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My Year in Books: 2025
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items My reading year reflected what I value most: stories with depth, a strong sense of place, and ideas that linger long after the final page. This list includes novels, memoirs, history, and a few practical reads—some deeply loved, some simply appreciat...
Sections
7
The Standouts: Five-Star Reads of 2025
Historical Fiction & Literature
Mysteries & Detective Fiction
Memoir, Biography & Reflection
Travel, Culture & Place-Based Reads
Ideas, Business & Practical Reads
The Standouts: Five-Star Reads of 2025
These are the books that stayed with me—the ones I still think about, recommend without hesitation, and would happily reread.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This was a long and sometimes heavy read, with themes of loss and addiction, but I could hardly put it down. As a former interior designer, I was drawn to the art and antique world woven throughout the story. I found myself rooting for The...
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A stunning and deeply moving novel. I loved this book, but the ending devastated me. I was so stunned that I reread it twice, hoping I had misunderstood, because I didn’t want it to end that way. Beautiful, heartbreaking, and unforgettable...
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
5* I loved this story. As someone drawn to WWII historical fiction, I found the focus on the Jewish experience in Greece both eye-opening and deeply moving. Powerful and unforgettable.
The Little Liar by Mitch Albom
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved this book. The reimagining of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from Jim’s perspective was both powerful and poignant. Jim/James captured my heart—his intelligence, wit, and humanity stayed with me long after I finished.
James by Percival Everett
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This novel moved me deeply. Inspired by the real-life Grimké sisters, it’s a story of courage, conviction, and the fight for freedom. It also inspired my upcoming Charleston retreat, which explores many of the same themes of history, art, ...
The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ What a tragically beautiful story. Violette’s life unfolds with quiet grace — a meditation on grief, love, and the redemptive power of human connection. Just when I thought I understood her story, an unexpected revelation made it even more...
Fresh Water for Flowers by Valerie Perrin
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I typically don’t enjoy essay collections, but I adored this one. Renkl’s observations about nature, aging, and the quiet beauty of daily life felt like poetry. It’s a reminder to slow down and really see the world around us.
The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year by Margaret Renkl
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ What a fascinating and deeply moving story. I feel so much for the Lacks family, yet it’s extraordinary to realize how much one woman has contributed to the advancement of modern medicine. The narrative is engaging, well-researched, and be...
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Historical Fiction & Literature
Richly layered stories grounded in history, identity, and human complexity.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I absolutely loved this one. The Rose Code is everything I adore about historical fiction set during WWII—rich detail, sharp writing, and strong women taking on roles history too often overlooks. The story dives into the secret world of female codebr...
The Rose Code by Kate Quinn
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A compelling dual-timeline story filled with intrigue, history, and strong female characters. I loved the pacing and the premise, though everything wrapped up a bit too neatly in the end. Still, an immersive and enjoyable read that kept me t...
The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis
Historical fiction at its finest — an enslaved girl raised by a white family in the antebellum South grapples with identity, belonging, and love. Haunting and beautifully written.
The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A beautifully restrained and reflective novel. At times slow, but intentionally so. This is a meditation on duty, missed opportunities, and emotional restraint that rewards patience and contemplation.
The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro
4* After seeing American Fiction, I was eager to read the book—and it did not disappoint. Sharp, satirical, and thought-provoking. I loved it.
Erasure by Percival Everett
4* A poignant and tender story that still resonates, even when read as an adult. Quietly emotional and unexpectedly profound.
Bridge to Terabithia by Kathleen Paterson
A literary triumph that demands attention. Mantel’s Thomas Cromwell is cunning, brilliant, and surprisingly human. Dense but rewarding.
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
3* As someone fascinated by the Gilded Age, I found this intriguing, especially the descriptions of food, parties, and social rituals. Not riveting, but interesting. From a modern perspective, I’m still puzzled by why this book caused such outrage—it...
Society as I Have Found It: The Cuisine, Culture and Fashions of Europe and North America in the 19th Century, by a Man who Toured the Era's Finest Events and State Functions by Ward McAllister
4* I read this in preparation for my trip to Hawai‘i. It took time to get into—especially the geological beginning—but once I did, I really enjoyed it. Epic, educational, and very long.
Hawaii by James A. Michener
A timeless feminist classic that I admired more than I loved — but essential reading for understanding the roots of modern women’s fiction.
The Awakening by Kate Chopin
Mysteries & Detective Fiction
Comfort reads with clever plotting, memorable detectives, and a strong sense of place.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This one hooked me right from the start. Fast-paced, twisty, and hard to put down — I kept turning the pages wanting to know what would happen next. A perfect pick when you’re in the mood for a suspenseful escape.
Gone Before Goodbye by Reese Witherspoon & Harlan Coben
4* Another solid Inspector Gamache novel, though not a personal favorite. The plot felt a bit scattered at times, but I still enjoyed returning to Gamache and Penny’s world. Even a lesser Gamache is better than most mysteries.
The Grey Wolf by Louise Penny
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A complex and layered mystery with a lot happening perhaps a bit too much at times. While I always enjoy returning to Inspector Gamache, this installment felt lighter on the familiar warmth of Three Pines and its beloved characters. Or maybe...
The Black Wolf by Louise Penny
4* The start of a new detective series for me, and I was immediately hooked. Set in France (a major plus for this francophile), with abundant references to food, wine, and village life. Cozy, immersive, and utterly charming.
Bruno, Chief of Police: A Mystery of the French Countryside by Martin Walker
4* Another enjoyable Detective Bruno mystery. Familiar, comforting, and rich with atmosphere, food, and wine—exactly what I want from this series.
The Dark Vineyard by Martin Walker
4* The third Detective Bruno mystery, and I’m officially devoted to the series. The setting, pacing, and sensory details continue to delight.
Black Diamond by Martin Walker
Bruno, my favorite French police chief, returns for another mystery in the Dordogne. Food, wine, and crime — the ultimate French comfort read.
The Crowded Grave by Martin Walker
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ An enjoyable mystery with rich food and wine references that almost become characters themselves. I continue to love the atmosphere of this series and the slower, more immersive storytelling.
The Devil's Cave: A Mystery of the French Countryside by Martin Walker
4* A classic Miss Marple mystery. Clever, entertaining, and timeless. Who doesn’t love Agatha Christie?
The Body in the Library: A Miss Marple Mystery by Agatha Christie
4* Another excellent Agatha Christie mystery. Tightly plotted, suspenseful, and endlessly readable.
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
4* A classic Hercule Poirot mystery. Elegant, clever, and always a pleasure to read.
Death on the Nile: A Hercule Poirot Mystery by Agatha Christie
⭐️⭐️⭐️ A good escape read. I enjoyed the premise and pacing, even if it didn’t quite reach the emotional depth of my favorites this month.
The Unwedding by Ally Condie
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Another delightful Thursday Murder Club mystery! I actually liked this one much better than the first. The humor, charm, and friendship between the characters really shine here, and the mystery kept me guessing without feeling overcomplicate...
The Man Who Died Twice: A Thursday Murder Club Mystery
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Another delightful entry in the Thursday Murder Club series. Clever, funny, and comforting without being predictable. This series continues to be a joy.
The Bullet That Missed: A Thursday Murder Club Mystery by Richard Osman
⭐️⭐️⭐️ A short holiday story featuring my new favorite detective, Bruno. Light, charming, and seasonal, though not as satisfying as the full-length novels. A pleasant December interlude.
Bruno and the Carol Singers: A Christmas Mystery of the French Countryside by Martin Walker
Memoir, Biography & Reflection
Stories of real lives, creative journeys, resilience, and perspective.
Part memoir, part masterclass in living graciously. Ina’s warmth radiates through every page, with reflections on risk-taking, friendship, and good food.
Be Ready When the Luck Happens: A Memoir by Ina Garten
I read this in preparation for my three-week stay in Champagne and my Champagne retreat, and it made me admire Madame Clicquot even more. Her intelligence, resilience, and innovation fundamentally shaped the Champagne industry. A fascinating portrait...
The Widow Clicquot: The Story of a Champagne Empire and the Woman Who Ruled It by Tilar J. Mazzeo
4* A thoughtful and accessible poetry collection. I enjoyed her voice and perspective, and while poetry collections are rarely a favorite format for me, this one held my attention.
Call Us What We Carry: Poems by Amanda Gorman
4* I expected this to be deeply depressing, but it wasn’t. Thoughtful, restrained, and emotionally intelligent. A beautifully written reflection on grief and resilience.
The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
A lush, introspective novel about a woman reclaiming her creativity after loss. Steeds paints the inner life of her heroine with both precision and tenderness. Perfect for those who love Elena Ferrante or Claire Keegan.
The Artist and the Feast by Lucy Steeds
Memoir of building a cooking school in Paris, full of charm and challenges. It reads like a love letter to resilience (and beurre blanc).
The French Ingredient: Making a Life in Paris One Lesson at a Time: A Memoir by Jane Bertch
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A very interesting read—and my goodness, what a collection of truly awful people. The book is engaging, well-researched, and filled with the kind of family drama that makes you pause, blink twice, and wonder how they kept getting invited any...
Entitled: Rise and Fall of House of York
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This book described me to an absolute tee. Most people assume I’m an extrovert, but in reality, I’m an introvert who’s simply learned how to be social when the moment calls for it. Quiet was such a validating read—a reminder that being refle...
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking
Travel, Culture & Place-Based Reads
Books chosen to deepen my understanding of destinations and culture.
4* I loved this book. The connections between the characters, the warmth, and the post-war setting made it deeply satisfying. A comforting and charming read with emotional depth.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shafer & Annie Barrows
3* I read this in preparation for my trip to Hawai‘i. Informative and engaging, but not a favorite. I appreciated the history, even if it didn’t fully captivate me.
Unfamiliar Fishes by Sarah Vowell
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Overall, I liked this one. While I don’t personally believe in psychics or ghosts, I can appreciate how they were used in the story to add atmosphere and mystery. I enjoyed the layers of history woven throughout—particularly the insights into ...
The Cliffs by J. Courtney Sullivan
Ideas, Business & Practical Reads
Books that challenged my thinking or offered useful perspective—even if I didn’t love every page.
Informative reads that offer practical insights while remaining accessible and engaging.
The Sleep Solution: Why Your Sleep is Broken and How to Fix It by W. Chris Winter
An inspiring business read focused on heart-centered entrepreneurship. As someone in the retreat and wellness space, I found Dora’s approach affirming — it’s about connection, not conversion. I also have been on retreat with and taken workshops and c...
The Heart Sell: A Guide for Women Entrepreneurs Seeking Financial Freedom by Dora Rankin
⭐️⭐️⭐️ I’ve used this method before and found it motivating to revisit. I accomplished more in the two days after reading it than I had in weeks—a quick, practical read when you need a productivity reset.
Eat That Frog!, Fourth Edition: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time by Brian Tracy
⭐️⭐️⭐️ My first read of November was The TB12 Method by Tom Brady. I’ll be honest — I’d listen to just about anything Tom Brady says because he’s one of my celebrity crushes! Beyond that, he’s fascinating in how disciplined and intentional he is, which no d...
The TB12 Method: How to Achieve A Lifetime of Sustained Peak Performance by Tom Brady
⭐️⭐️ This one wasn’t for me. It felt too military and doomsday, though I did come away with a few practical preparedness tips. Otherwise, a bit more intensity than I needed.
Prepared: A Manual for Surviving Worst-Case Scenarios by Mike Glover
Mixed or Missed-the-Mark Reads
Interesting ideas that didn’t fully land for me.
3* I wanted to love this book, but it felt far too long. The ideas were interesting, yet the execution didn’t fully work for me.
Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators’ Revolution by R. F. Kuang
3* This book was fine. Engaging enough, but it didn’t leave a lasting impression.
Redwood Court by DeLana R. A. Dameron
⭐️⭐️ I enjoyed the storytelling, but this one ultimately wasn’t for me. The magical elements didn’t quite land, and I didn’t find the love story believable enough to feel invested. There were moments of charm, but overall it fell a bit short compared...
The Phoenix Pencil Company: A Novel