In the Spotlight: December 2025

Every month, I select a few books that truly stood out to me. The books I want to recommend to everyone, or that I can't stop thinking about. Books that stick with me after I finish the last chapter. For December, I have picked 3. These books have very different feels to them, but they are on my 5-star list for December. I completely devoured these books! There is No Antimemetics Division by B.K. Marcus, The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman, and Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid.  Let’s dive into what made these reads so unforgettable.

1. There is No Antimemetics Division by B.K. Marcus

I’ll be honest—this one was a mind-bender. There is No Antimemetics Division falls squarely within the genre of horror, science fiction, and a touch of speculative thrill. The novel delves into the concept of antimemetics, which essentially means things or events that are designed to be forgotten or are erased from memory. Sounds intense, right?

B.K. Marcus crafts a chilling world where the human mind must grapple with things that exist outside of the realm of memory. The Antimemetics Division, a secret government agency, is tasked with dealing with creatures, artifacts, and entities that can prevent you from remembering or alter your perception of them. As the story unfolds, the stakes rise exponentially, with tension and suspense building at every turn. It’s one of those books that keeps you questioning reality, memory, and the things we’re not meant to remember.

A couple of things I particularly loved about this book are how it challenges the idea of memory and what happens when we forget—or, worse, are made to forget—certain truths. The formatting of the book adds to the feeling of having forgotten something, using selective redaction and occasionally leaving entire pages blank. The pacing is fast, the narrative twists are smart, and I found myself lingering over certain scenes long after I turned the page. This one’s not for the faint of heart, but if you love intricate, cerebral sci-fi with a haunting atmosphere, don’t miss it.

2. The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

After the intensity of There is No Antimemetics Division, I was craving something a bit lighter, but equally captivating. The Thursday Murder Club hit the spot perfectly. A delightful, quirky, and surprisingly heartfelt cozy mystery, this book introduced me to a group of unlikely friends—four elderly residents of a retirement village who meet every Thursday to solve cold cases. Their bond, wit, and perseverance make for some truly enjoyable reading.

What stood out to me most in this book was how Richard Osman combines humor and warmth with genuinely interesting mystery-solving. The characters are fully fleshed out, with each of them bringing their own unique perspective, life experiences, and quirks to the investigation. And while the murder mystery at the heart of the plot is engaging, it’s the relationships between the characters that truly shine.

Osman’s writing is witty, often making me chuckle out loud, and the pacing is just right—neither too slow nor too fast. It’s one of those books that feels like a warm hug while still keeping you intrigued with its twists and turns. I couldn’t put it down, and I’m already looking forward to picking up the next book in the series! (Bonus: This book has been adapted into a movie by Netflix!)

3. Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid

From cozy mystery to steamy romance, Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid was a perfect way to end my reading month. This book is a sports romance set against the backdrop of professional hockey, featuring two players, Shane and Ilya, who have a complicated and often intense relationship. What starts as a fierce rivalry on the ice soon turns into something much deeper and more personal off the ice.

I’ve been a fan of enemies-to-lovers stories for a while, but Heated Rivalry took the trope to another level. The chemistry between Shane and Ilya is fire—both on and off the ice. The book perfectly balances the tension of their rivalry with the slow-burn of their evolving relationship. It’s not just about love and attraction, though; the story also delves into the struggles of dealing with identity, public scrutiny, and the pressures of being an athlete in the spotlight.

What I loved about this book was how authentic the relationship felt. It wasn’t rushed, and both characters had to confront their own fears, vulnerabilities, and insecurities before they could fully embrace each other. Plus, the hockey aspect added an exciting element that kept the pacing fast and the stakes high. Heated Rivalry is a must-read for anyone who enjoys sports romance with a little extra spark. (Bonus: This book has been adapted into a TV show by Crave!)

Wrapping Up December

Each of these books brought something unique to my reading experience this month. Whether it was mind-bending sci-fi thrills, cozy charm, or sizzling tension, December was a month filled with diverse and captivating reads. I’m already looking ahead to what 2026 will bring in terms of books, but I’ll always remember these December gems as the perfect way to close out the year.

Have you read any of these books? Or do you have some favorites from December you’d like to share? Let me know in the comments!