Henry’s Year in Books

What did you read this year?

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2025

Year in Books

10,771

pages read

books read

Henry Avila

Shortest Book

pages

Longest Book

712

pages

Average book length in 2025

283

pages

Most Shelved

1,601,495

people also shelved

Least Shelved

209

people also shelved

Henry’s average rating for 2025

4.0

Hornblower and the Hotspur by C.S. Forester

Highest Rated on Goodreads

4.28 average

Henry’s first review of the year

liked it

Is forgiveness possible when a situation is so brutal and can never be changed for the better, done, finis forever. A bit of a mystery story maybe it isn't the classic , The Moonstone or The Woman in White, both by the author of Hide and Seek (Wilkie Collins). The past returns in force to Victorian England as a sinister figure from a different era , over 20 years ago returns, begins to ask questions searching for an individual a loved one, hiding Is forgiveness possible when a situation is so brutal and can never be changed for the better, done, finis forever. A bit of a mystery story maybe it isn't the classic , The Moonstone or The Woman in White, both by the author of Hide and Seek (Wilkie Collins). The past returns in force to Victorian England as a sinister figure from a different era , over 20 years ago returns, begins to ask questions searching for an individual a loved one, hiding thus the title , just reverse the words. A rough stranger calls himself Matthew Marksman not a real name obviously appears, he too has a face, to be kind if possible ....ugly scars aren't beautiful, but is his curiosity for the good , I doubt it. Basically a bum as he travels the lonely roads in the remote wilderness of the 1850s world . Troubles are numerous, fights for sure, kill or be killed in the Americas both North and South and the natives aren't friendly, undoubtedly survival is the ultimate object . Mat and Zach Thorpe a wayward man boy (more the latter). They meet in a disreputable bar ... tavern brawl commences, vicious, two against many. So they become brothers naturally what else. Mat however wants, needs to solve something but what, the man doesn't and will not say but you feel uneasy, always difficulties, the unseen ghosts from the past are never easy to find . Kind Valentine Blyth an ardent painter sells enough to get by with an adopted beautiful daughter Mary (Madonna , yes nicknamed this) with disabilities and an invalid, dear wife, a poor artist yet a great human struggling. Slowly the story unfolds , takes nevertheless too many detours , red herrings, an edit would have streamlined the narrative for a faster pace still the 1800s was not noted for that. A more leisurely time though what's the hurry no t. v. , film, radio, internet, just talk still that can be tiresome much better to sit down on a warm comfortable sofa and relax have a cup of tea, eat a crumpet, read a good book, see the whole universe, your dangerous adventures are safe at home. A detective story which is the main reason to get the book , the patient reader fellows the narrative, joins the journey in the maze and pulls the cover of the curtains to the final destination however still not everything is black or white , nuances color the preceding and humans aren't easily put in a single category, the puzzle may be unmasked but is justice blind? ...more

HENRY’S 2025 BOOKS

The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

it was amazing

really liked it

We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

it was amazing

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

The Mandarin and Other Stories by Eça de Queirós

The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester

Heart of Darkness and Selected Short Fiction by Joseph Conrad

it was amazing

The Night of the Iguana by Tennessee Williams

really liked it

Henry’s last review of the year

really liked it

The ultimate science- fiction series as chosen by the Hugo Awards in 1966 and the reason for my 3rd reread of the Foundation saga, expanded from original three novels to now seven by author Isaac Asimov in the 1980s and 1990s, thirty years from first published. Must confess not really, I love them all, such a Universe of ideas set 12,000 years ahead hence, the future, so distant and vast, the Milky Way Galaxy humans forgot Earth. Unknown their bi The ultimate science- fiction series as chosen by the Hugo Awards in 1966 and the reason for my 3rd reread of the Foundation saga, expanded from original three novels to now seven by author Isaac Asimov in the 1980s and 1990s, thirty years from first published. Must confess not really, I love them all, such a Universe of ideas set 12,000 years ahead hence, the future, so distant and vast, the Milky Way Galaxy humans forgot Earth. Unknown their birth place and with millions of inhabited planets in the fading Galactic Empire, being precise dying, an old world if in existence now quite unimportant. Enough with the preliminaries friends lets begin, as 300 years have passed after the odd Foundation's establishment. The idealistic hopes, dreams, plans don't materialize to be perfectly honest or correct, or becomes a smooth process, detours into dictatorship by the Indbur family dynasty of three , grandfather, son and grandson bad rulers, decades wasted each incompetent. The planet Terminus where Foundation has luck, maybe, either that or paradoxically sees problems ahead by Hari Seldon's ghost, its founder. His image appeared in four visits the time, from twenty to a century, gives a few clues for solutions to difficulties then leaves, thanks buddy. The able General Bel Riose of the truncated Empire the last great one had threatens the scientists on Terminus, he thirst for conquest and glory if ailing Emperor Cleon 11 approves. Enter the enigmatic "Mule," he dominates, following rumors, an omnificent, vicious, mutant, if it's human, strikes quickly , worlds fall could this end civilization, what's left. However strange this character is, the best of the trilogy . Barbarians at the gate plot for sure, yes similar to the Roman Empire's demise. Our narrative changes abruptly to the seemingly insignificant world of Haven as a honeymooning couple arrives the bride Bayta, and her husband Toran, a native of the planet. She is unimpressed as the Red Dwarf Sun weakly shines down, Bayta from the great Foundation. The husband afraid she will hate this obscure land of mediocrity but his relatives give comfort. The reader soon discover why they're written into the novel, the couple, with Ebling Mis a psychologist the first on Terminus and the Mule are the main people to watch. I will tell you a secret, if you keep this between us, a surprise denouement to be revealed. Many consider this the best in the first three installments of the incredible epics, nevertheless a precious stone each in truth. I shall continue my relentless pursuit on the possible mayhem , our galactic destiny. ...more

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