Movie Review - Voor de Meisjes

Director: Mike van Diem
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 103 minutes
Year: 2025
Starring: Thekla Reuten, Fedje van Huet, Noortje Herlaar, Valentijn Dhaenens
 
Description: A serene getaway in the Austrian Alps descends into chaos when the once-solid between two longtime couples starts to fracture.
 
Review: The Dutch film “Voor de Meisjes” is a dark drama that takes a moral dilemma to the extreme.
The story follows two couples who have been friends for years and share a vacation home in the Austrian Alps. When their teenage daughters are involved in a serious accident, the atmosphere changes immediately. The friendship quickly crumbles, giving way to a ruthless battle in which the parents ask themselves: how far would you go to save your own child at the expense of another?

The actors deliver impressive work, especially Thekla Reuten and Noortje Herlaar. Director Mike van Diem creates a vicious atmosphere that force the viewers to think about their own moral boundaries.

The characters are highly unlikeable and this movie is definitely not an ad for being in a relationship or having kids. The plot was a bit predictable here and there, but overall it was a very strong, solid film.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

Top 10: Favorite Books of 2025

 My goal for 2025 was to read 60 books, I managed to read 64 books. Of those books, 45 were physical, 19 were audio books. My most read genre was thriller and I read most books by Suzanne Collins, since I reread the original “The Hunger Games” trilogy and I read the prequels for the first time. Of all the books, my average rating was 4 which is really good. I’ve read some really good book this year, I had 19 five star books. Of those 19, there were 3 rereads. I will not add any rereads to my top 10. Here is my top 10 favorite books, that I read in 2025.
 

10. Once There Were Wolves – Charlotte McConaghy
This was the first book I read by McConaghy, but I will definitely be picking up more of her work. “Once There Were Wolves” is a hauntingly beautiful and suspenseful novel that blends and environmental mission with a murder mystery, exploring themes of trauma, empathy, and the delicate balance between humanity and nature. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
 

9. The Handmaid’s Tale – Margaret Atwood
A dystopian book, published in 1985, but still chillingly topical. It depicts a society were women have been stripped of all autonomy, including the rights to read, work, or own property. It’s terrifyingly relevant in 2025 and I think more people should read it. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
 

8. Wayward – Blake Crouch
“Wayward” is the second book in the “Wayward Pines” trilogy. I finished the series this year, given both of them 5 stars (first one also, read that one last year). It’s a fast-paced, gripping sci-fi thriller that deepens the mystery of the enigmatic town and keeps readers on the edge of their seats with constant twists and a major cliffhanger ending. This entire series is fantastic and became a favorite series of mine. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
 

7. Somewhere Beyond the Sea – T.J. Klune
The sequel I didn’t think I needed. “The House in the Cerulean Sea” was my favorite book of 2022, to anyone’s surprise, since it’s not a genre I often read. I didn’t know that this book was going to be in a series until “Somewhere Beyond the Sea” was released. I thought it could never live up to the first, but it did. I loved it just as much and I really felt emotionally connected to each characters again. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
 

6. Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow - Gabrielle Zevin
It is a highly acclaimed, best-selling novel, which lived up to the hyped. Never expected to love it as much as I did, since this book masterfully uses the world of video game design as a backdrop for a complex, decade-spanning story about friendship. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
 

5. Gone Girl – Gillian Flynn
“Gone Girl” is a pivotal psychological thriller and a landmark of the “domestic noir” subgenre. Known for its razor-sharp prose and masterfully deceptive structure. The novel explores the dark undercurrents of a modern marriage through the lens of a missing-person mystery. One of the biggest twists in a thriller novel ever. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
 

4. Razorblade Tears – S.A. Cosby
I’ve only read two of his books, by S.A. Cosby is slowly becoming a new favorite author. “Razorblade Tears” is a visceral and emotionally charged novel, that follows two ex-convicts who form an alliance to avenge the murders of their sons. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
 

3. Sunrise on the Reaping – Suzanne Collins
My most anticipated book of 2025 and I’m so glad it lived up to my expectations. It even exceded it actually, it’s now my second favorite in the series. “Sunrise on the Reaping” is a prequel to “The Hunger Games”, telling the story of Haymitch Abernathy. Reading this brutal and devastating book makes the original trilogy hit even harder. I cried multiple times. READ MY FULLREVIEW HERE.
 

2. Atmosphere – Taylor Jenkins Reid
I for sure thought this was going to be my number one, but it ended up being a close second. It’s a movig story, well-researched, set against the backdrop of the 1980s NASA space shuttle program. It focuses on the hidden love story between two female austronauts and exploring themes of ambition, sacrifice, and identity. It had emotional depth and compelling characters. READMY FULL REVIEW HERE.
 

1. Het Laatste Verhaal van Jamie Gunn - Thomas Olde Heuvelt
The only Dutch author I read from this year is Thomas Olde Heuvelt and I never expected that this book would be eventually my favorite of the year. It’s a 2025 release and I read it as soon as it came out. Met the author while being in the middle of it. It’s an intense and compelling page-turned, it grabbed me from the first page and I simply couldn’t put it down. This book was personal and I connected with Jamie Gunn on an emotional level too. READ MY FULL REVIEWHERE.
 
Honorable Mentions: 
Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler
Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez
Heartstopper Vol. 4 by Alice Oseman
I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman
The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean
The Last Town by Blake Crouch

 

TV Review - Stranger Things (Season 5, Volume 2)

Season: 5 – Volume 2
Genre: Thriller/ Drama/ Fantasy/ Horror
Number of episodes: 3
Year: 2025
Starring: Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, Noah Schnapp, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Joe Keery, Sadie Sink, Priah Ferguson, Bret Gelman, Maya Hawke, Cara Buono, Linda Hamilton, Nell Fisher, Jamie Campbell Bower

Description: The gang hatches an electrifying plan to reconnect Will to the hive mind. Tensions flare during a search of the Upside Down's Hawkins Lab.
 
Review: “Stranger Things” season 5, volume 2 is an odyssey through trauma, nostalgia and cosmic horror. I am shocked about the amount of negative reviews, we obviously watched a different show, because I loved episodes 5-7 very much.

WARNING! THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS!

The first four episodes of season 5 were amazing, I rewatched them already and I couldn’t really fault them. The second volume does have some flaws, but every season has.

Hopper and Eleven broke into the military base in the Upside Down, discovering it wasn’t Vecna they were holding captive, but Kali, whom we met in season 2. Max and Holly are in Henry’s subconscious, trying to find a way out. Dustin, Steve, Nancy and Jonathan are in the Upside Down. And episode 4 ended with the most epic moment, with Will having powers and defeating three Demogorgons, saving his friends. Episode five picks up where we left off.

Episode 5-7 are a journey to get to that final battle. And they take their time for all the characters. Many things get resolved and explained, with some surprises here and there. The people who are calling this volume anti-climactic are missing the point. These episodes weren’t filled with action, but had a lot more build-up and character driven moments. We need certain things to be resolved before the end. And because the stakes are going to be high in the final episode, there will be no time in that final episode, which most likely will be action packed. People who didn’t like this volume probably have the attention span of a toddler.

The actors are doing a great job. Gaten Matarazzo, as Dustin Henderon, definitely stole the show in these three episodes. Especially the scenes between Dustin and Steve, which were very important and necessary, were a highlight of volume 2. Noah Schnapp, who already shines in volume 1 as Will, also deserves praise. His speech touched me to the core and his performance overall is strong. Also Nell Fisher and Sadie Sink, as Holly and Max, deserve attention. That one scene in the Mindflayer’s Lair was so good and both had a convincing performance. Rooting for both of them constantly. The moment Max and Lucas reunite was a favorite moment as well. Emotional and long-awaited. Episode 7, The Bridge, was overall a very emotional episode. One of the most memorable moments of this volume was where Karen Wheeler saved Robin, Vicky, Lucas and Max. Momma Wheeler kicked some ass again and I absolutely did not see that coming, until I saw the gas tank in the dryer. What a moment! And the return of Mr. Clarke, and a bigger role as well, also made me very happy.

I only had two problems with this volume. One being the scene between Jonathan and Nancy. Although a beautiful moment between the two, which was clearly a break-up (lots of people seemed to have missed this part, but I thought it was pretty clear), it would have been more logical if at least one of these characters didn’t make it out alive. Not that I wished for them to die, but they previously saw several people who died in the melting matter, but Jonathan and Nancy don’t. The second problem is Kali. I do like the fact that they are given that one episode from season more purpose. But I don’t think they are using her character like they should. I think we are now meant to believe Eleven will sacrifice herself to save everyone, but it will not play out like that. Unnecessarily trying to lead us to a certain path.

The people hating on these episode are, again, clearly missing the point. The fact that a main characters has yet to die is one thing that people are mad about. Because over all the seasons, they only killed off secondary characters, that were introduced to us in that season. But the Duffer Brothers have been very clear about the fact that “Stranger Things” is not like “Game of Thrones”, where they are going to kill off several main characters. It’s not that kind of show. Haters gonna hate. They are going to be mad if they won’t kill off anyone, they will be mad if they only kill off one character, and when it is their favorite character that dies they are going to be mad about that. You’re never going to do it right for everyone. But the hate “Stranger Things” season 5 volume 2 is getting, is unjustified.

So, to all the negative people. You are entitled to your opinion, but you’re clearly missing the point of it all. What the Duffer Brothers did for episode 5-7 fits the tone and atmosphere of the show. It has some flaws, but it’s definitely still very good. And I can’t wait for that final episode. Luckily not that long of a wait this time.

Top 20: Favorite Movies of 2025

Like every year, I created a list of my favorite films. It’s based on Dutch release dates, so you might see some movies on this list that are originally from 2024, but came out in 2025 in The Netherlands. And you will miss movies, because they will be released in 2026 or I just simply haven’t seen it yet. Since I don’t get to see EVERY film. I thought it was a pretty solid movie year. Here is my list, my 20 favorite films of 2025.
 

20. Paddington in Peru
Kicking of the list with the world’s most polite bear. If any film on this list resembles a warm hug, it’s this one. Although not as impactful as the previous two, “Paddington in Peru” proves that everyone’s favorite bear is still the gold standard for family cinema. Moving the action from London to the landscapes of the Amazon. Whimsical and witty, while adding a thrilling adventure in Peru. A perfect film for a family movie night. Or for anyone who just loves Paddington, like me. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
 

19. Saturday Night
Jason Reitman’s “Saturday Night” is an engaging underdog story that captures the chaos of the 90 minutes leading up to the debut episode of “Saturday Night Live” in 1975. It’s an energetic somewhat nerve-wrecking film, in real-time,  showing us the messy magic of television. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
 

18. The Thursday Murder Club
This might not be seen as one of the best movies of 2025, but this is personal. As a big fan of Richard Osman’s book series, I absolutely needed this film. And it’s a delightful and witty adaptation of the bestselling novel. It captures the heart, humor and suspense of its source material. An old-fashioned, cozy murder mystery. And when I was skeptic about Pierce Brosnan as Ron, I was pleasantly surprised. READ MY FULLREVIEW HERE.
 

17. Ocean with David Attenborough
The first of two documentaries on this list. And when it comes to nature documentaries, David Attenborough is the master. “Ocean with David Attenborough” is a profoundly important film that serves as a powerful call to action for the planet’s future. Released to mark Sir David Attenborough’s 99^th birthday, the film pairs his rich, timeless voice with spectacular cinematography of vibrant coral reefs and deep-sea wonders. While it delivers a sucker punch by exposing the horror of industrial overfishing and habitat destruction, it masterfully balances this despair with a ray of optimism. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
 

16. Warfare
“Warfare” is an uncompromising and unforgettable masterclass in tension. With a traditional narrative, the film uses a real-time structure to recreate a harrowing 2006 Navy SEAL mission with so much realism. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
 

15. Fantastic Four: First Steps
I had high hopes for this movie and really looked forward to seeing it. And it didn’t disappoint. The retro-futuristic 1960s world feels both nostalgic and entirely fresh. The film is visually stunning and the ensemble cast have the best chemistry, with Vanessa Kirby as the heart of it all, delivering an emotionally powerful standout performance. I was a bit tired of Marvel, but this movie proofs they are not dead yet. READ MYFULL REVIEW HERE.
 

14. Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
The final film in the series, or so they say, directed by Christopher McQuarrie. The perfect blockbuster, high-stakes emotional callbacks, jaw-dropping stunts. Tom Cruise in peak form, whether he is dangling from a plane or navigating an underwater submarine sequence. While the film is nearly three hours long, it pays off with an amazing final act and a heart-pounding conclusion. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
 

13. Nosferatu
Robert Eggers’ “Nosferatu” is a magnificent horror film, that reclaims the vampire as a source of pure sinister nightmare fuel. Shifting the focus to Ellen Hutter, a wonderful performance by Lily-Rose Depp, capturing the visceral terror of a woman in thrall to an ancient evil. Bill Skarsgård embodies Count Orlok, with a super creepy performance. It’s an immersive fever dream, as almost all of Robert Eggers’ films are. READ MY FULLREVIEW HERE.
 

12. Companion
“Companion” is a clever, original sci-fi horror comedy, that successfully subverts expectations at every turn. Sophie Thatcher is magnetic as Iris and Jack Quaid is equally impressive, delivering a performance that seems like the nice guy, but is eventually far from that. I think this was my biggest surprise this year and a film that will probably be overlooked by a lot of people. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
 

11. How to Train Your Dragon
As a fan of the animation, I was so excited to see it being turned into a live-action movie. Was it necessary? Probably not, but I’m glad it exists. It is a visually stunning and emotionally engaging live-action reimagining that breathes new life into the beloved animation. The film captures the heart and soul of the first story while offering a more grounded mature tone. Mason Thames is well cast as the earnest, awkward hiccup and his chemistry with Nico Parker’s Astrid is present. Gerard Butler plays father Stoick, who he also provided the voice for in the animated version. And John Powell’s  iconic score is also in it, which is one of my favorite scores of all-time. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
 

10. A Real Pain
As two mismatched cousins tour Polan to honor their late grandmother, their old tension resurface against the backdrop of their family history. Written and directed by Jesse Eisenberg, who alongside Kieran Culkins also stars in it. Culkin won an Academy Award for his role, well-deserved. A smaller film with a ton of emotion. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
 

9. Frankenstein
The story of “Frankenstein”, based on the classic novel by Mary Shelley, has been told so many times. But somehow Guillermo del Toro is the director that was made to do it too. He managed to create a faithful and emotionally resonant adaptation of the book. Jacob Elordi was a surprising choice for the monster, but his performance was amazing. A deeply human portrayal of the Creature. And Oscar Isaac is riveting as a tormented arrogant Victor Frankenstein. The gothic atmosphere is right up del Toro’s alley. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
 

8. Sinners
This movie is best viewed with having no prior knowledge of the plot. This movie will definitely blow your mind. Twin brothers Smoke and Stack, both played by Michael B. Jordan, open their own club in Mississippi during the Jim Crow era. Leaving their troubled lives behind, they are trying to start over, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back. Director Ryan Coogler reinvents a horror subgenre through a rich Southern Gothic lens. Michael B. Jordan delivers a career-defining dual performance, anchoring the story that masterfully blends horror with a look on Black American history and the power of community. One of the two films on this list that Inhave rewatched already. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
 

7. Sing Sing
A group of prisoners form a theater group. Not your traditional prison drama, but a hopeful testament to the redemptive power of art. Coleman Domingo delivers a riveting and unforgettable performance as Divine G, a wrongfully convicted man who finds his humanity through a prison theater program. The film is authentic, mostly because of the unique ensemble cast, featuring real-life alumni of the Rehabilitation Through the Arts program playing fictionalized versions of themselves. “Sing Sing” is a authentic and powerful film. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
 

6. Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere
I was surprised to see that it didn’t get the best reviews. People were disappointed, because it didn’t follow the standard formula of a biopic. But I believe that’s the power of this film, because we have seen that type of biopic way too many times. In “Deliver Me from Nowhere”, we focus on a more unknown part of Bruce Springsteen’s life, during the making of his album “Nebraska”. When everyone around him want to make an album with hits, Springsteen just wanted to write these personal songs, no hits, no tour. It’s a raw, emotional and hauntingly beautiful film, with a great performance from Jeremy Allen White as Springsteen. Went to see it with my dad, a Springsteen fan, and we both really loved every minute of it. READ MY FULLREVIEW HERE.
 

5. Materialists
I expected a standard romcom, merely went to see it for the cast. And I’m not a lover of romantic comedies, with a few exceptions here and there. But director Celine Song made a mature deconstruction of the modern romcom. Dakota Johnson’s character is layered and as a professional matchmaker she is caught in a fascinating ideological tug-of-war between two vastly different men: a wealthy, polished suitor played by Pedro Pascal and a scruffy, soulful ex played by Chris Evans. The story touches on some tough themes, creating depth for both the characters and the stories. Loved it more then I expected. For the fans of typical, predictable romcoms, this is not the one for you. That’s why I loved it. READ MY FULLREVIEW HERE.
 

4. John Candy: I Like Me
I don’t think a documentary has ever ended up this high on my end-of-the-year list. If you didn’t grow up on John Candy movies, you will probably not feel the same while watching this film. “John Candy: I Like Me” is a heartfelt and heartbreaking documentary that serves as the definitive tribute to a one-of-a-kind comedy legend. Directed by Colin Hanks and produced by Ryan Reynolds, the film masterfully weaves together never-before-seen home videos with interviews from stars like Steve Martin, Dan Ayrkoryd, Catherine O’Hara and Tom Hanks. This documentary had me in tears within the first five minutes. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
 

3. Weapons
This is the year’s “what the fuck did I just what”-movie. Directed by Zach Cregger, who also made “Barbarian”. He gives us an original, surprising and shocking horror film. The story is told in a non-linear structure, where an entire elementary class disappears, aside from one kid, with no explanation whatsoever. Weirdly wonderful and unforgettable. READMY FULL REVIEW HERE.
 

2. One Battle After Another
“One Battle After Another” is a bold and exhilarating crime thriller, from director Paul Thomas Anderson. He manages to combine nerve-shredding thriller with satire. Leonardo DiCaprio delivers an inspired performance that is very reminiscent of The Dude from “The Big Lebowski”. Newcomer Chase Infinity really steals the show and Sean Penn is one of the most disgusting, awful characters I’ve seen this year. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.  
 

1. Wake Up Dead Man
The last 2025 movie I watched this year ended up being my favorite. I saw most of the films in my top 5 at the very end of the year. “Wake Up Dead Man” is a brilliant third entry in Rian Johnson’s whodunit “Knives Out” franchise. It’s masterfully blending the series’ signature wit with a darker, more contemplative tone. While Daniel Craig remains as charismatic as ever, Josh O’Connor delivers a standout performance as the earnest Father Jud, who serves as the film’s emotional anchor. The atmospheric gothic church is the backdrop of this well-crafted murder mystery. READ MY FULLREVIEW HERE.
 

Honorable mentions: Better Man, Baby Girl, Final Destination: Bloodlines, Steve, Thunderbolts, F1, 28 Years Later

TV Show Review - It: Welcome to Derry

Season: 1
Genre: Horror/ Fantasy
Number of episodes: 8
Year: 2025
Starring: Jovan Adepo, Bill Skrarsgård, Taylour Paige, Stephen Rider, Matilda Lawler, Amanda Christine, Clara Stack, Blake Cameron James, Arian S. Cartaya, Chris Chalk, Jame Remar, Madeleine Stowe

Description: In 1962, a couple with their son move to Derry, Maine just as a young boy disappears. With their arrival, very bad things begin to happen in the town.

Review: “It: Welcome to Derry” is a sequel series to the movies “It” (2017) and “It: Chapter Two” (2019). It’s the ultimate treat for horror fans and a masterful expansion of the Stephen King universe.
Where many prequel movies or series struggle to capture the magic of the original, “It: Welcome to Derry” succeeds in scaring viewers once again. The series serves as a bridge to Andy Muschietti’s films and delves into the dark history of the cursed town of Derry in a way that is both innovative and respectful.  

The beating heart of the series is Bill Skarsgård. His return as Pennywise is nothing short of spectacular. He brings a new layer of cruelty and otherworldly menace to the character that we didn’t full see in the films. He creeps me the f*** out.

The series takes the time to explore the cycle of It. We see how evil manifests itself over the decades, making the world of Derry much bigger and more terrifying. The 1960s setting is beautifully designed; the nostalgic atmosphere forms a stark and effective contrast to the bloody horror that takes place.
The series looks stunning, the cinematography is dark and atmospheric, and the brutal body horror scenes are cinema quality. The creators don’t shy away from violence, resulting in some memorable horror moments.

The friendship between the kids give the show emotional depth, just like in the movies. You truly care about their fate.

“It: Welcome to Derry” is an absolute must-watch for fans of the movies or book. It is a rare example of a prequel that enriches the source material, rather than milking it dry. One of the best series of 2025.

End of the Year Book Freak Out Tag 2025

I did a mid-year book freak out tag in July and I can’t believe we are at the end of 2025 right now. Time to look at the books I’ve read this year, answering some bookish questions.
 
How many books did you read
I set a goal for 60 books, but eventually ended up reading 64 books. Of these 64 books, I had 4 rereads, 3 non-fiction, 45 physical books and 19 audio books.
 
Most read genre
It is no surprise that thriller is, yet again, my most read genre. My goal was to read less thrillers, which I did, comparing to last year. Last year I read 48, this year it was only 25. Thrillers were followed by literary, mystery and contemporary.
 

Longest and shortest books you read
The longest book I read was 613 pages, and was of course a Stephen King book. It being “Desperation”. A good book, but because of the length I lost interest a couple of times. The shortest book was “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald, with only 191 pages. A classic, but overrated in my opinion.
 

Favorite book published in 2025
I didn’t read that many books that were released in 2025. I had some disappointments, like “Beautiful Ugly” by Alice Feeney, which I did not like. Or “With a Vengeance” by Riley Sager, which I DNF’ed.  But surprisingly my three favorite books of the year came from 2025, being “Het Laatste Verhaal van Jamie Gunn” by Thomas Olde Heuvelt, “Atmosphere” by Taylor Jenkins Reid and “Sunrise on the Reaping” by Suzanne Collins. Other books from 2025 I really enjoyed were “Say You’ll Remember Me” by Abby Jimenez and “Witchcraft for Wayward Girls” by Grady Hendrix.
 

Favorite debut book
“That’s Not My Name” by Megan Lally was a really good, especially when I learned it was a debut novel. Such a strong YA thriller, that kept em on the edge of my seat. And it’s not only enjoyable for young adults, since I’m not one.
 

Favorite book not published this year
That would be hands down “Razorblade Tears” by S.A. Cosby. I absolutely loved this book. It was raw and honest and it was a very emotional read.
 

A book that lived up to the hype
“Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow” by Gabriel Zevin definitely did. I’m not a gamer, but these characters grabbed me and I loved their story. “Sunrise on the Reaping” by Suzanne Collins, which was my most anticipated book of the year, lived up to the hype. Thank goodness!! I would have been devastated if it didn’t. And “Atmosphere” by Taylor Jenkins Reid was so hyped, I started reading it as soon as I got my hands on it. And this book did not disappoint.
 

A book that did not live up to the hype
“Jar of Hearts” by Jennifer Hillier got so much praise and everyone seems to love this book. I don’t get it, I did not like it all. I couldn’t relate to the characters, didn’t understand their motivations, hated the romantic subplot. I was so underwhelmed by this. 
 

Book that felt like the biggest accomplishment
“We Used to Live Here” by Markis Kliewer. It was such a mind-fuck, such a complex read. So much of it isn’t explained and it has a hidden code. Somehow I understood most of, but I still have so many questions. For some reason this felt like a huge accomplishment. And “Tender is the Flesh” by Augustina Bazterrica, which was so gruesome I’m surprised I made it through without even flinching.
 

Favorite character
Obviously Linus and Arthur from “Somewhere Beyond the Sea”,  and all the kids. Dr. Jacob Maddox from “Yours Truly”. This man is setting the bar high for guys all over the world. I loved Joan Goodwin from “Atmosphere”. And of course Haymitch from “Sunrise on the Reaping”, with Ampert, Maysilee Donner and Lenore Dove also being favorites of that book.
 

Least favorite character
Geo and Angela in “Jar of Hearts”. Why were they friends? And I despised Daniel Parisch from “The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry. As well as Jack from “Behind Closed Doors”. These last two are the epitome of what is wrong with men, toxic masculinity.
 

Most shocking book/ moment
“Tender is the Flesh” was definitely the most shocking book I read. Just the premise alone. But it’s so close to reality in a way. But that makes it even more shocking. “The Last Housewife” by Ashley Winstead also had some shocking moments. The whole subject matter and theme came as a huge shock to me, this book was so much darker then I expected it to be. Probably the reason why I ended up really liking it. Same goes for “Cutting Teeth” by Chandler Baker. I found it a pretty disturbing story. “Het Laatste Verhaal van Jamie Gunn” had many shocking moments that left me dropping my jaw to the floor.
 

Favorite couple
I absolute love, and always will love, Arthur and Linus from “Somewhere Beyond the Sea”. I would literally die for them. Brianna and Jacob, from “Yours Truly” also really stole my heart, loved them together so much. I really loved reading about A.J. Fikry and Amelia, they were so sweet.
 

The best written book you read
Probably my favorite would be “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood, one of the last books I read this year. Such beautiful writing. I also absolutely loved the writing in “November” and “Het Laatste Verhaal van Jamie Gunn”. Thomas Olde Heuvelt, a Dutch author I had the pleasure to meet this year, has become my favorite Dutch author and one of my favorite horror authors. His style is very reminiscent of that of Stephen King, the master of horror himself. Who also happens to be a fan of Olde Heuvelt. “Parable of the Sower” by Octavia Butler also really mesmerized me. The writing was beautiful. And “Razorblade Tears” by S.A. Cosby. I have read only two book by him, but I think he will become a favorite author over time.
 

Book that you pushed the most people to read
Probably “Atmosphere”, because it’s the most accessible. And I believe this book can be loved by a wide array of readers. But also “Razorblade Tears” by S.A. Cosby. I think so many people will love this. And I want them to read about these important themes. I also tend to tell people about “Gone Girl” by Gillian Flynn, if they haven’t yet seen the movie.
 

Favorite book cover
My favorite book cover by far was “Water Moon” by Samantha Sotto Yambao, which reminded me of Studio Ghibli movies. And it also proved that you should never buy a book solely based on the cover. Because I DNF’ed it. But Im not getting rid of it because of the cover. If I have to choose the most beautiful cover for a book that I ended up loving, I would go for “Witchcraft for Wayward Girls” by Grady Hendrix or “Whalefall” by Daniel Kraus. Both stunning.
 

Favorite book to movie adaptation
“Gone Girl”, no doubt about that. It’s one of my all-time favorite movies and books. The book changed thrillers forever, has one of the biggest twist ever. And the movie adaptation, directed by David Fincher, is also perfection. Can’t say which of the two is my favorite.
 

What book made you cry
“Sunrise on the Reaping” left me bawling, I cried so hard. “Somehwere Beyond the Sea”, “Atmosphere” and “Razorblade Tears” the same. I cared so much for these characters and their story, I just felt like they were my family. I believe I also cried over “Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow”, and there was one passage in “Dinner for Vampires” by Bethany Joy Lenz that really got me emotional.
 

What book made you laugh
I think all the Abby Jimenez book that I read this year made me laugh. I read “Yours Truly”, “Just for the Summer” and “Say You’ll Remember Me” and they all brought me so much joy.
 

A new favorite author
I’ve only read one book by Gillian Flynn, but I can already tell that she is going to be a favorite thriller author for me. Can’t wait to read her backlist. I also really enjoyed the two books by Coco Mellors I read, “Cleopatra and Frankenstein” and “Blue Sisters”. Such beautiful writing and lovely stories. I’m also curious to read more from Octavia Butler and Chandler Baker.
 

The best audiobook
One that really terrified me was “Incidents Around the House” by Josh Malerman. It was a really scary story. I think listening to the audiobook made it a creepier reading experience. I also enjoyed the audiobook for “The Family Experiment” by John Marrs. Several perspectives (full voice cast) and with all the additional media sources added, it felt like a format this book was made for.
 

Book you’re most looking forward to reading in 2026
Although Riley Sager has disappointed me in 2024 and 2025, I still have faith in him. Because he still wrote two of my favorite thrillers ever (“Lock Every Door” and “The Only One Left”). In 2026 he will be releasing “The Unknown”. Alice Feeney has also disappointed me this year, but also wrote two of my favorite thrillers (“Him & Her” and “Rock Paper Scissors”). She will be releasing “My Husband’s Wife”, which is getter good early reviews for the lucky readers that already got to read it. “The Night We Met” is the new Abby Jimenez book, in the “Say You’ll Remember Me” series.