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My Top Reads of 2025

Hello,


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If you know me, you know I'm an avid audiobook listener. Though that's not the only way I read books, it is the most common. Why? As I've said before, it's the ultimate multi-tasking. I read while driving, exercising, folding laundry, cooking, etc. Because of audiobooks, I read about ninety-eight books this year, a number that still surprises me when I see it written down. Out of those nearly one hundred titles, nineteen rose to the top as books I would genuinely recommend, some of which I've already written about in this year's blog posts. As for the ones I didn't care for and/or didn't finish, I will never name them because I do not want to give those authors any more of my time or attention. What matters is that these nineteen stood out. That means roughly one in five books earned a recommendation, which offers pretty good odds if you are searching for your next read.


My reading tastes are wide-ranging. Some of the books here are unsettling or emotionally intense. Others are cheery and fill your heart. Some explore dark or complicated territory. I do not require happy endings. I am drawn to books that push boundaries, surprise me, or give me something new to think about. I also enjoy lighter reads when they bring heart or originality rather than predictability. If any part of that resonates with you, you may find something here that speaks to your own reading life.


Nineteen books out of nearly one hundred is a strong return on a year of reading. These books surprised me, challenged me, comforted me, or made me see the world, or myself, in new ways. If even one of them lands in your hands and lingers in your thoughts, then the time I spent reading and reflecting was well worth it.


Below are my top books grouped by genre, each with a short hook and description that gives you a sense of what the book offers without giving anything away. If you read any of the books on this list, I would love to hear what you think. Please comment or send me an email to let me know which titles would make your own list, and what your reactions are to the books I have shared here.


~Heather


Dystopian Fiction

I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman

For readers who like quiet, haunting stories that linger


This sparse and powerful novel follows a woman raised in captivity who must make sense of life once she is set free. It explores loneliness, humanity, and curiosity in a way that feels both timeless and unsettling. The emotional impact deepens the longer you sit with it.


Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica

For readers willing to explore unsettling worlds that challenge moral assumptions


This intense dystopian story imagines a society that has normalized the unimaginable and forces readers to face deeply difficult ethical questions. It is graphic and disturbing, but also razor sharp in its commentary. The book stays with you because it unearths uncomfortable truths about morality, identity, and complicity.


My Absolute Darling by Gabriel Tallent

For readers who appreciate fierce survival stories with rich character depth


This novel follows a young girl fighting to reclaim her life despite the violence surrounding her. The writing is vivid and emotionally charged. It is a hard story at times, yet grounded in the remarkable resilience of its protagonist.


Fiction

Scattered Showers by Rainbow Rowell

For readers who enjoy warm, witty romances with emotional sincerity


A collection of interconnected love stories filled with charm, humor, and gentle insight. Rowell captures the awkwardness and sweetness of relationships with authenticity. These stories feel like cozy breaks from reality, with real emotional grounding.


Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr

For readers who love epic stories that span different eras and perspectives


Doerr weaves together characters from different centuries who are linked through a single ancient text. The novel celebrates imagination, endurance, and the power of storytelling. It is rich and hopeful, with layers that reward thoughtful reading.


My Friends by Fredrik Backman

For readers who enjoy humor mixed with heartfelt reflection


Backman tells a tender story about friendship, aging, and the imperfect ways we try to care for each other. His blend of wit and empathy creates warmth without drifting into sentimentality. The book offers comfort and meaningful insight.


Stoner by John Williams

For readers who appreciate quiet classics focused on character and emotional depth


This understated novel explores the life of an ordinary man whose small struggles and rare joys create a profound emotional portrait. Its beauty lies in the honesty of its storytelling. The effect is subtle at first but grows deeply resonant.


Memoir and Reflective Nonfiction

Know My Name: A Memoir by Chanel Miller

For readers who want a memoir that is both devastating and empowering


Miller writes with lyrical precision about reclaiming her identity after trauma. Her voice is strong, courageous, and unforgettable. This memoir reshapes your understanding of resilience, healing, and what it means to speak your truth.


Life Is in the Transitions: Mastering Change at Any Age by Bruce Feiler

For readers navigating change or seeking perspective during major life shifts


Feiler draws from hundreds of interviews to explore how people move through transition points that redefine their lives. His framework is both practical and hopeful. It encourages readers to rethink the idea that life is meant to follow a straight line and shows how transitions can lead to growth.


For readers who enjoy reflective storytelling rooted in place, memory, and identity


Thompson, known for his narrative journalism, turns inward to explore the meaning of home, history, and legacy through the lens of his family’s barn. His writing blends personal reflection with cultural observation. The book feels like a meditation on belonging and the stories we inherit.


Health

For readers who want clear, evidence-based science delivered with personality


Dr. Gunter blends medical expertise with personal storytelling to demystify menstruation and debunk myths that have persisted for generations. She writes with humor, confidence, and precision. The book is informative and empowering, encouraging readers to understand their bodies without confusion or shame.


For readers who want long term health guidance grounded in real science


Attia examines the research behind longevity and offers insights into living better, not just longer. He makes complex medical concepts accessible and gives readers practical ways to think about long term health. This book bridges science with personal growth through thoughtful, actionable ideas.


Leadership

For readers curious about leadership in a fast changing technological landscape


Woods explains how leaders can use artificial intelligence thoughtfully without losing sight of human strengths. His approach is practical, ethical, and grounded in real world application. The ideas feel accessible and forward thinking.


For readers who want leadership strategies they can apply immediately


This book introduces small, research based habits that strengthen communication, trust, and problem solving. The exercises are simple, practical, and easy to integrate into daily life. It provides useful tools rather than abstract theory.


For readers who want to communicate more clearly in high stakes momentsFisher offers straightforward strategies for approaching difficult conversations with calm and confidence. His guidance centers on clarity, presence, and connection. The book is concise, relatable, and immediately usable.


Psychology

For readers interested in emotional regulation and healthier relationships with children


Although written for parents, Kennedy’s approach applies to anyone who wants stronger, more grounded relationships. She teaches how to respond from a place of compassion and understanding rather than reactivity. The strategies feel accessible and practical.


For readers who want to explore inner work and compassionate self understanding


Schwartz introduces the Internal Family Systems model in a way that feels gentle, hopeful, and deeply human. He explains how every part of ourselves can serve a purpose and how acknowledging them with kindness can lead to healing. The book encourages curiosity rather than self judgment.


Personal Growth

For readers who want to reduce stress created by trying to control what others do


Robbins encourages readers to let people be who they are and focus on what they can actually influence. Her stories highlight how freeing this mindset can be. The book is straightforward, motivating, and surprisingly empowering.


For readers who feel depleted and want practical help rebuilding their energy


Ballesteros explains the underlying causes of burnout and offers relatable, actionable steps for recovery. She blends humor and insight to make the process feel manageable. It is a validating and empowering read for anyone stretched thin.


Honorable Mention

For readers who want to rethink the relationship between money, meaning, and time


This book is not from my 2025 list, yet I am still thinking about it more than a year after reading it. Perkins challenges the assumption that we should save indefinitely for a future that may unfold differently than expected. The title is provocative, but the message is thoughtful. He encourages giving with intention, investing in meaningful experiences, and enjoying life sooner rather than waiting for a someday that may never arrive. It shifted how I think about generosity, value, and the timing of joy.



P.S. Of the list of my top books I have read this year, I ended up buying several because I loved them so much. Still, every one of them first came into my hands through the library. That is the beauty of the system. It lets you try widely, discover deeply, and invest only when something truly stays with you.


This week’s Catch of the Week is public libraries. In a world where almost everything has a price tag, the ability to walk into a building and borrow books, movies, music, learning tools, and even community itself at no cost is nothing short of a civic miracle. Libraries are a quiet reminder of what a modern, educated society chooses to value. They reflect a belief that curiosity should be free, that access should be shared, and that knowledge is a public good rather than a private luxury.


If you have not stepped into your local branch lately, consider this a nudge. Browse the stacks. Pick up something you never would have bought. Talk to a librarian and watch expertise meet generosity. Let yourself experience the kind of abundance that comes not from owning more but from being part of something that belongs to everyone.


P.P.S. Please remember to...


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