So this year, I DNF’d early and often, and I don’t know if I’ve ever had a better reading year. If a book wasn’t absolutely HOOKING me by the 20%, I left it behind. I’m sure I probably missed some 4-stars books, but my percentage of 5-star reads was so much higher. There were some books I stayed up late reading, and this was the first year in many I’ve done that. It was so hard to come up with a Top Ten, but I tried my best. Ordering them 1-10 is a step too far, but the first five went onto my “all-time favs” Goodreads shelf, which has a grand total of 29 books, so yeah, like I said… it was a good reading year. Without further ado:

1. Best Fiction that resonated in my bones

Fredrik Backman officially takes a place as one of my favorite authors, handling heavy topics with humor and packed with so much truth, you can feel the words vibrate through you. Literally recommend this one to everyone.

2. Favorite Cozy Mystery

Cozy, heartfelt, and unique. A book that melts you and puts you back together again, bringing a hint of mystery and all the warm fuzzies. Also recommended to everyone, and I will absolutely be on the lookout for Shelby Van Pelt’s next book.

3. Most Addictive Thriller Series

Possibly the best surprise of 2025 for me. I picked them up because it was available on Libby when I needed an audiobook in the middle of a roadtrip, and then I could NOT put it back down. Dexter + Count of Monte Cristo + A splash of spicy romance. If that sounds like your thing, this cathartic breakneck series is for you.

4. Most Addictive Paranormal Series

Ilona Andrews’ The Innkeeper Chronicles is one of my favorite series of all time, so I’m so glad I checked into her other paranormal series, The Hidden Legacy. This one had me staying up late to read, and I absolutely adored it. If you’re looking for fast-paced action, fun banter, loveable characters, an X-men vibe, and a little spicy romance, this one’s for you.

5. Best Cozy Paranormal

The found family in this one, soft magic, emotional growth, and slowburn romance was absolutely pitch perfect. It felt like a nice hot bath of a novel with a few fun twists, and I’d recommend this one to anyone looking for a cozy read they can sink into.

6. Best Nonfiction

So John Green was one of my favorite authors as a teenager, so I guess it should surprise me not at all that I love his nonfiction as an adult. I’m extremely picky about nonfiction, but I first read Everything is Tuberculosis which I enjoyed, and then was doubly surprised to enjoy this one even more. The voice, honesty, emotion, and humor just hit on every poignant level, and even my 9-year-old enjoyed listening in on our way to basketball practice. At one point, my eyes got all glassy and let me tell you, that is *not* an easy thing to do. I literally cannot remember the last time I actually spilled a tear for a book, and this one brought me close. So yeah, this is another one I would recommend to everyone.

7. Best Middle Grade

Excellent middle-grade is criminally underrated, I read some quite a few incredible ones this year, and discovered that Gary D. Schmidt is friggin’ brilliant. The subtlety he brings to the hardest subjects to both destroy and put you back together is just incredible. I would *love* to talk about this one with my middle-grade book-dragon club, and I definitely recommend it to everyone.

8. Best YA Fantasy

This genre is near and dear to my heart, and I feel like it’s been a while since I’ve gotten my hands on one I could really sink my teeth into, but this was such a fabulous surprise. The world building was absolutely on point, I was intrigued throughout, and I’m very much looking forward to diving into the sequel. Recommended for anyone looking for a YA Fantasy with complex characters and a unique world.

9. Best holiday romance

Holiday romances usually aren’t my thing, so this was a great surprise (courtesy of book club.) The premise was fantastic and executed brilliantly, with lovable characters, and great banter. Like honestly, bring me the movie already. (And the sequel!)

10. Best Fantasy Romance

This was another book-club-responsible find, though not the pick of the month, which was a crying shame because this was a delightfully strange reimagination of You’ve Got Mail. Unique magical world, quirky characters, excellent banter, and simmering romance – I’d definitely recommend this to people looking for something a little off the beaten path with equal parts quirky fantasy and romance.

And that’s a wrap on 2025!

And that’s a wrap on my reading year! I’ve got 13 reviews from 2025 reads that’ll be posting in January to catch up, but if you ever have any specific reader-y, or writer-y topics you’d like me to jump into, just let me know!

Wishing you guys so many good reads in 2026!