Yet again, it was certainly not an easy year for concentrating. Fortunately, good books have continued to be a great escape for me. Without further ado, here are my favorites from 2025.
The Names by Florence Knapp: One of the best books with the “sliding doors” theme that I have read. The choices that Cora makes when naming her baby set off three drastically different series of life events, and completely change the family’s trajectory. An amazing read; an even better book club find!
The Women on Platform Two by Laura Anthony: A breathtaking story based on real events about a group of women in Dublin, Ireland from 1969 and into the 1970s and the consequences of their inability to access birth control.
Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid: A keep-you-on-the-edge-of-your-seat read. Perhaps the first book I’ve ever read about NASA, and certainly the first one with a female lead. Fantastic.
Heartwood by Amity Gaige: An interesting and page-turning mystery about a hiker who goes missing on the Appalachian Trail in Maine. Not my usual genre – but kept me on the edge of my seat.
Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson: A beautifully woven multi-generational story about race, love, family and truth.
The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan: It’s very hard to explain this book. It’s quite an unusual style, journey and storyline. Perhaps Goodreads explains it best as: “Alternating between reality and magic, past and present, hope and despair, The Astonishing Color of After is a luminous debut novel about finding oneself through family history, art, bravery, and love.”
Eddie Winston is Looking for Love by Marianne Cronin: 90 year-old Eddie works at a charity shop, where he meets 24 year-old Bella. Together they teach each other what it means to truly love as Bella helps Eddie to search for his elusive first kiss. So incredibly tender and beautiful.
America for Beginners by Leah Franqui: Leah Franqui – where have you been and why am I only discovering you now? This is my absolutely favorite genre – the character is struggling in some way and sets out on a journey of self discovery. This book reminded me a bit of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Frye, one of my all-time favorite books. I can barely express how beautiful this story was, with its cultural aspects, its mental health aspects, its character development and its pace.
My Friends by Fredrik Backman: Fredrik Backman. Need I say more? A character-driven story….definitely not plot driven. So beautiful.
Exile Music by Jennifer Steil: This was my first time reading an historical fiction piece of Holocaust literature that involved South America. A refined family from Vienna escapes to La Paz, a city high up in the Bolivian Andes. Wow.
I’d love to hear about your favorite reads from 2025, and what you have reserved for 2026!
And, just for fun, I always include the visual of my 2025 reads. Love to hear if you enjoyed any of these!
Have read a bunch of these. Loved The Names, Book Club of Troublesome Women, By Any Pther Name and a few.more. reading The Bee Sting right now. Very different style of writing. You might love it. Need something light right now- suggestions ?