Best Reads of 2025
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A few weeks ago at church, a friend of mine was wearing a sweatshirt that said, “Reading Is My Favorite Sport.” Oh how true this is for me! If you’ve been around me for any length of time, you will know that I love to read. This year, I made it my goal to read fifty books. It is December 2, and I am nearly there!
If you’re looking for your next great read, here are some of my favorite books that I read this year. When you see one you like, text a friend and tell her to grab it too so you can read together! Reading in community makes the joy all the better.
Without further ado, here’s my top reads of 2025.
Fiction
Chasing Fireflies by Charles Martin
I first got hooked on Charles Martin’s books last year with the Murphy Shepherd series. Originally I saw them in our church media center and got them for my husband to read. He read them and said I would love them, too, and boy was he right. For Christmas last year, he gave me several Charles Martin books. This one was probably my favorite (although it’s a toss-up with The Mountain Between Us) due to the themes that reminded me of our time as foster parents.
The Swan House by Elizabeth Musser
My friend Hannah introduced me to this author, and this book was an absolute work of art. I felt as though I traveled back in time as I read about the tragic airplane crash in which many prominent Atlantans perished back in the sixties. This coming of age novel was gripping and left me thinking.
The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip by Sara Brunsvold
Oh my goodness gracious, this one had me in tears. It was a wonderfully written story that helped me see the dignity and beauty in dying well. I loved reading Mrs. Clara’s perspective and considering, perhaps for the first time, what it looks like to stare death in the face with the joy and hope of Jesus as we age. Highly recommend this one.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Ok y’all. I’m almost ashamed to admit that my first time reading Little Women in its entirety was this year. But that is the honest truth. Little Women is my favorite movie of all time (both versions), and I absolutely adore each character for different reasons. I wanted to be Jo when I grew up, but I think I’m more like Meg. :) Suffice it to say, this book wowed me. The writing is superb, there are endless beautiful and memorable quotes, and Jesus is all over it! I was floored by the detail in which Alcott wrote about the Christian faith and was genuinely moved so many times as I read. I’ve got bookmarks all over my Kindle version, but the version linked above is on my wish list, and I can’t wait to read and share it with my little girl.
Under the Tulip Tree by Michelle Shocklee
This, much like The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip, was a book in which an older woman mentors and cares for a younger woman. The generational differences are but a minor detail when these women learn from each other and find a connection that is unlikely and divine. Another one that had me in tears!
Spiritual Growth
Both of these books were book club reads with a few close friends of mine, and reading them in community made them exponentially more memorable and meaningful!
I Surrender All by Priscilla Shirer
I mean, I love anything Priscilla Shirer writes. I have had the joy of hearing her speak live a couple times and have also done a few of her Bible studies. She is approachable yet deep, wise yet understanding. This book meant a lot to me as I worked through some difficult circumstances earlier this year and is one I will reference again and again. I also enjoyed listening to Priscilla’s series with Candace Cameron Bure on her podcast!
Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund
This is one of the best books I have ever read. It was rare for me to read through more than a few chapters without tears in my eyes. Dane Ortlund does a masterful job of explaining how our perspective of God is skewed at best, but he gives us hope by illuminating the truth of Jesus’ heart for us through examining the work of the Puritans. I will definitely read this again and want everyone I know to read it as well.
Nonfiction
The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi
Fun fact–I met the author of this book over ten years ago at a day for writers hosted by another author. She is fun and genuine and this book is that, but also deeper than you would expect. She helps the reader to move from a place of perfectionism to grace-based productivity and fruitfulness that will maximize your sanity and minimize your worry. Practical, helpful, and insightful. I want to get her cookbook next!
Mother to Son by Jasmine Holmes
As an African American woman who is married to a Caucasian man with two biracial children, this book has been on my list for a while. It was hard to read at times because there were parts that felt deeply personal and sad, but it was a worthy read because it made me grateful to be able to speak life into and over my precious son.
Happy Wives Club by Fawn Weaver
I “randomly” found this book at the library, and I am so glad I did. With ten years of marriage under my belt, I am ever aware that we are always learning and growing. This book was such an encouragement to not sweat the small stuff, love well, and be grateful for the marriage I have by sowing into it each day with kindness and grace.
Awaking Wonder by Sally Clarkson
I love all things Sally Clarkson, and this book has been such an encouragement to me as a new homeschool mom. This book has solidified some of my reasoning for pursuing homeschool and fortified me by reminding me of my “why.” The biggest takeaway so far (because I’m not quite done) is that investing in our lives as Christ-followers is the greatest gift we can give to our children to help them cultivate a faith of their own.
What If It’s True? by Charles Martin
I’ve already made it abundantly clear how much I enjoy Charles Martin’s fiction work. However, this book is a Christian living book that takes the reader on a journey with Jesus. It is intensely rich, deep, and satisfying, while also leaving the reader wanting more of Christ. You will not regret reading this book. It is life-changing.
Memoir
Dinner for Vampires by Bethany Joy Lenz
Ok, so true confession: I never really watched One Tree Hill. My sister was absolutely obsessed with the show, however, and she let me borrow this book by one of the show’s protagonists. I could not put it down. It was incredibly eye-opening to read her journey and learn just how easy it is to be swept away into a world of untruths. But my most favorite part of it all is learning that after all of the horrors she endured, the author still loves Jesus.
Solito by Javier Zamora
Oh my goodness gracious. The writing. The scenery. The detail. This book is a work of art. Reading about Javier’s experience transported me to another world in which many people live–a life in which their greatest dream is to live in the USA, a country we too often take for granted. You need to read this book.
Here Be Dragons by Melanie Shankle
I have been a long-time fan of Melanie’s work as a podcast listener and a reader. She tells her story here with candor and bravery. It is absolutely incredible to learn of the darkness she traversed in her relationship with her mother and how it changed her for the better in order to be the mother her own daughter needed her to be. You won’t be disappointed by this one!
Out of Darkness by Stormie Omartian
I have read a few of Stormie’s prayer books, but reading her autobiography was another thing altogether. Her life was full of great pain, sorrow, and trauma. Reading her story of victory was incredibly encouraging to me and reminded me that no one is ever too far gone for the hope and love of Jesus Christ.
Surprised By Oxford by Carolyn Weber
A friend of mine gave me this book, and I loved it. It was so eye-opening to read the experience of a woman coming to Christ in her twenties and learn what it looks like for someone to give Him their all after living so much of their formative years apart from Him. I can take my lifelong knowledge of Christ for granted and this book helped me see what a gift it is to know Him, no matter how or when we come to Him. This book is a gift!
Kids
No Matter Where I Go by Jessica Mathisen
Is it cheating or self-aggrandizing to put my own book on the list?! All jokes aside, I hope my first children’s book encourages all who read it to love the vulnerable children and families in their own backyards, whatever that looks like.
The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Warner
Even though this series is considered a somewhat modern classic for kids, I have not read them before. This was our first chapter book read aloud for homeschool and the kids loved it, so much so that my daughter would beg to read it on days when we weren’t doing school! We are reading the second book now and it is just as charming and sweet.
Your Worth Never Wavers by Laura Wifler
Oh my goodness, what a sweet book. I love the rhyming elements and how the author makes something like body image and self-worth so accessible and theologically rich and beautiful for young girls. This was a birthday present for our four-year-old daughter, and we have gifted it since and will continue to!
The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
Ok so technically, I have not read these books this year, but Rory has been reading through the series with the kids at bedtime and they love them! Our four-year-old asks a lot of questions when she hasn’t dozed off, and our six-year-old truly understands the allegorical elements!
Bible Study
Daring Joy by Nicole Zasowski
This is probably the most impactful Bible study I have done in quite some time. The author is also a LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist) who beautifully weaves together her knowledge, research, and personal experiences as a therapist and from her own life to help the reader work through their own journey with grief, disappointment and sorrow. This Bible study was a turning point for me in my grief journey as I processed some very difficult circumstances from the past few years. Highly recommend!
Life Under the Sun by Hannah Anderson
I will tell you honestly that before this Bible study, I had not spent much time in the book of Ecclesiastes. And at the end of the study, I still wouldn’t tell you it was my new favorite book of the Bible. I can, however, tell you that it matters more to me than it did before. The Lord used this study, along with I Surrender All to solidify in my heart many desires I had been tip-toeing around and to strengthen my confidence in choices He led me to make and is guiding me through. It challenged me and was a great encouragement to my heart.
And that’s a wrap for my 2025 best reads! What’s on your list of best read books this year? Share your recommendations in the comments below so I can make my wishlist for 2026!