Favorite Reads of 2025
As with previous years, I like to kick off the new year by reflecting on what I read during the previous year. And 2025 was a good one, reading-wise for me. I love writing each title down and keeping track of the total; with this year’s grand total being 54. That is a big number for me, and more than the goal I set for myself. I am thrilled to have read the books I did. I hope you are as happy with your 2025 books, too. If not, do not fret, I am sure 2026 is going to be your year.
Of those fifty-four titles, I would like to tell you about a few of my favorites. Below are my top ten picks, in no particular order:
THE COVENANT OF WATER by Abraham Verghese
I wrote a full review for this one in March 2025, but since it is vying for one of my top books of the year, I wanted to mention it again.
First, do not let the length of this one scare you off. At over 700 pages, or 30 hours of listening, it is an undertaking, but once started it is nearly impossible to put down.
Through the lens of an Indian family with a mysterious medical “Condition,” the author uses his extraordinary command of lyrical prose, to weave together a multi-part, compelling family drama. One that also includes information on Indian life, medicine, the elements, colonial and post-colonial rule, the country’s social, political and economic climate, the caste system, religion, and much more. All of this must have been complicated by the novel’s seventy-seven year time span, but Verghese makes it look effortless. He cleverly employs a large cast of richly drawn characters that possess depth and humanity to create this compelling story of family, love and life. As with real life, the story is occasionally marred by loss and tragedy, but overall Verghese has created a prevailing sense of optimism and hope. Also, as the title suggests, the theme of water is a central focus of the story – its destructive nature is showcased, as well as its ability to create and sustain life.
Eager readers will be rewarded with a richly layered narrative that is as unforgettable as the characters who inhabit its pages. Fans of literary epic fiction should be thankful to have another tome to add to their shelves. There is much to love in this sprawling, informative, heart-gripping historical-fiction tale.
THE GLASSMAKER by Tracy Chevalier
This gripping historical fiction novel is set on the Italian island of Murano and follows a family of glassmakers through the ages, from the Renaissance to present day. Readers should note that time passes differently on the island, allowing readers to experience 500 years of history with the same cast of characters.
The story’s main character Orsola Rosso comes from a family of glassblowers. However, as a woman, glass work is not a profession she is meant for, but when her father dies she seeks an experienced female glassmaker and learns the skills she needs to make glass beads. Her brothers are not supportive of her working with glass, but she persists, and with her newfound skills helps support her family during many difficult times.
The setting is beautifully described and the author’s character development is well done. Plus, the descriptions of glassmaking, especially the process of beadmaking, are striking. Readers will be eager to see how Orsola’s life unfolds and how each character is affected by historical and modern day events – plague, war, flooding, etc.
YOU COULD MAKE THIS PLACE BEAUTIFUL by Maggie Smith
In her memoir poet Maggie Smith shares the loss of her relationship, how it upended her world, and the many changes it brought to her life. She shares her story in a nonlinear fashion, moving forward for a bit, then circling back for glimpses into the past. The book not only explores her divorce, but also what life looked like before, during and after. Reads see the healing that takes place as she grieves such an immense loss, but also the pain of reflecting back and lamenting a life that could have been.
It is hard to describe just how beautifully this book is written. Each poem is an individual work of art. While I do not know hardly anything about poetry, this book seems accessible to practically anyone who is mourning a great loss. Readers who are searching for a kindred spirit that recognizes their pain and gives them a brief reprieve from having to verbalize it and/or hold it alone. Smith’s words are sparse, but powerful.
THE DIAMOND EYE by Kate Quinn
I knew I had to read this book when I found out it was the story of a librarian who became one of the world’s most deadly snipers during World War II and it is based on a true story.
Mila Pavlichenko wears a lot of hats – by day she is a student studying history at a university in Kiev, a library worker in her off hours, plus she is a single mom trying to obtain a divorce from her unfaithful and possessive physician husband. But Hitler’s invasion of Russia changes her focus. She is soon joining the Russian military and using her sharp-shooting skills to neutralize invaders. Lady Death as she is dubbed, records over 300 kills and is soon making headlines far and wide. After recovering from a battlefield injury she is sent on a goodwill tour in America. Little does she know that her past will follow her to Washington, DC and she will have to confront old and new foes, plus some hard truths about herself.
This book is excellent! Quinn scripts a quick-moving, engaging story. Yes, it’s based on a true story, so the bones were already in place for the story structure, but the elements she adds makes this a must-read. I could not read it fast enough.
DID I EVER TELL YOU by Genevieve Kingston
After reading the book jacket one might think they know what this book is about – the story of a mother diagnosed with cancer creates a chest full of gifts and letters for important events in each of her children’s lives – birthdays, graduation, engagement, etc. – but this beautifully written book contains so much more. It is an insightful look at the bond between mothers and daughters, the ability to carry lost loved ones within us and the power of reflection and storytelling.
Genevieve (Gwen) Kingston was 11 years old when she lost her mother, and the gifts her mother left for her, to be opened on special occasions, have kept her connected to her mother throughout her life. Now years later, only three packages remain: for Gwen’s engagement, marriage, and first baby. As she reflects on these final packages the author shares the story of her mother, alongside her own personal memoir.
This clever offering is sad, but exceptionally well done. I love how Kingston structured the book – her childhood, the journey of her mother’s life and death, the after events, and her search for more answers about her mom. It reinforces that all people are unique individuals and that we can never really know their full story. Even those that are closest to them.
A WALK IN THE PARK by Kevin Fedarko
I wrote a full review for this one in April 2025, but I could not pass up a chance to mention it again.
In 2014, Kevin Fedarko’s best friend, National Geographic photographer Peter McBride, proposed they hike the entire length of the Grand Canyon, as a sectional traverse. Fedarko had previous experience with the canyon, but it was in the form of rafting on the Colorado River, not hiking. Neither man knew anything about hiking, but McBride assured him they could simply do the hike “off the couch.” He said they would build up their stamina on the trail and there would be no need to train in advance. From Fedarko’s past experience working with McBride on National Geographic assignments he knew things did not normally go as planned, but McBride has a way of convincing people of things, and in the end Fedarko agreed to go.
Soon the pair find themselves tagging along on the first segment of another group’s epic continuous hike through the canyon. Misadventure ensues and very quickly the pair begin to understand they are in over their heads, but instead of admitting defeat, what develops is a slow motion collapse, where each is soon fighting for survival.
From the perspective of someone who has never seen the Grand Canyon, I thought this book did an excellent job describing the canyon and its landscape. I enjoyed reading about the adventure of the two friends and especially enjoyed the many elements covered by the book – various branches of science as it relates to the Grand Canyon (geology, archaeology, biology, botany, etc.); the history of the canyon; how and why the Grand Canyon National Park was created; information about the area’s indigenous people; Fedarko’s experience with the Colorado River; the slot canyons; what the Grand Canyon National Park is like today; and what the Canyon means to Fedarko. A fun, entertaining read!
WE ALL LIVE HERE by JoJo Moyes
I ama sucker for a JoJo Moyes book. Ever since reading ME BEFORE YOU, I have been a fan. This newest offering has many predictable elements that fans love – female main character, set in England and chaotic life happenings.
Lila Kennedy has a busy, complicated life. She is a divorcee with two daughters, a house that needs extensive repairs and a step-father who has practically moved in with them after Lila’s mother’s death. She often struggles to make it through the day and focus on getting any of her work done, but she is doing her best. When her father from America shows up on her doorstep unannounced, Lila is not sure why he is there, or more importantly how she will handle this latest development and the additional stress he brings to her life.
Moyes is skilled at navigating sensitive topics, while incorporating humor and WE ALL LIVE HERE is no exception. She creates likeable, but flawed characters who make this contemporary drama seem like something that could be happening next door (or right in your living room). Readers will root for Lila Kennedy and her quirky family members. This is a sweet gem, readers will not want to miss it.
THE LOVE HATERS by Katherine Center
I wrote a full review for this one in July 2025, but could not pass up a chance to mention it again.
In an effort to avoid being laid off from the video production company she works for, Katie Vaughn agrees to a month-long visit to Key West, Florida to shoot a recruiting video for the Coast Guard. The video will feature a rescue swimmer, Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson.
When Katie arrives in Florida and meets Hutch he is not happy about her shooting the video. He had thought that her co-worker Cole would be doing it. Even though he is angry, the two are soon working closely together and Katie makes it her mission to make a great recruiting video that features him, and also to record him as part of her personal side project, A Day in the Life YouTube series.
A wrench is thrown in Katie’s plan when two surprise visitors show up. She will have to decide whether to risk her closeness with Hutch or possibly lose her job.
Center’s romantic comedies offer so much in addition to a good love story. They have relatable conflicts as part of each story and THE LOVER HATERS is no exception. It deals with self-esteem, friendship, confidence, imperfections and healing in a funny and accessible way. Plus, this book’s cast of characters are eclectic and add such dimension to the story.
AWAKE: A Memoir by Jen Hatmaker
I wrote a full review for this one in November 2025, but this is my favorite book of the year, so I could not pass up an opportunity to share it again.
In 2020, social media influencer Jen Hatmaker found out that her husband of 26 years was having an affair. This is not a spoiler. The first lines of AWAKE are, “At 2:30 a.m. on July 11, 2020, out of a dead sleep, I hear five whispered words not meant for me. ‘I just can’t quit you.’ It is the end of my life as I know it.”
From that simple exchange Jen’s life changes immediately. She goes from being an upbeat, confident, influencer who seemed to have it all – family, looks, a career and a large social media following – to a divorced single parent with five children, who has no idea how to access her bank account, let alone explain to her large online audience that her life just fell apart. She is left questioning everything about herself and her life and feeling like a complete failure and a fraud.
The book is written in three parts – The End, The Middle and The Beginning. And it is not written in a linear fashion, with the author using vignettes, not chapters, to move from past memories to present ones throughout each section of the book. While it is the story of the loss of her marriage, it is also the story of her life, her 40+ years and the things that she has learned, and in some cases, unlearned. It is her story of turning inward to find herself and eventually reinventing many of the things she believed to be true. It is a beautifully hard journey, but one that Hatmaker endeavors to share fully and as transparently as she is able.
Anyone who has had a difficult phase in life will find something here to appreciate; maybe even cling to. Divorce, religious questioning, struggles with codependency and dissociation and so many other topics. Hatmaker is not shy about sharing her journey and her full heart is shown in this lovely, engaging memoir.
FINLAY DONOVAN series by Elle Cosimano
After someone hears struggling crime writer Finlay Donovan and her literacy agent discussing the plot of Finlay’s new book, one that involves a contract killer, Finlay mistakenly ends up accepting a contract to off someone’s husband. Finlay’s life is already messy – she is recently divorced, has two young children, no nanny and is fighting with her husband over custody – however, she is soon entangled in an even messier situation that involves a dead body.
Readers will find the antics that Finlay gets into just barely believable, but hilarious. The humor is such a bright spot! All of the books in this series have the just the right mix of whodunit, intrigue, comedy and a hint of romance. Just when one thinks Finlay’s life cannot get any messier, it does.
Another highlight of the book is the supporting cast – Finlay’s nanny Veronica, her sister Georgia, her ex-husband, her kids, her neighbor Mrs. Haggerty, sexy bartender Julian and hunky police detective Nick.
Book #1 in the series, FINLAY DONOVAN IS KILLING IT, is Cosimano’s debut novel. And she follows this comedic winner up with four more in the series. The audiobooks are so good! I highly recommend listening to them if you can.
Find the series in the catalog.
And that is a wrap for 2025. Thanks for taking the time to share in my reflection and reading about some of my favorites. I am excited to see what 2026 brings and I wish you a wonderful new year of reading!
Written by: Jeana Gockley, Joplin Public Library Director
