After 2024 being a bit of a slumpy year and taking much of my own advice, 2025 was the biggest year yet in my reading life. Some of it had to do with expanding my social media and writing into the bookish space. But most of it had to be with reading some really great books.
While industry news suggests that this is not a banner year for any single book, I personally appreciate that, on the other hand, awards have spanned across genres, authors, and titles. Furthermore, our tastes are so diverse; consequently, our reading should be reflective of that diversity as well. In addition, embracing a wide range of voices can enrich our literary experiences. Overall, celebrating various works ultimately enhances our understanding and appreciation of literature.
Top Books of 2025
I won’t get into detail for why I loved books #4-10. . You can click on each of these books to read more about them. Just trust that they all had those three things.
10. Dominion by Addie E. Kitchens
8. My Friends by Fredrik Bachman
7. The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science by Kate McKinnon
6. One Yellow Eye by Leigh Radford
5. Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy
4. Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall
And now to the top three:
Number 3
This debut flipped places with my number 4 multiple times over the last few weeks, but what I think makes me keep coming back to The Names is the unique concept.
A new mom is taking her baby son to have his name registered. Her daughter wants to call him Bear, cute yet fierce, while her overbearing husband expects him to be named after himself. Secretly, she longs to name him Julian. In 7-year increments, we follow the young boy’s life, exploring how each name influences his identity and relationships.
It is a beautiful thought experiment on whether our name defines who we will be. However, I must give a warning to the soft-hearted. This book, in its depth, portrays brutal examples of domestic abuse and does not make light of trauma. Nevertheless, as we watch the stories unfold, we can’t help but hope that, regardless of whatever name he takes, they will ultimately be alright.
Number 2:
Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy
I sat in my car on my birthday listening to the final minutes of this audiobook with tears streaming down my face. I still can’t stop thinking about this book.
It tells multiple stories. One of the remote islands with one of the world’s seed banks is about to be washed away due to the effects of climate change. It tells the story of a family: a dad and three kids who are the last people on this island, which they have called home for years, and where they lost their mother. And finally, a mystery of a woman who washed ashore looking for answers on her missing husband.
It is a beautiful story of grief, found family, forgiveness and love, and it will stay with you forever.
Number 1:
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
I learned this year that I LOVE epistolary novels. If you aren’t sure what those are, check out my post here.
Our main character, whom you will undoubtedly fall in love with, is Sybil Van Antwerp, a formidable lady in her 70s. Moreover, we learn more about her life—both past and present—through a series of letters and emails to family and friends. As the story unfolds, we uncover a tragedy that profoundly changed her life and, consequently, her relationship with her husband and daughter. In addition, we discover a medical diagnosis that will significantly affect her future.
One of the most heartwarming aspects of this story is that no one is off-limits when it comes to receiving messages, from famous authors to customer service reps. Additionally, we get to enjoy a budding romance or two, which adds to the charm. This is Virginia Evans’ debut, and I can’t wait to see what she does next!
So, how did your 2025 reading life shape up? What were your top books of the year? Reply in the comments.
And if you are interested in reading my Best Books of 2025: Superlative Edition, check me out over on Substack on Jan 2nd and find out my favourite covers, WTF book, The World I want to live in, and more.