I love doing this end-of-the-year post, but I always find it challenging to narrow my list of favorite books down to just 10 or 12. Because I read a lot of books...and always have so many that I loved...too many to list them all here. So I tried to look back at each month and pick just 12 of my favorite 5-star reads from 2025. Here they are:
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If you want to see why I loved any or all of these 12 books, just click on the link to see my original review. There are also two series I started this year that I fell in love with because of their humor and engaging characters, so I wanted to mention them here as well:
I look forward to seeing which books were your favorite reads this year.
Happy Reading!
I think I need Frank and Red! I'm glad you had such a good year with books😁
ReplyDeleteFrank & Red is SO fun. I loved that one a lot.
DeleteIt's so much fun to see your top 12! I've read two of these -- The Austen Affair and Summer Romance -- and really enjoyed them both. Here's to more great reading in 2026!
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed we both find many 5-star books to read next year! :D
DeleteIt can be difficult to narrow these lists down, but it's also a good thing as it means you read a lot of great books! I haven't read any of these but I think I would enjoy the Irina Shapiro and India Holton books.
ReplyDeleteThey are both fun books in different ways.
DeleteI'm glad you found so many good ones.
ReplyDeleteI feel like I had a pretty good year of reading this year. I hope next year is the same.
DeleteI don't believe I've read any of these yet, but I read Sense and Suitability by Pepper Basham this year and really loved it. Have you read that one?
ReplyDeleteI haven't yet...but I really want to! It's high on my reading list for next year. :D
DeleteI added Frank and Red to my ever growing 'tbr' stack based on your review. Now to find the time to read it.
ReplyDeleteThat's always the tricky part!
DeleteYes, it is as I add more books to my 'tbr' faster than I read through them.
DeleteIsn't that the truth? I do that, too. ;D
DeleteMy reading has been a bit stagnant recently. Your list inspires me to look for some good books (maybe even some that are on your list) to get back in the swing of it.
ReplyDeleteLots of different kinds of books on this list...so maybe a few will appeal to you. I loved them all. :D
DeleteI really want to try Dungeon crawler
ReplyDeleteI have been loving those books. They make me laugh. Though there's emotional depth to them as well.
DeleteI like Shapiro too.
ReplyDeleteShe writes so well!
DeleteThese are all new to me.
ReplyDeleteThere's a book for every mood on this list from romance to nonfiction, so maybe there's one you would like. :D
DeleteI remember your review of The Highgate Cemetary Murder by Irina Shapiro. Had it on my kindle for awhile and never got around to reading it but now I will
ReplyDeleteIt's a good one. At least, I really liked it. :D
DeleteGreat choices. I think Head Cases will make my list as well, but I've got a few more to read before I finalize everything.
ReplyDeleteMy last two books have been DNFs, so I don't think I'll be adding any last minute reads to this list. ;D
DeleteI LOVED Frank and Red when I found it last year. I read it with several "Grumpy Old Men Find Redemption" type books.
ReplyDeleteFrank & Red was so great. It was my first 5-star read of 2025. Thanks for commenting! :D
DeleteNice list. I love that Some Like it Scot cover (so cute). And wow the Alex Kershaw book made your list ... that's nonfiction and pretty serious but looks brave. I have not read his WWII books yet.
ReplyDeleteHe writes so well it ended up being a fast read despite all the historical detail. I want to read the rest of his books now.
DeleteA few of these are already on my TBR. I keep seeing the Carl book around the blogosphere but haven't tried it yet!
ReplyDeleteThose books make me laugh. They keep getting longer and longer, though. The one I have checked out now is 800 pages!
DeleteI hope to start the Dungeon Crawler Carl series in 2026. I've only heard good things. And I remember grabbing Frank and Red for my Kindle after reading your review. I need to prioritize it as well. Hope you have a wonderful holiday.
ReplyDeleteI loved Frank & Red. It's such a cute story. And funny. :D
DeleteAwesome list, Lark! I really want to read Dungeon Crawler Carl. I keep hearing how good it is. I also need to read Some Like It Scot. I always enjoy Pepper Basham's books. :D
ReplyDeleteI enjoy Basham's books, too! And Some Like It Scot is SO good. :D
DeleteThat is an interesting list. I looked at your review for Head Cases by John McMahon. That book sounds good and I have the first book in another series by him, titled The Good Detective.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to try his previous series, too. And he has a sequel to Head Cases coming out in January that I'm looking forward to checking out. :D
DeleteI greatly enjoy seeing what books you liked from last year. I'm especially curious about Frank & Red.
ReplyDelete