I've always been a big reader and every year I look forward to discovering new books. I often look for books that help me see the world differently. This year has been a bit of a slower reading year for me. I just haven't been in the same headspace that I normally am to devour books. I'm feeling like I'm regressing a bit back to the magazine era of reading except in 2025, that looks more like podcasts. While I didn't hit my normal goal of reading 50 books this year {usually very attainable and something I exceed}, I did read 44, which was better than I thought I did! Some stuck out more than others, and honestly, narrowing down my favorites is usually pretty easy. These eight books really stood out to me, and left different marks on me. These were the top eight books of 2025!
My Top Eight {5 Star} Books of 2025
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend any of these books to you if we were meeting up over coffee. And if I saw you reading one of these books, I'd likely stop you to chat about them. These are the ones to put on your holds shelf at the library.
I've enjoyed books by Jen Hatmaker for years. She has a gift for speaking directly to the heart, and Awake is a powerful reminder of rediscovery, which is something I feel like so many women my age are finding themselves in.
After a really tumultuous year for me, this book hit home. I not only admired how Jen Hatmaker handled the public dissolution of her 25-year long marriage, she took us along on the journey of rediscovering herself after years of growing up in the church and preaching, parenting and launching kids, and no longer wanting to sit on the sidelines of her life.
For me, Awake arrived at just the right moment in time. It was a gentle nudge to pause, reflect, and focus on what really matters. It had me nodding my head in agreement and had me thinking of new perspectives as she gave words to feelings. Hatmaker writes like a trusted friend, blending honestly, humor and wisdom, and if you're in the throes of mid-life, this is an exceptional book to pick up.
I'm drawn to stories that explore family dynamics and the scars that shape us, and Broken Country did that beautifully. Clare Leslie Hall's writing is raw and emotionally powerful, capturing love, loss, and resilience with authenticity.
The characters are flawed, complex, and relateable, which made their journeys feel deeply real. Reading Broken Country reminded me of the strength of human connections and the hope that even fractured relationships can find healing.
This is an older book, but one that caught me from the beginning. Jodi Picoult always has a way of blending suspense with emotional depth, and The Pact is a perfect example. It's a story about friendship, love, and the consequences of choices made in intense moments.
Picoult's writing gave me the opportunity to empathize with every character, even when their actions were questionable. The novel explores how decisions ripple through our lives and affect those we care about the most. It's a gripping, thought-provoking read that stayed with me long after I finished it.
Taylor Jenkins Reid continues to impress me with her ability to tell intimate, emotionally resonant stories. Atmosphere explores the relationships, self-discovery, and the subtle forces that shape our lives.
What I loved most was Reid's focus on the quiet moments that define us. It's a novel about human connection and the small, sometimes overlooked experiences that ultimately leave the biggest impact. If you are on the fence about reading it because it might be too "sciencey" for you, I promise you, that's what I appreciated about it. As a wife whose husband designs rockets, I'm the least interested in the process of space, so I was grateful there were no real deep dives into the technicals of aerospace.
In Order to Live is one of the most powerful books I've read this year. Yeonmi Park's memoir of escaping North Korea and reclaiming her life is harrowing, heartbreaking, and inspiring all at once.
Park's story is a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the courage it takes to pursue freedom. Her honesty and bravery made this a deeply humbling read, and it will probably leave you reflecting on your own freedoms and privileges with gratitude.
The Lion Women of Tehran is a beautifully layered story about identity, family, and the bonds that connect generations. Kamali's writing is rich and evocative, painting a vivid picture of life in Tehran while exploring love, loss, and self-discovery.
This book captivated me from start to finish, offering both a window into a culture I didn't know much about, and a mirror reflecting the ways we navigate family expectations and personal growth.
If you love suspenseful, page-turning thrillers that kind of leave you speechless, The Teacher is a must-read. Freida McFadden does a number on you psychologically and keeps readers guessing until the very end.
I felt like I needed an emotional support group after this one. Or at least a few people to rehash this with. I've read a few of her books and I'm on the fence if I like the mental gymnastics her writing puts me through. I do know, I could never read her books back to back because I need a little mental cleansing!
Cabin is a cozy memoir that takes you on the adventure from the author's office job to remodeling a secluded cabin in the Pacific Northwest. To say someone didn't know what they were getting into would be an understatement!
I'm not sure if I enjoyed it because of the PNW connection and the ability to transport myself to where he was at easily in my mind, or if I liked it because I know just enough about being handy that I knew he was hilariously in over his head. I immediately recommended it to my husband who thoroughly enjoyed it as well.
Some years I read more duds than wins, so I wouldn't necessary peg 2025 as an incredible year of reading, but I did find some really good wins in there that I'm guessing will stand out for years to come. I love that reading is a way to experience different perspectives and connect with stories and voices that are different than our own. These top eight books are a reflection of that journey.
If you're looking for your next read, I can't recommend these enough. These are the books that rose to the top.
If you're looking for more of my favorite books, check these posts out:
The Girlfriends Guide to the Top Books to Read in the New Year
50+ Books I'd Recommend to my Girlfriends
Books I'd Recommend to Friends
10 MORE Books I Always Recommend to Friends
My Favorite Books so Far This Year {2024}
My Favorite Historical Fiction Books I Always Recommend to Friends
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