Eeeeeeks!
Here we go!
You guys, it’s time for my BIGGEST AND BEST BOOK POST OF THE YEAR!
Today is my 2025 BOOKS IN REVIEW!!
Every year, I break down all of the books I’ve read over the last twelve months (most of them were recommendations from YOU!) and name MY TOP THREE BOOKS OF THE YEAR!
This is ALWAYS one of my very very very favorite blog posts each year.
In 2025, including the three books that I read in December (their reviews to follow), I read 58 books.
If I had to sum it up, I would say that this year forced me to read several books outside of my comfort zone that I LOVED and never would have read had it not been for Book Club and your recommendations. It was a year of begrudgingly reading books I ended up loving. 😉
Here’s a quick little glimpse of my readings this year by the numbers…
The number of books I read this year focusing on health and wellness including one of the VERY BEST BOOKS I’ve ever read…Die With Zero by Bill Perkins.
Andrew and I gifted this book to over 20 different people this year. This was the #1 book I recommended to people when they asked me for nonfiction recs. This is a wonderful book that I will gift and recommend for years to come.
The number of books one of my dearest friends had published this year! You guys, my sweet friend, Lauren Palmer, wrote The France Dance and had it published this year, and I could NOT be more proud. If you are looking for a novel to pick up in 2026, here you go.
The number of memoirs I read this year. Some of them, I loved (Building Material by Stephen Bruno!) and some, I did not (Brooke Shields is Not Allowed to Get Old by Brooke Shields). I am always looking for more memoir recs though if you have any!
The number of Christmas novels I read this holiday season. If you are still looking for a festive read, I have three for you. My favorite was I’ll Be Home For Christmas by Jenny Bayliss.
The number of books we read this year in Book Club! Here they all are one last time with all of my personal “star” ratings next to each one:
In January: The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry 5 STARS
In February: Brooke Shields is Not Allowed to Get Old by Brooke Shields 2 STARS
In March: The Crash by Freida McFadden 3 STARS
In April: One Good Thing by Georgia Hunter 5 STARS
In May: All That Life Can Afford by Emily Everett 3 STARS
In June: Maine Characters by Hannah Orenstein 2 STARS
In July: My Friends by Fredrik Backman 5 STARS
In August: The View From Lake Como by Adriana Trigiani 4 STARS
In September: Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall 5 STARS
In October: Buckeye by Patrick Ryan 4 STARS
In November: The Widow by John Grisham 4 STARS
Okay but what did I read in December?
Here are the reviews of those three books…
And Then There Was You by Sophie Cousens
Okay, I think I’m going to have to officially quit on Sophie Cousens. All of her books LOOK so adorable and SOUND so cute, but I have yet to actually read one that I like. This one here was by far my least favorite. Am I alone? Do you guys feel the same way? I just can’t spend any more time reading her books if I don’t love them.
I don’t want to give away the “main spoiler” here, but this book has a LOT to do with AI and is so crazy unbelievable that I couldn’t believe I was actually wasting my time on it.
It’s about a woman who has moved back in with her parents after her career and love life have all gone south. Fast forward to her college reunion weekend and well, she’s brought along someone to pretend like he’s her boyfriend.
I mean…I wish I could tell you the “hook”, but I don’t want to spoil it.
But between you and me, it was dumb. And unbelievable. And boo. I really wanted to like this novel.
Okay, next up…
Christmas at the Nantucket Restaurant by Pamela Kelley
This was the PERFECT novel for me to read this month because it’s about Nantucket’s Christmas Stroll! Awwwww! Perfect.
This novel follows the same characters from her previous novel, The Restaurant (which I read in 2022), but this time, the book is set during December.
In my opinion, Kelley explains enough backstory about each character that you don’t necessarily have to read that one before you read this one (but it’s adorable, so you might as well read both!).
This novel is about three sisters all back on Nantucket for Stroll and all of the “things” going on in their personal lives (kids, ex-husbands, friends, family, etc) while running their family business. It’s very easy to read, cute, predictable, and of course it oozes Nantucket charm. This is basically like a Hallmark Christmas movie in novel form. A great December read!
And finally…
Evergreen by Lydia Millen
I shared with you guys that in January, my friend Lauren (same one who wrote The France Dance ) gifted me this book to read this year. Lydia Millen is a British influencer, and this book is just happiness. I read a little bit every week because each chapter is about a season. She covers winter, spring, summer, fall and the Christmas season. In each section, she shares her own personal stories, decorating tips, recipes, and so many inspirational and motivational ideas.
I absolutely loved this book and plan on reading it again this year. This would make an excellent gift to give someone heading into 2026 too.
This was the perfect book for me to read and wrap up 2025.
Alrighty, just to recap, here is what I read in 2025…
2025 Reads…
(Just click on the month to read my review.)
JANUARY
The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry
Is She Really Going Out With Him? by Sophie Cousens
How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang
Building Material by Stephen Bruno
You Are Here by David Nicholls
Cozy Up by Jennifer Melville
FEBRUARY
Brooke Shields is Not Allowed to Get Old by Brooke Shields
The Lodge by Kayla Olson
A Better Second Half by Liz Earle
Here Be Dragons by Melanie Shankle
The Cozy Life with Hygge by Pia Edberg
MARCH
The Crash by Freida McFadden
Die With Zero by Bill Perkins
Sandwich by Catherine Newman
We All Live Here by JoJo Moyes
Unlikely Story by Ali Rosen
APRIL
One Good Thing by Georgia Hunter
The France Dance by Lauren Palmer
The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits by Jennifer Weiner
My Good Life in France by Janine Marsh
The Smart Woman’s Guide to Breast Cancer by Jenn Simmons, MD
Summer Light on Nantucket by Nancy Thayer
MAY
All That Life Can Afford by Emily Everett
Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez
Out of the Blue by Jenny Hale
XX Brain by Lisa Mosconi
Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune
JUNE
Maine Characters by Hannah Orenstein
Swept Away by Beth O’Leary
Elevate Your Health by Jennifer Melville
Beach House Rules by Kristy Woodson Harvey
The Love Haters by Katherine Center
It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan
JULY
My Friends by Fredrik Backman
Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood
How To Be Chic in the Summer by Fiona Ferris
The Wedding People by Alison Espach
Everyone is Lying To You by Jo Piazza
AUGUST
The View From Lake Como by Adriana Trigiani
Under the Stars by Beatriz Williams
The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter
Unoffendable by Brant Hansen
SEPTEMBER
Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall
The Husbands by Holly Gramazio
Mean Moms by Emma Rosenblum
The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand and Shelby Cunningham
OCTOBER
Buckeye by Patrick Ryan
The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia
NOVEMBER
The Widow by John Grisham
Becoming Mom Strong by Heidi St. John
I’ll Be Home For Christmas by Jenny Bayliss
Yours For The Season by Emily Stone
DECEMBER
And Then There Was You by Sophie Cousens
Christmas at the Nantucket Restaurant by Pamela Kelley
Evergreen by Lydia Millen
FIFTY EIGHT books in 2025!
Every year, I name MY TOP THREE BOOKS OF THE YEAR, and as silly as it sounds, I think about that every single time I pick up a book. I’m always wondering if it’s “the one”, and I get so excited when the bar raises and a new book comes up into my TOP THREE.
Below is a list of all of my TOP THREE books from years past.
I still stand by each and every one of these, and whichever ones you haven’t already read, please do so in 2026. These are all AMAZING books…
Here is a list of all of my other FAVORITE BOOKS of the year:
2014
#1: What Remains by Carol Radziwill
2015
#1: Bread & Wine by Shauna Niequist
#2: The Royal We by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan
2016
#1: Cancel the Wedding by Carolyn Dingman
#2: It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover
#3: A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams
2017
#1: One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid
#2: Unstuffed by Ruth Soukup
#3: The Secret Life of Violet Grant by Beatriz Williams
2018
#1: My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan
#2: Castle of Water by Dane Huckelbridge
#3: The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
2019
#1: The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer
#2: The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
#3: Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
2020
#1: American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins
#2: Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano
#3: In Five Years by Rebecca Searle
2021
#1: Our Woman in Moscow by Beatriz Williams
#2: The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller
#3: Musical Chairs by Amy Poeppel
2022 (I had a TOP FIVE this year!)
#1:Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
#2: Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid
#3: Code Name Helene by Ariel Lawhon
#4: Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan
#5: The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post by Allison Pataki
2023
#1: The Paris Agent by Kelly Rimmer
#2: Only the Beautiful by Susan Meissner
#3: Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
2024
#1: The Women by Kristin Hannah
#2: The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
#3: The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
You guys, above is an incredible batch of books! (And very diverse too!) You could simply spend all year reading through this list right here.
That being said…
So…big moment now, what are my TOP THREE BOOKS FOR 2025?!
Well, this year was one of those harder years for me to pick a Top Three.
As soon as I read my #1 book, I knew that was it and never looked back…BUT…I read SO MANY AMAZING BOOKS THIS YEAR that narrowing down #2 and #3 were harder for me.
This year in Book Club alone, out of our 11 books, I gave four of them 5 STARS and three of them 4 STARS. We read some REALLY REALLY good books in 2025.
I thought about each one and finally narrowed it down.
Spoiler alert, for the first time ever, ALL THREE BOOKS ARE FROM OUR BOOK CLUB!
Here we go…
The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry
Which was also my first book to read in 2025 🙂 . You guys, I loved this novel so much.
In 2022, I could not narrow down my Top THREE, so I had a TOP FIVE and her novel Becoming Mrs. Lewis was number four. (Ironically, that novel was the first book I read in 2022!)
Needless to say, I adore her books.
This novel in particular was fantastic.
You can READ MY FULL REVIEW from January, but in a nutshell, this novel checks all the boxes. It’s a story about love and loss and rediscovering hope many years later. There is suspense. There are major plot twists. There are endearing characters who persevere despite all the odds.
This book sucked me in, and I couldn’t put it down.
I was rooting for characters and concerned about their “situation”…it was one of those books that gave me all the feels all the way through.
I absolutely started 2025 with a BANG when I read this one. It set the bar very high for all the books to come this year.
That being said, this next book bested it by just a bit.
Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall
I mean…holy cow, this novel was fantastic.
I have thought about this book and these characters many, many times since I finished the last page.
You can read MY FULL REVIEW HERE, but if you’re looking for a family saga filled with loss and grief and hope and longing and doing the unthinkable for the ones you love most, here you go. Just when I *thought* I knew where this book was going, it went somewhere else.
These characters are all raw and real, and I actually CRIED at one point while reading this novel. This story covers decades of trials and triumphs, and I have recommended it to so many this year. If you want a “meaty” novel to really make you feel all the feels as you read, look no further than this one here.
F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C BOOK.
Okay, but which book did I love so much that I knew immediately it would most likely be my favorite of the year?
Well…
One Good Thing by Georgia Hunter
Without a doubt.
From the minute I finished it, I knew it held the #1 position this year and no other book ever came close to beating it.
You can READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE, but in a nutshell, this is the story of two best friends living in Italy during World War II, and they must go their separate ways (one with the other’s daughter).
This novel is terrible and tragic and yet full of hope. I loved both of the main characters and many of the supporting ones as well. I was nervous and anxious while I was reading because I wanted so desperately for everyone to be okay.
I always encourage reading historical fiction set during World War II, and this novel in particular brilliantly represents the courage and fortitude so many had during that awful time. Despite the heavy setting, there is so much love and hope throughout this book. I absolutely loved every page. I hope you all read this novel.
And that wraps up our year in reading!
Whew!
Don’t forget…
To see the complete list of books I read in 2015 (all 63 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2016 (all 62 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2017 (all 62 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2018 (all 61 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2019 (all 54 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2020 (all 54 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2021 (all 59 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2022 (all 60 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2023 (all 51 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2024 (all 58 of them), click here.
Get ready because next year, we are bringing BOOK CLUB back in 2026!
I hope you join me every month on the 22nd to review a new book!
You guys, all three of my favorite books this year came from our Book Club. I really hope you join us as we read more amazing books in 2026.
On January 22nd, we will be reviewing…
…The River is Waiting by Wally Lamb!
I hope you read along with us and discuss it on that post.
In the meantime, HAPPY BOOK DAY!!!
Now it’s time for YOU to share your Top Three with me! I would love to know which books stood out to you the most in 2025. Please comment and share.
Thank you so much for reading with me this year. I am so blessed by this community and your love of reading too. Thank you.
I’ll see you all back here tomorrow for our final blog post of 2025! Until then, have the BEST day! xx
Eileen says
I read all of the book club books this year. I really enjoy reading along.
My Top 5 book for this year are:
5 – The Three Lives of Cate Kay by Kate Fagan
4 – Spectacular Things by Beck Dorey-Stein
3 – Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall
2 – One Good Thing by Georgia Hunter
1 – Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Looking forward to January’s Book Club!
Kelly Sites says
I love a book post. I am all over One Good Thing (my fave is a WW2 historical fiction). Just bought it for my Kindle. I’m currently reading Christmas with the Queen. LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE You would love it. Trust me on this.
Be prepared for The River is Waiting- I just finished it.
Can’t wait for a ton of great books in 2026. I also LOVE a memoir, especially to listen to while I drive or travel. I saw David Attenborough has his memoir out, and hope and pray he narrates it. His voice is dreamy.
Mimi says
Wow that’s amazing! How did you read 58 books in only 52 weeks!?
Mix and Match Mama says
A little incremental reading each day adds up to reading a lot of books each year. Anytime you get a minute, read. It will add up!
Alyssa says
Audiobooks are the key for me because you can “read” while you do laundry, cook, drive, etc. I usually average over 10 books per month.
Dena A. says
I’m at 92 books for the year and hope to finish number 93 before we turn the calendar to 2026. I try to read a little bit before bed. Also, when I am waiting for my kids game to start or pick them up from somewhere I will get a couple minutes in.
Shay, I love seeing what you read and always get some inspiration from your monthly post.
Mix and Match Mama says
THAT IS AMAZING!!! Thank you so much for sharing! xx
Becky says
I always enjoy this post!
Two books that stand out to me as my favorites this year are actually sad, but I devoured them.
The Irish Goodbye
What Happened to the McCray’s?
Jennifer says
The River is Waiting is my favorite of the year!
Elspeth Mizner says
This is one of my favorite posts of the year!!! I loved the secret life of flora lee and broken country. My favorite book this year was the women by Kristin Hannah! I love getting recommendations from you!!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Mix and Match Mama says
My favorite “favorite” book of all time. The Women is absolutely brilliant!
Taylor says
I can’t wait to read all of the comments later today! I love how much thought you put into this post every year.
My top three….
1. My Friends-Fredrik Backman
2. Wild Dark Shore
3. Atmosphere
Mix and Match Mama says
My Friends almost made my Top 3!!
Kristen says
Reading Wild Dark Shore now- soo good!
Sheri says
Do you have any recommendations of books that your kids like?
Mix and Match Mama says
So many! Which age are you thinking?
Katie Amerson says
I love this question. My daughter and Ashby are the same age and I would love to know what she is reading. Also, what books did Smith like when he was 10? My son loves football and anything outside, but getting him to read feels impossible.
Mix and Match Mama says
Smith LOVED the Theodore Boone series by John Grisham when he was that age. He could not put them down. I shared the books Ashby read this summer (a lot!) here: https://mixandmatchmama.com/2025/08/shays-friday-faves-08-08-25/
Susanne N says
I think I have my 4 favorites narrowed down… Broken country, the correspondent, the stolen life of Colette Marceau and be ready when the luck happens (Ina Garten memoir) That was hard, I read so many good books this year!
Sheaffer Sims says
I don’t understand. That’s all.
Mix and Match Mama says
Bahahahaha! And yet, our friendship remains 😉 .
lee ann vicary says
One of my best friends has NEVER been a reader and she would always poke me about it. However, another group of her friends started a book club this year – she was just in it for the visit and snacks (according to her). She reads more than I do now. Go figure. There is hope for Sheaffer still.
Jeralee Giacinti says
Great lists! I have only read Flora Lea and loved it as well. You NEED to read The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods – set in UK/Ireland, historical, lots of fun reference to the Bronte sisters and just a wonderful, curious, and tragic story.
Kelli Moss says
Solid top 3!!📚 I’m excited to come back this evening and see everyone’s top books for ideas! Broken Country, Wild Dark Shore, and The Correspondent were mine 🙂
Kristen says
Broken Country was my top too! One of the best memoirs I have ever read was Minka Kelly’s called “Tell me Everything” and I didn’t know much about her. It’s fabulous.
Emi says
I also enjoyed Minka Kelly’s book! Trevor Noah’s was really good!
Keri says
Your passion for reading has inspired me the past couple of years. So much that I have picked up my childhood love again, because of you! I’ve read 45 books this year, all of them from your recommendations. Happy to add more to my list for 2026!
Mix and Match Mama says
YAY!!!!! That is amazing!!! I love this so much, Keri! Thank you for sharing! xx
Hayley says
Have you read Beneath a Scarlet Sky? I’m reading now and, based on your number one (and previous years!), I think you would really like it. Set in WWII Italy as well.
Happy reading!
Mix and Match Mama says
I don’t think that I have read that one?! Thank YOU for the rec!!
Charise says
This sounds SO good! Just added to my kindle 🙂
Kaley says
Yes! It is SO good. Even my non-reading husband loved it!
Lisa D says
One of my all time favorites!
SS says
Shay,
I have not read any books on your list. I have been trying to read more. Our kiddo had me reading all the books she has been reading, so it has been fun to be able to discuss “her” books with her. I will say they were pretty good reads the are for Middle school ages! I have read a couple of my own. For sure you need to read Future Boy Michael J. Fox (but I already told you that). I read a book called Rambling Willie about a harness horse. I will say even though it is older you may like it. …but not sure it’s easy to get your hands on. I grew up with harness racing in our family, so it made it that special when you know some of the places and well ..I got to meet Rambling Willie!!! Going to try to read more this year.
Pamela G says
My very favorite blog post of the year!!!! My 3 favorite books this year are:
#3 Tobacco Wives by Adele Myers
#2 The Happiest Man on Earth by Eddie Jaku
#1 The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
Mix and Match Mama says
I LOVED The Correspondent!!
Lynelle says
A heads up on The River is Waiting – it is HEAVY. I recommend making sure you are in a good headspace before picking it up (and some might want to check the trigger warnings). It is beautifully written, but Wally Lamb is a master of despair.
Summer says
Top 3:
1: Broken Country
2: Theo of Golden
3: Imagine Heaven (non-fiction)
They are all so, so good! I truly can’t stop thinking about them.
Charise says
Theo of Golden is SO good!! Probably will end up my favorite book of the year!
Katie says
I’m so sad that you want to quit Sophie Cousens, I really like her books! Have you tried “Is She Really Going Out With Him?” It’s super cute and maybe you would like it more?
Mix and Match Mama says
Did you read this book in particular? I would love to know! Her novel, The Good Part, has been my favorite of hers to date. I really just did not love this one.
Kaley says
This was so hard for me to narrow down!
1. Theo of Golden by Allen Levi
2. The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
3. The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali
4. Conform by Ariel Sullivan (not my typical genre, but I really LOVED this one)
5. Where the Rivers Merge by Mary Alice Monroe
Honorable mention Favorite Romances that are tied for the best: One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune, The Favorites by Layne Fargo, It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan
I also loved the January book club pick! Lots of tough subject matter but will make for a great discussion!
Mix and Match Mama says
The Correspondent could have been in my Top Three!! It was one of the books on the cusp!
Kaley says
Broken Country and One Good Thing would have definitely been in my Top 10! I feel like I read more 5 stars than normal this year, it was hard to narrow the list down to my favorites.
Patrice says
I LOVE Book Day and love your recommendations!
I also love C. J. Box and his Joe Pickett series and think your hunters esp. Andrew would like them.
Debbie Dehrer says
I would definitely agree with your top three! They were all amazing, but One Good Thing was by far the best!
Jelena says
Always on the lookout for book suggestions, so love book review day!
My top three this year are;
3. The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See
2. All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker
1. You Are Here by David Nicholls
Mix and Match Mama says
I also loved your #1 and #2!!
Debbie K says
My 2025 reads are lower than usual this year and I’m struggling to name my top 3. I enjoyed all of them, but not to the point that I think about a book that i read this year. My 2024 favorites were The Women by Hanna and The Measure by Nikki Erlick. I still think about them. The Measure was so outside of my comfort zone/ genre, but I’m so glad that I read it! It stays with me to this day.
Kaley says
Yes! The Measure will stick with you for SO long after you read it. It was probably the best book club discussion we ever had!
Sara says
The Names by Florence Knapp was in my Top Five as was Wild Dark Shores.
Kirsten says
I’m in the middle of listening to The River is Waiting. It’s so good.
Lauren Palmer says
I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed Evergreen! I knew it was a good book for you because you are such a seasons girl. ❤️ And of course, I’m so glad you enjoyed The France Dance. xoxoxoxo
K.K. says
I couldn’t love this post MORE!! As always!!
This year has been so much fuller with things that I didn’t predict: my mom going through chemo, the Bible Recap being awesome but taking more time than anticipated, leading a new work certification program, etc. – that my “fun reading” has lacked. I really appreciate building my book list despite not having as much margin in 2025 for it! We will see what 2026 looks like when it comes to books.
Thanks for being a bright spot on the internet, Shay!
Charise says
I think my top book I read this year was Theo of Golden! I also really enjoyed One Golden Summer, Broken Country, and One Good Thing!
sandi says
I read over 60 books this year, many recommended by you and others from the comment section. There were no 5 star books for me but many with 4. I enjoyed Ina Garten’s book which I would not have picked up on my own. Tessa Afshar was an author I was unfamiliar with until a reader recommended her books. Two other books that stuck with me were The One In A Million Boy (Monica Wood) and No One Ever Asked (Katie Ganshert) and The Correspondent. Looking forward to next year’s reads!
kristin says
I read 60 books so far and I loved:
Our Last Days in Barcelona by Chanel Cleeton
You Killed Me First by John Marrs
Erika Slaughter says
I’m adding One Good Thing to my TBR list now!
Carly says
It’s been such a good year of reading. Shay, you NEED to add to your list “Unreasonable Hospitality”. First its just a great read about the growth of Eleven Madison Park but for anyone in hospitality and events (I do trade shows) it just put into words why I love what I do so much and truly how easy it is to go above and beyond for clients and what a difference it makes in their world. I think you’ll love it. It’s been my “most gifted” book this year. 5 people this Christmas alone are getting it
Betsy Ross says
Added all of these to my Goodreads!
Highly reccomend The Paris Daughter by Kristin Harmel. WWII. Ripped my heart in two and put it back together over and over.
Alyssa says
I’m looking forward to your opinion on Januarys book club book. As a Christian, I had a really hard time reading this as there were many atheist comments and anti-God comments. It just gave me an off feeling, despite the rest of the storyline being engaging.
Carol says
My Top 3 for 2025 (so far):
3. Broken Country by Claire Leslie Hall, 5 stars
2. My Friends by Fredrik Backman, 5 stars (I really had a hard time choosing my favorite between 1 and 2)
1. One Good Thing by Georgia Hunter, 5 stars
Mix and Match Mama says
My Friends almost made it to my Top Three too!
Bren says
Such a great top three, Shay! My list is so similar with mine being “The Things We Leave Unfinished”, “One Good Thing” and “Broken Country”. I loved “The Secret Life of Flora Lee” also! Except in complete transparency, I cannot remember if I read The Things We Leave Unfinished early this year or late last year. So new goal this year – keeping a running note on my phone!
Appreciate all the great recommendations above from your lists and your readers!
Lauren Palomo says
Yay! I love your annual book review and so happy Broken Country was in your top 3. That was my favorite book of the year. Now I need to read One Good Thing! Thank you for all of the wonderful book suggestions year after year. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Beth B. says
I love your book posts and recommendations! I’ve asked for a Kindle for Christmas to reduce trips to the library. I love holding a book in hand but have decided to be more practical and go with Kindle. Thank you for all the encouragement to read good books!
Tera K says
Look forward to this post every year & always wonder how you can narrow it down to 3. 😄 I also loved Broken Country and added your other top 2 to my TBR list. Currently on book #72 of the year and loving it- The Kitchen House.
Susan Jeffries says
Books are soooo much better than tv and I always love your reviews!! I just added your number 1 to my TBR. I have not ranked my 2025 books yet but if you are looking for good bios/autobios, I loved The Sound of Gravel and Lisa Marie Presley’s book (which was completed by her daughter after her tragic death). Here’s to a great year of books in 2026!
Debbie Alsip says
My top 5 are
The Correspondent
The God of the Woods
Say You’ll Remember Me
Be Ready When the Luck Happens
Broken Country
Can’t wait for 2026 recommendations!
Mix and Match Mama says
That is a GREAT list!
Tish says
Shay, do you read mostly physical books or use a Kindle? If Kindle, can you share a link for the one you recommend? Thank you and Merry Christmas!
Mix and Match Mama says
I almost exclusively read on my Kindle. I use the Paperwhite. I LOVE IT SO MUCH!!
Pat Roberson says
I look forward to the end of the month just to read your book reviews. Theo of Golden was my number 1. Adding your favorites along with favorites listed under the comment section. Would love some Audible suggestions.
Kelly says
I actually have a note in my reading journal to myself: “I guess I just really don’t like Sophie Cousins!” Her books always seem so good to me based on the description and then always fall flat.
For memoirs, I highly recommend Ina Garten’s memoir. (Around the same time, I read the Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly Bishop – they are about the same age and had some similarities, I much preferred Ina Garten’s). I think she’s in Martha’s Vineyard or the Hamptons so there would be that Northeast connection for you!
Cris says
Some memoirs I’ve loved: “Remember God” by Annie F. Downs, “Awake” by Jen Hatmaker, and “Coming Clean” by Seth Haines. This was such a fun post to read and think about!
Jennifer says
Great top 3! I put One Good Thing on my list. My top 3 were Theo of Golden, Broken Country and One Golden Summer.
Brittany S says
I just finished the sweetest Christmas read that you should add to your list for next year! It’s called A Cross-Country Christmas. There’s 2 in the series and I’m about to start the second. Merry Christmas!!
Kelli says
I always love your book posts! Thank you.
My top 5:
5. How to Read a Book
4. Awake
3. Broken Country
2. Atmosphere
1. A River is Waiting
I listened to several of Sophie Cousens books last year and gave them 4 stars. I think the British narrator helps.
Jessie Sea says
Shay,
Thank you for the book reviews, I look forward to the monthly posts. I found the most charming little book called September Days on Nantucket written in 1902 – I think you would enjoy it.
Here’s my top 3:
1. Isola
2. Dutch House
3. God of the Woods
samantha carroll says
Thank you for recommending the Winter Street series by Elin Hildebrand. I burned through those so quickly this season and they were just great! Many of the Nantucket references I recognized from your blog posts. I love the Quinn family, and I can’t believe Hallmark etc hasn’t picked up this story for a holiday movie series. Thanks again and happy new year to your family!
Lisa says
I recently read Theo of Golden and it’s one of the best books I’ve ever read! It’s a few years old and had never heard of it until I saw it in a list of best books. Highly recommend it to everyone! Hope you’ll read it.
Karleigh Johnson says
Shay! I just want you to know that here I am using your blog to bring me a slice of joy during a difficult time in my life. I tore my ACL skiing on Christmas Eve and will need surgery soon — so where do I go? I go to Shay’s blog to stock up on books to read while I’m “down.” You know this, but I’ve got two young kiddos and I don’t have a whole lot of time to read, so I’m trying to make this a positive and turn it into a good reading experience for me. I will also likely revisit some of your travel blogs just to pump some joy into my heart during my recovery! And I might be taking a page from your metaphorical book by staying at the bottom of the mountain while my family skies from here on out! Xoxo
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh no, I am so sorry, Karleigh! That is just terrible. I am so so sorry. You seem to have the BEST outlook on the situation. I hope you take this time to heal, rest and recover (your own unfortunate type of hibernating). Note to self, stay at the bottom and enjoy the snow and coffee instead next time. xx