These are my top picks from 174 books I read in 2025.
This is not an authoritative ‘Best Books of the Year’ list — it’s a personal curation of the books I read and loved most this year. For a more evergreen list of reading recommendations, you might enjoy the compilation of 10 Best Books of All Time.
In no particular order, here are…
My Best 10 Books of the Year 2025
MY FRIENDS – Fredrik Backman
Unless you’re put off by Backman’s writing style (some readers are!), you’ll hurt and you’ll cry… and then you’ll laugh and you’ll cheer… and then, you’ll go back and cycle through this all over again – again and again – until you reach the last page.
Then, you’ll curse the author – for ending so soon! 😛
This is truly a book anyone would find worth a read – and especially anyone with a dream in her heart, a fond hope in her soul, a yearning to make meaning and create art.
Read ‘MY FRIENDS’ and tell me if you agree.
SYLVIA’S SECOND ACT – Hillary Yablon
A rollicking tale of ‘second chances’ later in life, this is an entertaining read – for all the right reasons.
Not quite a ‘page turner’ that will hold you in thrall, but a nice and enjoyable read that you’ll feel warm about – after it ends.
THE SIRENS – Emilia Hart
An amazingly well crafted story in which timelines collide to create tension in a mix of two parallel narratives – a couple of centuries apart!
I know this is a popular trope nowadays. Too many such ‘time travel’ novels are poorly done. Not this one. And the characters are rich and real in a way that makes reading THE SIRENS pure pleasure.
SWAMP STORY – Dave Barry
Well, Dave Barry is who he is. And this book is a non-stop laugh riot. If you enjoy his brand of humor, you’ll love this book. (Even, maybe, if you don’t – because this sit-com is truly hilarious).
Pick up SWAMP STORY when you’re feeling low, and want a mood shift. Or when you’re already on a high, to help energize, intensify or sustain that feeling.
THE READERS OF BROKEN WHEEL RECOMMEND – Katarina Bivald
Now, this one was out of left field! It was recommended on FRIENDS AND FICTION, so I picked it up expecting little. And was blown away by the simple, yet powerful story.
Just the set up was remarkable. Imagine landing in USA from Sweden at the invitation of a pen pal – who died just before you arrived! Only to discover ‘Broken Wheel‘ is the absolute boondocks, where hope is the rarest commodity.
The tale of transformation will touch your heart, stir your soul, and leave you standing up to cheer as people shift in attitude – and change their lives. Not in ridiculous, hard-to-believe fantasy, but in down-to-earth practical ways that really count.
THE READERS OF BROKEN WHEEL RECOMMEND is a book to inspire, cheer up and hearten you – when you’re feeling out of luck, down in despair, wondering if anything could possibly work. It’s a story to make you believe once again… that yes, it can!
HOW TO READ A BOOK – Monica Wood
The title sounds like a nonfiction read. The story will move you deeply – and show you it’s anything but. A brilliant, brilliant novel that I completely enjoyed.
The characters are deep, fleshed out, and relatable. Even if their circumstances are unusual, or extraordinary, their feelings, reactions and attitudes are so commonplace, you’re sure to see yourself in many of these players in an engaging tale.
I finished this in one long sitting. And didn’t begin my next book for a couple of days… so that I could process what it was all about. Yes, it’s that good!
Read HOW TO READ A BOOK – and see if you feel that way, too.
THE GREAT MRS.ELIAS – Barbara Chase-Riboud
This story begins with a bang. Literally. A gripping opening scene of an assassination on a public street sets the tone for a fascinating tale that unfolds in retrospect and recollection.
Of course, my predilection for gangster biographies might skew my preference for this book. After all, ‘The Godfather‘ is my all-time favorite. I enjoy Rich Cohen’s book on Lucky Luciano. And loved ‘Madame Queen‘ by Mary Kay Mcbrayer about the life and crimes of Harlem’s underground racketeer Stephanie St. Clair (which I also read in 2025).
Still, THE GREAT MRS.ELIAS is an entertaining read. And one that echoes the age-old wisdom – that when you make your bed, you must sleep in it.
THE IMPOSSIBLE FORTUNE – Richard Osman
Welcome back, Elizabeth!
Fans of ‘The Thursday Murder Club‘ will cheer for this one, as the geriatric foursome joins hands once more to solve a tricky crime and expose a clever killer. After a foray into a new series of books, Richard Osman has returned to deliver another episode in this saga of an unlikely ‘detective agency’.
If you haven’t yet read the earlier books in this series, I’d recommend at least the first before you pick up THE IMPOSSIBLE FORTUNE… just for more context.
Because this one is special – not just for the clever crime-busting, but also for the deeper message… that age is only a number, and it ain’t over till the fat lady sings!
2 PERRY MASON NOVELS – Erle Stanley Gardner
In early November 2025, I began reading all 85 Perry Mason novels by Erle Stanley Gardner – in order.
Currently, I’ve finished 46 of them. And am thoroughly enjoying this deep dive into an old favorite series.
While it’s always fun to wrap my head around the tangled plot points and breath-taking shifts in the picture as fresh facts emerge, what engages me most is Mason’s relentless, ruthless and rapier-like cross-examination of witnesses… and his confrontations with D.A. Hamilton Burger and police sergeant Holcomb.
All but a couple of these 46 murder mysteries are worth a read. But two stand out especially for
- their sensational courtroom dramas
- extremely interesting plot twists that leave you in awe at the end
So if you had to read just TWO of the first 46 Perry Mason books, make them:
The Case of the Negligent Nymph
The Case of the Green-Eyed Sister
There you have it.
My top 10 Best Books of the Year. And some of them surely belong in a collection of 10 Best Novels of All Time or among the 10 Best Modern Classics.
I’d love to hear about your best experiences from the year that’s passed… as well as what looks promising to read in the year ahead.
Go!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does “Best Books of the Year” mean on this page?
This list reflects my personal reading highlights for the year — not an industry ranking or awards list. Every book included here is one I have read myself – and found meaningful, memorable, or thought-provoking in its own way.
2. Are these books chosen based on popularity or awards?
Not always. Some might be popular favorites. But these selections are not influenced by bestseller lists, literary prizes, or media hype. They are chosen purely on the strength of the reading experience and the ideas, emotions, or insights each book left behind.
3. Does this list include all the best books published this year?
No. This is not intended to be a comprehensive or authoritative list of all notable books released in a given year. Many excellent books are published every year — this page simply highlights the ones that stood out to me personally. In fact, some of these books may have been published in earlier years… and I’ve only just read them this year!
4. Will this page be updated every year?
Maybe. Maybe not. This page is intentionally fixed as a snapshot of my reading for a particular year. Future years will have their own separate compilations, preserving each year’s reading experience rather than constantly rewriting the past.
5. How should readers use this list?
Think of this as a curated reading diary rather than a definitive guide. If our reading tastes overlap, you may discover a few gems here that resonate with you. If not, these books may still offer a useful window into the kinds of books that reward close, reflective, entertaining reading.