In my previous post I wrote about some newly published books for children for summer reading (and beyond). I certainly cannot exclude us grown ups. After all, we enjoy reading too.

One of my goals for 2025 is to read more books. I always read as a child, in fact I couldn’t get enough of it. I read all the time. I went through so many books, especially during the summer months.

I don’t know I stopped reading like I used to. I guess becoming a parent and working outside of the home has taken me away from something I used to find so enjoyable.

My goal was at least one book a month for 2025. I haven’t exactly followed through with that amount, but it’s only May, I still have time to catch up.

I love different genres, so I can always find a book that sounds like an interesting read.

If you are looking for some great books to read by your backyard pool, beachside or anywhere you love to get cozy, here are some titles worth checking out. One of them I read, another I’m in the process of reading.

Table for 51: Lessons Learned from Sharing Meals Across America

Written by Sheri Leid.

Author Shari Leid—abandoned in a cardboard box with no identifying information in Seoul, South Korea, and adopted by Japanese American parents—embarks on a remarkable journey across the U.S. to challenge her father’s fears of being unwelcome because of their Asian faces.

In Table for 51, Shari meets strangers and reconnects with people from her own past, sharing a meal in every state. From bustling city cafés to peaceful countryside tables, each encounter reveals the power of human connection.

Through these fifty heartfelt conversations, Shari discovers the magic of belonging and the courage to embrace change, ultimately ending her turbulent twenty-six-year marriage.

I enjoy learning about places and people different than me. I have lived in New York my entire life. When I meet someone from another state or country, I am always fascinated to learn more about life where they lived.

This books takes you on a journey with Sheri across the United States, meeting a diverse assortment of women from different states, backgrounds, and lives. With each meet up, Sheri learns valuable life lessons these women have learned. Many of the lessons I found that I could apply to my own life. I also appreciate the fact that Sheri spoke to real women, so they are relatable. Some of the women resonated with me because their lives and views of life sort of reflected my own.

This is not a “self help” book. It’s a book filled with interesting stories from women in all walks of life, and it shows how despite living and growing up in different places, we are all somehow just a like, if that makes sense (I’m finding it hard to express exactly what I mean).

This is an easy read and relatively a quick read too. I very much enjoyed this book.

Starting in the Middle: How Horses, Those Who Study Them, and 265 Minutes with One Colt Helped Me Find Myself at Midlife

Written by Tik Maynard

In these deep, considered, and painstakingly articulated pages, Maynard chronicles a year of reading, traveling, asking questions, and trying new things, as he, supported by family and friends, threw himself into the preparation he knew he needed to have 265 minutes in front of a live audience be something positive for both him and a horse he did not yet know. The reader travels along as Maynard meets some of the leading figures in the world of animal behavior and training, examining the ways humans can successfully communicate with other species from a multitude of entry points, both “traditional” and “out of the box.” With dialogue that sweeps you into each fascinating expert’s space and time, he shares his struggles with the philosophical and ethical side of his life’s pursuit, and thoughtfully illustrates the conversations that helped him construct a system of beliefs and understanding that supported his natural abilities and lifetime in the saddle, while at the same time challenging everything he thought he already knew. Readers are offered the opportunity to grow alongside Maynard, not only as horse lovers, but as people, as he tries and tests and fails and finds—and eventually, chooses which direction to take in the second half of his life.

I am currently in the process of reading this book. I started it the end of April, but due to the unexpected passing of my father, I was thrown off a bit. I’ve been getting back into reading this book little by little.

I love horses. I grew up around horses. In fact, MANY of my favorite books as a child were horse related. That is why when I learned about this book I knew I wanted to read that. Not only that, I feel like I’m in the middle of my life, so I figured a lot of this book I’d be able to find relatable.

There are a lot of pages in this book (more than I anticipated). There are over 400+ pages, so it’s going to take me a bit to finally finish this book. I’d say I’m about 1/4th – 1/3rd of the way into it.

So far this book is pretty much about training horses. I honestly thought there would be more about a midlife crisis of some sort, and wanting to choose and entirely different career path (one that was not related to horses). That is not the case at all (at least up to the point I’ve read). So far it’s all about training horses.

I’m not a horse trainer, so a lot of the content I’m not really familiar with (sadly).

Since I am not finished with the book, the direction of the story might change, but as of right now this book is more so about his life as a horse trainer and learning from others about how they train horses.

I will update this post when I am finished with the book to let you know if the story changes along the way. The only reason why I am publishing this post right now is because I am not sure how long it will take to finish this book due to a busy month (June), and the long book.

Here are some other books you might be interested in checking out. I have not read these yet, but they are recently published books. There looks to be something for everyone.

What She’s Hiding

Written by Art Bell

A gripping modern-day noir thriller featuring a hotshot lawyer unexpectedly drawn into a web of violence and intrigue by the ex-wife he hasn’t spoken to since their bitter divorce.

Life Sucks

Written by PS Conway

A satirical essay collection that blends dark humor and existential musings to reflect on the absurdities of lockdown life, politics, and the human condition.

Then Comes Baby

Written by Dr. Jessica Vernon

A candid, compassionate, and essential guide to navigating the emotional, physical, and mental transformation into parenthood — supporting the whole person, not just the baby.

Strange and Surprising Ireland

Written by Séamus Mullarkey

Discover the magical folktales, peculiar stories, and charming figures of the Emerald Isle in this giftable book perfect for lovers of Irish culture, language, and Ireland itself.

Millennial Menopause 

Available July 15, 2025

Written by Lauren A. Tetenbaum

A refreshingly real guide for millennials looking to embrace a new life phase with confidence, humor, and empowerment.

Influencers Who Kill 

Available August 5, 2025

Written by Madison Salters

From TikTok to YouTube and OnlyFans to Instagram, sink into this bone-chilling, true crime collection of influencers who resorted to murder… or tried to.

I’m looking forward to reading this book. It sounds interesting.

Look for these books at major book retailers, including Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Do any of these books stand out to you? Is there a book (or books) you’d be interested in reading? Feel free to comment and share your thoughts. I always love to hear from readers.

Kimberly

*I received free samples in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own (unless otherwise noted) and not influenced in any way.