Happy Monday! For the past few years, I've joined the Goodreads Reading Challenge. At the end of the year, I love seeing how many books I've read and whether I reached my reading goal. As of today, I've read 269 books and surpassed my goal of 180. Some of the books were short stories, poetry collections, fiction, nonfiction, romance, and so much more. I loved reading books by new-to-me authors. Last year, I even shared a post of my 12 favorite books of 2024 (one for each month). So, I thought it'd be fun to do it again this year.
Here are my 12 favorite reads of 2025. Also, please feel free to share your favorite books in the comments. I'd love to add some new ones to my never-ending TBR list.
So Late in the Day by Claire Keegan
I absolutely devoured this book! Claire Keegan was a new-to-me author, and I look forward to reading more of her work. So Late in the Day is a collection of three short stories about love, lust, betrayal, and misogyny. The three stories included are "So Late in the Day", "The Long and Painful Death", and "Antarctica". My favorite story in the collection is "Antarctica," which is about a married woman who goes out of town in an attempt to have an affair. This was a chilling and creepy story that was well-written.
The Bookstore Sisters by Alice Hoffman
Alice Hoffman's short story about family, love, and the past was a fantastic read. The story follows Isabel Gibson, a woman who has been estranged from her sister, Sophie, and her hometown of Brinkley's Island, Maine. After receiving a letter in the mail, Isabel decides to return home to see her sister and their family's bookstore, which is on the brink of bankruptcy. I highly recommend reading the rest of this series; it's great.
Banned Together by Ashley Hope Perez
This was a powerful read. Banned Together is a YA anthology filled with various genres, such as memoir, poetry, essays, fiction, and illustrations/comics that discuss book bans and encourage readers to fight back against book bans. This is a great book to read, especially in today's times. The book even includes a list of banned books and other useful resources.
The Deal of a Lifetime by Fredrik Backman
This is not the first book I've read by Fredrik Backman, but this novella may be my favorite work of his. The Deal of a Lifetime follows a father and son who haven't seen each other in years. The father tells his son the story of how he killed someone. I don't want to give too much away, but I'd advise bringing some tissues, as you may find yourself crying.
The New Book by Nikki Giovanni
This was an incredible collection of poems, letters, and prose drawn from Nikki Giovanni's life. It was fascinating to read about her life and experiences. There were so many interesting pieces in this collection. One thing that surprised me was Nikki Giovanni's connection to the Virginia Tech shooting. Since this was her posthumous collection, I have added several other books by her to my TBR list.
Letters From Gaza by Mahmoud Alshaer and Mohammed Al-Zaqzooq
This was a powerful and heartbreaking read. It took me a very long time to finish this book because it was so heavy. It's not often a book makes me tear up, but this one did. Letters from Gaza is a collection of prose, poems, and reflections that were written in real-time in the Gaza Strip during the ongoing genocide. I still find myself thinking about this book and the writers. It was heartbreaking to read that some of the writers included in this collection are missing or have been confirmed killed.
The People's Project by Saeed Jones and Maggie Smith
I will absolutely read anything Maggie Smith writes. I was delighted to find out she was writing a new book and collaborating with Saeed Jones. The People's Project is an incredible anthology of poems, essays, and art by twenty-six authors on living in today's world. I especially loved the works by Aubrey Hirsch, Patricia Smith, Kiese Laymon, Abi Maxwell, Marlon James, and Mira Jacob.
Falling in Vermont by Elise Kennedy
This was a cozy little read about a chef and food blogger named Sophie and a widowed farmer named Blake. After struggling with coming up with recipes for her latest cookbook, Sophie decides to rent a cottage owned by Blake. However, after a mishap with a few raccoons and the collapse of the cottage's roof, Sophie finds herself staying at Blake's home. Of course, Sophie and Blake have chemistry, but Blake doesn't want to risk falling for Sophie, especially since she doesn't live in town and he needs/wants to focus on his failing pumpkin patch. Falling in Vermont was such a sweet, cozy, and at times spicy read that truly was perfect for fall.
The Little Book of Winter Brittany Viklund
When I learned that Brittany had written a book, I was so excited to read it. The Little Book of Winter was such a fun, cozy read. I read this book during the summer-to-fall seasonal transition, which may seem a bit early for a winter-themed read, but it was perfect. The Little Book of Winter is filled with ideas and activities to enjoy during the winter season. I loved the recipes and plan to try a few. I even used some of the tips and activities included in the book during the fall season, since many could be easily adapted for that time. I plan to revisit this book now that we are in winter.
Mistletoe Meet Cute by Bella Matthews
I absolutely loved this book! The story follows Camden Monroe, a football player and single father, who needs a nanny for his daughter. Holly Chase, Camden's teammate's sister, accepts the nanny position as a temporary job. Of course, they both end up falling for each other. This was such a fun read, and I love that the story included text messages. The side characters were also interesting. I plan to read the rest of the books set in the Kroyden Hills.
I Remember Nothing by Nora Ephron
How in the world is it possible that I hadn't read a book by Nora Ephron until this year? I was also shocked to learn that Nora Ephron was the writer and director of numerous beloved romantic comedies. Please, don't judge me. I Remember Nothing was a delightful read. I loved learning about Ephron's life, from her childhood and memories of her parents' dinner parties to her first job in a mailroom at Newsweek. What made me want to read this book was stumbling upon Ephron's lists of what she would and wouldn't miss. Both lists appear at the end of the book.
See One, Do One, Teach One: The Art of Becoming a Doctor by Grace Farris
I am a big fan of Grace Farris's work, so when I found out she had written another book, I was so excited. I'm so grateful to have received an eARC from NetGalley.
See One, Do One, Teach One follows Grace's journey through medical school and residency as she navigates her personal life. The comics were great and paired well with her story. It was incredibly interesting to read and also see the steps involved in becoming a doctor. There were some heartbreaking moments, especially when the book touched on patient deaths. However, the way Grace wrote this sensitive topic was thoughtful, powerful, and beautiful.
What was your favorite book in 2025?
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Until next time...
