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Like I have done in previous years, today I am sharing my favourite reads of the year 2025!
I love reading. Books allow me to live multiple lives, to travel to faraway places, experience different time periods and get to know the thoughts and feelings of another character as intimately as my own for a period of time. Books have shaped me and my thinking, they accompany me so closely for a time and leave me a slightly different person. What a gift it is to be immersed in a good story.
2025 has been a rather good year for reading for me. So far, I have finished 65 books this year. Which is a record for me – so far the most books I had read in 365 days was 59, which I achieved in 2023. It doesn’t really matter how many books you read – I am just proud that I have managed to prioritise a hobby that I love and that replenishes me over scrolling my phone on many days.
This is quite an obvious point, but your reading experience is massivley influenced by how good the book is you are reading. But sometimes it is hard to find good books. That’s why I am sharing some of my favourite reads from 2025. Of course, whether you like a book or not is subjective, but sometimes someone else’s take on a book can be helpful in determining whether we might enjoy it too.
Stats on my 2025 reads
Of course, I have created a spreadsheet for my 2025 reads!
Audiobook Love
As mentioned before, I made my way through 65 books which are equivalent to 22,534 pages. However, the majority of the books I consumed were on audio. I listened to 43 books and read 22 physical and electronic books. Adding the length of all those audiobooks together yields a total of over 420 hours, however, I ususally listen to books at 1.2. or 1.3 speed, meaning it “only” took me around 325 hours. Ha!
I really love audiobooks. Often, I remember books better when I have listened to them rather than read them with my eyes. Also, I like that I am able to do two hobbies at once – read and knit for example. I can go for walks, ride my bike or do chores around the house while making my way through a book.
Language
I actually only read one German title in 2025, all the other books were in English. I think next year I need to pick up a few more books in my native language! If you have any recommendations for German authors, do let me know!
Genre
If asked I would say that my favourite genre is literary fiction. However, my most read genres this year were Romance (14 books) and Science Fiction (9) followed by Historical (8) and Literary Fiction (8). I also picked up books that fall under the genres of Memoir/Biography, Nonfiction, Christianity, Fantasy, Young Adult and Thriller/Mystery.
Ratings
I rate all the books I read on a 5-star scale. 19 books received 5 stars from me this year, and 30 books got 4 stars. So, all in all a lot of really wonderful books! I don’t have it in me to write reviews for my all of my 19 favourites but I am going to share the titles of those books and might add a few words for a few of them.
So, without further ado – here are my favourite reads of 2025!
Best 2025 Romance books
“Just for Summer” by Abby Jimenez
I read a few books by Abby Jimenez, some I liked and some I really didn’t. However, I loved this one! I liked the protagonists and there was some excellent banter. I read this in April and don’t actually remember huge amounts of the plot. However, I read Romance to be entertained! There is no need for the story to be super memorable. This would be the perfect beach read or great to pick up when you’re sick of winter and want to escape into a fun summery story.
“Great Big Beautiful Life” by Emily Henry
Again, I don’t actually remember too much detail but know that I really enjoyed it! Emily Henry is an excellent storyteller and her books are probably more “Women’s Fiction” with a romance side plot which I love.
Favourite Historical Fiction
“Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens
This was beautiful and heartbreaking and complex and insightful. I would read this agin in an instant.
“The People We Keep” by Alison Larkin
I listened to this one and would highly recommend the audio version which is performed by the wonderful Julia Whelan. Just a wonderful story and really interesting characters.
“The Women” by Kristin Hannah
This book was everywhere for a while so I picked it up on a whim without knowing anything about it. The story follows the life of a women who served as a nurse in the Vietnam war. It was gut-wrenching and shocking but also beautiful.
“Babel” by R.F. Kuang
A book unlike any other I read before. Historical fiction with elements of magical realism. It was so interesting, I learned a lot about colonialism in China, felt angry and hopeful and was utterly fascinated with the authors creativity and way of using language.
Favourite Literary Fiction reads of 2025
“The Latecomer” by Jean Hanf Korelitz
This was amazing. Literary Fiction at its best! “The Latecomer” is the story of a family, told from the perspective of child number four, younger sister to triplets that were conceived via IVF and hate each other. Really fascinating character development plus you learn about Art, Jewish-American Culture and generational trauma. It’s certainly not a light story but a page-turner nonetheless.
“Home of the American Circus” by Alison Larkin
Another Alison Larkin book! She is so good at telling a story. Both her books give such a strong sense of place which is something I really appreciate in a book. Many loveable yet imperfect characters. an extremely enjoyable read.
“Intermezzo” by Sally Rooney
Sally Rooney is one of my all-time favourite authors. Her books often have slightly odd characters doing odd things. I think that’s why I like them so much. Whole chapters can go by withouth much happening but a lot of (internal) fascinating dialogue. Whenever I read her books I feel glad to be alive to experience art such as hers!
“Blue Sisters” by Coco Mellours
This was so good! Another sibling story – this time four sisters. One of them passes away and the others grieve in various ways that push them apart and draw them together. I could find myself in each of the sisters and felt inspired and challenged and my thoughts were thoroughly provoked.
“Buckeye” by Patrick Ryan
This could have also been shelved under historical fiction as it is set during the Second World War in America. The plot included a lot of family dynamics, marriage problems and divorce, parenthood and finding ones purpose. It was sad yet hopeful. Really great characters.
Best Memoir/Biography
“A Well-Trained Wife – my Escape from Christian Patriarchy” by Tia Levings
Ugh, this was painful to read. One, because it is a terrible story and two, because so many of the dynamics she describes I have experienced and watched in churches over the years. I think every evangelical should read this and question where certain theologies can lead when taken seriously.
“I Haven’t Been Entirely Honest With You” by Miranda Hart
Miranda Hart may be the funniest person alive? Plus, she is clever and kind and just such a great human. This book was about her story and battle with various health issues and the things that have helped her. Non-preachy but with practical tips and well-researched advice. A wonderful read!
“Sucker Punch” by Scaachi Koul
The book lives up to the title. I have read Scaachi Koul’s previous book which I enjoyed a lot but this one was even better. Koul is incredibly intelligent and absoltely brutally honest. She is not afraid of making her reader feel uncomfortable or concerned with how she is perceived. Eye-opening on topics of race and misogyny. I think about this book very often.
My Highest rated Nonfiction
“Everything is Tuberculosis: The History and Persistance of our Deadliest Infection” by John Green
We all know (maybe?) that John Green is fantastic at writing heart-breaking YA novels but he is just as good at bringing nonfiction topics to life. He advocated for people suffering with Tuberculosis for many years. It was fascinating to learn how this disease has shaped our cultures and it was shocking to learn how something that is quite easily prevented with a vaccination is still so prevalent and deadly in many parts of the world. Despite the dry sounding subject matter a very quick and easy read.
“The Enneagram Type 9: The Peaceful Mediator” by Beth McCord.
The Enneagram has been so helpful to me in learning more about myself and others. I definitely want to read more by this author, her writing is very clear and readable. I am a Type 9 and despite knowing quite a lot about my Type already I found this little book hugely helpful.
Favourite Faith and Spirituality Reads of 2025
“Practicing the Way” by John Mark Comer
I have read most of John Mark Comers books so naturally I also picked up this one. It feels like a culmination of a lot of his preaching from the last few years. Which is a good thing – he has clearly thought and worked through this topic for a long time and in great depth. Yet his book is very approachable. There are many ways to apply his teachings and it made me excited to grow in following Jesus.
“The Familiar Stranger: (Re)Introducing the Holy Spirit to Those in Search of an Experiential Spirituality” by Tylor Staton
This was so so good. I think Tyler Staton might be my new favourite Christian author and preacher. He is such a great communicator – clear, yet full of love. And he comes across so genuine and human. I didn’t feel like I needed to read a book on the Holy Spirit as I felt quite familiar with the subject matter but his perspective is so fresh and I came away very inspired.
Mystery/Thriller
“All the Colours of the Dark” by Chris Whitaker
Normally, I am not a reader of Mysteries and Thrillers – my sensitive hear cannot deal with murder and abductions. Or – so I thought! This one is actually about child abduction and it’s a rather dire and desperate situation. However, the book is about so much more than that. About friendship and growing up and overcoming trauma and learning new skills and nature and what it means to have a home. I was so moved by this book and felt a bit sad when it ended. For sure a book I’d read again.
That’s it!
Wow, that was a lot of books and a lot of words. If you have made it this far: well done and thanks for being here! Let me know if you have read any great books this year – I am always looking for good recommendations.
This post is day 5 of my 12 days of blogmas challenge. Read more here.
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