In 2020, I read 403 books. But after 2020 I began focusing my writing on novels and not just poems. As a result, my reading dropped drastically—in 2021 I read 209 books and in 2022 only 91 books—as the form of the novel, for me, requires more and more deliberate attention. While my 2023 reading of 145 books increased over 2022, I still read at a significantly reduced pace compared to when I wasn't working mostly as a novelist. I read more prolifically in 2024 at 315 books. Here’s 2025’s reading list with authors listed alphabetically—they are mostly books but I also include book(ish)-length publications like newsletters:
2025 BOOKS READ: 261
62 Fiction, 142 Poetry, 57 Non-Fiction
Fiction-62
Forty Stories by Paul Beckman & Zvi A. Sesling (Big Table Publishing, 2024). Short stories
Locust Girl by Merlinda Bobis (Spinifex, 2015). Novel. [FAHM]
Angelica's Daughters: a Dugtungan novel by Cecilia Manguerra Brainard, Erma Cuizon, Susan Evangelista, Veronica Montes & Nadine Sarreal (Anvil Publishing, 2010. 1st 4 chs read). Novel
MODERATION by Elaine Castillo (Viking, 2025). Novel. #
The Beggar Student by Osamu Dazai (New Directions, 2024). Novel
Perla by Carolina De Robertis (Borzoi/Knopf, 2012). Novel
Room 216 by Mignon Bravo Dutts (Penguin Random House SEA, 2023). Novel
The Ministry of Special Cases by Nathan Englander (Knopf, 2007). Novel
Kairos by Jenny Erpendeck, Trans. by Michael Hoffman (New Directions, 2023). Novel
The House of Monstrous Women by Daphne Fama (Berkly, 2025). Novel
Pugs by Skip Fox (Lavender Ink, 2025). Novel
The Life Impossible by Matt Haig (Viking, 2024). Novel
Bronte Wilde by Fanny Howe (Grand Iota, 2020). Novel
Hunch Back by Saou Ichikawa, Trans. by Holly Barton (Hogarth, 2025). Novel
The Vegetarian by Han Kang, Trans. by Deborah Smith (Hogarth, 2007 / Translation 2015). Novel
Greek Lessons by Han Kang, Trans. by Deborah Smith and Emily Yae Won (Hogarth, 2023). Novel
Writers & Lovers by Lily King (Grove Press, 2020). Novel
Audition by Katie Kitamura (Riverhead Books, 2025). Novel
A Separation by Katie Kitamura (Riverhead Books, 2017). Novel
Intimacies by Katie Kitamura (Riverhead Books, 2021). Novel
JOY by Angelo R. Lacuesta (Penguin Random House SEA, 2022). Novel
Bahay Kubo by Harold Legaspi (Papel Publishing, 2025). Children's Literature
Motherdying by Michael Lentz (Solarii, 2025). Novella
Hades, Argentina by Daniel Loedel (Riverhead Books/Penguin Random House, 2021). Novel
Shikataganai by Scott MacLeod (Serious Publications, 2022). Novel. #
Unholy Union by Scott MacLeod (Serious Publications, 2022). Prose
Cliff's Notes by Scott MacLeod (Serious Publications, 2018). Novel
The Book Lover's Library by Madeline Martin (Hanover Square Press, 2024). Novel
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer by Robert L. May, illustrated by Denver Gillen(Applewood Books c 1967). Size: 3.25” x 4.5”. Fiction
Don't Be A Stranger by Susan Minot (Knopf, 2024). Novel
Pnin by Vladimir Nabokov (Vintage, 1989). Novel
RECITATIF by Toni Morrison w/ essay by Zadie Smith (Knopf, 2022). Short story w/ essay
Billion-Dollar Ransom by James Patterson and Duane Swierczynski (Little, Brown, 2025). Novel
A Different Beat: Writings by Women of the Beat Generation edited by Richard Peabody (High Risk Books, 1997). Fiction and poetry
The Book of Two Ways by Jodi Picoult (Ballantine, 2020). Novel
Boys' Love by Danton Remoto (Penguin Random House SEA, 2025). Novel
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson (Source Books, 2019). Novel
Everything We Never Had by Randy Ribay (Kokila/Penguin Random House, 2024). Novel. [FAHM]
The Book Woman's Daughter by Kim Michele Richardson (Sourcebooks, 2022). Novel
The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose (Bloodhound, 2020). Novel
Way Far Away by Evelio Rosero (New Directions, 2014). Novel
Last Night by James Salter (Vintage, 2005). Fiction/short stories. #
10 By 10 Flash Fiction, Issue 35, edited by Zvi A. Sesling (December 2025). Flash Fictions
10 By 10 Flash Fiction, Issue 31, edited by Zvi A. Sesling (October 2025). Flash Fictions
10 By 10 Flash Fiction, Issue 34, edited by Zvi A. Sesling (November 2025). Fiction journal
10 By 10 Flash Fiction, Issue 31, edited by Zvi A. Sesling (August 2025). Fiction journal
10 By 10 Flash Fiction, Issue 30, edited by Zvi A. Sesling (July 2025). Fiction journal
10 By 10 Flash Fiction, Issue 27, edited by Zvi A. Sesling (April 2025). Fiction journal
10 By 10 Flash Fiction, Issue 25, edited by Zvi A. Sesling (February 2025). Fiction journal
10 By 10 Flash Fiction, Issue 24, edited by Zvi A. Sesling (January 2025). Fiction journal
The Stars are Fire by Anita Shreve (Knopf, 2017). Novel
A Death in Cornwall by Daniel Silva (ecco/HarperCollins, 2024). Novel
Gliff by Ali Smith (Pantheon, 2024). Novel
Address Unknown by Kressmann Taylor (Story Press, 1995). Epistolary short story.
Imagining Argentina by Lawrence Thornton (Bantam, 1987). Novel
The Creation of the Sun and the Moon by B. Traven, illustrated by Alberto Beltran (Lawrence Hill & Co. 1968). Novel with art
Dream Eden by Linda Ty-Casper (Ateneo University / University of Washington Press, 1996). Novel [FAHM]
Wings of Stone by Linda Ty-Casper (Readers International, 1986). Novel. #
Awaiting Trespass (A Pasion) by Linda Ty-Casper (Readers International, 1985). Novel
The Witch of Pontevedra by Cymbeline R Villamin (8Letters, 2026). Novella
Residents of the Deep by Marianne Villanueva (Unsolicited Press, 2025). Short stories
Barcelona by Griselda Yabes (Avenida, 2023). Novella
Poetry-142
Read 34 Poetry Manuscripts for a Poetry Contest. Poetry
Achiote Seeds, Winter 2007, Spring 2008, Fall 2008, & Winter 2008. Literary journals
PORTALES: A Medicina Para Pesadillas Anthology #2, November 2023. Poetry
To Hush All the Dead by William Allegrezza (BlazeVOX, 2022). Poetry
densities, apparitions by William Allegrezza (Otoliths, 2011). Poetry
Ladders in July by William Allegrezza (BlazeVOX, 2004). Poetry
Stone & Type, Cedar by William Allegrezza (Lavender Ink, 2019). Poetry
Inshore Seeds by William Allegrezza (Argotist Books, 2011). Poetry
The Locofo Anthology edited by William Allegrezza (Moria Books, 2025). Poetry
The City Visible: Chicago Poetry for the New Century edited by William Allegrezza and Raymond Bianchi (Cracked Slab Books, 2007). Poetry
Dalit-Dalit ni Malou "Bobu" Alorro (University of San Carlos Press, 2024). Poetry
ONLY by Bruce Andrews (Spectacular Diseases, 1998). Poetry
I Shall Not Be Moved by Maya Angelou (Bantam Books, 1991). Poetry.
The Galleons by Rick Barot (Milkweed, 2020). Poetry
eleven eleven edited by Hugh Behm-Steinberg (California College of the Arts, 2011). Literary/arts journal
Accidents of Composition by Merlinda Bobis (Spinifex, 2017). Poetry
CRANE by Tessa Bolsover (Black Ocean, 2025). Poetry
Arrival by Cheryl Boyce-Taylor (Triquarterly, 2017). Poetry
Meridians: feminism, race, transnationalism edited by Ginetta E.B. Candelario (Vol. 21, No. 2, 2022). Literary journal
Men in the Off Hours by Anne Carson (Vintage, 2001). Poetry
An Immigrant's Guide to Navigating Borders and Bodies of Water by Aileen Cassinetto (Paloma Press, 2025). Poetry.
Dear Memory by Victoria Chang (Milkwood Editions, 2021). Poetics and Art.
New American Writing #24 edited by Maxine Chernoff and Paul Hoover (Oink Press, 2006). Literary Journal
The Boy With the Huge Behind by Martha Cinader (sp, nd). Handmade Artist's Book / Poetry
Gingerbread Girl by Juliet Cook (Trainwreck Press, 2008). Poetry
When Rap Spoke Straight to God by Erica Dawson (Tin House Books, 2018). Poetry
AZUCENA Centennial Edition by M. de Gracia Concepcion (Persea, 2025). Poetry
G Rave l by Mark Cunningham, Mark Young and harry k stammer (Sandy Press, 2025). Poetry
Plagios / Plagiarisms, Vol Three by Ulalume Gonzalez de Leon (Sixteen Rivers Press, 2025). Poetry
The Dirt Is Red Here: Art and Poetry From Native California edited by Margaret Dubin(Heyday Books, 2002). Poetry / Art
Escape From Donbas by Edouard Dugliocz (Serious Publications, 2024). Poetry
In Which by Denise Duhamel (Rattle, 2024). Poetry
THOU SAND by Michael Farrell (Tinfish Retro Series, 2011). Poetry
Our Human Shores by Josh Fomon (Black Ocean, 2025). Poetry
Late Day by Skip Fox (Lavender Ink, 2025). Poetry
The Avalanche of Time: Selected Poems 1964-1984 by Alex Gildzen (North Atlantic Books, 1985). Poetry
Prettier Grit by John Godfrey (Station Hill Press, 2025). Poetry
The Naturalist by Hillary Gravendyk (Achiote Press, 2008). Poetry
Summer Snow by Robert Hass (Ecco/Harper Collins, 2020). Poetry
Wind in a Box by Terrance Hayes (Penguin, 2006). Poetry
In the Grove: California Poets and Writers edited by Lee Herrick (2007). Literary journal
AGINAW no 14, edited by David Harrison Horton (2025). Poetry journal.
New and Selected Poems by Marie Howe (Norton, 2024). Poetry
FENCE NO. 42, Spring/Summer 2025 edited by Emily Wallis Hughes (Fence, 2025). Literary journal
The Nature of Our Times: Poems on America's Lands, Waters, Wildlife, and Other Natural Wonders, edited by Luisa A. Igloria, Aileen Cassinetto and David Hassler (Paloma Press / Poets for Science / United by Nature / Wick Poetry Center at Kent State University, 2025). Poetry. [FAHM]
Turnings: Writing on Women's Transformations edited by Luisa Igloria & Renee Olander (Friends of Women's Studies/ODU University, 2000). Poetry & Fiction
Controlled Decay by Gabriela Jauregui (Black Goat, 2008). Poetry
Applause for a Cloud by Sayumi Kamakura (Black Ocean, 2025). Poetry
Incubation: A Space for Monsters by Bhanu Kapil (Leon Works, 2006). Poetry
DAFFODIL: And Other Poems by Vincent Katz (Knopf, 2025). Poetry
The Book of Redacted Paintings by Arthur Kayzakian (Black Lawrence Press, 2023). Poetry
DURA by Myung Mi Kim (Sun & Moon Press, 1998). Poetry
Under the Flag by Myung Mi Kim (Kelsey Street Press, 1998). Poetry
THE BOUNTY by Myung Mi Kim (Chai Press, 2000). Poetry 53
COMMONS by Myung Mi Kim (University of California Press, 2002). Poetry
A Door, a Window by Burt Kimmelman (Marsh Hawk Press, 2025). Poetry
Nighttime on the Other Side of Everything by Sarah Kobrinsky (New Rivers Press, 2019). Poetry
That's How We Got to Memphis by Paul Lambert & Scott MacLeod (Serious Publications, 2024). Poetry
Dios Ko / My God by Harold Legaspi (Papel Publishing, 2025). Poetry
Dear Vase Already Shattered Against the Fragile Floor by Michael Leong (Black Square Editions, 2025). Poetry/Poetics
You Left Without Your Shoes by Kenji C. Liu (Finishing Line Press, 2009). Poetry
Hambone #20 edited by Nathaniel Mackey (2012). Literary/arts journal
The Big Horror Poetry Series by Richard Martin (SUNY Buffalo's "Among the Neighbors," #27, 2024). Poetry History
The Immaculate Autopsy by Todd Melicker (Achiote Press, 2007). Poetry
Selected Poems of Thomas Merton (New Directions, 1959). Poetry
Tides Don't Perturb by Edric Mesmer (BlazeVOX, 2025). Poetry
The Sky Is A Page by Adam David Miller (Eshu House Publishing, 2011). Poetry
Escritoire by Sheila E. Murphy (Lavender Ink, 2025). Poetry
The Tilted Earth by Gail Newman (Marsh Hawk Press, 2027. Read in manuscript for edit). Poetry
XCP, No. 18 edited by Mark Nowak (2007). Literary journal
From Being to Being by Oh Eun (Black Ocean, 2025). Poetry. #
SILENCE: Poems edited by Christopher Okemwa (Expeditions International Publishing House / Germany, 2025. in manuscript). Poetry
Citizen Illegal by Jose Olivarez (Haymarket Books, 2018). Poetry
Dreaming in Gujarati by Shailija Patel (Firefly Press, 2002). Poetry
Shilling Love by Shailija Patel (Firefly Press, 2000). Poetry
The Essential Hits of Shorty Bon Bon by Willie Perdomo (Penguin, 2014). Poetry
Origami Shipwreck by Craig Perez and Katy Acheson (Neo Pepper Press, 2007). Poetry
Prunes & Prisms by Serena Piccoli and William Allegrezza (Dialogos, 2024). Poetry
CITIZEN: An American Lyric by Claudia Rankine (Graywolf Press, 2014). Poetry
Mahcic: Selected Poems by Tomas Riley (Calaca Press, 2005). Poetry
Rappin' with Ten Thousand Carabaos in the Dark by Al Robles (UCLA Asian American Studies Center Commemorative Expanded Edition, 2019). Poetry
South Dakota Review, Vol. 52, No. 2, edited by Lee Ann Roripaugh (University of South Dakota, 2016). Literary journal
I and Eucalyptus by Susan M. Schultz (Lavender Ink, 2024). Poetry and art (photographs)
More Lilith Walks by Susan M. Schultz (BlazeVOX, 2025). Poetry & Art
Portraits & Parables by Susan M. Schultz (Tinfish Press, 2005). Poetry
Border Senses edited by Carmen M. Seda (Summer 2008). Literary journal
Tracing by Ryoko Sekiguchi, Trans. by Stacy Doris (Duration Press, 2003). Poetry
Modern Poetry by Diane Seuss (Graywolf Press, 2024). Poetry
Prairie Schooner edited by Matthew Shenoda (Winter 2010). Literary journal
Ascension by Giovanni Singleton (Counterpath, 2012). Poetry
Milk & Filth by Carmen Gimenez Smith (University of Arizona Press, 2013). Poetry
A Nail the Evening Hangs On by Monica Sok (Copper Canyon Press, 2020). Poetry
A Natural Man by Gary Soto (Chronicle Books, 1999). Poetry
haui-qt seared by harry k stammer (Sandy Press, 2025). Vizpo
UTRICULI Issue2, Part 2, edited by harry k stammer and Mark Young (Sandy Press, 2025). Visual Poetry 41
UTRICULI Issue2, Part 1, edited by harry k stammer and Mark Young (Sandy Press, 2025). Poetry
The White Orchard: Selected Interviews, Essays and Poems by Arthur Sze (Museum of New Mexico Press, 2025). Poetry
We Are Here: Haiku and Our Climate Experience edited by Bonnie Myotai Treace, Resa Alboher, Sandra Filipelli, and Mariya Gusev (Haiku Pause Issue II, July 2025). Poetry
Something about Living by Lena Khalaf Tuffaha (University of Akron Press, 2024). Poetry
Despues de la Caida (After the Fall) by Eric Tinsay Valles, Trans. by Maria Del Castillo Sucerquia (in manuscript for blurb). Poetry
Ceremonies in the Gong World by Anne Waldman (Shivastan Publishing, 2007). Poetry
objective practice by Mia You (Achiote Press, 2007). Poetry
BALANCE by Mark Young (Neo-Mimeo Editions, 2025). Poetry
From the Cave's Jukebox by Mark Young (Sandy Press, 2025). Poetry
The Complete Post Person Poems by Mark Young (Sandy Press, 2005). Poetry
Some Unrecorded Voyages of Vasco da Gama by Mark Young (Otoliths, 2025). Poetry
The Door Opens... by Calla Ysabel (Atticus, 2025). Poetry
Sea Serpent by Alfred A. Yuson (Monsoon Press, 1980). Poetry
SONG FOR HIS DISAPPEARED LOVE by Raul Zurita, Trans. by Daniel Borzutzky (Action Press, 2010). Poetry
Non-Fiction-57
Thank you for visiting us by/from 27th Letter Books (27th Letter Books). Advertisement/Art
Miniature Book Society Competition Catalog 2025 (Miniature Book Society). Book Art
Miniature Book Society Newsletter Issue no. 126 (Miniature Book Society, Nov. 2025). Miniature Books
THE MICROBIBLIOPHILE: The Bibliophile's Journal About Miniature Books & Book Arts, Vol. XLIV No. 4-6, No.1-3, Issues 256-258, Editor James Brogan, July-December 2025. Newsletter
THE MICROBIBLIOPHILE: The Bibliophile's Journal About Miniature Books & Book Arts, Vol. XLIV No. 6, No.1-3, Issue 253-255, Editor James Brogan, Jan.-June 2025. Newsletter
THE MICROBIBLIOPHILE: The Bibliophile's Journal About Miniature Books & Book Arts, Vol. XLIII No. 6 Issue 252, Editor James Brogan, Nov-Dec 2024. Newsletter
Miniature Book Society Newsletter, Issue No. 127, Contents Editor Cynthia Cosgrove, June 2025 (MBS). Newsletter
DESIRE (Chronicle Books, 1998). Miniature book of quotations
PLAYBILL: the national magazine for theatergoers, Vol. 9 June 1972 Issue 6
Memories, Visions and Scholarship and Other Essays (University of the Philippines Center for Integrative and Development Studies Centennial Lecture Series, 2001). Essays
DISASTER: Creative Non-Fiction by Women edited by Erlinda Kintanar Alburo (Santo Nino de Cebu Publishing House / Women in Literary Arts-Cebu, 2024). Essays
My Techno-Optimism by Vitalik Buterin (Isolarii, 2024). Essays
Miniature Book Society Newsletter, Issue No. 126, Contents Editor Cynthia Cosgrove, February 2025 (MBS). Newsletter
David Baradas: Land of the Morning: Treasures of the Philippines (San Francisco Craft & Folk Art Museum, 1995). Art / exhibition monograph
How I Became a Writer. Edited by Cecilia Brainard (Vibal Foundation, 2025). Essays
New Mexico Santos by E. Boyd, illustrated by Frances Breese (Museum of New Mexico Press, 1966). Art
How to Read NOW by Elaine Castillo (Viking, 2022). Essays
REACHER: The Stories Behind the Stories by Lee Child (Mysterious Press, 2025). Essays + short story
Tastes Like War by Grace M. Cho (The Feminist Press of CUNY, 2021). Memoir
Inherited Silence: Listening to the Land, Healing the Colonizer Mind by Louise Dunlap(New Village Press, 2022). Memoir/History
20
The Long Stag Party by Dolores Stephens Feria (Babaylan Women's Collective / Institute of Women's Studies, 1991). Essays. [FAHM] #
Inside the Painter's Studio by Joe Fig (Princeton Architectural Press, 2009). Art
The Next Day by Melinda French Gates (Flatiron Books, 2025). Non-fiction
A Bibliography of A.D. Winans's Second Coming Press, 1972-1989 by Christopher Harter (SUNY Buffalo's "Among the Neighbors," #27, 2024). Poetry History
BOTIKA BITUKA by Cesar Hernando (Flipbook for film, 1987). Art
PINAY: Autobiographical Narratives by Women Writers 1926-1998 edited by Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo (Ateneo, 2000). Autobiographies
Gildzen at 50: A Celebration edited by Dimitri's Karageorgiou (Toucan Press, 1993). Biography
From the Autograph Collection of Helen Kovach Gildzen: An Exhibition, Curated by Alex Gildzen (Dept. of Special Collections & Archives / Kent State University Libraries, Fall 1997). Exhibition pamphlet
TOAF by Renee Gladman (Dorothy, A Publishing Project, 2008). Memoir
You Won't See Me There: When the Beatles Ghosted Imelda by David Guerrero(Penguin Random House SEA, 2025). Journalism/History
Why I Travel and other essays by fourteen women, edited by Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo and Erlinda Enriquez Panlilio with drawings by Manuel D. Baldemor (Anvil, 2000). Essays
NICK: A Portrait of the Artist Nick Joaquin by Tony Joaquin and Gloria C. Kismadi (Anvil Publishing, 2011). Biography
Paradise: One Town's Struggle to Survive An American Wildfire by Lizzie Johnson (Crown, 2021). Journalism
[. . .] by Fady Joudah (Milkweed Editions, 2024). Poetry
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King (Scribner, 2000)
TWO SMOALTERS: Email Correspondence 200-2002 by Jim Leftwich & Scott MacLeod (Serious Publication 68, 2025). Letters
Devoirs by Scott MacLeod (Serious Publications, 2023). Art
Escape From the Fat Farm by Sandy McIntosh (Marsh Hawk Press, 2025). Poetry / Prose
The New York Dog by Rachael Hale McKenna (Stewart, Tabori & Chang, 2014). Photography
The Work of Art: How something comes from nothing by Adam Moss (Penguin, 2024). Art
Geometry Lessons by Darrell Nettles (Darrell Nettles, 2024). Art
World of Wonders by Aimee Nezhukumatathil (Milkweed Editions, 2020). Essays. [FAHM]. #
A Photographic Supplement to THE DIARY OF ANAIS NIN by Anais Nin (Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1974). Art
Why Religion? by Elaine Pagels (Ecco/HarperCollins, 2018). Memoir
American Poets in the 21st Century: Poetics of Social Engagement, edited by Claudia Rankine & Michael Dowdy (Wesleyan University Press, 2018). Poetry
Filipino World War II Soldiers: America's Second-Class Veterans with photographs by Rick Rocamora (w/ support from San Francisco Foundation, Zellerbach Family Foundation, Tancinco Law Offices and San Francisco Veterans Equity Center, 2008). Art-photographs
Litanya 1972-2022: The Works of Jose Tence Ruiz (JTR, 2022). Art
THE QUILT: Stories From The NAMES Project by Cindy Ruskin with photographs by Matt Herron (Pocket Books, 1988). Art
Fairest by Meredith Talusan (Viking, 2020). Memoir. [FAHM]
QUEST: A Writer's Journey edited by Susan Terris (Marsh Hawk Press, 2025). Poetry/Essays
Trick Mirror by Jia Tolentino (Random House, 2019). Essays
Lives Remembered: A Memoir by Linda Ty-Casper (PALH, 2025). Memoir. [FAHM]. #
Will You Happen Past the Silence Through the Dark: Remembering Leonard Ralph Casper by Linda Ty-Casper(PALH, 2022). Memoir
BLK ART: The Audacious Legacy of Black Artists and Models in Western Art by Zaria Ware (Harper Design, 2023). Art
An Elemental Thing by Eliot Weinberger (New Directions, 2007). Essays
A Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf (MacMillan, 2017). Essays
Circle K Cycles by Karen Tai Yamashita (Coffee House, Press, 2001). Fiction / Memoir / Hybrid
PHOTOGRAPHS by Zobel (Jaime Zobel de Ayala) (sp, 1983). Art-photographs
