My Favorite Books of 2025

It's the last day of the year, and I've been reflecting on the year — what I'm most proud of, things that happened, lessons I learned, and, of course, all the books I read. I set a goal to read 50 books in 2025, and I fell about 20 short.

Even so, there were some clear favorites from my 2025 reading adventure, ranging from new releases to old favorites.

The Unplugged Hours: Cultivating a Life of Presence in a Digitally Connected World

Hannah Brencher

The topic of our first-ever Bookery Book Club podcast episode, this book challenged and changed me. I've still got a ways to go when it comes to cultivating a consistent practice of unplugging, but Hannah Brencher's book hit a chord with me and helped put words to my deep conviction that we sometimes need to slow down, unplug and focus on the moment we're in.

Broken Country

Clare Leslie Hall

Like a lot of people, I read this New York Times bestseller this year. Written by Clare Leslie Hall, Broken Country is a love story, a thriller and trauma narrative all rolled into one. There are points where it feels a little like a train wreck you can't take your eyes off of and you have to know what happens next, even if you know it's going to be bad. Broken Country is the story of a marriage — and an affair — and how all those choices led to a pivotal moment that change the lives of all involved irrecoverably. Is it an easy read? No. But it's well-written and captivating, even if it's a pretty heavy read.

The Berry Pickers

Amanda Peters

You can read our review of Amanda Peter's debut novel here, but The Berry Pickers was one of my favorite reads of 2025. Like Broken Country, it's a bit of a heavy read with a plot centering on grief and secrets but, in the end, light, hope and restoration win out.

The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris

Evie Woods

I picked up this book on a whim in Target one afternoon, mostly because I liked the cover. I feel a little silly putting it on my 2025 favorites list since I generally try to select books that challenge me or focus on important topics or themes, but this one was just fun. There's a little magic and some silliness, but it's a fun read that leaves you smiling — and sometimes that's what you need most!

Comfort & Joy: A Fable

Kristin Hannah

I started reading this book right before Christmas, mostly because I wanted something light and short — but also something that didn't require too much of me. Comfort & Joy is a fable, as the title says, about Joy Candellaro, whose love of the season has lost its sparkle. She makes a last-minute decision to fly to the Pacific Northwest. A plane crash takes her on a brief detour where her life intersects with that of Daniel and Bobby, a father and son dealing with loss. It's almost perfect, until everything is ripped apart on Christmas Eve, and Joy has to decide if she has it within her to claim the life (and love) she wants.

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