DocoftheDarkArts | December 2025 Reading Wrap Up

December 2025 Reading Wrap Up

December is always a busy month, and yet it has its moments of peace and downtime. Somehow in December, without really trying, I would up reading way more than I expected. However, with reading, my goal is always quality over quantity, and December was a perfect example of that for me. I read some great books (including a new all-time favorite), but then also had some duds. In this video, I go through it all in detail.

How was your December reading? Any goals for the new year?

My Symptoms: DNFing

I've talked a bunch before both here and on other platforms about DNFing books, and my general thoughts around that. And, truth be told, I think I have a pretty solid feel for how I handle individual books. But I've had a few experiences this week that have really got me thinking about my approach to a series and whether I DNF that or not.

First, I saw some really interesting reels from C.J. Dennyreads and Sarahdoesbookishstuff where they discussed the price of admission for reading a series, or the idea that for some series, you need to make it through a book or two before the series "gets good." This is pretty common (Suneater, Dungeon Crawler Carl, Throne of Glass all come to mind). Now generally speaking, I usually give a series one book. One. That's it. My thought is that if I get to the end of book one, and I absolutely hate the characters, the story, and am severely bored or angry, I should just DNF the series. Stop. Do not pass go. Do not collect any money because I don't get paid to read things I hate. And as I thought about my favorite series, I realized I loved all the book 1's.

Now of course, if I can find some redeeming qualities, or see some light at the end of the tunnel, I'll keep going. However, Both Sarah and CJ made some great points and really got me thinking about this. Then I started listening to The Dragon Republic, book 2 in The Poppy War Trilogy, and that got me thinking even more.

Mild spoilers ahead for The Poppy War in the next paragraph. I've posted my review of The Poppy War on socials before, and I really struggled with Rin. I think throughout the book, she wreaked havoc on everyone around her, made frustrating decisions (even for someone her age), and showed a tendency to be a sociopath. Over the last few months, I have been strongly considering DNFing the whole series, because I just thought this was a one-note, one-theme series, and I didn't find any of the characters interesting or compelling. Just kind of different shades of miserable.

However, CJ and Sarah got me thinking about if I'm being too harsh. So I got my Libro audiobook credits, and promptly picked up the Dragon Republic. And wishing the first few chapters, this book is already showing more humanity and nuance for our characters than the entire first book, and has even made Rin redeemable for me. I was floored by how good the first six or so chapters have been. And it's made me think: should I revisit a few series I put down after book one, or start a series I have said I never would?

The Rx: What I'm Reading and Doing

Now as you all know, I am a feral mood reader, so my plans always reserve the right to change. However, this is what I'm reading this week:

Thank you as always for being here, and I hope you all have a great week of reading!