It’s one of my very favorite posts of the year! I LOVE looking at top 10 lists, and I’m usually frantically adding books to my TBR based on what I see on top 10 lists. It’s also fun to see when someone lists a top 10 that I thought was a terrible book haha.
This compilation of my favorite books is all of my 5 star reads for the year- some were published in 2025, but some are backlist that were published prior to 2025. Before we dive in to my list, here are some fun stats that Goodreads has collected for me:
As I was browsing around on Goodreads, I also found this fun chart that shows my reading habits over the years! It’s interesting how I really settled into a groove of reading around 100 books a year. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind lowering the amount of books that I read so that I can make sure I’m reading more quality books. I honestly read very fast and LOVE reading, but I don’t remember every book I read.
This graphic is tiny, but it gives a little overview of my start ratings through the year! I wish that there was a DNF option- most of the 2 star books were DNF books for me. I usually make it about halfway and then hate the book so much, or realize that it’s not getting any better- so I count it as ‘read’ and give it 2 stars.
And without further ado…here are my 5 star reads of 2025!
The Glass Castle – this memoir was incredible- from start to finish. I LOVE books like this- books that describe a childhood that was less than ideal- and a person or family who rose above the circumstances that could have/should have held them down. It’s not easy to read, but it will stick with me forever!
Redeeming Love – I actually read this one again to see if it held up as much as I remember it. And despite going into it feeling really skeptical, I ended up loving it- again! It is such a powerful story, and so well written.
The Wedding People – this one was worth the hype for me! It’s about a young lady who decides to end her life- but she wants to enjoy one luxurious weekend first. What she doesn’t realize is that the hotel she booked is completely booked for a wedding. These wedding people become a kind of found family for her, and no spoilers- but I loved the ending.
If the Shoe Fits // Tangled Up in You – I loved the two books that I read from this series! Sweet, slightly cheesy, clean romance- it was perfect for my reading taste! I’m excited to read the rest of the books in the series- all based on Disney princess movies!
When Less Becomes More – despite being published several years ago, this book brought a lot of great tips and tricks to my year. I read it in January, and it was the perfect mental boost that I needed to remind myself that less really is more.
How to Read a Book – This book drew me in from the very first page and I could not put it down. The characters are flawed but lovable, the events that happen in the story feel so real to life. I absolutely adored this book and have recommend it to a lot of people since I read it in January!
How to Winter – This book changed my life for the better and helped me get through those long, cold winter months. I loved this one so much that I’m re-reading it again this January and may just do that every single year!
Unreasonable Hospitality – I have no business reading tips from someone who runs a Michelin star restaurant- I will probably never step foot in one, let alone need to know how to run one- but this book had SO much good information on working in a business and even just interacting with people.
Wonder – I read this one aloud to the kids and we all loved it. We watched the movie after and there was not a dry eye in the room.
The Names – wow! This one was incredible. It tells the story of one man- but his life could take three different paths based on what he was named at birth. It’s fascinating and made me think a lot about “the butterfly effect”- how one small choice can change the trajectory of life. Beautifully written!
The Correspondent – this is the story of an elderly lady who is losing her sight. She has always sent letters to those she loves, and this novel includes letters both from and to her. It unfolds the story of her life- the beautiful parts and the devastating parts, the beauty and trauma that she has carried with her. I loved it.
Can You Solve the Murder? – While I don’t think this is the best book ever written, it was probably the most unique book I’ve ever read and I could not put it down!!! This is like a “choose your own adventure” book, but you have to collect clues and try to solve the mystery as you read. Spoiler: I did not solve the mystery, but I sure did enjoy having my pen and notebook out and furiously scribbling down clues. But be warned- this was one of those “ignore your family and all responsibilities until you finish reading” books.
Raising Girls – my daughter is 11 and this was the perfect book to read as we enter the pre-teen/teen years. It is written from a Christian perceptive and contains so much sound/biblical wisdom. I will most certainly be doing a re-read through this one!
The No-Show – I wasn’t sure while I was reading this book if I even liked it, but by the time I got to the end I was so surprised by the gentle plot twist that I can’t stop thinking about it! I loved it. It’s a clean romance with a plot twist at the end that I did not see coming.
And that’s a wrap on my 2025 reading! Have you read any of these books? Or want to read any of them?
Lots of your favorites have been favorites of mine over the years! I’m currently reading How to Winter and hoping it will help me embrace winter more.
I am hoping to do a re-read of How to Winter this month! I never re-read books, but I need this one every single winter!
I love seeing people’s book lists! Thanks for taking the time to share it. For books that I don’t finish I created a DNF bookshelf on Goodreads and put them there, that way I know I not to pick it up again!
I really need to get myself more organized on Goodreads!