My Favourite Reads of 2025

I read a lot in 2025, more than I do in a typical year. I put that down to the aimlessness that often accompanies a relocation, plenty of time in transit, and a wealth of waiting.

Looking through the 98 books I finished last year, I can’t say I’m pleased to have spent time with all of them. About a dozen stand out as ‘meh’ or worse — and that’s on top of the eight titles I did not finish (or DNFed).

My aim for this year is to quit books earlier and more often, all in pursuit of making more space for books I really enjoy — like the dozen or so below.

Secrets abound

Typically, mysteries and thrillers aren’t my thing (most years I don’t read any), but I got out of my comfort zone in 2025 and these ones shone.

• Guilty by Definition by Susie Dent
  The first novel from lexicographer and British panel stalwart (she’s been on Countdown for ages and trades barbs with Jimmy Carr on the comedic version) is appropriately filled with weird and wonderful words and a twisting, but not ridiculously complicated or transparent, murder mystery.
  
• Siracusa by Delia Ephron
  Recommended by my friend Kate (who writes about music and creativity at The Creativity Helm), this psychological thriller follows two couples (and a daugther) on vacation in Italy — and exceeded my expectations. The most enjoyable use of alternating points of view I read in 2025.
  
• The Truth Commission by Susan Juby
  The least mystery-mystery of the three, with a trio of teenagers attempting to find the main character’s missing sister. Potentially most enjoyable for readers familiar with Nanaimo, BC or who experienced adolescence on Canada’s West Coast.

Chick lit, but make it literary

I know, no one uses the term ‘chick lit’ anymore (with good reason), but that’s still how I think of the books written for a female audience that aren’t quite romance. (Speaking of that genre, the latest from Sophie Kinsella is one of the titles I finished last year that I wish I’d DNFed.) These two popular fiction titles lean more heavily into the strong writing and thematic considerations that characterise literary fiction, although there’s still plenty of plot.

• The Wedding People by Alison Espach
  Yes, this centres around a wedding. Yes, some characters’ decisions seem unrealistic. But it’s not a fluff piece. The unconventional storyline, serious subjects, and dark humour made it a worthwhile read.
• Shark Heart: A Love Story by Emily Habeck
  Wildly creative imagining of what a genetic condition that transforms one partner into a predatory fish a would do to a marriage.

How terrifying is the future?

Two very different explorations of what lies ahead, one from a Pulitzer-prize winning journalist and the other feel-good sci fi.

• Autocracy Inc: The Dictators Who Want to Run the World by Anne Applebaum
  Applebaum’s writing is wonderfully accessible and the subject matter deeply worrisome. Although I didn’t come away with any clear strategy for stopping the corruption and collusion that powers many autocrats, I did feel like I have a better understanding of how these political actors function — any maybe a little hope.
  
• Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz
  In the vein of the Monk & Robot books from Becky Chambers, this is a hopeful glimpse of a would-be-dystopian world that’s made more human (and humane) by robots. A misfit crew overcome their own circumstances and the dump of a restaurant they find themselves in to produce hand-pulled noodles and an unexpected community.

History unfolding

I like historical (or at least, historical-ish) reads and two stood out in 2025 — one from antiquity and the other from more modern circumstances.

• Boudicca’s Daughter by Elodie Harper
  The first section detailing the Iceni’s revolt against Romans in Britain was a little gruesome for me (is there a reading equivalent of watching from behind your hands?), but main character Solina captured my imagination. I was spellbound witnessing her growth from her mother’s daughter to a warrior in her own right.
  
• As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh
  While we lived in Zurich, I crossed paths with Katouh (a fellow Canadian living aboard) and I can’t believe it took me so long to read her debut novel! A love story amid the Syrian revolution, this has its share of gruesomeness, too, but the strong character development and insight make it emotionally impactful.

Bring on escapism

For when the real world was simply too much, three authors gave me much-needed immersions in three very different universes — all with guaranteed happy endings.

• The Spellshop and The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst
  A sentient spider plant, a reclusive librarian forced to flee, a light romance subplot, and a lot of spellwork made the first book in the series a delightfully cosy read. Durst reuses the formula with a gardening twist in the second installment, with equally magical results.
  
• One Golden Summer and This Summer will be Different by Carley Fortune
  Ontario cottage romance, what’s not to love? It helps that Fortune is a strong writer and that the characters’ actions are (mostly) believable. The sprinkle of Canadian content doesn’t hurt either.
  
• One Dark Window and Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig
  Fantasy and adventure with excellent world-building and a dollop of romance. One Dark Window held my attention for a transatlantic flight and ended so suddenly I knew I’d need to read the second book ASAP.

Perhaps you’ve noticed that all of the books I read in 2025 are by women writers. This is no mistake. I’ve been avoiding male authors for a few years, particularly those of the straight, white variety after realising their disproportionate contribution to my reading history.

All the books on my (virtual) bookshelf at the moment are by women and I’m looking forward to revisiting some familiar authors (like Amy Tan) and discovering some new ones, too. And doing my best to put books aside when they’re just not doing it for me — long live the DNF!