. I found it fascinating and was pleased to see some of my favourites, such as Eva Ibbotson, mentioned.
Most Enjoyable Children’s Fantasy
I greatly enjoyed Ross Montgomery’s Small Wonder (9+). It has a traditional feel, and a lot of the well-loved tropes such as a kingdom in danger, and a boy who finds he is much more special than he thought he was. The action moves swiftly and there is much excitement. I also liked watching the development of a much better relationship between the protagonist and his younger brother. As a bonus there is a lovely horse who plays an important part at times.
Most Enjoyable Humorous Children’s Book
Rob Harrell’s Popcorn (9+) has an appealingly bright cover which suits the book. It is set in America with a boy, Andrew, having a very difficult day as he tries to remain presentable for a school photo. There is a good amount of humour, and the inclusion of drawings and comic panels adds to the novel’s readability, helping to make it seem more approachable. It has a more serious aspect as well, however, as it gives good advice about how to deal with anxiety. Ultimately Andrew realises that although it is not pleasant having a panic attack at school, it is not the end of the world, and both teachers and fellow pupils can be kinder and more understanding than he expected.
Best YA Novel
I was very impressed by Kenneth Oppel’s Best of All Worlds (12+). This is a really good read with an interesting plot about a teenage boy, Xavier, who unexpectedly finds himself, his father and his step-mother living in their holiday house, but trapped in a dome cut off from the rest of the world, and with completely different scenery. They spend the first three years coping on their own before another family arrives; creating both opportunities and problems. Xavier is an engaging narrator, and Oppel is excellent at depicting the ways in which the characters and their relationships are affected by their extraordinary circumstances.
Do ask if you want any more recommendations.
(If you are interested in any of the books on this recommendations list, just give us an email and we’ll order them in for you!)
