For my birthday, my husband went all out and ordered signed first editions from my beloved independent bookstore, The Poisoned Pen, located in Scottsdale, Arizona. I couldn‘t be more thrilled to add these to my collection.

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Unfortunately, I bailed after listening to 20% of the book because I wasn‘t captivated by the narrative. As all reviews are subjective, my opinion of this book is highly personal. I found the story from the teenage daughter‘s perspective uninteresting. The girlfriend drama, concern with social media likes, and vaping problems didn‘t captivate me. I‘m not giving up on the authors, though.

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*Not the tagged book* Making Friends with Your Mind: The Key to Contentment, recorded from live retreat sessions, features Pema Chodron‘s gentle, humorous, and down-to-earth teachings on meditation and mindfulness. She guides participants to cease battling their thoughts, embrace the mind‘s inherent drama and cultivate unconditional friendliness towards themselves.

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I‘m captivated by memoirs about individuals who embark on extraordinary journeys. Shannon O‘Brien‘s memoir, Stray: Breaking Free, Falling Hard, and Growing Stronger, chronicles her remarkable adventure after college. Her writing style is eloquent and captivating. Her mastery of adjectives drew me into her stories, making me feel as if I was right there with her.

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I thoroughly enjoyed this suspenseful and psychological thriller. The alternating time lines initially confused me, but I think the multiple characters and my assumptions about their roles contributed to the initial disorientation. However, this confusion stemmed from a sense of curiosity, and I trusted the author‘s process, which ultimately worked out perfectly.

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As we approach the end of 2025, I am filled with immense gratitude for the incredible books I had the pleasure of reading this year. I thoroughly enjoyed the works of my favorite authors and discovered some truly remarkable new ones. Reading these books with my furry companion made the experience even more special. Below, I have compiled a list of my top 10 picks for the best books I read in 2025.

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I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of this book, from its captivating cover to its enchanting Christmas-themed narrative. Each of the main characters was endearing and easily relatable. I appreciated how the unique conflicts faced by each sister were also relatable to one another. The scene descriptions were absolutely beautiful, painting vivid pictures of the setting.

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I enjoyed the story, the main characters, and the festive setting of a Christmas tree farm. The narrative maintained a good balance of suspense through the appropriate amount of conflict. I appreciate how the characters‘ experiences were mostly handled maturely, showcasing their personal growth.

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While this book primarily focuses on the incident, Jeremy seamlessly incorporates details about his family, childhood, and the pivotal moment that led him to pursue acting. Throughout the book, he exudes a profound sense of gratitude, expressing his deepest appreciation for his life, family, friends, and those who played a crucial role in saving his life. I love that Jeremy narrates the audiobook.

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Unfortunately, I found myself abandoning Happy Place after listening to the audiobook for two hours. I felt bored with the narrative, and the premise lacked any compelling elements. I didn‘t connect with any of the characters. They seemed ordinary and lacking unique qualities that would draw me in. The alternating timelines confused me in this genre.

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I had high hopes for this literary novel of strength, defiance, and a fight for life. While I enjoyed it, I didn‘t love it. The beginning of the book was slow, and it took forever for Marguerite to be abandoned on the island. This story failed to evoke the emotional response I had anticipated. I maintained a neutral stance towards the characters and didn‘t feel a strong connection to them.

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Joe Hill is one of my all-time favorite authors. I‘ve been eagerly anticipating the release of King Sorrow, and it was absolutely worth the wait! I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of this story and its characters. Initially, I was unsure how the dragon character would fit into a story about the theft of valuable books, but it turned out to be a fascinating character.

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This novel is filled with action and tension as the structural damage to the nuclear power plant compels the town of Waketa to take immediate action. While there is undoubtedly tragedy and loss, TJ Newman shines a light on the incredible courage of the residents as they give everything they have to prevent a nuclear meltdown. TJ Newman‘s suspenseful thrillers are a must-read for me.

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I participated in an author event at The Back Room hosted by Hank Phillipi Ryan and Karen Dionne. Authors Andrew Child, Tracy Clark, Hannah Mary McKinnon, and Ryan Steck engaged in fascinating conversations. I wrote about my experience on my blog and it‘s loaded with book recommendations.

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This exceeded my expectations and is one of the best Christmas-themed books I‘ve ever read. It‘s a heartwarming novel that follows the journey of fashion-focused Meg Julliard. When she returns to her hometown to manage her late father‘s old apartment building, she discovers it filled with challenges and eccentric tenants, including an unexpected friendship with the older Ellie Wade.

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My husband and I purchased the Lego of Endurance, the magnificent ship of Ernest Shackleton. Over several months, we meticulously assembled the ship, and we finally completed it. We are incredibly proud of our efforts and the accomplishment we have achieved. My book review of Endurance by Alfred Lansing has been updated with photos and information.

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The Gunslinger is the December selection for the in-person Constant Reader book club I attend. It‘s a reread for me, and it‘s been a while since I last read it. I remember struggling through The Gunslinger the first time, and this reread wasn‘t much different. I kept getting bored and lost focus. I‘m hoping that the book club discussion will help me understand this installment better.

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I‘m thrilled that Lisa Unger has written another holiday short story! It‘s an absolute gem of a suspenseful thriller set during the Christmas season. A professional hitwoman receives a contract to eliminate a target. However, she discovers the presence of the target‘s young daughter, compelling her to confront her conscience and risk everything with her clandestine organization.

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I‘ve been neglecting my unread Dean Koontz books, so it was a delight to read The Bone Farm, a prequel novella in the Jane Hawk series. Jane, a sharp FBI agent, races against time to stop a sadistic serial killer who abducts and tortures young women before murdering them. I‘ve read the first two books in the series and thoroughly enjoyed them. This makes me eager to dive back into the series.

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What makes The Gift stand out is how relentlessly dark it gets for a story that‘s literally wrapped in Christmas paper. Most holiday-themed thrillers cautiously introduce a hint of danger or family dysfunction and then resolve everything with a heartwarming conclusion. Freida fully embraces the bleakness, resentment, and betrayal that can lurk even within the “perfect” festive season.

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Wow! This memoir is excellent. It‘s moving and emotional. The book essentially addresses Prince Harry‘s father and brother, who claim to not understand why he and his family left Britain. It begins with the “disappearance” of his mother, and it‘s heartbreaking to hear his perspective. He was transparent about his transformative intimate relationships, including meeting, dating, and marrying Meghan.

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This novella started out as a typical housesitter experiencing the haunts of an old mansion. However, as the story progresses, it delves into the history of the mansion. The narrative explores the tragedies of the decades past and more recent events, painting a vivid picture of the mansion‘s haunted past. The novella concludes with an unexpected and delightful treat.

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*Not the tagged book* Embracing the Unknown, a short audiobook featuring Pema Chödrön, explores how awareness of death can help people live more fully and courageously in the present. She delves into topics like the bardo (transitional states), rebirth as a moment-to-moment process, and practical ways to manage fear, grief, and uncertainty in everyday life.

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Indie publisher Bad Hand Books and author Benjamin Percy are collaborating with Stephen King to publish a monthly newspaper called The End Times. A post-apocalyptic newspaper set during the time of The Stand. I love it! The layout was well-designed, just like a traditional newspaper, and the content was captivating. I‘m thrilled that I signed up for this unique reading experience. Details on my blog.

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I suppose because it‘s a novella, the story seemed to take off quickly, and I struggled to focus on the two main characters. It felt rushed. I love stories that immerse me in nature, gradually explore the development of relationships, and leave me feeling warm and fulfilled. This story had those elements, but the hurried pace left me with little emotional impact by the end.

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I enjoyed reading this one. It shares similarities with the first book, The Pumpkin Spice Cafe, as it focuses on a specific couple and their dating journey. The narrative revolves around the “will they or won‘t they” theme, but it also stands out for its heavier emphasis on romance and milder mystery compared to the first book.

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While visiting The Poisoned Pen bookstore in Scottsdale, Arizona, I stumbled upon a copy of It‘s the End of the World as We Know It signed by Meg Gardiner. Thanks to the incredible booksellers, I was also able to get signatures from Richard Chizmar and Joe R. Lansdale. I wrote about this experience on my blog, which is linked below.

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A delightful novel that focuses on the complexities of family life. I was pleasantly surprised by the humor in the story. Humor is a valuable tool when exploring the intricacies of middle age and family dynamics. I particularly enjoyed the perspective of a newly menopausal mother, which added depth to the narrative. The story beautifully captures the sense of family and the joy of three generations.

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I‘m a huge fan of Fiona Davis and have read all her books. I genuinely wanted to enjoy this novella, but it just didn‘t quite capture my attention. I can‘t pinpoint a specific reason; I just didn‘t feel fully immersed in the story from the start. The narration for Jo‘s character didn‘t resonate with me, which may have contributed to my difficulty in feeling connected to the narrative.

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This is an incredibly beautiful and profoundly moving novel. The sole inhabitants of Shearwater Island faced increasing challenges due to the relentless effects of climate change. It‘s an excellent read for nature enthusiasts, offering beautiful prose and a gripping narrative. It‘s a book that has the power to tear your heart out, but I couldn‘t help but love it nonetheless.

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St. James skillfully weaves together an eerie ghost-story atmosphere with suspense, crafting a haunting narrative that delves into secrets, vengeance, and the women who refuse to remain silent. The motel itself becomes a character in its own right, its eerie ambiance immersing me in the story. The combination of ghostly chills and gripping mystery kept me on the edge of my seat.

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I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it incredibly helpful. It‘s a pleasure to learn about menopause from someone who has personally experienced it. Naomi covers the most common aspects of menopause, and I particularly appreciate her discussion of clothing, makeup, diet, exercise, skincare, and brain health. It was surprising to learn that menopause impacts every aspect of a woman‘s life.

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This spontaneous read, caught my attention amidst a flood of bookish emails. Initially, I was captivated by the story and the journey of Eilis from her home in Ireland to the land of opportunities in America. I became disappointed and frustrated by Eilis‘ passivity, which led her to make decisions I don‘t believe she genuinely wanted. It seemed she was easily influenced and succumbed to pressures.

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Marybeth Mayhew Whalen is a new author to me, and this book stole my heart. Despite the challenging subject matter of a child missing for 21 years, I found myself engrossed in the story. The book is narrated from the perspectives of four people close to the child at the time of his disappearance. The portrayal of the grief, regrets, and secrets of each character was impeccable.

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This was just okay for me. I struggled to connect with the story and found the writing unimpressive. It‘s not uncommon for short stories to fall flat for me, but this one nearly caused me to give up. I only finished it because it was so brief. I‘ve learned that Allende‘s writing simply isn‘t for me.

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I participated in an author event at The Back Room hosted by Hank Phillipi Ryan and Karen Dionne. Authors James Dodson, Heather Gudenkauf, Vanessa Lillie, and Danielle Valentine engaged in fascinating conversations. I wrote about my experience on my blog and it‘s loaded with book recommendations.

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I thoroughly enjoyed this well-crafted crime thriller. Sydney Livingstone, a former professional tennis star, trades the spotlight of the court for the shadows of a quiet Northeast Ohio town as a detective. Her hopes for a peaceful life with her tennis boyfriend are shattered when a vigilante takes justice into his own hands by killing former defendants acquitted of murdering their spouses.

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I was completely unprepared for the level of creepiness that this story unleashed upon me. A family of strangers is merely the initial layer of this unsettling narrative. It delves deeper into psychological delusions, the supernatural, and the classic setting of a haunted Victorian house. It was an excellent book.

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‘Christine‘ is the November selection for my in-person Constant Reader book club. I‘ve seen the movie countless times and first read the book in 2018. While I enjoy watching the movie, I find that the book offers a more profound exploration of Christine‘s former owner, Roland D. LeBay‘s, life and family. The horror scenes in the book are far more intense, and the ending is much more suspenseful.

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*Not the tagged book* ‘Dietrich,‘ a short story, by Don Winslow is set during the summer of 1977 in New York City. Homicide detective Richard Dietrich, weary and on the brink of burnout, is assigned to investigate a brutal mob hit that his superiors are desperate to bury. I love how Winslow surprises me with his unexpected conclusions, and this one was particularly captivating!

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A historical novel that intertwines World War II intrigue with a modern quest for justice. Set in 1940s Paris, it follows young Colette Marceau, inheriting her family‘s centuries-old tradition of jewel theft from a lineage of outlaws. The story transitions between her wartime upbringing and her present day as an octogenarian, creatively blurring the moral lines of theft.

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A chilling psychological thriller that delves into the events that unfolded when three 12-year-old girls ventured out to an abandoned rail yard in the dead of night. Tragically, one was found alone and severely injured, while her friends were nowhere to be found. The story unfolds through alternating perspectives, including diary entries and police reports.

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*Not the tagged book* Master storyteller Don Winslow‘s short story, ‘The Heron,‘ masterfully blends crime, dark humor, and revenge in his signature gritty style. The story follows a big-city accountant, nicknamed “The Heron,” who seemingly leads a quiet life near San Diego. His peaceful existence is disrupted when he suspects a hitman may be after him due to his boss‘s suspicion of him stealing.

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I don‘t think there‘s a book title that better describes my life preferences. ‘I‘d Rather Be Reading‘ has been on my radar for a while now. It‘s a charming collection of essays that celebrates the joys and quirks of being a book lover. Ann explores the magic of getting lost in a great story, the chaos of overflowing bookshelves, and the personal connections forged through reading.

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*Not the tagged book* Set in the sun-bleached world of San Diego‘s surfing community, ‘Downward Facing Doug‘ by Don Winslow follows Doug, an accountant trapped in a soul-crushing job at a payday loan office. Married to his belittling wife, Carli, Doug finds solace in catching waves at dawn. However, a minor wipeout collision with another surfer ignites a brawl that Doug never anticipated.

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This book was recommended to me while visiting a bookstore in a nearby small Kentucky town. It piqued my interest in the history of the town and the accompanying photographs. It wasn‘t a book I chose for its writing, but rather for the stories. It recounts its origins, rise to prominence in the bourbon industry, notable downtown businesses and mansions, and some wild stories.

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*Not the tagged book* ‘Free Billy,‘ a short story by Don Winslow, follows Billy, an eccentric character who has discovered a way to live life without spending money. He indulges in hotel buffets, takes advantage of self-serve fast food drink stations, uses beachside showers, and sleeps in his van. Billy‘s desire to change his life leads him to seek a sugar mama.

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‘Tell Me Lies‘ by J.P. Pomare is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the intricate complexities of family dynamics and deception. Margot Scott, a Melbourne psychologist, believes she‘s constructed an ideal life until a troubled client‘s session takes a sinister turn, leading to a chilling accusation that threatens to shatter everything she holds dear.

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*Not the tagged book* The book cover of ‘The Chateau‘ by Avery Bishop piqued my interest, and I read the description before immediately adding it to my Audible library. I thoroughly enjoyed the elegant setting of the chateau, the serene lake, and the surrounding hiking trails created a captivating atmosphere. The murder mystery was intriguing and had an unexpected conclusion.

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The long-awaited moment has finally arrived! Joe Hill, one of my favorite authors, has released his fifth novel, titled ‘King Sorrow.‘ I eagerly preordered a signed first edition copy through Joe‘s home-based independent bookstore, Water Street Books, located in Exeter, New Hampshire. I‘ve shared some details, photos, and his interview on CBS Saturday Morning on my blog.

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