I really enjoy doing this blog post each year, even though I feel overwhelmed when I first sit down to begin it. 2025 was a really good reading year for me, even though I read fewer books than last year, which is really neither here nor there, as it's the quality that matters more.
Here's a wrap-up of my reading in 2025:
Goodreads reading challenge. I didn't quite meet the challenge this year though I may read one more book before the end of the year.
Number of re-reads: 1 (Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings)
Non-fiction: 25 (26%) and Fiction: 71 (74%)--HUGE imbalance!
Shortest and longest books
Most and least popular on Goodreads
Countries visited through reading: 31. You can see where I read on my 2025 Google Map.
Australia, Bosnia, Canada, Chechnya, Chile, China, France, Honduras, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Netherlands, Nigeria, Palestine, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Outerspace.
US states visited through reading: 38. You can see where I read at my 2025 Google Map.
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawai'i, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Washington, DC.
I have never been good at picking a single favorite book, so I have listed my favorites across various genres. I really did read a lot of wonderful books this past year!
ROMANCE
HISTORICAL FICTION
LITERATURE
GRAPHIC NOVEL
MYSTERY/THRILLER
NONFICTION
Book you were excited about but didn't love as much as you expected? I was looking forward to reading Good Material by Dolly Alderton, Penitence by Kristin Koval, and Rental House by Weike Wang. But just struggled with all three of them. I did end up finishing them, but I wasn't happy about it.
Most surprising (in a good way) book of 2025?
I am going to go with one of my last reads of the year: The Uncool by Cameron Crowe. I read it on a total whim and had no real expectations, but I really enjoyed it.
I am going to go with one of my last reads of the year: The Uncool by Cameron Crowe. I read it on a total whim and had no real expectations, but I really enjoyed it.
Book you pushed most people to read in 2025?
This has to be A Fever in the Heartland by Timothy Egan. This was a depressing and intense book, but it says so much (bad stuff) about American history and it's important for us to read about given the current situation in our country.
This has to be A Fever in the Heartland by Timothy Egan. This was a depressing and intense book, but it says so much (bad stuff) about American history and it's important for us to read about given the current situation in our country.
Favorite new author you discovered in 2025?
I really enjoyed Victoria Purman's novel, so I'll look out for her other books. I will also look out for other romances by Mandy Baggot.
Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2025?
Hmmm. This is a tough one because I read a number of books that I wanted to keep reading into the night. Instead of choosing just one, I am choosing these three:
Favorite cover of a book you read in 2025?
I am all about covers and am definitely a visual person when it comes to choosing books. The covers I liked the most this year were ones whose colors appealed to me, they were evocative of the novel's contents, or they just made me smile.
I am all about covers and am definitely a visual person when it comes to choosing books. The covers I liked the most this year were ones whose colors appealed to me, they were evocative of the novel's contents, or they just made me smile.
Most thought-provoking or life-changing book of 2025?
The book I have chosen wasn't life-changing, but it was thought-provoking: The Year of Living Biblically by A.J. Jacobs. Since I am not religious, I learned a ton.
Book that put a smile on your face?
Many of the books I read put a smile on my face this year. All the romance books I read definitely fall into that category.
Book that made you cry in 2025?
It is not difficult to get me to cry while reading a book. I can remember two that made me cry (mostly because they are some of the most recent books I read this year):
It is not difficult to get me to cry while reading a book. I can remember two that made me cry (mostly because they are some of the most recent books I read this year):
Best bookish photo you took in 2025?
I really need to take more book-related photos during the year. This year, I've chosen the sign from the annual Planned Parenthood book sale because it's such a great event.
Best event you participated in?
I went to an event at our local university to hear Ocean Vuong, author of The Gladness of the Emperor, speak. He was interesting to listen to, and so very thoughtful.
Reading challenges completed in 2025? Here's a link to my challenges page, and while I didn't complete them all, I did well.
I went to an event at our local university to hear Ocean Vuong, author of The Gladness of the Emperor, speak. He was interesting to listen to, and so very thoughtful.
Reading challenges completed in 2025? Here's a link to my challenges page, and while I didn't complete them all, I did well.
Books you are most anticipating in 2026?
I am looking forward to reading Michael Finkel's Art Thief because I meant to read this year.
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