Some books that I've enjoyed recently - September 2025

Every now and then I love to share some books that I've really enjoyed recently, thinking that some of my readers might enjoy them too. These books were all borrowed from a friend with excellent reading taste that is kind enough to keep me supplied with fantastic books!

Four Seasons in Japan by Nick Bradley

I love books about Japan, and as I mentioned recently I'm in the process of planning a trip to Japan next year so I'm eagerly lapping up anything that might inspire me. This book is a story within a story, set in Tokyo but framing a narrative set in the smaller town of Onomichi. Onomichi wasn't on my original itinerary, but I'm very tempted to add it in because it sounds like a lovely place! 

The story follows Flo, a translator from Japanese to English, who has no work, has ended her relationship and is struggling with her direction in life. By chance she discovers an unknown book left behind by a fellow passenger on the Tokyo metro and is drawn to working on a translation, even without being able to trace the author. The book alternates between Flo's experiences as she translates the book, and the entire text of the short novel that she is working on, which is the story of Kyo who comes to live with his Grandmother in a rural town so that he can focus on his studies and pass his failed medical school exams. 

I loved how the book travelled with the reader through the different seasons, and I loved reading about the relationships between the characters. It was beautifully written, and the descriptions really brought the locations to life for me. 

Abroad in Japan by Chris Broad

This was another book about Japan, which I was reading while taking notes at the same time. It's a biography by a YouTuber that I was unfamiliar with but am now following. He talks about how he moved to Japan as part of the Japanese Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme, working as an English teacher in rural Japan. The first part of the book shares his experiences as he settles down to life in Japan, and then he goes on to talk about how making videos about daily life in Japan led to his career as a YouTuber. 

It was a really interesting read, especially about daily life in Japan and the challenges of adapting to a new culture. Even if you only have a very slight interest in Japan, the fascinating anecdotes make it a really interesting read.

Photo credit David Emrich via Unsplash

One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid

This book from the author of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo was a great read, although it did give me anxiety while I was reading it! It's about a woman whose husband is in a helicopter crash and presumed dead. They had lived a life filled with adventure, escaping from the small town where they grew up, but after his death she returns home and falls in love with a man from her childhood and they build a life together in the town that she left behind. But just after they get engaged her husband calls her, he is alive and has survived on a remote island with just the thought of returning home to her to keep him going.

I couldn't imagine how this story could possibly have a happy ending, and I was desperate to keep reading to find out how it would resolve itself. I won't spoil the ending, but I was relieved to find that it did reach a satisfactory conclusion!

Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors

A story about four very different sisters and their complicated relationships. When Nicky dies unexpectedly, her sisters Avery, Bonnie and Lucky reunite in their childhood home and learn to navigate their grief, addiction and heartbreak. I loved the strong characterisation of the sisters and it was very readable. 

All the Colours of the Dark by Chris Whitaker

This was quite a dark read, a coming of age tale dealing with themes of abduction and murder. One of those stories when you aren't quite sure if you are reading the imaginings of an unreliable narrator, and you want to keep reading to find out exactly what is going on. It was quite a long read, but it kept me interested with lots of twists and turns.

This was a great selection of books which I enjoyed very much. If want to see what I'm reading now, you can follow my reading over on my Goodreads account.