2025 Year in Books – Finally

I know I know I’m a little behind, however, I still wanted to put this list out there because I have what I consider an unusual mix of tastes in books and if you’re like me this might be helpful!

I’m giving my top 5 books a spot on the feed, I finished the year with 34 books read across a myriad of genres. For the record, I could not get into the fantasy stuff like Sarah J Mass though I tried, and there are definitely more than 5 books I found phenomenal. I will say that I leaned heavier into the fiction side of writing than is typical for me and honestly with a weighty year of life the simplicity of the novel was just what i needed.

1. The Guilty Pleasure — getting this one out of the way because it has typical millennial female written all over it:
   ABBY JIMINEZ — Yes all of them 
   I read every single one of her available books in the latter part of 2025 and I don’t regret it a bit — I also can’t wait for her newest one coming this spring!
2. The Emotional Wreck: 
   KRISTEN HANNAH — The Women
   What can really be said about this book, a nurse in the Vietnam War’s perspective on 1. the war and 2. being a woman in the military. I have thought about this one over and over.
3. Historical Fiction Meets Who Dun It: 
   MARIE BENEDICT— Queens of Crime 
   Enter — Agatha Christie, as a somewhat sequel to the original writing about Agatha Christie’s famous disappearance this one keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole read. While I did feel like the first 30 pages were slow, it’s worth it!
4. The Memoir of Memories: 
   JEREMY RENNER — My Last Breath
   I have had loads of questions about this one, this is not so much a memoir of his life but about his journey in this specific moment in time. It’s a fascinating, and slightly gruesome story, worth the read.
5. Hip hip Hooray for Life: 
   JENNIE ALLEN- Get out of Your Own Head 
   If you want a reset, but don’t know where to start this is a good one. It’s not a cheesy, hoaxy book. It gives some good insight.

I’m already five books into 2026 with a lot of thoughts as this year trends on. Excited for new releases, and diving a little bit more into the non-fiction again after a heavier fiction year in 2025.

What was your favorite book last year? And what are you most looking forward to reading in 2026?