This was one of those years where my TBR list grew so fast I simply could not keep up.
Too many good books, too little time. (Says the person that could easily carve more out if she would just put.down.her.phone.)
Not only was it a great year for books, it was likely a record setter for me and visits to indie bookstores. I made first-time stops to places like Madison Street Books and City Lit, far flung locales such as Back of Beyond Books in Moab, Utah, and visits to faves like Lake Forest Bookstore, The Book Cellar, Unabridged Books, The Book Bin and The Book Stall.
And best of all, I was able to scratch my volunteerism itch with the perfect role I could ever dream of — working in the Glenview Public Library Used Bookstore. It’s my happy place on Monday nights. (Also why I have a stack of books at home that will take me several years to get through. I will never run out.)
I always close out the year with a roundup of everything I read, and there were plenty of outstanding books this year. You can click on the book titles to read the expanded reviews. And in case you don’t scroll through all the way to the bottom, a heartfelt thank you to all my book friends in real life and here on the blog. I’ve been sharing what I read for more than 20 years now and I love love love getting book recommendations back from all of you. You are my tribe.
I’ll start with my Top 5 for 2025 (in no particular order):
When The Cranes Fly South, by Lisa Ridzen
Tearjerker alert, this is a sad but beautiful tale of an old man, his son, and his dog, as they confront inevitable losses of different kinds. I love when books punch through to really make you feel, and this comes through in spades.
Wild Dark Shore, by Charlotte McConaghy
The last book I read for the year was also one of the best — an environmental murder mystery set in a unrelenting, harsh, yet incredibly magical landscape. Also another tearjerker of an ending. (Note to self: Can I buy stock in Kleenex and how much?)
What Kind of Paradise, by Janelle Brown
This was my favorite of two books this year I would describe as batshit crazy, both for entirely different reasons. Readers hop on a rollercoaster of an adventure with the protagonist, a homeschooled high school senior and the ride does not stop until the very end.
Theo of Golden, by Allen Levi
This is the compassionate counterbalance to all the dysfunctional craziness in book choices I am drawn to year in and year out. Levi’s central character is the kind of person we all strive to be and often fall short of achieving. Just a really sweet, beautifully written tale.
One Day Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This, by Omar El Akkad
One of my sadly, few, nonfiction reads for the year, and yes this is going to depress you but hopefully it will also enrage you and inspire you or at least add a little context or perspective to a debate that feels almost impossible to reconcile. This book is important and if I could make everyone read it I would.
That’s the Top 5 — the following reads are also pretty damn good — it’s really almost impossible to pick favorites this year:
The Girls Who Grew Big, by Leila Mottley
If you are looking for book club picks, look no further — there are hundreds of plot and character threads to pull here. One thing is for certain, the sisterhood is real. There are friends and then there are the women that show up for you, regardless. And when I say they show up, they SHOW UP.
Never Flinch, by Stephen King
The man, the myth, the legend. King is a machine. I hope his fixation with the one and only Holly Gibney never fades. If it’s a thriller you are looking for, you can’t go wrong here.
Remarkably Bright Creatures, by Shelby Van Pelt
This came off my TBR list after so many people kept commenting on how good this was, the story of an aquarium custodian and her friendship with the octopus-in-residence. Loved it, and wished I had read sooner.
Audition, by Katie Kitamura
OK, so not gonna lie — I think this is one of those books you either love, hate, or grow to appreciate. I’m in the “grow to appreciate” group — it was a strange, strange read right out of the gate and it was easy to see why literary fiction awardsy-types would fangirl over this. When I sat with it, though, I kinda dug the structure, and the mystery to it. Not too shabby.
So Far Gone, by Jess Walter
It’s been a hot minute since I read Walter’s “Beautiful Ruins” and was happy to see him back on the new fiction shelves. Loved this tale of a grumpy old survivalist-ish grandpa learning to love again while joining his grandkids on a quest to find their mom. Great book club pick for Richard Russo fans.
Atmosphere, by Taylor Jenkins Reid
It’s been months and I still can’t stand Barbara. If you are looking for a story that sticks, this might be it.
Maggie: Or a Man and A Woman Walk Into a Bar, by Katie Yee
This was showing up as an early entry onto a lot of “best of” lists so I picked it up — it was good, for sure, but more than a little depressing. I mean, this is a book about someone finding out they have cancer at the same time they find out their husband wants out of their marriage. Read at your own risk.
The Compound, by Aisling Rawle
Ooo, creepy and good all at once. If you are a fan of competitive reality TV, you may enjoy this. Also quite possibly an excellent book club choice, depending on whether or not your members take up sides with some of the characters.
The Women, by Kristin Hannah
For me, it was … fine. I’m noy going to hate on it because that’s not my style. Every book finds its tribe and I have far too much respect for anyone putting themselves out there as a writer. That said, Hannah isn’t going to suffer because I say it’s not my cup of tea. It was just a little extra for me.
Run for the Hills, by Kevin Wilson
I love just about everything Kevin Wilson has written and his latest did not disappoint. He’s got a way about making even the most dysfunctional families seem to work when they need to, and I am here for it.
Orbital, by Samantha Harvey
Another literary fiction darling and it is, indeed, deserving of its flowers. The beauty of reading a lot and reading from a diverse set of suggestions is that you get to explore different narrative styles, and this is one of those. A day in the life of a space station and its occupants. It’s often what the characters don’t say that comes through the loudest.
Deep Cuts, by Holly Brickley
Ah, yes — this was a fun read. Maybe a little adjacent to “Daisy Jones and The Six,” a will they won’t they escapade steeped in deep musical references. Loved it. Great soundtrack, too!
Dream State, by Eric Puchner
Taking Oprah’s advice can sometime be risky. I still haven’t forgiven her for James Frey. She mostly gets it right, though, and while this wasn’t my favorite O rec ever, I loved the twists and turns of the plot line (Wait you mean she’s married to the best friend?) against a spectacular Montana backdrop.
The Talent, by Daniel D’Addario
This was my soapy fun pick for the year and D’Addario did not disappoint — a handful of Oscar contenders and their backstabbing back stories. If you are looking for something just plain old fun to read, here you go.
All The Colors of the Dark, by Chris Whitaker
This is from a few years back now, and I wish I had read it sooner — sure, it’s a million pages long and there are a hundred characters but it is sooooooo good. If you like a love story of all different kinds that stretches decades from childhood straight through to middle age, do not pass up this exquisite novel.
Shift, by Ethan Kross
I usually try to read at least one book from the “Personal Growth” section (please see “When Harry Met Sally” for the appropriate reference) and Kross’ narrative supporting how we can better manage our emotions is a great read for anyone going through personal or professional upheaval. Or, honestly, for anyone who just has to deal with people on the daily.
This is a Love Story, by Jessica Soffer
This was an early-in-the-year read and was in heavy rotation on “Read THIS!” lists, so I gave it a whirl. I liked it. It feels like there’s been a definite death and dying theme going for me this year, not at all intentional, but Soffer’s portrayal of a marriage and motherhood through the years is a touching one.
Rental House, by Weike Wang
Nothing puts the fun in family like the in-laws. Wang’s portrayal of a couple trying to find the “each other” in spite of themselves and their respective families is funny and heartbreaking and enjoyable — and just over 200 pages so an easy read, at that.
All Fours, Miranda July
The first rule of “All Fours” is you do not talk about “All Fours.” It is exactly that whack. It’s all about the knowing glances you can share with other readers that is the reason to read it. Glances that say without words, “What the HELL did I just read?”
Colored Television, by Danzy Senna
How far would you be willing to go, how much would you be willing to lie, for the shot at the job of your dreams? Is it worth the family you’ve created? The friends you’ve counted on? Fame has a price and sometimes you don’t even get what you paid for.
The Last Human Job, by Allison Pugh
This reads like a textbook, so I’m not going to recommend it to anyone that doesn’t really need to understand that AI is going to ruin us. You can just rest easy in knowing that it is and it will. On the other hand, if you like taking sociological deep dives, this certainly offers some amazing insight into how and where AI is making a difference, both positively and negatively.
The Wedding People, by Alison Espach
It took me about half the book to fall in love with its protagonist, a pushing-middle-age college professor thinking about her final exit when she finds herself caught up in a comical, heartfelt detour that is her unintentional wedding crashing. This is going to make a great limited series on TV someday.
James, by Percival Everett
Honestly, this would be in my Top 5 if I hadn’t read it so early on in the year, but I stand by what I said back then — this should be required reading right alongside Huck Finn, if middle school teachers are still torturing their students with that. Or if whole books are even getting assigned anymore. I digress. Everett’s take from Jim’s perspective is just some of the best storytelling I have read in years.
Like Mother, Like Mother, by Susan Rieger
A riddle wrapped up in an enigma, this book is. It’s marriage, it’s motherhood and it’s mystery all at once. A decent one, too — you kind of know what’s going to happen, but then are a little more than surprised by how it turns out. Nice read — from a contemporary fiction perspective, I’d align it with “Hello Beautiful.”
What’s Next: Backstage Pass to The West Wing
Decades later and I still love this show so much and watch reruns when I can so that I am allowed to pretend for just a few minutes that humanity and compassion still have a seat inside the Oval Office. A great behind the scenes read and a reminder that we all have a responsibility to be of service to others.
The Life Impossible, by Matt Haig
I have not read “The Midnight Library” yet but I had heard people raving, so I thought I would try Haig’s latest. It was … fine. A little over the top, and strange, but the plot was entertaining enough that I kept reading to see just what was going to happen.
LitzyDitz 